New Location-Based Mobile Marketplace Grabio Entering a Very Crowded Field – Who Will Survive?

Monika Jansen July 26, 2011 Tweet

A new location-based marketplace for mobile devices is launching today.  Chicago-based Grabio is entering a very crowded arena, so it will be interesting to see who comes out on top.  We just covered Goshi and showcased them at Tech Cocktail Chicago last week, and I wrote about Taap.it a couple of weeks ago.

So what’s the difference between these services?

Grabio will focus on proximity, with the goal to connect buyers and sellers within a pre-defined radius. From launching the app to posting a listing takes less than 30 seconds; same applies for contacting a seller.  The founders see it as a useful tool for those constantly looking for event tickets or rentals.  Here’s are 3 screenshots to give you an idea of what to expect:

Goshi and Grabio look almost exactly alike.  On Goshi, you post items you want to sell by taking a picture with your phone, tagging it with a location, and sharing it with the world.   Buyers can see the exact locations of items for sale around them.

Taap.it is more community-oriented, but it has the same features as the other two. Sellers can snap a picture with their iPhone and share it with nearby buyers and on Facebook and Twitter; the buyers only have to launch the app to see what’s available nearby.  They also have a Wanted section and a Community & Opinion section.

So now we have covered 3 location-based marketplaces in less than one month.  Are you using Goshi or Taap.it yet, or maybe a different service?  What features do you appreciate in a mobile marketplace, or wish you could see in one?  Leave a comment below!