In keeping with this spirit - Is this idea good? https://yenbe-beta.appspot.com/
I just made this page 2 hours ago, and took a break to see whats up on HN. As I was making this, I was thinking "This is a stupid idea" :)
I just made this page 2 hours ago, and took a break to see whats up on HN. As I was making this, I was thinking "This is a stupid idea" :)
As the seller/traveller, I don't want to get screwed in terms of time and money. It's a hassle to around my city to pick up an item, and then to pack it, haul it through two different airports, get it through customs, and then to have to meet the traveller during my busy schedule (and who really wants to do this during their vacation?). It better be worth my while, and I'd like the money upfront so I don't have to take this thing back with me in case the buyer flakes.
As the buyer, I don't want to get screwed by the traveller. I'm sending them the money, and they may never show up.
I would consider trying to find a niche of small, portable products that don't present any customs/duty problems, and then try to scale up from there. Trust platforms like Facebook, PayPal, or escrow may help mitigate in some cases, but not all.
I would actually consider focusing on the very low end. For example, what if it was just a $5 candy exchange. It's actually a meet-new-people-platform, with candy as an excuse for traveller to meet locals.
(Btw, I just posted the question on Ask HN, is it ok if I reply there? - I thought the idea was so strikingly stupid that no one would care)
Anyway, I have some thoughts about the problems you laid out. I will post a reply on the ask HN thread - and would love to get your thoughts!
Thanks for good points.
Of course there are massive challenges associated with international commerce, which means probably only the big dogs (Amazon et al) can tackle this one.
If you just consider exotic foods, the safety issues alone is enough to scare the hell out of any regulator.
One way that this could work would be to perhaps build an Etsy-like network of individual expat/immigrant entrepreneurs who will basically setup shop via your site and be responsible for moving the products.
For instance I have friends who are immigrants and ship products from their home countries and sell them here in the states. So you could set up a service for these people to sell their goods to Americans.
About your point 'set up a service for these people to sell their goods to Americans.' - Never thought about this. So you are saying that there be dedicated businesses selling to americans, and 'shipped by' people who are travelling? Have I understood your view correctly?
You would handle things like payment and verifying the identity of your buyers and sellers, but the actual procurement and shipment of goods would be handled by the seller/entrepreneur.
I have a friend who ships handmade handbags from Senegal and sells them in NYC in the summer. She's responsible for dealing with the production issues in Senegal (not fun) and the shipment to NYC.
Now your service would be to offer this person a popular online space to sell the bags to a broader audience.
*It looks like what you are thinking of is for the person doing the traveling to basically buy the stuff and bring it back or vice verse take it with them?...
Yes Exactly.
There are many things that an individual traveler simply cannot bring through customs. Many agricultural products, meats, cheeses, etc. I would guess there are also issues with collection of duty on tech products like iPhones especially if they are being transported for ultimate delivery to another party, and not just the personal property of the traveler.