For my project I want to create an e-commerce site that sells used items. We all have things that we not longer want or need like old books, video games, computer parts, and anything else that is small enough to ship in flat rate postal boxes. If I can learn how, I would like to make it so that buyers and sellers can register with the site so they can easily keep track of all their items.
The main idea of the page is that many people across the country have lots of old stuff that they throw away or put in storage, but they really never use them any more. My idea is to go pick up these items from anyone who wants to some extra cash or extra space (starting within the tri-state area), and post pictures and prices. The main categories will be Video Games, Books, Computers, Antiques, Household items, and Other. The people who formerly owned the items get a percentage of the profits if their item sells. If it does not sell, they get their junk removed for free. I would like to be able to give links so that sellers can post their stuff on myspace, facebook, or twitter letting a wider array of potential customers see their stuff.
To be sure we are getting everything, there will be a contact/help page. Registered users can just post/email us the items they want to sell from their user page, but first time users or buyers might need some help or have questions. We can also have a list of FAQs here after the site has been running for a little while.
Now the major competitors would be sites like craigslist. The advantage we have over craigslist is that the sellers do not have to keep their junk lying out for random strangers to come look at. Seller also have the advantage not having to drive for a couple hours to look at an item that looks worse than the picture or is not what they want. We will ship the item to the buyer at no additional cost.
This is an easy business type to get started and get off the ground. Personally I have a ton of things I can sell for some extra money, and searching on the internet makes posting competitive prices easy. Built into the posted price will be the operating and shipping costs. The percentage that the owners get back depends upon the value of the item they are selling. Starting out we will keep each item on the site for one year or until it sells.
As for storage space, at first the business will be out of my house to save money and we have a green house. There are no plants and we use it as storage place anyway, so adding more to it will not change much. The initial investment can be considered nothing because I will start with items that my family and I already own and wish to sell. The major cost of the business will be in shipping the items. We can even cut costs on this by personally delivering to locations that are within a few miles(so long as cost of gas used does not exceed what it would cost to ship).
Finally I will register the business as a Limited Liability Corporation. LLCs are the best option for growing businesses so long as the number of employees does not exceed the maximum allowed. It brings the security that corporations have against lawsuits, but the tax filing is similar to that of sole proprietorship.
Ok so any comments and or other ideas that could help me out are welcome.
Yeah it's pretty crazy how much old, used items can sell for. Take this example here: http://www.oldschoolapps.com/blog/old-nintendo-sells-for-$13000
ReplyDeleteAn oldschool nintendo console, bundled with five other games, sold for $13,000 on ebay! That's insane.
The whole time I was reading this I kept thinking half.com - the site for used textbook. Maybe instead of driving over to pick the stuff up, you can ask the user to ship it directly to each other, and then each user can leave reviews for the other. That's the system with half.com. The recipient reviews if the condition was as described, and if it shipped fast. The shipper comments on the transaction of the money and if it was all ok. If we won't go that far in the course, at least you get to put a guarantee stamp on the stuff, since you will have seen them and now if they look like in the picture.
ReplyDeleteOverall, I love the idea, but you might want to think less of the company for now, and more of the features of the project at hand! Think of all the different techniques you will be able to implement and see if your setup still makes sense!
I think this is viable idea and could develop into something great even past class. There is value behind the concept and having a localized site, similar to Craig's list, and its something most people would be interested in.
ReplyDeleteYou could incorporate several databases if you wanted, which focuses on certain items, making the site more easily manageable and organized for you. Ultimately, the site could have some nice eye candy, be well organized, and people will gravitate towards it since targets all demographics of people.