Aug 7, 2009 7:44 pm US/Eastern
Web Site Helps You Find Items You Need - For Free
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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People with unwanted goods, and those who need them on the cheap, are brought together by a new Web site called kashless.org. It's an online marketplace where everything is free.
CBS
A recent Gallop poll found that Americans are spending 40 percent less this year than last year.
But, at the same time, that doesn't mean they have to go without the things they need.
Many people are finding that it's now easier than ever to get what they need – for free.
Angela Perry wanted to get rid of a few things in her apartment, including a printer, to free up some space. Greg Backstrom needed a printer to take back to school.
"I couldn't afford a new one right now," Backstrom said.
"I'm not just putting it on the curb," Perry said.
The perfect pair are total strangers, brought together by a new Web site called kashless.org. It's an online marketplace where everything is free.
Martin Tobias came up with the idea for the site when he was cleaning out his garage.
"I said, you know, I think there is a need for a Web site to make it easier to give things away, to neighbors, that you are done with," Tobias said.
Similar to eBay and Craigslist, people post descriptions and pictures of items they have but no longer need. Interested recipients reply by explaining why they want the items, and then the two parties agree to meet.
"He needed it for college, and he seemed like the most worthy person, so I gave it to him," Perry said.
"[The site has] a lot of TVs, a lot of computers – somebody gave away a boat," Tobias said. "We furnished our entire office with things we found on the site, including our Post-It notes and stapler."
Tobias says one man even unloaded a house on the site. Besides saving people money, Tobias says his goal is to help the environment by keeping unwanted items out of landfills.
"Concerns about dealing with people you've never dealt with before is one of the primary problems that we were trying to solve," Tobias says.
As for safety, Tobias says each user must fill out a profile that includes a valid e-mail address, home address, picture and other personal information. Recipients are also asked to rate their experience.
There are similar sites, like freecycle.org and swapthing.com, as well.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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