Apparatus and methods are provided for effecting remote commerce, such as
in telemarketing (either inbound or outbound) and in electronic commerce,
which are particularly adapted for the intelligent selection and proffer
of products, services or information to a user or customer. In one aspect
of the invention, goods, service or information are provided to the user
via electronic communication, such as through a telephone, videophone or
other computer link, as determined by the steps of first, establishing
communication via the electronic communications device between the user
and the system to effect a primary transaction or primary interaction,
second, obtaining data with respect to the primary transaction or primary
interaction, including at least in part a determination of the identity
of the user or prospective customer, third, obtaining at least a second
data element relating to the user, fourth, utilizing the primary
transaction or primary interaction data along with the at least second
data element as factors in determining at least one good, service or item
of information for prospective upsell to the user or prospective
customer, and offering the item to the prospective customer. In the
preferred embodiment, the selection of the proffer of goods, services or
information comprises an upsell with respect to the primary transaction
or primary interaction data. The offer of the upsell is preferably
generated and offered in real time, that is, during the course of the
communication initiated with the primary transaction or primary
interaction.