Am I Crazy?

"Are you crazy?!" That was the response from a friend when he heard about ZippyTrader. You see, he figures that launching another classifieds site with so many others out there is foolish, if not totally crazy. Not only am I up against the big guys like Craigslist and ebay classifieds, but there are thousands of  local and regional classifieds sites out there, so the question was valid.

First, I am not new to online classifieds. I have operated a successful regional classifieds site for nearly a decade. Plus, my classifieds software powers hundreds of classifieds sites across the nation and around the world. I didn't just wake up one morning and decide to begin the most challenging project of my life. ZippyTrader is more than a classifieds site. It is a number of ideas and beliefs wrapped into one project. ZippyTrader is more of a mission than a business.

It is a belief that we must protect our Mother Earth by reusing as much as possible. A belief that one person's junk truly is another person's treasure. What may be collecting dust in one home could be vital in another home. (Just yesterday I heard of a Texas woman who died from the heat after her air conditioner was stolen. How many air conditioners are sitting in garages right now collecting dust?) A belief that the internet should connect neighborhoods to local business rather than alienate them. A belief that I can create opportunity for a few hundred people to move from being unemployed to self-employed. A belief that you shouldn't fear online classifieds. It should be a safe, family-friendly place. And finally, a belief that maybe I can do it just a little better by doing some things differently.

So, how is ZippyTrader different? We don't require registration. We don't collect personal information. We don't skim emails or share information with anyone. We don't require a credit card. We don't have adult categories. We don't have phone-based verification (which doesn't work with VOIP and cell phones). We don't send you to the nearest major town or region. (In my case that can be two states away depending on the site.) You can shop your local ZIP code or as far away as you want. It's your choice. Our filters virtually eliminate scam and spam ads and replies. Every ad is reviewed by people. We don't limit the number of words you can use in your ad. We give you space for 16 photos plus a video. We give you the option of map links to your city or an exact address. Every ad gets a unique QR code to use in off-line materials that links to a mobile version of your ad (currently optimized for iphone, but works well with others, too) at m.ZippyTrader.com. Each ad includes an easy to read printable sign which includes your QR code.

The "we" refers to myself and the City Partners who have joined the project. These are owner/operators in cities and towns across the USA. They are your local contact and advertising representative. Because they are local business owners themselves, 99% of commercial advertising revenue stays in the community. They are also responsible for moderating ads and providing an added level of anti-fraud protection that can only be achieved at the local level. My goal is to have a city partner in hundreds of cities and towns across America. Not only does this improve your experience on ZippyTrader, but it also gives hundreds of people an opportunity to leave the unemployment lines and be self-employed. I strive to recruit City Partners from the ranks of the unemployed and change as many lives as possible. I believe in people. I award partnerships based on what one can do, not what one has done. And, no, this is not MLM in any form.

So... am I crazy?