Internet charity shop

FROM: Simon Bates

What NEED does this meet?
Charity shops sell second-hand stuff, but its a bit of a lottery as to whether they have anything you want. If you were taken straight to the availability of something via the internet, then there would be a higher chance of you buying a second-hand item that would benefit a charity

What is the APPROACH?
This is not a very wacky idea, more an extension of what is already going on...

ebay and amazon give you the opportunity to sell second-hand stuff on the internet. What about either:

a) Easing the way for a charity to get a slice b) "Giving" the item to a charity to sell.

I put giving in quotes, because you wouldn't actually take it anywhere, you would simply despatch it when it was sold, but the charity would get the cash

What are the BENEFITS to people?
Don't have to seek out a charity shop, charity shops don't have to waste time and staffing sorting and cataloging items

What is the COMPETITION?
Not aware of any

What BUDGET & LOGISTICS are required?
You would need to find a way of offsetting the postage costs, this could be by returning it to the seller, or the seller could tick a box waiving the fee (which would mean more money to the charity)