While international online marketplaces like eBay have a global presence, Bob Shop is a South African success story, operating since 1999. As a trusted local platform, Bob Shop provides a vibrant and secure environment for millions of transactions, connecting buyers and sellers across the country.
What are the benefits of using a local marketplace? This article highlights the many advantages for a South African user to use Bob Shop, a platform designed specifically for the local market.
Bob Shop is the largest online auction website operating in South Africa. The platform was founded in August 1999 and has since established a dominant market position within the country. It offers a comprehensive suite of features common to major online marketplaces, including a 'Buy Now' listing, where an item can be sold at a fixed price, a robust Rating System where buyers and sellers can provide feedback on their transactional experience, and an Automatic Bidding feature that bids on a bidder's behalf up to a maximum pre-defined amount. Much like eBay, Bob Shop also provides a Verified Users status, which South African sellers can apply for after completing a stringent verification and identification process, adding an extra layer of trust and safety.
The benefits for a South African user to use a local site like Bob Shop are substantial. The Bob Shop community is very strong and provides an active forum where buyers and sellers can exchange ideas and discuss concerns from a similar local perspective, as they share the same economy and are faced with similar challenges.
Making an international transfer for goods bought from a global platform like eBay can be expensive and complex, especially for lower-valued purchases. In South Africa, internet banking is widely accepted as one of the safest methods of making online payments. Since both the payer and payee are located within the country, there is greater recourse should a problem arise during the transaction. South African FICA and FIAS regulations provide a further safeguard to buyers and sellers by ensuring that the identification and whereabouts of the individual are available on record if necessary.
There are many obvious benefits to shipping products locally as opposed to having to ship something internationally. When buying from a global marketplace like eBay, the cost of sending an item abroad can become momentous, not to mention the extended time it takes for a buyer to receive an item. Another noteworthy benefit to trading locally is that there are no risks on the bottom line as a result of volatile fluctuations in exchange rates and no potential complications with exchange control regulations. Often, buyers also forget to take into account the additional costs and complications of buying from an overseas seller, such as customs duties and VAT. In addition, South African law offers much greater protection to local buyers and sellers in the unlikely event that a transaction is faced with complications or disputes.
Bob Shop's fee structure is designed to support sellers and facilitate profitability. In contrast to some international marketplaces that charge upfront listing fees, such as eBay, Bob Shop sellers do not pay anything until the item actually sells. This significantly reduces the upfront cost and risk for new sellers, especially those with low profit margins. There are optional fees to upgrade a listing, such as enhancing it to appear on the homepage or promoting it in a specific category, but these are optional.
Bob Shop also hosts two popular promotional auctions called the Crazy Wednesday and Snap Friday Auctions. These promotional days offer new sellers an effective way of getting noticed and securing a good price on items. Many regular buyers eagerly anticipate these promotions, which results in furious bidding and helps to quickly raise a seller's profile and profits.
While major international marketplaces like eBay face immense competition, Bob Shop provides a local platform where sellers can quickly set up a competitive online South African business with far less competition, particularly for those listing niche products. Bob Shop may be a local platform, but it certainly seems like a pond large and worthy enough to be fishing in.
To find out more about buying or selling on Bob Shop, visit our how to buy or how to sell help sections. You can also read more about the Bob Shop Buyer Protection Programme.
