Rid: Sell any of your unused items by sending a text message

Rid is a service that simplifies the process of selling used items. Users simply send a photo of the item they want to sell via iMessage, and a Rid agent takes care of all the rest. These tasks include creating a product profile, posting the item on major secondhand marketplaces like eBay and Facebook Marketplace, and communicating with potential buyers and coordinating pickups. The service aims to make selling something easier than buying it, without users having to handle the tedious selling process themselves. In terms of pricing, Rid estimates the price of the item based on market conditions and seeks the user's consent. The service fee is taken as a percentage of the final selling price and is capped at a commission, with no fee charged until the transaction is successful. The service is backed by renowned startup incubator Y Combinator and offers users a time-saving solution to dispose of used items.

Function List

• SMS to initiate sales: Users can start the selling process by sending a photo of an item via iMessage, without having to download any apps or sign up for an account.
• Full agency services: Rid's human agents will be responsible for creating product pages, writing descriptions, and posting information about the products to several major second-hand trading platforms.
• communication and coordination: The agent will handle all communication, bargaining and question responses with potential buyers, filtering out the clutter of inquiries for the user.
• Intelligent valuation: The service team will value the item based on market data and provide the user with a suggested selling price.
• Pickup coordination: Once a buyer is found, Rid coordinates pickup times between the buyer and seller without the user having to be physically present.
• commission model: Upon a successful transaction, Rid takes a small percentage of the selling price as a commission and advises of the commission cap in advance. If the item fails to sell, no fee is incurred.

Using Help

Rid offers an extremely easy way to sell used items, with the core concept that all selling steps are done through SMS interactions, without the need for users to install any additional applications.

How do I get started with Rid?

The whole process starts with a simple text message.

1. Send photo: Open your iPhone and go to the iMessage application. Take a clear photo of the item you want to sell and send this photo to the designated number of Rid (users can find the entrance on the homepage of the official website).
2. Communicating with Agents: After sending in your photos, a human agent from Rid will reach out to you. The agent may ask you for more details about the item, such as the condition of the item, the year it was purchased, or if there are any defects. You simply reply to the text message as if you were chatting with a friend.
3. Confirmation of valuation: The agent will estimate the price based on the item information and current market conditions, and then send you the suggested selling price via SMS. If you agree with the price, the agent will start handling the subsequent sale for you.

How can an agent work for you?

Once you authorize Rid to sell your items for you, all the subsequent hassle will be taken care of by them.

• Create product information: The agent will write attractive product descriptions for you and create professional product pages using photos you provide.
• Omni-Channel Publishing: Rid will post your product information to multiple mainstream second-hand trading platforms to maximize the exposure of your products and reach more potential buyers.
• Handling buyer inquiries: Any inquiries, bargains from potential buyers will be handled by Rid's agents. You no longer have to deal with the endless "Are you still there?" or the drastic price cutting messages.
• Harmonization of transactions: The agent will notify you as soon as they find a suitable buyer and finalize the price. They will then be responsible for coordinating a mutually convenient pickup time. For example, the agent may notify you in a text message: "We have found a buyer for you and they are willing to offer $70. We can pick up the item this Saturday between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. Does that seem convenient to you?"
• Completion of the transaction: All you need to do is to have the item ready at the agreed time. Once the transaction is successful, Rid will deduct the agreed commission and transfer the remaining amount to you.

The whole process is like having a personal sales assistant, with all the complexities taken care of by a professional and a simple communication confirmation via the most familiar text messaging app.

application scenario

1. Clearance of household unused items
   When you have furniture, electronics or sports equipment in your home that you no longer use, there's no need to spend time researching how to sign up for a trading platform, how to take photos and write descriptions. Simply take a photo and send it to Rid, and you can easily cash in on these unused items to free up more space in your home.
2. Workers who don't have time to deal with used items
   Getting rid of used items can be a time-consuming and labor-intensive task for busy professionals, and Rid can help them efficiently sell unused items, such as old cell phones, computers, or cameras that are no longer in use, without disrupting their work and lives.
3. Users unfamiliar with online trading platforms
   Some users may be unfamiliar with or distrustful of complex online second-hand trading platforms.Rid provides a safe and secure sales channel through SMS, the most direct and simple form of communication, lowering the barriers for them to participate in second-hand trading.

QA

1. How does Rid make sure my items sell?
   Rid is committed to posting your item on multiple leading second-hand trading platforms to increase exposure and reach the widest range of potential buyers. While there is no guarantee of a 100% sale, they will do their best to find you the right buyer based on market demand and the condition of your item.
2. Do I need to pay to use the Rid service?
   Rid takes a small percentage of the final selling price as a commission only when your item is successfully sold. There are no upfront costs to you until the transaction takes place. The exact percentage and maximum amount of commission will be clearly communicated to you prior to the sale.
3. Can I use this service wherever I live?
   Currently Rid's services may be limited by geographic location, especially when it comes to coordinating pickups. You can inquire via the official website or by texting directly to confirm if your area is covered by the service. From the examples shown on the website, it appears that the service is first available in areas such as San Francisco.
4. What if I'm not happy with the estimate?
   The valuation provided by Rid is a recommendation based on market data. If you are not satisfied with the valuation, you may communicate with the agent with your desired selling price. The final release price will be based on mutual agreement.