System and method for operating a pawn shop

1. A computer system comprising one or more processors and computer-readable storage media having stored therein computer-executable instructions configured to cause the computer system to implement the following:

a database;

an offering module comprising an offering user interface for a pawner to enter an indication of an item to be pawned into the database;

a bidding module comprising a bidding user interface for at least one bidder to enter at least one bid into the database;

a selection module configured to select one of the at least one bid as a winning bid and the bidder of the winning bid as a pawnee;

a release declaration module configured to declare a release of the item if the release declaration module receives a release remark; and

a release notification module configured to notify the pawnee that the item was released if the release declaration module declares a release of the item.

2. The computer system of claim 1 , wherein the computer-executable instructions are further configured to cause the computer system to implement a bidding timer to determine if a predetermined bidding time has elapsed since the indication was entered into the database, wherein the bidding module only allows a bid to be entered if the predetermined bidding time has not elapsed.

3. The computer system of claim 1 , wherein the computer-executable instructions are further configured to cause the computer system to implement a release timer to determine if a predetermined release time has elapsed since the indication was entered into the database or since said at least one bid was selected as the winning bid, wherein the release declaration module only declares said release of the item if the release declaration module receives a release remark within the predetermined release time.

4. The computer system of claim 3 , wherein the computer-executable instructions are further configured to cause the computer system to implement a non-release notification module configured to notify a custodian to hand over the item to the pawnee after elapse of the release time if the release declaration module has not declared said release of the item.

5. The computer system of claim 1 , wherein the computer-executable instructions are further configured to cause the computer system to implement a bid payment module for the pawnee to transfer payment of said winning bid.

6. The computer system of claim 1 , wherein the computer-executable instructions are further configured to cause the computer system to implement a release payment module for the pawner to transfer a release payment.

7. The computer system of claim 1 , wherein the computer-executable instructions are further configured to cause the computer system to implement a delivery module comprising a delivery user interface for a custodian to enter a delivery remark into the database if the item was delivered to the custodian.

8. The computer system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the user interfaces is available via the Internet.

9. The computer system of claim 1 , wherein the offering module is configured to allow the pawner to select an existing indication of an item in a goods database.

10. A computer-implemented method comprising:

(a) by a server computer, receiving from a pawner an indication of an item to be pawned;

(b) by the server computer, receiving from at least one bidder at least one bid;

(c) by the server computer, selecting one of the at least one bid as a winning bid and the bidder of the winning bid as a pawnee;

(d) by the server computer, notifying the pawnee to transfer payment of said winning bid to a trustee;

(e) by the server computer, notifying the pawnee whether the item was delivered to a custodian;

(f1) if a release remark is received before elapse of a predetermined release time:

(f1 a ) by the server computer, notifying the pawnee that the item was released, and

(f1 b ) by the server computer, causing transfer of payment of winning bid and interest to the pawnee;

(f2) if no release remark is received before elapse of the predetermined release time:

(f2 a ) by the server computer, notifying the pawnee that the item was not released, and

(f2 b ) by the server computer, notifying the custodian to hand over the item to the pawnee.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein said step (e) notifying the pawnee whether the item was delivered to said custodian is based on the following steps:

(e1) if a delivery remark was received from the custodian within a predetermined delivery time:

notifying the pawnee that the item was delivered to the custodian;

(e2) if a delivery remark was not received within said predetermined delivery time:

(e2 a ) notifying the pawnee that the item was not delivered to the custodian within the predetermined delivery time, and

(e2 b ) causing retransfer of payment of said winning bid to the pawnee.

12. The method of claim 10 , wherein said step (c) selecting one of the at least one bid as said winning bid and the bidder of the winning bid as said pawnee, comprises:

(c1 a ) providing to the pawner a notification of said at least one bid, and

(c1 b ) receiving from the pawner a selection of said winning bid.

13. The method of claim 10 , wherein said step (c) selecting one of the at least one bid as said winning bid and the bidder of the winning bid as said pawnee, comprises:

(c2) automatically selecting the highest of said at least one bid as said winning bid and the bidder of said winning bid as said pawnee.

14. The method of claim 10 , wherein said step (a) receiving from a pawner an indication of an item to be pawned comprises the steps of:

(a1) providing to the pawner access to a goods database, and

(a2) receiving from the pawner a selection of an item from the goods database.

15. The method of claim 10 , wherein said step (a) receiving from a pawner an indication of an item to be pawned further comprises receiving from the pawner at least one of an item description, a minimum bid, a location of the item, a condition of the item, a picture of the item, a bidding time, delivery time, a release time, and a selection of said custodian.

16. The method of claim 10 , wherein the item is a vehicle and, in particular, a car.

17. The method of claim 10 , further comprising the step of:

(a3) by the server computer, receiving from the pawner a selection of said custodian.

18. The method of claim 10 , wherein at least one of said steps is performed via the Internet.

19. A non-transitory computer-readable medium containing instructions that when executed by a computer cause the computer to:

provide an offering user interface to a pawner to enter an indication of an item;

provide a bidding user interface to at least one bidder to enter at least one bid; and

provide a release user interface to a trustee to enter a release remark;

wherein the bidding user interface is only provided within a predetermined bidding time after the indication of an item has been entered, and wherein the release user interface is only provided within a predetermined release time.