CONTROVERSY SURROUNDS USED AND SECONDHAND WEB SITE

It’s all in name or so thinks Arjay Bulock, general manager and spokesperson for $#!T4less.com [characters used to censor actual spelling], a marketplace web site that enables users to buy, sell, or trade secondhand, hand crafted, unusual and collectible items online. Launched in August, the site has drawn an outburst of criticism about its name from industry insiders.

“A fast and simple, secure and enjoyable experience for customers who are shopping used, hand made and secondhand items online is our number one goal at $#!T4less.com,” said Bulock. “It may be a tad tawdry, but there’s nothing in the name of our site that prevents us from delivering that promise to our customers.”

Critics of the site, many which have attempted to force a name change upon the business, claim that the name of the site is lewd and offensive and reflects poorly on the highly competitive online auction, used and secondhand industry. “There is a sense of propriety in doing business online,” stated a staff member from a competitors online auction site.

“Come on,” said Bulock. “One competitor even accused us of being redneck potheads. Don’t these people have a sense of humor? The name of our site is used in a vernacular sense the way people use this word every day: like ‘that’s great —-t,’ or ‘get a load of this —-t.’ In writing class I think we called it a non-pejorative use for the word – meaning something good, not bad. It’s a great marketing hook, isn’t it? What name are you going remember: Ebay, Wagglepop, Blujay, Ecrater, Ebid, Bid-A lot, Highbidder, OnlineAuctions, or $#!T4less? We’ve received some flack over the name of the site but most of it comes from envious competitors, really.”

In contrast to prevalent auction sites, $#!T4less.com is designed for users who want to quickly sell hand crafted, used and secondhand items without the necessity or bother of an adrenaline rushed online auction. Users maintain real-time control over their listings and can post a wide variety of items for sale such as antiques, appliances, art, clothing, computers, electronics, furniture, games and toys, household items, literature, music, photography, tools, RVs, sporting goods, vehicles, and even heavy equipment.

“There’re no auctions that over inflate the cost of used products on our site. No sophisticated multi-million dollar online storefronts, or “e-tail entrepreneurs” selling close-out products for a 300 percent profit,” said Bulock. “Just plain folk who want to get rid of or buy used, second hand, homemade, and collectible items at a fair price without a hassle. If our competitors or critics think that’s lowbrow or uncultured, they’ll need to get over it. We’re not changing our name.”

For more information, users can log on to the alternative web address www.s4less.com.