The Retailer

Johannesburg – Since launching its online marketplace for new and used products in February, e-retailer kalahari.net has recorded average monthly sales growth of 55% for this new division. Following on trends set by American e-commerce giant eBay, kalahari.net launched the new and used platform with four product categories: books, CDs, DVDs and games. There are plans to introduce more product categories by the end of the year.

"The launch of our marketplace allows online users to sell their new or used products on a platform that has an enormous database of existing customers, and which is safe and easy to use," said kalahari.net general manager Gary Novitzkas.

Kalahari.net's traditional retail platform has millions of product listings including books, eBooks, music, DVDs, games, cameras, electronics, appliances, jewellery and flowers as well as hampers.

Using eBay – the world's largest online retail platform, said to be a source of income for over 700 000 Americans – as a benchmark, kalahari.net believes the potential for online retailing in South Africa is incredible.

Although there are currently no fees charged on kalahari.net, it will introduce nominal success fees on sales in September this year.   

How it works  

Sellers register on the website and their banking details are verified. Once this step is complete, they upload the products on offer, entering the name of the book, DVD, CD or game or by entering the ISBN number on the product.

The system searches for the product and once found, sellers nominate a price they would like to sell the item for, as well as the delivery method (courier or postal service). Once uploaded, the item is automatically live on the kalahari.net website.  

A buyer browsing kalahari.net has the option of buying a new or used item from registered sellers on kalahari.net's new marketplace.

To avoid dissatisfaction, kalahari.net holds the buyer's funds in an escrow account until the buyer has received the product and confirms it is in the condition the seller advertised. When this is done, the money is paid directly into the seller's bank account.  

Once a product is purchased, it is automatically removed from the website, meaning the products customers see are those which are actively available.