SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING GRATUITIES TO MERCHANTS
A computer-implemented method for facilitating a merchant transaction comprises providing a list of one or more merchants that are in geographic proximity to a geolocation of a payer, and receiving a request from the payer to conduct a transaction with a merchant among the one or more merchants. The request can be received by a computer system programmed to facilitate the transaction. The transaction can then be processed with the aid of the computer system. A tip selection, which can include a tip amount, can be applied to the transaction. In some cases the tip selection is received from the payer as a selectable option. In other cases, the tip selection is automatically applied to the transaction without involvement from the payer during or upon the termination of the transaction.
1 . A computer-implemented method for facilitating a merchant transaction, comprising:
(a) providing a list of one or more merchants that are in proximity to a geolocation of a payer;
(b) receiving a request from said payer to conduct a transaction with a merchant among said one or more merchants, wherein said request is received by a computer system programmed to facilitate said transaction;
(c) receiving, from said payer, a tip selection to apply to said transaction; and
(d) processing said transaction with the aid of a processor of said computer system,
wherein said tip selection is applied to said transaction during or upon the termination of said transaction.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein, between (b) and (c), further comprising providing said payer a tip option.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said tip selection comprises a tip amount to apply to said transaction.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said tip selection is selected by said payer from one or more tip options provided to said payer.
5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein said one or more tip options are provided to said payer by the computer system.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said list is provided on a graphical user interface of an electronic device of said payer.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said request of (b) is received from an electronic device of said payer.
8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein said electronic device is a portable electronic device.
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein, prior to (a), said geolocation of said payer is determined with the aid of a geolocation device of said payer.
10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the request of (b) is received from said geolocation device.
11 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising providing said payer a receipt upon the completion of said transaction between said payer and said merchant.
12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein between (b) and (c), said computer system informs said merchant that said payer has requested to conduct a transaction with said merchant.
13 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said payer is permitted to request to conduct said transaction if said payer is at or in proximity to said merchant.
14 . The method of claim 1 , wherein upon receiving the request of (b), said computer system initiates said transaction between said payer and said merchant.
15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein said computer system initiates said transaction if said payer is at or in proximity to said merchant.
16 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said one or more merchants are within a given distance from said geolocation of said payer.
17 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said list is provided on a graphical user interface of an electronic device of said payer.
18 . A computer readable medium comprising code that, upon execution by one or more processors, implements a method, the method comprising:
(a) providing a list of one or more merchants that are in proximity to a geolocation of a payer;
(b) receiving a request from said payer to conduct a transaction with a merchant among said one or more merchants, wherein said request is received by a computer system programmed to facilitate said transaction;
(c) receiving, from said payer, a tip selection to apply to said transaction; and
(d) processing said transaction with the aid of a processor of said computer system, wherein said tip selection is applied to said transaction during or upon the termination of said transaction.
19 . A system for facilitating a merchant transaction, comprising:
(a) one or more computer processors; and
(b) a memory location coupled to said one or more computer processors, said memory location comprising code that, upon execution by said one or more computer processors, implements a method, the method comprising:
(i) providing a list of one or more merchants that are in proximity to a geolocation of a payer;
(ii) receiving a request from said payer to conduct a transaction with a merchant among said one or more merchants;
(iii) receiving, from said payer, a tip selection to apply to said transaction; and
(iv) processing said transaction with the aid of a computer processor, wherein said tip selection is applied to said transaction during or upon the termination of said transaction.
20 . The system of claim 19 , wherein said system is adapted to receive said request of (ii) from an electronic device of said payer.