Method and apparatus for managing subscriptions

Abstract

A subscription system allows a customer to establish a subscription to a product with one or more retailers (e.g., by establishing the subscription through a controller or central system). In one embodiment, a subscription may be established after receiving information that identifies a product. Terms of a subscription for the product are established, such as a frequency and a duration of the subscription.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A web server comprising:
 a processor; and   a storage device in communication with the processor, the storage device storing instructions configured such that when executed by the processor the instructions direct the processor to:
 prompt a customer to provide information that identifies a product selected by the customer; 
 receive from the customer, via a web site, information that identifies the product selected by the customer; 
 establish a subscription of the customer for the product, wherein terms of the subscription include:
 a first subscription price of the product, 
 a first frequency of the subscription that indicates a first period of time, 
 wherein the customer is required to purchase a unit of the product in the first period of time, 
 wherein the first subscription price is less than a retail price of a unit of the product; 
 
 authorize purchase by the customer of a unit of the product at the first subscription price; 
 track a fulfillment of the subscription; 
 determine that the customer did not comply with the first frequency that indicates the first period of time; 
 determine a modified subscription of the customer for the product, in which terms of the modified subscription include:
 a second subscription price of the product, 
 a second frequency of the subscription that indicates a second period of time, 
 wherein the customer is required to purchase a unit of the product in the second period of time; 
 
 authorize purchase by the customer of a unit of the product at the second subscription price; and 
 track a fulfillment of the modified subscription.