eBay Inc.
NESTED MICRO-MARKETPLACES WITHIN AN ONLINE MARKETPLACE

Abstract:

Systems and methods are presented for nested micro-marketplaces in an online marketplace. In some embodiments, a method is presented that may include accessing a product listing for a product in the online marketplace placed by a seller. The method may also include accessing a first price in the product listing placed by the seller, the first price applicable to a first group of users associated with the online marketplace; accessing a second price in the product listing, the second price applicable to a second group of users associated with the online marketplace and being discounted from the first price for the second group due to a closeness affiliation with the seller of the product; and accessing an offer to purchase the product, the offer either originating from the first group and being offered at the first price, or originating from the second group and being offered at the second price.