Online “buy and sell” portals are not new to the first world countries but in developing countries like India, people prefer the traditional ways to sell their used stuff. With the steep rise in number of Internet users in last few years, the traditional way India classifieds its micro advertisement was bound to be changed like so many other aspects of life.

The traditional Indian way of selling/buying used items:

Growing in an Indian middle class family, I am pretty much aware of the way the business of ‘used items’ worked (still works). You have some item which you no longer need. What to do with it? You ask (read tell) your neighbors or your relatives about the ‘excess item’ in your home. The word of mouth is the way you advertise. The second option is to go to your local shopkeeper who deals with ‘second hand item’. And in case of electronic goods, it is mostly the local mechanic who you turn to. The local shopkeeper gives you a really low price which makes you heart sink deeper thinking about how much you had originally paid for the same stuff. The local shopkeeper then sells it to a new customer at almost double the price it had bought from you, taking a cut himself. If nothing works out, you may end up selling it to the junk dealer. By the way, for western readers, ‘Garage Sale’ are alien to Indian  environment.

OLX.in breaking the digital barrier and changing India:

OLX a world renowned classified advertisement company founded in 2006. Operating in over 96 countries, OLX identified the vast number of Internet users in India and the lack of a proper online portals for common man. Online classifieds ads were rare and if existed, were mostly unreliable. OLX launched its Indian version OLX.in with the motto of “sab kuchh bikta hai” (loosely translated as Everything Is Being Sold Here). And in reality, it introduced Indian users to a world where they could sell everything, which was unthinkable in the traditional Indian market. While on the other hand buyers have now option of choosing from a vast selection of used items, under their budget, within their comfort zone, right from their computer/mobile screen.

The vast range of category actually justifies the “sab kuchh bikta hai” tagline:

How does OLX works:

Any user (both registered or unregistered) can put up his classified ad duly attached with a picture in the relevant category with the desired price tag. The buyers looking for the specific item then can contact the seller with the option provided on OLX or directly to the seller, if he has provided his contact information. Best of all, putting the ads are completely free. When you put a item for sale, you can also share it on various social media platform to reach a larger audience. Moreover, you also have option of ‘featured ad’ where you can highlight your ad in exchange for a small fee.

The ads are shown location wise so that users can choose if he can buy the item. Of course one would not prefer to buy a TV from other city as it will increase the cost of transportation.

Witty Ad campaign:

Though internet and mobile advertisement are on the rise, there is no alternate of TV advertising. OLX has started its TV campaign to let the people know there exists a platform that allows to sell (and buy) item online, in most comfortable way. Their sab kuchh bikta hai” campaign has gathered enough eyeballs but my personal favorite is the witty one below where the viewers are encouraged to sell the items which are gathering dust because no one is using them.