Cambrian House, a digital "suggestion box" of sorts that has gleaned international media attention and been dubbed a major name to watch in 2007.Calgary Herald, Jan 2007
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The Idea
During the peak yard sale season, there are tens of thousands (maybe hundreds of thousands) of yard sales each week.That doesn't even include garage sales, moving sales, flea markets, and antique shops. The YardSailor, a mashup using Google (or Yahoo) maps, places a marker on a map showing yard sale buyers (yard sailors) where the sales are in their area and even gives them a chance to explore best routes. How it works: For a nominal fee (a dollar a day?) people hosting yard sales can add their location to the yard sailor site. For an extra fee, they can add premium information--list of items, photos, etc. (Restaurants, brick and mortar stores may offer a secondary market.) This site should be relatively easy to code and maintain (I'm assuming).
I thought of this idea when I was...
A recent story in a local paper that detailed new regulations outlawing yard sale signs on street lights, street signs, etc. I also worked at a newspaper and sold numerous classified ads for a few bucks a weekend. I've also been using a mashup to trace my running routes. I smooshed this all together and decided this may be an improved... fun... and profitable alternative to typical yard sale advertising.
Comments Posted
I'm very mixed on this...
I can see it working, but I don't see anyone spending more than a dollar or so to promote their yard sale. At least I wouldn't... So a dollar a day is more than I'd pay.
Unless this became a Google - where it's just *expected* that your yard sale would be listed.
That would be cool.
- Al Weiner -
Marketing to get this into the "expected" category would be crucial, but, I think with mashups becoming more popular, I don't think it would be out of the realm of possibility.
I think I should add that we could open this up to auctions, too.
This service must be free. Why? Take a look at Craigslist.
Maybe list a yard sale for a buck or two for a couple of days.
User can query for sales in their area....
yard sales within 10 miles of abc street, Houston tx.
or yard sales by zip code.
A buck or two is not much money but if you put it on the net
and sell it all over the US, it could make money!
This would be fairly easy to get off the ground (many other sites are doing this now, see below list) but the challenge as you mention would be in the execution and marketing.
Garage Sale Maps Mashups
http://www.weekendtreasure.com (probably the best of the bunch as it already shows all the relevant Craigslist posting on it)
http://www.garagemama.com
http://www.garagemaps.com
http://www.trashandtreasure.net
http://www.bigflamingo.com
Classifieds mashups
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