OpenBazaar Desktop v2.3.0 Review
It’s a decentralized eCommerce platform, that doesn’t have a single master server and can’t be censored. It’s appeals to side hustlers and small volume sellers that would predominately pick Amazon or eBay as their venue.
Overview
You can buy and sell physical and digital goods on OpenBazaar just like any other eCommerce venue. Plus you can post classified ads, services and cryptocurrency trading listings.
OpenBazaar is direct competitor to Mercari and ShapeShift.
Moveover, OpenBazaar plans to add support for far more cryptocurrencies for in-App payments. Allowing the market to decide on its own which coins are best.
Released Versions
Currently there is Desktop version for Windows (7/8/10) and Mac OSX (El Captain or higher). Android and Apple iOS (iPhone) versions are coming soon. Web viewing is live on OpenBazaar Dot Com, and soon they will add in web buying feature.
Protocol
Marketplace runs on Interplanetary File System (IPFS), you run node a few hours a day and peers re-seed your listings. This a major jump in up-time instead of forcing sellers to host nodes 24/7. Ideally you should run a node for a few hours a day or 24/7 to help re-seed other stores and receive messages faster.
Coin Support
OpenBazaar’s Multi-Wallet supports BTC, BCH, LTC and ZEC. There are plans to add Ethereum and other common coins as means of in-app payment.
Lightning Network
Lighting Network requires nodes online during payments, which defeats the purpose of the IPFS protocol. It would need routing via another third-party node.
Some Sellers accept Lightning Network Payment outside of the OpenBazaar app.
Review System
OpenBazaar’s review system is vulnerable altering. Please verify reviews before buying from sellers. When possible do escrow transactions from stores with Verified Moderators, which been vetted by OB1 Team.
OB1 Team is looking into a fix to stop exit scammers from faking many positive reviews.
Store Name Resolver System
OB1 Team is mulling adding in system to resolve the store name instead of the in-app addresses being hashed letters and numbers. Making it easier to remember store names.
Does your stuff sell?
I sold two computer related items, ram memory and a computer case fan. Your mileage may vary, it all depends on how well you market your store and if the items are in high enough demand.
What generally sells or has most interest?
Bitcoin Hats and Hoodies, Jewelry, mid and high ticket electronics, Bitcoin for Fiat (snail mail listings). Bitcoin for Steam Games. Gaming related stuff such as Video Cards and newer console games.
Why are all these store unreachable?
- They are not running the application regularly enough.
- Those sellers are using a Testnet RC or Beta version.
- Nothing sold within a week or so, then they Rage Quit
Testnet versions
There is no need for store fronts to run them, the OpenBazaar application will auto update to the latest stable version.
Rage Quitting
Some sellers don’t get eCommerce is a marathon not a sprint. They were looking for an easy buck and didn’t sell quick enough. Perhaps it wasn’t their fault maybe they were selling collectibles which used to sell like hotcakes 10 years ago or micro-transaction stuff that has a serious overabundance. People can buy USB Cables anywhere ect.
Random Store Item
As you can see the GUI hasn’t changed much from v2.2.5, aside from the new multi-wallet. You can set shipping zones with any country you want. Such as USA having the cheapest shipping rate, Canada having second, and Mexico have highest. You can ship wherever.
Listing System
Here is the Listing System. Only gripe I have is typing in the Return Policy and Terms over again.
Moderation
In the first picture you can see an option to become a moderator. Anyone on the OpenBazaar Site can do this. However, you will begin as an unverified moderator. Until you choose to pay collateral and be vetted by OB1 Team.
Advanced Settings
Set the Network fee to Economic unlike the picture to make sure transaction fees are lower. You can add email integration with Gmail to receive emails if you sell an item. Moreover, you can import your seed into another application such as Electron Cash (BCH) if you want.
You have the Option to allow anonymous metrics being sent to OB1 Team helping them find bugs and improve software experience.
OB1 Search
The OB1 search is complex enough to weed out listings you are not looking for.
Crypto Currency Exchange
The exchange allow sellers to set surcharges (optional) on trades. Sellers can pay their end of the trade outside of the app, if trading unsupported coins.
Closing Thoughts
OpenBazaar is good place to expand your side hustling or business endeavors. The game has changed over the past 10 years. Sellers should diversify their selling platform. That’s were OpenBazaar comes in at.
For those not wanting to host a OpenBazaar Node most of the day. You could rent a Virtual Private Server from various hosting companies starting at $7.00/mo or you could trust Zokos as host for your store.
Haven Privacy App is coming soon, which should take the OpenBazaar experience to the next level.
source:
https://medium.com/@cryptoshoppe/openbazaar-desktop-v2-3-0-review-f5d11d16045a