Say you're on the market for a new refrigerator but despite plenty of products on sale, you can’t seem to find exactly what you’re seeking at a price point that works for you — that’s what happened to Vibelyst founder Will Ryu.
Several years ago, Ryu was scouting Amazon and eBay in search of the perfect appliance only to be turned off by high prices and outlandish shipping costs. Thinking he could find a better deal, he scoured Craigslist but grew spooked by the possibility of meeting a stranger and exchanging a product that he couldn’t even guarantee would work.
It was in this moment that Ryu realized the potential for a buyer-oriented marketplace, and thus Vibelyst was born. On Vibelyst, the seekers have the power: those on the hunt for clothing, electronics, sports gear, gig workers and more post listings detailing their needs and their budget. If someone in the neighborhood has a bike, coffee maker, or, in this case, a refrigerator they no longer need, they can offer it up to the seeker for a price within the seeker’s budget. If multiple people have the right item to offer, sellers can place bids.
Once seeker and seller come to an agreement, Vibelyst solves yet another contentious element of the marketplace game: payment. Vibelyst boasts an instant payment system that functions like cash, but carries the guarantee that your sale is legitimate.
Presently, Vibelyst has more than 20 pending patents, all geared toward making transactions on their platform as secure and seamless as possible. Gone are the horror stories of buyers showing up to a Craigslist sale with insufficient funds or a shifty personal check. We’ve all heard that one story, right?
Next up, the company aims to establish itself as a fixture in NYC — the only city where Vibelyst’s services currently operate. Vibelyst aims to create dynamic features that cater to the uniqueness of the NYC population and is already doing so through the collection and analysis of data.
Though Vibelyst is relatively new, the company already has their sights set on growing into the mantle of the No. 1 online marketplace. Presently, Vibelyst is working to increase their staff to support rapid technological growth. Soon, the company will relocate to a bigger, better NYC office. What’s more, an international edition of Vibelyst is in the works, though, and the company aspires to help construct localized buying and selling communities in cities around the world.
Recycling, regifting and thrifting are good for both your wallet and the planet — and with Vibelyst, making the eco-, paycheck-friendly choice is easier than ever.
