Shop at a flea market in Oaxaca, Mexico. Trade with a vendor in London, England. Or sport your wares to collectors in Geneva, Switzerland. You can virtually do just that when you shop or sell goods at an online auction site. You know those global auction Web sites, the ones that allow you to bid on thousands of items against millions of other competitors. Sure, they allow you to expand your world and uncover cool knickknacks from around the world. But these very same sites also open the door to you getting ripped off by someone four thousand miles away. More than 8 billion dollars were spent on auction sites in the last three months of last year, but how many dollars were lost along the way?
Aside from these global auction sites, there are the LOCAL classified sites that are transforming the Web into the spot for neighborhood shopping. These local classified sites offer convenience, selection, and low prices that would expect to find online, along with the safety and privacy of local shopping. Best of all, you can feel good about buying from-and also selling to-your neighbors.
Wheel and deal on collectibles, vintage clothing, sporting goods, even real estate-all with people you know and trust in the comfort and privacy of your living room or study. The benefits of these local classified sites don't stop with these intangibles. They have concrete advantages, such as:
Spontaneous delivery.
Package deliver in your neighborhood may not be instantaneous, but you definitely won't have to wait two to six weeks if you buy something locally.
What shipping?
You can agree to drop off or pick up the sale item at one of your homes, or meet at a convenient middle-of-the-road spot. You also won't need to worry about finding those shipping peanuts under your couch, your sheets, and in your fridge two months later.
No frazzle.
Tracking codes are supposed to help you locate your packages in transit, but sometimes they can be more of a headache-especially when they don't help find your lost package.
A friendly face.
Local classified sites let you meet the person whom you're doing business with. Of course, you control if, when, and where this happens.
The test drive.
Whether you're dealing with a car, a mattress, or a tennis racket, you can actually touch and try out your item before you put down cold hard cash. For sellers with product as promised, that makes closing the deal that much easier.
Simple switcheroos.
Local shopping opens up the possibility of refunds and exchanges if you and the person you're doing business agree.
More ample assortment than auctions.
Imagine buying a refrigerator or a couch at an auction site. Then imagine receiving that package at your door! Not very realistic, right? These sorts of purchases and sales, though, become a definite possibility with local online classifieds.
No tax tests.
You open a can of worms buying and selling across national and international borders when it comes to taxes. Who owes what? And whom? Local commerce simplifies the whole issue, if taxes are applicable at all.
A step ahead of scams.
Knowing whom you do business with, face-to-face transactions, simpler lines of communication-these qualities of local classified sites all reduce your risk of getting with shysters and scam artists.
A stronger community.
Shopping around your hometown not only gives you a warm, cuddly sense of community. It also provides the practical economic support that keeps communities and businesses vibrant and healthy.
So there you have it. There are no losers when it comes to online classified sites that allow you to do your shopping locally. Buyers and sellers enjoy an old-fashioned sense of community, while enjoying the high-tech benefits of convenience, safety, and comfort that come with Web shopping. Let those auction risk takers have their Oaxaca, London, and Geneva. You've got your Houston, Texas.
Donald Lee is the public relationship manager for Buysellcommunity.com.
Buysellcommunity provides free classified listing services for individuals and businesses to market their products and services online. Please visit http://www.buysellcommunity.com - Free Buy & Sell Classifieds.
As the online auction model of business continues to evolve... Read More
Do a quick search on Google, Yahoo, or your favorite... Read More
When my sons were growing up they started playing hockey... Read More
Online auctions are big business. But they can be big... Read More
Ebay is without a doubt the greatest internet marketing phenomenon... Read More
Remember back when selling online was a new experience? Dealers... Read More
Ebay auctions are definitely the easiest and fastest way to... Read More
You have suddenly found the perfect business and you are... Read More
Many new Ebay sellers make one of two mistakes: either... Read More
If you've ever read an article about eBay, you will... Read More
One question that always seems to pop up is, "Where... Read More
Kids Items You Can SellClothes, toys and videos are good... Read More
If you have all the money you need, then this... Read More
Some of these eBay hints will save you money, others... Read More
Are you having trouble finding a great deal on a... Read More
eBay allows you the opportunity to sell all over the... Read More
Two years ago I needed a way to refresh more... Read More
Did you know that eBay will help you locate products... Read More
This is my second article about trading royal memorabilia on... Read More
Online auction sites are a great way to find a... Read More
With more and more people getting online, many of them... Read More
You can find good deals on almost everything you need... Read More
Why is it that some artists seem to make easy... Read More
I am not sure how many people have had bad... Read More
I don't know if you've ever noticed, but it seems... Read More
Ever since I sold my first item on ebay I... Read More
Yesterday I saw a mention in someone's email ezine about... Read More
Are you planning to sell on eBay? Or have you... Read More
Dropshipping is an attractive marketing technique, but when you take... Read More
eBay users are accustomed to only two "standard" formats for... Read More
There are many savvy eBay buyers who use automated bidding... Read More
There is an art to picking profitable products. It's not... Read More
What kind of browser are you using for online surfing?... Read More
Many people just getting started on eBay have reservations when... Read More
Now, are you ready for the REAL TRUTH about selling... Read More
In 1995, when Pierre Omidyar introduced an online business venue... Read More
Many of you will probably remember the days when the... Read More
"Ask And You Shall Receive" Policy Works!You're one-of-a-kind baby clothes... Read More
Three billion dollars (that's billion with a "B") in revenues,... Read More
When I talk about feedback to new Ebay sellers, I... Read More
Online auctions are big business. But they can be big... Read More
You've heard about it many times in recent months. Being... Read More
Bidding for a bargain is all part of the exciting... Read More
There is as a lot of buzz about shill bidders... Read More
Secret #1: Find a 'real' wholesale and drop ship companyDo... Read More
Auction templates are simply a must for successful online auction... Read More
Just about everyone alive today has heard of E Bay.com,... Read More
Many people who sell on Ebay completely neglect the follow-up... Read More
If you are selling online,here is the down side of... Read More
The words you select to describe your item will have... Read More
I flew back to New York from Atlanta a few... Read More
One of the most frequently asked questions on the Net... Read More
Have you thought of using the online auction site eBay... Read More
Everyone's talking about eBay these days. With the frequency of... Read More
Why sell paper piecings on eBay?eBay is a great way... Read More
You can find good deals on almost everything you need... Read More
Many people know they would like to start an Internet... Read More
Calling internet auctions an "Entrepreneur's Dream" isn't poetic license or... Read More
Artists, craftspeople and photographers are successfully selling their wares everyday... Read More
Unfortunately for those just breaking into the wholesaling business, drop-shipping... Read More
I am not sure how many people have had bad... Read More
William Vickrey, highly regarded as the founder of auction theory,... Read More
You would like to increase your income by selling other... Read More
If you have all the money you need, then this... Read More
The interesting thing about online buyers is they are extremely... Read More
EBay is a great part or full time business. An... Read More
Online Auction |