| at a flea market in Oaxaca, Mexico. Trade with a | | | | A friendly face. |
| vendor in London, England. Or sport your wares to | | | | Local classified sites let you meet the person whom |
| collectors in Geneva, Switzerland. You can virtually do | | | | you're doing business with. Of course, you control if, |
| just that when you shop or sell goods at an online | | | | when, and where this happens. |
| auction site. You know those global auction Web | | | | The test drive. |
| sites, the ones that allow you to bid on thousands of | | | | Whether you're dealing with a car, a mattress, or a |
| items against millions of other competitors. Sure, they | | | | tennis racket, you can actually touch and try out |
| allow you to expand your world and uncover cool | | | | your item before you put down cold hard cash. For |
| knickknacks from around the world. But these very | | | | sellers with product as promised, that makes closing |
| same sites also open the door to you getting ripped | | | | the deal that much easier. |
| off by someone four thousand miles away. More | | | | Simple switcheroos. |
| than 8 billion dollars were spent on auction sites in the | | | | Local shopping opens up the possibility of refunds and |
| last three months of last year, but how many dollars | | | | exchanges if you and the person you're doing |
| were lost along the way? | | | | business agree. |
| Aside from these global auction sites, there are the | | | | More ample assortment than auctions. |
| LOCAL classified sites that are transforming the Web | | | | Imagine buying a refrigerator or a couch at an |
| into the spot for neighborhood shopping. These local | | | | auction site. Then imagine receiving that package at |
| classified sites offer convenience, selection, and low | | | | your door! Not very realistic, right? These sorts of |
| prices that would expect to find online, along with | | | | purchases and sales, though, become a definite |
| the safety and privacy of local shopping. Best of all, | | | | possibility with local online classifieds. |
| you can feel good about buying from--and also selling | | | | No tax tests. |
| to--your neighbors. | | | | You open a can of worms buying and selling across |
| Wheel and deal on collectibles, vintage clothing, | | | | national and international borders when it comes to |
| sporting goods, even real estate-all with people you | | | | taxes. Who owes what? And whom? Local |
| know and trust in the comfort and privacy of your | | | | commerce simplifies the whole issue, if taxes are |
| living room or study. The benefits of these local | | | | applicable at all. |
| classified sites don't stop with these intangibles. They | | | | A step ahead of scams. |
| have concrete advantages, such as: | | | | Knowing whom you do business with, face-to-face |
| Spontaneous delivery. | | | | transactions, simpler lines of communication-these |
| Package deliver in your neighborhood may not be | | | | qualities of local classified sites all reduce your risk of |
| instantaneous, but you definitely won't have to wait | | | | getting with shysters and scam artists. |
| two to six weeks if you buy something locally. | | | | A stronger community. |
| What shipping? | | | | Shopping around your hometown not only gives you |
| You can agree to drop off or pick up the sale item | | | | a warm, cuddly sense of community. It also provides |
| at one of your homes, or meet at a convenient | | | | the practical economic support that keeps |
| middle-of-the-road spot. You also won't need to | | | | communities and businesses vibrant and healthy. |
| worry about finding those shipping peanuts under | | | | So there you have it. There are no losers when it |
| your couch, your sheets, and in your fridge two | | | | comes to online classified sites that allow you to do |
| months later. | | | | your shopping locally. Buyers and sellers enjoy an |
| No frazzle. | | | | old-fashioned sense of community, while enjoying the |
| Tracking codes are supposed to help you locate your | | | | high-tech benefits of convenience, safety, and |
| packages in transit, but sometimes they can be more | | | | comfort that come with Web shopping. Let those |
| of a headache-especially when they don't help find | | | | auction risk takers have their Oaxaca, London, and |
| your lost package. | | | | Geneva. You've got your Houston, Texas. |