Definition analysis of online transaction consultation process and online transaction platform

In modern e-commerce, the basic process of online transaction negotiation is closely related to the functions of the online transaction platform. Understanding these two aspects is critical for business managers, consumers and relevant stakeholders.

Basic process of online transaction negotiation

Online transaction negotiations generally consist of four main links: inquiry, offer, counter-offer and acceptance.

1. Inquiry

Inquiry, also known as inquiry, refers to the behavior of one party asking the other party about transaction conditions when buying or selling a certain commodity. Inquiry content usually includes price, specifications, quality, quantity, packaging, delivery date, as well as requests for samples and product catalogs. Its purpose is to test the other party’s trading sincerity and understand the trading conditions. It is usually regarded as the starting point of the transaction. However, inquiries are not legally binding and may be oral or written.

2. Offer

Offering refers to the act in which one party proposes various trading conditions for the purchase or sale of goods to the other party and expresses its willingness to reach an agreement and enter into a contract with the other party in accordance with these conditions. Usually, an offer is made after receiving an inquiry from the other party, but it can also be issued directly without the other party’s inquiry.

3. Counteroffer

A counteroffer is an expression of modification or change made by the offeree due to the offeree’s disagreement with the contents of the offer. A counteroffer is essentially a new offer, and once a counteroffer is made, the original offer becomes ineffective. Both parties to the transaction can often go through many rounds of bargaining until they finally reach an agreement on various transaction conditions.

4. Accept

Acceptance means that after receiving the offer or counter-offer from the other party, the offeree fully and unconditionally agrees to the contents of the offer within the validity period and is willing to conclude the transaction. Acceptance is expressed by a statement or an act, which is legally called a promise.

Functions of the online trading platform

The online trading platform is an information exchange tool based on communication technology. It not only meets the needs of enterprises, managers and consumers, but also aims to improve product quality, speed up product and service delivery, and reduce service costs. From the perspective of the process of e-commerce, this platform relies on computers and networks to achieve comprehensive digitization of commercial exchanges and administrative operations.

Online trading platforms represent an information revolution, and the order they build involves electronic technology, commerce, finance, taxation, education, law and other aspects of society. The existence of this kind of platform makes the transactions of information, products and services more efficient and faster, and creates more business opportunities for all parties involved.

To summarize, the basic process of online transaction consultation and online trading platforms are interdependent. The former defines the specific links of the transaction, while the latter provides a solid technical foundation for the efficient execution of these links.