The inventive communications system dedicated to the sale of first items in conjunction
with the establishment of a second, preferably long-term, commercial relationship
between the consumer of the first items and sellers of second items is disclosed.
A central processing unit is located on the premises of a website operator. In
accordance with the invention, a memory is associated with the central processing
unit. The memory holds a number of interactive pages for transfer to the central
processing unit. At least one of the interactive pages has at least one button
associated with a consumer decision. That page further comprises information respecting
a choice signified by actuation of the button. A database is coupled to the central
processing unit. The database contains information respecting the cost of at least
one selectable first item, information respecting at least one selectable sales
condition associated with at least one second item, and information respecting
discounts on the first item associated with the second item when associated with
the sales condition. A modem subsystem is coupled to the central processing unit
and connects the computer of a consumer to the central processing unit through
a publicly accessible digital information network. The modem has the capability
of transmitting a page with an interactive button to the computer of the customer.
The modem is also capable of receiving and responding to an actuation of the interactive
button and sending a signal indicating the actuation and an associated consumer
decision to the central processing unit. A plurality of data lines connect the
central processing unit through the modem subsystem to a financial institution
coupling information respecting the consumer decision whereby the financial institution
may make a financing decision, and coupling information respecting the financing
decision from the financial institution to the central processing unit indicating
completion of a transaction, the modem subsystem coupling information respecting
completion of the transaction to the consumer.