Every internet-marketer knows how e-bay works not to mention the “imperfections” exploited by some desperados. Today, we saw an emerging auction-website that caters some of the functionalities you’re at-home with e-bay. Only this time, it provides more “sauce” to social-networking.
At a glance, LootSlinger is an open-online auction website that allows buyers and sellers to connect, communicate. Did I say share too?
Advantages:
The interface reminds me of kindergarten. It’s very child-like to use.
Sell your items on a jiffy.
Share a product currently auctioned to your social-networking sites.
Finding a product is a breeze by the use of “tags”.
All payments are done through paypal.
Disadvanatges:
Though it’s still on beta-stage we notice some strange “stuff” going on the website that’s needed to be rectified.
For the meantime, LootSlinger is only exclusive in USA.
No “IP-geographical” verification.
Anyone can input a dubious zip code and the crook can have multiple addresses without getting caught.
The integration of social-networking sites should be more visible.
Instead of “just” sharing a product with social networking accounts, why not give the whole package? and allow connection via facebook/twitter using OAuth? The “reach” will be humungous though security issues are a different story of course.
Doesn’t allow profile “lookup” via social network.
Finding the info about a seller beyond his/her profile account in LootSlinger is currently impossible.
Seller’s threshold for an item has a limit of <<$1,000,000?
I don’t know ‘bout ebay but this… Sure is, way above our wallets don’t you think?
Make it a bit professional.
Perhaps, try adding some “latest/featured products” from the buyer’s dashboard. A little tweak should do the trick
Need to talk to someone?: A dubious contact-support at the bottom of the page.
If you are a newbie buyer, you will assume that the given number is some sort of phonepal with a flirty lady. Phone-support should always be stated directly and in a formal tone unlike this one.
Just see the axe commercial in case you don’t agree!
Why is the title of the website “LootSlinger”?
Whenever I heard the term “LOOT”, it reminds me junk-items or stolen products. Don’t you think the first impression is quite misleading? I hope the developers of L.S are seeing this review.
Wrap-up:
Indeed, Lootslinger is a “vibrant” auction site which has a lot of potential in the future. Our hopes are, L.S will explore more on the nooks and crannies first and provide a better (more-secure) user-interface than the beta version. Users need to feel their money is safe and not merely toying around a website.
Keep in mind that we are dealing with real money here not the paper-planes. I guess its not fun anymore when some wolf ate your piggybank in one bite. Right?
If you will ask me if LootSlinger can beat E-bay? Well, you should be asking “Nostradamus” instead :D
(sources: lootslinger, ebay)
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Tags: lootslinger, lootslinger auction, lootslinger disadvantage, lootslinger interface, lootslinger review, lootslinger vs ebay
