Ask HN: Rate this Start Up - Venmo.com • Hacker News Board

Ask HN: Rate this Start Up - Venmo.com

#1

Post by keltecp11 » Wed, Nov 18, 2009, 6:02 PM UTC

Ask HN: Rate this Start Up - Venmo.com
venmo.com

Re: Ask HN: Rate this Start Up - Venmo.com

#2

Post by pgbovine » Wed, Nov 18, 2009, 6:14 PM UTC

first impression - how flexible is the input syntax? as a user, i'd be mad if i thought i typed in something syntactically correct (e.g., "venmo $5 to bob for lunch") but there was actually a syntax error and my transaction didn't go through

Re: Ask HN: Rate this Start Up - Venmo.com

#3

Post by tseabrooks » Wed, Nov 18, 2009, 6:15 PM UTC

I like it - it's software the encourages you, maybe even forces you, to share the experience with someone else turning every user into evangelist. It also seems like it would make financial transactions very simple.

My only concern would be that phone numbers still haven't become non-transferable identification.

I'm sure you have considered these issues before but I would wonder about:

My parent dies and their cell phone account is turned off - how do I get their money out of this service?

My wife and I share a cell phone but we don't share checking accounts.

Someone has already created an account for my phone number.

I use multiple cell phone numbers.

etc.

Re: Ask HN: Rate this Start Up - Venmo.com

#4

Post by mgrouchy » Wed, Nov 18, 2009, 6:18 PM UTC

The fact that the site is "godaddy secured" fills me with confidence.

Re: Ask HN: Rate this Start Up - Venmo.com

#5

Post by mikeryan » Wed, Nov 18, 2009, 6:21 PM UTC

What's the revenue model?

Re: Ask HN: Rate this Start Up - Venmo.com

#6

Post by vorador » Wed, Nov 18, 2009, 6:24 PM UTC

I don't see the point here. I mean, I could pay Jenny back next time I see her. Am I missing something ?

Re: Ask HN: Rate this Start Up - Venmo.com

#7

Post by chaosmachine » Wed, Nov 18, 2009, 6:37 PM UTC

vorador wrote: post #6

I don't see the point here. I mean, I could pay Jenny back next time I see her. Am I missing something ?

Sending the SMS is instant, waiting until next time isn't.

Re: Ask HN: Rate this Start Up - Venmo.com

#8

Post by idleworx » Wed, Nov 18, 2009, 6:37 PM UTC

what happens if someone picks up your phone and writes venmo $100 to 555-123-4567 for hack. 555-123-4567 being their number? how can you issue a refund or deal with issues like this?

Re: Ask HN: Rate this Start Up - Venmo.com

#9

Post by [deleted] » Wed, Nov 18, 2009, 6:38 PM UTC

vorador wrote: post #6

I don't see the point here. I mean, I could pay Jenny back next time I see her. Am I missing something ?

[deleted]

Re: Ask HN: Rate this Start Up - Venmo.com

#10

Post by johnrob » Wed, Nov 18, 2009, 6:39 PM UTC

There are no transaction fees?