Here's something logical,
Leasetrader.com is a site where credit-approved
folks looking for short term leases on cars can take over for people wanting to get out of their leases. Sign me
up for something like that for houses (I guess that's called Craigslist).
People always make fun
of some social activities that Bubble 1.0 companies tried to turn into web services (grocery shopping, buying rubber
balls, etc.) but there are some transactions that clearly make sense. I found Leasetrader over at
Lifehacker, but it's been around
for years (
see it in the Wayback
Machine). Chalk this one up as a point for the Old School. (left: Leasetrader.com branding circa
2001)
It's also an example of a niche that a general purpose listing site
can't fill. It needs lots of info on leases, getting out of them and credit. Plus there's probably a large
group of people looking to lease a Mercedes who don't want to smell the patchouli over at Craigslist. (right:
Leasetrader.com branding circa 2006, check the rounded corners.)
1. Another option to potentially lower your lease payment is to re-lease it using a service like http://www.LowerMyLease.com
Posted at 5:26PM on Mar 15th 2006 by Tarry Shebesta