An electronic trading entity (400) comprises a computing device having
a processor, memory, user interface, and communications functionality, the computer
entity comprising an algorithm (700) for monitoring a plurality of auction
entities remotely over the internet; a algorithm (701) for calculating bids
and for purchase of goods/services with a plurality of auction entities; an algorithm
(702) for selecting individual auction entities with which to trade; a web
browser (506) to allow a user to search for auction entities and add these
to a stored list of entities at the bidding device. Bid calculation and offer calculation
algorithms operate to optimally place bids at a lowest overall cost to the trading
entity, or place offers with the object of obtaining the highest overall monetary
figures for goods or services for sale by the trading entity.
