Kalahari.net expecting big things from its new and used goods platform

South African online retailer kalahari.net is forecasting impressive growth by the end of the year from Marketplace, its new and used trading platform which was launched in February this year.

Kalahari.net believes that the trading platform, which lists both used and new products for sale, will provide South Africans with a way to earn extra money, which is especially important in the current economic climate, and speaks to South Africa’s natural entrepreneurial spirit.

“The launch of our marketplace allows online users to sell their new or used products on a platform that has an enormous database of existing customers and that is safe and easy to use,” says kalahari.net GM Gary Novitzkas.

With more than 500 000 products for sale on the platform and monthly growth of 55%, the Cape Town-based online retailer says they are expecting the number of products available to double by the end of the year.

Kalahari.net says they have created a “fun and almost addictive way” for individuals to dispose of their unwanted novels, textbooks, cookbooks, DVDs, CDs and games — and make some money off it.

How the trading platform works:

1. Sellers register and their banking details are verified.
2. Sellers then upload their products by entering the name of the book, DVD, CD or game or by entering the ISBN number on the product.
3. The system searches for the product and once found, the seller nominates a price that he/she would like to sell the item for, as well as the delivery method (courier or postal service).
4. Once uploaded, the item is automatically live on the kalahari.net website.
5. A buyer browsing has the option of buying a new item or a new or used item from registered marketplace sellers.
6. If the buyer selects the used item, the money paid by the buyer is held in kalahari.net’s escrow account until the buyer confirms receipt of the purchase.
7. Once this is done, the money is paid directly into the seller’s bank account.

Although there are currently no fees charged on the marketplace platform, kalahari.net it will introduce nominal success fees on sales from September.