Startup Idea: Reverse Amazon

I'm currently trying to help a relative who's a hoarder, and I have to say, reducing the friction of getting rid of things without just mass-dumpstering them would be a godsend

I think this is one of those ideas that needs scale to work well, like craigslist or ebay pretty much got rid of all the friction you can without propping up a fulfillment network and appraisers etc., but if anyone's got a good way to make it participatory/crowdsourced or is willing to hire some workforce to get it started, I'd be happy to help with implementation or strategy. I'm not good at the marketing bit but not unwilling to try

Re: Startup Idea: Reverse Amazon

#5

Post by jaggs » Thu, Apr 18, 2024, 9:36 AM UTC

I think this is a great idea. eBay did something vaguely similar when it introduced local agents who would sell stuff for a cut of the sell price. I used it and it was really useful for people like me who hate packing boxes working out post etc etc. I have a ton of stuff I'd love to get rid of if it was frictionless.

Maybe the existing delivery gig network could be used? Uber, Deliveroo etc? I like the idea of donation or paying for disposal, because that makes sense.

I guess it could start small if you could find a garage to store it in?

Re: Startup Idea: Reverse Amazon

#6

Post by christkv » Thu, Apr 18, 2024, 12:00 PM UTC

jaggs wrote: post #5

I think this is a great idea. eBay did something vaguely similar when it introduced local agents who would sell stuff for a cut of the sell price. I used it and it was really useful for people like me who hate packing boxes working out post etc etc. I have a ton of stuff I'd love to get rid of if it was frictionless. Maybe the existing delivery gig network could be used? Uber, Deliveroo etc? I like the idea of donati…

Local agents is cool. I remember seeing a store in Berlin a decade ago where you could rent some display space and sell your stuff there

Re: Startup Idea: Reverse Amazon

#7

Post by avidphantasm » Thu, Apr 18, 2024, 12:01 PM UTC

As much as I dislike Meta, Facebook Marketplace is basically this. My town also has a “swap shop”, which makes it really easy to give away still-useful things.

Re: Startup Idea: Reverse Amazon

#8

Post by victorbjorklund » Thu, Apr 18, 2024, 12:10 PM UTC

We got this in Sweden. Sellpy: https://www.sellpy.se

Works pretty much as you describe. Of course they sell it for cheaper (probably to get inventory out fast) than you might if you do it yourself and keep a part of the revenue as commission. But good if you don't wanna bother with the sales process.

Re: Startup Idea: Reverse Amazon

#9

Post by xyst » Thu, Apr 18, 2024, 12:10 PM UTC

Unfortunately the potential for abuse makes this idea hard to implement.

Abusers would use the system to sell their drugs (ie, junk item stuffed with cocaine lists for $9999). Let’s not forget the sale of illegal firearms (aka teddy bear stuffed with handgun with filed off serial number).

Now you need a proper drug detection protocol, X-ray machines to scan all packages, dedicated security personnel.

Then there’s the potential of dealing with disputes buyer claims item was not received. More people to hire, protocols to develop.

Re: Startup Idea: Reverse Amazon

#10

Post by jovial_cavalier » Thu, Apr 18, 2024, 12:16 PM UTC

xyst wrote: post #9

Unfortunately the potential for abuse makes this idea hard to implement. Abusers would use the system to sell their drugs (ie, junk item stuffed with cocaine lists for $9999). Let’s not forget the sale of illegal firearms (aka teddy bear stuffed with handgun with filed off serial number). Now you need a proper drug detection protocol, X-ray machines to scan all packages, dedicated security personnel. Then there’s the…

Don't all of these problems apply to existing successful platforms like Craigslist or eBay? In fact, it seems like it would be harder to do on 'reverse amazon' than on eBay.