Re:Zaarly Launches Realtime, Local Marketplace To The Public
by snprbob86 on Wednesday May 18, 2011 @03:22PM
(#2561356)
I think that the GPS-based aspect of it is what makes it a bit more interesting. I expect that some unemployed folks with a car or bike might be able to make a pretty decent living by becoming a for-hire courier.
Re:Zaarly Launches Realtime, Local Marketplace To The Public
by invertd on Wednesday May 18, 2011 @03:17PM
(#2561331)
I kinda like it - picture this simple scenario; you need to fix your car's brakes/rotate tires/change oil/fix taillights/buy gas?/ instead of going to 4-5 garages to get an optimal price/quote you broadcast your interest in the local neighborhood in the hopes that the interest will be fulfilled by a "service provider"..
I don't really get why they're focusing on the demand-side. The "Wanted" section of Craigslist is considerably smaller than most of the other For Sale categories (I personally never check it).
I also don't see any real-world/brick-and-mortar example of reverse person-to-person selling like this. What is the incentive for someone to even check Zaarly for a need I might meet? Don't say "make extra cash" because if I need to sell stuff, I dig through it and post it for sale.
If I need something, I search Craigslist. If it's not there, I check Ebay. Or I buy it new. I don't post a request and pray someone will get back to me.
People are going to request things ... and most requests will go unanswered. Then they'll stop using it.
(BTW, totally not trying to sound like a pessimistic jerk)