eSwarm is a site that pioneered a new concept in eCommerce, and one that’s still going strong: that of several people getting together to buy an item at a discounted price. It was started in 2007, well before companies like GroupOn and LivingSocial had come into the scene. And although it never saw the fame or popularity these two Internet giants were to see, eSwarm.com is still around. And it’s got a committed userbase that even today turns to the site to buy what they need.
On this site, everything revolves around the concept of “swarms“. A swarm is a group of buyers that join together in order to purchase a product or service at a better price.
So, eSwarm.com brings together swarms of people online, who create their own swarms or join an existing one in order to get these products they want. They work together to get the best seller’s bid and get their items. eSwarm.com gets a few bucks commission for the transaction, and they even pay the guy who started the swarm some pennies, too.
eSwarm.com then, is a great way of buying cheaper stuff online. You join forces with other people – people you don’t really know, but who have your very same purchasing interests. It’s the concept that lies at the heart of daily deal websites: “Unity Makes Power”. Only that eSwarm thought it first.
eSwarm.com In Their Own Words
“Join or Start a Swarm
First, search for what you want on our homepage. You can simply type in the name of what you want, the name of who started the swarm you want to join, or you may enter a phrase that corresponds with the terms and conditions set forth on the supplier.
Browse through our “search results” pages for swarms you may want to join. If one looks good to you, join it. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, then start your own swarm. Just remember, often it’s to your advantage to join an existing swarm.
If you decide to start a swarm, simply click the “Start a Swarm” button and follow the simple instructions.
Spread the Word and Grow the Swarm
The bigger your swarm, the better the chance that registered suppliers will bid against each other to sell to your swarm. So spread the word any way you can! People searching the web for the same product or service for the best prices could discover and join your swarm!
When a swarm completes with a winning supplier, the user who started the swarm gets paid a generous referral fee based on the total value of the swarm. So if you start a swarm, get out there and spread the word!
Suppliers bid to supply your swarm – watch prices plunge!
As a swarm grows, it becomes more and more attractive to a supplier because more business is at stake. When a supplier places a bid, the size of the swarm freezes; at that point, no new members may join. For 48 hours, suppliers may bid against each other for the right to supply the swarm. When this happens, prices drop lower and lower for swarmers who’ve joined.
Connect With Your Supplier and Receive Your Product
Once the 48-hour bidbattle ends, eSwarm unites the swarmers with a winning registered supplier. At this point, all buyers exchange payment and shipping (if necessary) information with a supplier.
eSwarm collects transaction fees and distributes referral fees to the user who started the swarm.”
Why eSwarm.com It Might Be A Killer
This is a great idea for all those out there that need to buy very expensive stuff (such as medicines, or health insurance). By grouping together in swarms, the sellers or providers will come to them instead of being the other way round. Plus, the ones fighting for the price are the suppliers, so no need to bargain there!
Some Questions About eSwarm.com
Will people wait until the swarm is up and populated and so on? How good of a deal can you get with eSwarm.com? Is it worth the trouble and the wait? Are there enough “swarmers” out there?
