Question
I have experience with creating a marketplace that sells intangible products (software, media, etc.) but have wondered about what pitfalls might exist for a similar marketplace where vendors could sell their own tangible/shippable products. Could it be as simple as having them create an account and start selling and then fulfilling the products themselves?
I suppose that is how Amazon does it?
Various vendors end up fulfilling their own products, but Amazon just takes care of the order process?
Any other issues I should think about with this model?
Answer
I think the most important issue you should think about is getting traffic to your website. I have heard of this idea before-people who want to create an online marketplace where vendors can sell their wares-, not to mention all the sites currently available who do this, and the biggest hurdle is getting the traffic and, hopefully, enough sales, to make it worth the time and effort for you and your vendors.
Roxanne