Online Auction Site Boocoo.Com Tops 55,000 Listings

When George Willard Sr. announced the idea of boocoo.com, the latest eBay auction alternative to come online, there were a lot of confused looks on the faces of the people he addressed.

An online auction site combined with newspapers? Huh? But as Mr. Willard articulated his unique business plan, confusion gave way to agreement and "huh?" turned into, "I get it."

The CEO and founder of Ranger Data, is a newspaper veteran who had a vision that he would market persistently and successfully.

Indeed, before the soft launch in June of 2010, Mr. Willard was able to partner with over 300 major media print publications, (perhaps you've seen ads?) several radio stations and even some TV channels.

He came up with the plan as an answer to reclaim some of the revenue that the newspapers lost to sites like eBay and Craigslist.

Basically, the crux of the boocoo.com media partnership model is this. Media partners purchase licenses for zip codes in their publication areas. They then run ads for boocoo.com in their printed and online publications at no charge to boocoo. (Media partners are able to run the advertising when it fits the papers needs, so it's no burden to them.)

When a user registers on boocoo.com, their zip code is logged. Each and every time they make a purchase on the site, the license holder for the zip code in the area of that registered user splits the revenue generated from the final value fee with boocoo. (There are no listing fees on boocoo, another reason that sellers have supported the site. The final value fee is 6% of the sale price, and is paid only on successfully sold items.)

It's a no-brainer with virtually no financial risk for media partners, a low overhead for boocoo.com and an affordable way for sellers to market their wares.

Jump ahead to February 13, 2011 and the engine this unique business model has become, is chugging along to the tune of over 55,000 listings! While these numbers are small potatoes compared to eBay, they blow away almost every other online auction start-up that has made an attempt in the last 5 years.

Why has boocoo propelled?

There's no doubt that much of the reason boocoo has been able to acquire so many listings in such a short time, is in large part because of it's unusual and powerful business model and the advertising benefits it receives as a result.

The estimated annual advertising value received from partner publications is $74 million dollars. That's a lot of leverage, especially when you don't have to fork over that kind of cash out of pocket.

Also cited as reasons for the site's success so far are:

A live customer support team via phone and chat.
A perception that the site is willing to listen to, indeed, is hungry for user feedback.
Has a $300 per item, buyer protection plan. This is offered at no cost to the buy or seller.

If listing numbers continue to grow, it would make sense that more media partners would want to get in on this, thus extending boocoo's already significant reach and market share.

Current immediate goals are:

-to license more media partners, including more TV and Radio stations as well as print media
-to expand seller tools
-to begin a forum where buyers, sellers and staff can communicate.

Find out more at
http://www.boocoo.com
(877)855-5175
email to: boocoo@boocoo.com