Bobcat Classifieds, a website that was launched less than two weeks ago, enables anyone with an Ohio University email address to advertise goods and services including housing and tutoring.
Unlike other classifieds sites, each Bobcat Classifieds user is tracked through his or her OU email address so they can trust who they’re buying and selling from, said Bobcat Classifieds creator, Brian Adams.
“Because there is so much contact information … users of the site are able to comfortably make purchases or sell items on the site because they know that it is another fellow bobcat they are doing business with,” said Adams, a senior studying management information systems and marketing.
Adams, before transferring to OU, was an active Craigslist user, worried about the safety risk involved in online transactions, he said.
“There was always a chance that they were going to scam you and rob you of your money,” said Adams. “But because you had no actual information about the seller, you would be out of luck.”
The site, which Adams developed through months of self-training in his free-time to cut costs, has yet to be promoted on-campus, but already has 300 registered users.
The site is free for students to use and revenue from the site will come from local businesses advertising to students and faculty.
“I like the idea of a trading post where students, faculty and staff can sell things and be fairly confident in who they’re selling to,” said Ryan Lombardi, interim vice president for student affairs.
The website first came to Lombardi’s attention at the end of the last school year, when Adams approached Lombardi for advice on how to move the site forward, Lombardi said, adding that he may sell his car on the website.
The university will continue to promote the site online, but is not interested in hosting the site, said Lombardi.
“I think it picks up where Craigslist lacks,” said Adam Jessen, a senior studying accounting, management information systems and business pre-law. “(The site) makes it more safe for transactions to take place and its all in the same community.”
After hearing about the site through Adams, Jessen posted multiple items to the site and may continue use of the site even after he graduates.
dd195710@ohiou.edu
