Before the advancements of printing were local marketplaces. Our modern society has evolved to the flea markets, and yard sale. When printing came along there was the local newspaper. In this local newspaper grew a section called The Classifieds.
In these classifieds was where people to publish anything they wanted to sell. In the past few years we have seen the decline in the circulation of newspapers, and the increase popularity of the internet. On the internet has grown places like eBay, and Craigs List. All offering a wider audience for people to sell they unwanted goods, than the local newpaper.
Each of these online website have been mark by abuse. eBay has become a place for professional sellers and rip offs. Craigslist has gotten to the reputation for a place where stolen or falsely advertised goods are sold.
Some people have put together regional classified websites. A very popular was is Zidaho.com. In conjunction with local radio and television stations, Zidaho.com has gained quite a large number of visitors per month.
Now there has stepped into this arena another player this is Oodle.com. They are offering on an international level and mixture of Craigs List and eBay.
Oodle promotes itself in three main points.
- Oodle is the best way for consumers to buy and sell through online classifieds.
- Oodle offers the best platform for advertisers to promote their local listings.
- Oodle is the best partner for publishers to power or enhance their classifieds.
The bottom-line is can or can not individuals sell and buy good products and service online. What must be taken into consideration is what is being sold, how it is presented, and what audience is looking at the classified ad. Then there is the all important trust factor, that we all must come to terms with before giving up our hard earned cash.
There was a time where I bought a laptop for half the price of anyone else was selling. It even came with a case, and a mouse. The seller did not know what the going rate for laptops, at the time. He just needed the money. I had been watching Craigs List for about a month. I was the first one to call about the laptop, and I got it.
It is rare that you can go to a classified of any kind and find what you are looking for the first time. It takes watching, note who is selling what for what price.
