Method and apparatus for defining routing of customers between merchants

Abstract

A server or Internet service provider computer selects a soliciting merchant and an outputting merchant based on various factors. In one embodiment, the soliciting merchant is selected is its activity rate (e.g. sales rate) is low. The outputting merchant provides offers for bonuses to customers on behalf of the soliciting merchant. The bonus is provided to the customer in exchange for consummating a transaction with the soliciting merchant. Thus, the soliciting merchant benefits from the increased patronage such offers encourage.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a storage device; and   a processor operatively connected to the storage device, wherein the storage device includes a program configured to direct the processor to:
 receive, via an outputting merchant, transaction data from a customer, the transaction data including an indication of a purchase by the customer of an item from the outputting merchant; 
 select a soliciting merchant from a plurality of soliciting merchants participating in a system for providing an offer for a bonus, the selection being based on the purchase and at least one rule for determining a respective priority for each of the plurality of soliciting merchants; 
 output an offer for a bonus to the customer of the outputting merchant on behalf of the soliciting merchant; 
 determine that the customer completed a second transaction with the soliciting merchant; and 
 provide the bonus to the customer.