Methods wherein a security deposit facilitates a transaction in which a benefit is applied in exchange for performance of a task

1. A method of facilitating a transaction between a customer and a merchant, comprising:

arranging, via a processing device, for a benefit to be applied to the transaction in exchange for a future performance of a task by the customer, the task being associated with a party other than the merchant;

arranging for the customer to provide a security deposit; and

returning the security deposit to the customer based on the performance of the task, wherein the transaction comprises a sale by the customer of at least one of: (i) an item; (ii) a product; and (iii) a service.

2. A method of facilitating a transaction between a customer and a merchant, comprising:

arranging, via a processing device, for a benefit to be applied to the transaction in exchange for a future performance of a task by the customer, the task being associated with a party other than the merchant;

arranging for the customer to provide a security deposit; and

returning the security deposit to the customer based on the performance of the task, wherein the security deposit comprises an item owned by the customer.

3. A method of facilitating a transaction between a customer and a merchant, comprising:

arranging, via a processing device, for a benefit to be applied to the transaction in exchange for a future performance of a task by the customer, the task being associated with a party other than the merchant;

arranging for the customer to provide a security deposit; and

returning the security deposit to the customer based on the performance of the task, wherein the security deposit comprises an interest a customer has in an item.

4. A method of facilitating a transaction between a customer and a merchant, comprising:

arranging, via a processing device, for a benefit to be applied to the transaction in exchange for a future performance of a task by the customer, the task being associated with a party other than the merchant;

arranging for the customer to provide a security deposit; and

returning the security deposit to the customer based on the performance of the task, wherein the security deposit comprises a right the customer has to receive a payment.

5. A method, comprising:

determining, via a processing device, a transaction associated with a customer;

displaying, via a touch screen interface, a menu listing a plurality of benefits available for application to the transaction, wherein each of the plurality of benefits is associated with a requirement that the customer perform a task subsequent to application of the benefit;

receiving, from the customer, an indication of a selection of one of the listed plurality of applicable benefits;

arranging for the customer to provide payment of a security deposit;

applying, via a processing device, after the receiving, the selected one of the listed plurality of applicable benefits to the transaction; and returning the security deposit to the customer based on the performance of the task.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the transaction comprises a purchase, by the customer, of a first item offered for sale for a first price, from a first merchant.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the selected one of the listed plurality of applicable benefits comprises one or more of: (i) a subsidy that allows the customer to purchase the first item for a second price that is less than the first price; (ii) a supplemental item provided to the customer; (iii) a substitute item associated with a third price that is higher than the first price; (iv) an amount of alternate currency; (v) an amount of frequent flyer miles;

(v) an improved term associated with the transaction; (vi) an increase in a bid amount; and (vii) an increase in a probability of the customer receiving the first item.

8. The method of claim 5 , wherein the task associated with the selected one of the listed plurality of applicable benefits comprises one or more of: (i) a requirement that the customer test drive an automobile; (ii) a requirement that the customer apply for a service; (iii) a requirement that the customer purchase one or more supplemental items; (iv) a requirement that the customer exchange a used item; (v) a requirement that the customer visit a second merchant that is different than the first merchant; (vi) a requirement that the customer agree to receive information; (vii) a requirement that the customer dial a telephone number; (viii) a requirement that the customer access a web page; and (ix) a requirement that the customer provide certain information.

9. The method of claim 6 , wherein the menu listing of the plurality of benefits available for application to the transaction is based at least in part on the first price.

10. The method of claim 6 , wherein the menu listing of the plurality of benefits available for application to the transaction is based at least in part on a category associated with the first item.

11. The method of claim 6 , wherein the menu listing of the plurality of benefits available for application to the transaction is based at least in part on a current customer acquisition rate associated with the first merchant.

12. The method of claim 5 , wherein the menu listing of the plurality of benefits available for application to the transaction is based at least in part on a time of day.

13. The method of claim 6 , further comprising:

determining the task associated with the selected one of the listed plurality of applicable benefits.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the task is based at least in part on the first price.

15. The method of claim 13 , wherein the task is based at least in part on a category associated with the first item.

16. The method of claim 13 , wherein the task is based at least in part on a current customer acquisition rate associated with the first merchant.

17. The method of claim 13 , wherein the task is based at least in part on a time of day.

18. The method of claim 5 , wherein the indication is received from a device associated with the customer.

19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the customer device comprises a mobile terminal.