I like the idea, but the centralized platform means it would be hard to buy/sell drugs, sex and contraband, which would make it <i>really</i> interesting :) I'd also like to see a bidding component; for example, head to the Apple store on a big launch day, and bid for an iPad 3/iPhone 5--those at the front of the queue could make a tidy profit, and those with deeper pockets could skip the queue.
I wonder if they should have launched slower, maybe a few cities at a time.<p>I'm in DC right now and can only find 4 items within a few miles. I think that kind of experience will give people a bad first impression.
I predict this will not fly–or will require serious pivoting.<p>I don't really get why they're focusing on the demand-side. The "Wanted" section of Craigslist is considerably smaller than most of the other For Sale categories (I personally never check it).<p>I also don't see any real-world/brick-and-mortar example of reverse person-to-person selling like this. What is the incentive for someone to even check Zaarly for a need I might meet? Don't say "make extra cash" because if I need to sell stuff, I dig through it and post it for sale.<p>If I need something, I search Craigslist. If it's not there, I check Ebay. Or I buy it new. I don't post a request and pray someone will get back to me.<p>People are going to request things ... and most requests will go unanswered. Then they'll stop using it.<p>(BTW, totally not trying to sound like a pessimistic jerk)
I like the concept, I think it's well designed and the iPhone app seems to be really great. It's got a bit of a chicken and the egg problem at the moment, but I really hope it grows.