Purchasing, redemption and settlement systems and methods are provided
wherein a buyer takes possession of a product at a retailer. A purchasing
system may communicate with a buyer through a communication network to
establish a first price for a product between the buyer and a seller. The
purchasing system may also arrange for the buyer to take possession of
the product at a retailer, different from the seller, that offers the
product for sale at a second price. Verification information, which
enables the retailer to authorize the buyer to take possession of the
product, is transmitted to the retailer. The buyer provides a payment,
based on the first price, to the purchasing system in exchange for the
right to take possession of the product at the retailer. In one
embodiment, the purchasing system receives a buyer offer, including an
offer price, related to the product. In another embodiment, the
purchasing system transmits redemption information, including a
redemption code, to the buyer. The redemption information may also
include information that enables the creation of a voucher to be used
when taking possession of the product. The purchasing system may also
receive information related to an attempt by the buyer to take possession
of the product, including the redemption code, from the retailer.