Need Feedback on Idea

**mellom** · 09-06-2008 01:11 PM

Buyer in a Bottle: Home

This is a concept site that I've built, centering around the buyer of items. In a nutshell, it's the reverse of a site like Craigslist where the seller is usually the focus. Here, the buyer posts what they want and it's the job for the seller to find them.

What are your thoughts on this idea? Do you think people would be interested in a free service that centers around the buyer and not the seller?

Thanks.

**rogercbryan** · 09-06-2008 02:17 PM

go back to craigslist.com and look under the seller section... 'wanted'

They already do this....

**mellom** · 09-06-2008 02:19 PM

Originally Posted by rogercbryan

go back to craigslist.com and look under the seller section... 'wanted'

They already do this....

Yes, I understand that. However, the site would be all-about-the-buyer. Not just a sub-section. I'm thinking the theme might be "obscure items that are hard to find". Then you don't mind putting an ad out to sit for a long time. Hence the analogy of the buyer in the bottle (message in a bottle).

**rogercbryan** · 09-06-2008 02:35 PM

Well if craigslist is valued at about $4B and they only keep it as a subsection then maybe they know what people want. It's not that your idea is bad... it's just that consumers are trained to think differently then what you are proposing. You have to ask yourself whether or not you have the time and money to changes peoples perception of consumerism.

I also did a simple Google search for 'wanted classifieds'.. there were 2.6M listings.. so this isn't a new idea. Every classifieds site out there already had this 'wanted' section. Would not stand a better chance at being successful if you started a complete classifieds site and then had a wanted section? Why limit yourself to one niche when other players are doing well with out the limitations.

Just my two cents... other people may have a different opinion.. and I'm also working on launching my new classifieds site soon.. so I may have a warped perception based on my market research.

**mellom** · 09-06-2008 03:02 PM

Very valid points. I guess if I were to make it an analogy it would be Walmart vs. Ebgames. Walmart sells a lot of stuff, one of those sections happens to be games. Ebgames just sells games. Both do well.

I don't know, it might be a stretch. I have so many crazy and stupid ideas so it wouldn't be the first to be laid to rest.

**akula** · 09-06-2008 11:13 PM

Originally Posted by mellom

I don't know, it might be a stretch. I have so many crazy and stupid ideas so it wouldn't be the first to be laid to rest.

keep on rolling buddy
the issue here may be that you're coming up with wacky ideas rather than doing proper opportunity selection

there's plenty of difference between coming up with ideas and coming up with opportunities...the later takes a lot of skill, the former does not

**mellom** · 09-07-2008 08:08 AM

Originally Posted by akula

keep on rolling buddy
the issue here may be that you're coming up with wacky ideas rather than doing proper opportunity selection

there's plenty of difference between coming up with ideas and coming up with opportunities...the later takes a lot of skill, the former does not

Yup, you hit the nail on the head.