No_Stress_1313

No_Stress_1313 OP t1_j6uw6ay wrote

100%! This is exactly the feedback that I am looking for. Do you think there's any correlations to take from food delivery apps where users could also pick up the phone but choose to order online instead? Offering delivery services is one of the options we are considering, but first want to determine if there's enough unmet demand from consumers looking to buy online. For the record, 100,000+ people look for firewood online every month, so that's one data point. But of course the real world operates differently.

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No_Stress_1313 OP t1_j6um30c wrote

Correct. Typically marketplace apps connect buyers (demand) with sellers (supply) and take a cut (10-15%). It benefits the seller if they're able to reach new buyers they otherwise wouldn't be able to without paying for marketing or adding an online shop or something else. In your case you already know the buyer so you wouldn't need to use the app. You would continue to pay $25. Other buyers who otherwise didn't know this seller existed could pay we'll say $30/3, a 20% increase to the seller (win!). Middleman takes 10% (win). Buyer gets good wood (win). The question is there enough unmet demand in the marketplace to validate this type of marketplace? Are there seasonal buyers who don't know any wood sellers? Is there a lot of competition in the market? I don't know.. Just trying research more.

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No_Stress_1313 OP t1_j6sm9p8 wrote

Wonderful! Thank you for sharing. To be clear, I am not intending to hold inventory or sell directly. I am looking to build a product similar to Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace, but better and specifically for firewood. So filtering by distance, per the regulations, is a key feature. I see these policies as a benefit, not a threat, to building a defined marketplace. Curious to get your thoughts!

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