In a few weeks, my 9-year-old son Sam is going to sleep away camp for the first time. It’s a huge freaking deal in my house right now. Along with all the emotional prep that comes with sending your first born away for 7 weeks, you have to actually consider the logistics of what to send away with your kid.
I never went to camp, so I wasn’t even a little prepared for the amount of stuff we had to get for Sam.
Working for Internet companies for the past 15 years, I’ve gotten pretty good at finding deals for just about anything online. My first stop was Amazon, where I found some items we needed (read: required) for pretty good prices. Phew. A week later, we get the package and we are one step closer to preparedness. Cool. But that was it. Just a package. No other feelings came to bare other than accomplishment.
During what is a pretty emotionally charged time in our life, I was struck by how purely transactional the online world can be. No connection to the seller. No connection to anyone really. Just stuff in a brown paper package. It’s transactional, not friendly or social.
Next, Sam wanted some books to take with him. Of course, we went to Swaptree for that. One of his books came this week with a handwritten note from the previous owner. The note said, “I hope you enjoy the book! It is very interesting! Monika.”
Social. Emotional. Transactional. This is why I love the social shopping swap movement. This is why I love helping to build it.
Just like Amazon, we got the stuff we wanted. But unlike Amazon, we felt great about the experience. There was a personal connection as if the other swapper somehow knew I needed a virtual hug.
Silly? Maybe. Real? Absolutely. Social shopping is more than just recommendations and reviews. Social shopping makes it personal, and it’s these personal connections that other e-commerce sites just can’t offer.
There’s necessity to both transactions, but one has built in anticipation. My kids and I tear open our swap packages when they arrive to see what the previous owner has to say – what personal notes they included that validate our “purchase” decision. We can’t wait for that connection.
When is the last time you had that same feeling of anticipation from an Amazon, eBay, or Craigslist transaction? Which experience would you rather repeat?
I know my answer. Thank you Monika!
-Carl Schwartz, Vice President of Marketing, Swap.com
Swap.com Mobile is a free iPhone is app that lets you scan items into your HAVE and WANT lists, manage your account, see what you can get for your stuff, and participate in swaps.
Thanks Kristy. Appreciate the kind words. Sam is, indeed, having a great time at camp. From the pictures I’ve seen, he doesn’t seem to have much time to read
I want to know when they are going to make a summer camp for grown ups…it looks awesome.
With Kelly’s voracious reading appetite, Swaptree seems like a perfect fit. Happy to hear you are both enjoying it. I never thought of a map…that’s a great idea. It is amazing that something so simple can be so powerful.
Sam will get a kick out of the attention he’s gotten. I’ll definitely mention it to him! Thanks again.
Cheers,
Carl