Dylan Hunter

Just saw an excellent article on ReadWriteWeb about Yahoo & eCommerce 2.0. Since starting with Second Rotation, is especially poignant for me. We’re actually building a tremendously simplified used consumer electronics buyback service for the purposes of keeping these materials out of landfills, basically sitting right atop eBay, (and others).

We collect data on point and trend individual SKU liquidity from eBay and several other sources, and then use it to basically make selling as simple as 5 Y/N questions, and putting a 1-4 star condition rating on. We then cut you a check, so you’re done, and then _we_ deal with all the hassles of actually using the backend, (i.e. eBay).

For the 1/30 folks who actually sell on eBay on an active basis, (1/125 on a registered basis), they remain an excellent choice to go directly to, just as some folks like to go back and play with the raw database to get ultimate optimization.

For the 29/30 who, whether they could or not, as a practical matter just _don’t_ sell on eBay, (i.e. it’s too much of a hassle for the reward they’re expecting) there’s a great opportunity for companies like us to be able to create much more value by much better matches between user experience and the bits and bites behind.

Nice piece, Richard!

For more on the company I’m working with right now:

We’re a local startup based in Waltham that’s working to keep old electronics out of landfills by offering cash for them. Here’s How it Works:

1) Quote
Go to http://www.secondrotation.com and find your device. We’ll ask you a couple of quick questions, and ask you to tell about its condition - 1 to 4 stars. Click “Calculate” and Bang - there’s what we pay you in Cold, Hard Cash!

2) Ship It - It’s Free!
Wrap it up, Drop it in a box and call DHL at 1-800-CALL-DHL from anywhere in the United States and they’ll come to you to pick it up - No Hassles, and No Charge!

3) Cash It In!
When we get it, we do a quick check to make sure all’s well, then Cut you a Check which’ll be in your mailbox in 2 weeks or less.

Take that money and put it toward something New and Shiny, the children, the mortgage, (you know what to do with it! )

And, if you manage to actually trade in enough stuff to get that next gizmo for free, we’ll send an email to that certain someone, (you know who I’m talking about) certifying that this time, you did indeed manage to get this Shiny New Doodad without a penny in new outlay, (think how that’d go over! ).

3a) Come on Back!
And when that Shiny New Doodad is not so shiny and new anymore, come on back to http://www.secondrotation.com and Spin Us Again!

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If you’ve read this far down, here’s a little bit more about what we’re up to. Right now, the average American throws away the equivalent of 2 laptops, 3 iPods and 3 cellphones each and every year; containing some of the most toxic and non-biodegradable materials on the planet.

By making it easier to get cash out of old consumer electronics, we magnify the impact of sustainability by helping folks participate in the mission whether they care about it or not, (i.e. if you care only about the cash, fine, here’s the cash - if you care about the mission too, fabulous - here’s cash and a mission! ) and thus, just like Ben & Jerry’s, The Body Shop and others, we put the power of business to work in making a social difference.

And yes, just like both of those and other values-led companies, we will indeed be making money from what we’re doing. And also, as we grow, we’ll be increasing the impact we’re all having in keeping these materials out of landfills, our groundwater and the food our children eat - not a bad day at the office, at all!

If you have any questions, comments, etc, don’t hesitate to comment, or ping me at dylan [at] dylanhunter.com. Would be more than happy to answer!

Thanks,

Dylan