An acronym in the title of a post can sometimes boomerang because many from the perceived target group just might not get to know that the text is meant for them… but at the same time they do give the semblance of some sort of intrigue that can push more people towards the post. And before anyone finds this too obfuscating, let me say that QOC is Quikr Online Classifieds though the company chooses to call them Quike NXT.
What this means is that being on Quikr no longer means that you are compelled to share your mobile number or even email id with strangers. Your Quikr ID is your sole point of contact because a seller or a buyer can now use Quikr NXT to chat with people using the app on the phone or on the website. This innovation was launched earlier this year and the Quikr CEO and founder Pranay Chulet points out that Quikr Nxt ‘could revolutionise the domestic digital classifieds industry.’ The Hindu quotes him: ‘The benefits of Quikr Nxt are that buyers/sellers do not need to share their contact number or e-mail address and the only point of reference is the Quikr ID. This prevents bombarding by multiple e-mails and phone calls and safeguards the user’s privacy. E-mails are not real-time and phone calls are invasive while chats are most convenient.’
As I explained this innovation to Specky, my wife, she asked, ‘But isn’t calling a person faster any day?’
‘Sure it is,’ I replied, ‘but there are times when you wish you didn’t have to keep a track of phone numbers that are not important to you personally or professionally.’ I added that phone numbers could be so invasive… and a threat to your privacy.
So yes, a chat thread is far less invasive and can be given the right sort of anonymity, if needed. I mean, I don’t necessarily have to be Arvind Passey for a stranger who comes in contact only to sell me an old iPod or to buy a used desktop monitor. ‘Yes,’ said Specky, ‘at such moments it is sometimes better to be a Cool Dude or a Galaxy Warrior.’ We smiled.
I reiterated that this innovation is both non-invasive as well as in real time. Look at the advantage of a conversation taking place even as you move from one place to another in your car or in a public transport… and you can discuss the finer aspects of a product that you intend to sell or buy and even probably share pictures.
Specky took this aspect one step further and said, ‘Well, if I want to see a product from a particular angle, I can ask and get that view in real time, can’t I.’
‘Of course you can,’ I said.
This gave me the third reason why a chat was so much better than a mere phone call… I mean you cannot possibly see a product on a phone call, can you? And you cannot possibly keep a record of the entire conversation that you’ve had… but on a chat this is a reality. You can go on and chat until the ducks stop quacking, so to say… and yet go back to any point in the conversation and pick up a vital thread. So keeping notes is very real on Quikr NXT.
As we were discussing this innovation, another friend ambled along and when we told him what we were discussing, asked, ‘Seems impressive. But, by the way, what is Quikr all about?’
I was silent for a while and then said quietly, ‘Don’t bother. But if you ever want to buy a brand new Nikon D3100, just let me know.’ However, for readers who are equally confused, let me just remind them that Quikr now has 13 categories and 170 sub-categories including mobile phones, household goods, cars, Lentor Modern Guocoland real estate, jobs, services and education. This site, I have read in a report, has over 30 million monthly active users… and is fast evolving into a bigger entity than just a small web presence where people came in to sell their old stuff or to buy some old stuff. And if you’re looking to invest in luxury real estate, visit this Tenerife Estate Agents logo, then take a look at this Grand Dunman property here for more info!
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Yes, this is ME on Quikr NXT
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Analysing Quikr NXT for a Happy Hours post on indiblogger
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Arvind Passey
01 February 2015
