Hello from Canada! I'm looking for feedback on a project

Lithium-Ion Batteries Marketplace

  • We need a marketplace with reviews

    Votes: 1 33.3%
  • This is a waste of time

    Votes: 2 66.7%

  • Total voters
    3

tecu81

New member
Joined
May 30, 2018
Messages
4
Hey guys!

My names Alex. I hope I'm posting this in the right section (Admins please don't delete).
Im a software engineer by profession and a DIY powerwall enthusiast in my spare time. With the communitys help Ive managed to build a few powerwalls using recycled 18650 cells. Thank you all for your help and guidance! :D

While working on these projects, and also following the progress of some of the other members here, Ive noticed theres an acute need for a reliable source of genuine Li-ion batteries. It seems that every time I have to buy cells online its a gamble. I can never be certain that what I receive matches what was advertised; unfortunately its tough to find reliable sellers that offer consistent quality batteries.

:idea: This got me to thinking that an online marketplace that specializes in quality Li-ion batteries could benefit the community. Ive already started working on a website that will offer a review based rating system for all sellers AND products, as well as a secure payment gateway. With the communitys help, it could become the go-to destination for buying/selling (new and used) Li-ion batteries.

Here are some of the features that Ive started to develop:

Sellers:

  1. Simple sign-up and intuitive store development process.
  2. Seller verification (will provide additional details).
  3. Extensive options for product listings (multiple types, images, detailed technical specs).
  4. All in one and easy to used dashboard for managing inventory, sales, orders, etc.
  5. Secure payments via Stripe and PayPal.
  6. Email notifications for placed orders.
  7. Reviews from buyers, with ratings available for each specific product listed.
  8. Choose your own terms for shipping, warranty, and returns.

Buyers:

  1. Simple sign-up process.
  2. Quick access to Li-ion batteries by category, sellers, or reviews.
  3. Easy checkout using Stripe (major CC) or PayPal.
  4. Review and rate the vendor and product (once received).
I would love to get your feedback on this project.

Thanks!
Alex
 
tecu81 said:
......unfortunately its tough to find reliable sellers that offer consistent quality batteries.

You appear to be wanting to develop a solution for a problem that doesnt exist - there's already anumber of reputable sellers that are well known on here and the FB groups.
 
Sean said:
tecu81 said:
......unfortunately its tough to find reliable sellers that offer consistent quality batteries.

You appear to be wanting to develop a solution for a problem that doesnt exist - there's already anumber of reputable sellers that are well known on here and the FB groups.

How do you find them?
 
tecu81 said:
Sean said:
tecu81 said:
......unfortunately its tough to find reliable sellers that offer consistent quality batteries.

You appear to be wanting to develop a solution for a problem that doesnt exist - there's already anumber of reputable sellers that are well known on here and the FB groups.

How do you find them?

They tend to find you (the potential customer) on here, or the groups, by listing what they've got, perhaps along with some pictorial proof - it's a capitalist world, so sellers go looking for customers, and they know where we are.
 
I think this is a great idea, A marketplace that can direct people to the sellers without them "finding you" and it also becomes a place where users can leave ratings which helps everyone in the long run. Kits for building powerwalls/batteries can also be on the site so people can leave feed back and allow the diy community to understand what will work best for their app. It can also have links or downloads to pdfs/datasheets for cells and kits. Being a Marketplace geared towards the diy battery community that produces transparency and a easy place to sell and research what's available is something we can all benefit from.
 
ShannonWilliams said:
Kits for building powerwalls/batteries can also be on the site so people can leave feed back and allow the diy community to understand what will work best for their app. It can also have links or downloads to pdfs/datasheets for cells and kits. Being a Marketplace geared towards the diy battery community that produces transparency and a easy place to sell and research what's available is something we can all benefit from.

Isn't the above already happening ?
 
Sean said:
ShannonWilliams said:
Kits for building powerwalls/batteries can also be on the site so people can leave feed back and allow the diy community to understand what will work best for their app. It can also have links or downloads to pdfs/datasheets for cells and kits. Being a Marketplace geared towards the diy battery community that produces transparency and a easy place to sell and research what's available is something we can all benefit from.

Isn't the above already happening ?

I don't think there's a site with all the info in one place and well organizedon batterysellers,battery building products and where at the same time those items can be purchased.
 
I imagine such a concept would be an administrative nightmare. If you need information, such as what equipment to use or where to buy it, I suggest posting in the correct forum section. Plenty of users will help guide you to the right place.

The primary purpose of this forum - is exactly that - a medium for discussions to take place.

Also, check out the ads in the top right hand corner of the page. There are plenty of useful links there too.

As far as a powerwall ' kit' goes, everyone is different. Just look at the wide variety in the Projects section. Everyone is different, and it really depends on your own individual requirements, just how you go about construction. So there is not really a one size fits all 'kit'.
 
Geek said:
I imagine such a concept would be an administrative nightmare. If you need information, such as what equipment to use or where to buy it, I suggest posting in the correct forum section. Plenty of users will help guide you to the right place.

The primary purpose of this forum - is exactly that - a medium for discussions to take place.

Also, check out the ads in the top right hand corner of the page. There are plenty of useful links there too.

As far as a powerwall ' kit' goes, everyone is different. Just look at the wide variety in the Projects section. Everyone is different, and it really depends on your own individual requirements, just how you go about construction. So there is not really a one size fits all 'kit'.

I think his idea can potentially be more user friendly and with information in a more managed way. More sites the better in my opinion.

In regards to the one size fits all kit, that isn't what's being said. Because of how many kits and approaches being produced/used, having them consolidated in one place with a simple review/comment section and means to purchase or contact the producer if the particular kit is developed to that point would be useful. Sounds like it's similar to this forum but with a slightly different setup and like he has described more of a marketplace.

No long threads, more to the point information or reviews and with cell/kit sellers or shops.
 
Being a seller ...as well as a user ....albeit not a powerwall user as of yet , I think it's an interesting idea but the demand from sellers could be low if Alex is wanting to create this as a business opportunity. This sales channel would be fighting many other outlets ....and of course the big kahuna's of Amazon and Ebay that already have pretty much everything that Alex outlined for sellers. What they do not have is the community like this forum and others like Endless Sphere etc. offer.

What I think is that expanding and encouraging the marketplace on this forum ...is an opportunity to be investigated. As I have stated in my listings in marketplace here, I am more than willing to support this forum ...or any other resource that proves to be a good sales resource for me. I have found that everyone on this forum is more than willing to help the next guy ...so this is a key piece of the puzzle that Alex is trying to address.

Just my 2 cents for what it is worth. But I always encourage creative thinking!
 
We have a local place: https://secondlifestorage.com/f-Marketplace
Anyone who doesn't uphold their statements are quickly found out as the info is easily posted and available. True we don't handle payments through the site, but PayPal works just fine between individual people.

As Sean mentions, there's lots of actual businesses working on this model and several have eBay stores, others have web sites. And several have their market postings in the Marketplace as mentioned already.
 
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