Hey, I Googled 'Onista' and found your recent Vimeo video: http://www.vimeo.com/1376104 as well as some introductions in various forums. Looks like you're building up the hype well.
My 2c after watching the video: I don't understand the instant negotiation. Is there a limit on the number of times I can submit a bid? If not, can't I just start really low and then increment by $1 or $2 until I meet the minimum? If there is a limit, what's stopping me from setting up multiple accounts so that I can discover the minimum, then bid that amount on my legit account? Since this seems to be a major differentiation point, I hope you've ensured there is no easy way to cheat the system ;)
Also, how do people pay each other? If you're relying on people to exchange money privately, how are you going to handle disputes?
One more thing about the video: your accent. I'd try to get someone without an accent, probably a woman. I think this would appeal more to your target audience.
How many people do you have working on this besides you?
As far as the Onista site goes, you've done a fantastic job with it. There seems to do and explore and the interface is intuitive and clean.
Yeah, that video will be linked from our index page to show demo. Regarding accent, yes that is one thing we need to fix. I and my partners all are Indians (moved to US almost years back) and hence have heavy accent. I am trying to find somebody who does not have accent and willing to help us do the narration.
About negotiation process, buyer can attempt as many times as he wants to negotiate the price, but if it is accepted then it will be locked for that particular product for that particular buyer. We have written pretty smart algorithm for negotiation and it will be impossible for buyer to know the minimum because it keeps on changing based on demand, requests, popularity, and lot of other factors.
So far we are 3 working on this parttime. We all have fulltime jobs and are developing onista on weekends and evenings.
My 2c after watching the video: I don't understand the instant negotiation. Is there a limit on the number of times I can submit a bid? If not, can't I just start really low and then increment by $1 or $2 until I meet the minimum? If there is a limit, what's stopping me from setting up multiple accounts so that I can discover the minimum, then bid that amount on my legit account? Since this seems to be a major differentiation point, I hope you've ensured there is no easy way to cheat the system ;)
Also, how do people pay each other? If you're relying on people to exchange money privately, how are you going to handle disputes?
One more thing about the video: your accent. I'd try to get someone without an accent, probably a woman. I think this would appeal more to your target audience.
How many people do you have working on this besides you?
As far as the Onista site goes, you've done a fantastic job with it. There seems to do and explore and the interface is intuitive and clean.
Wish you the best of luck in the coming weeks!
Matt