Greenbelter Launches eBay-Style Local Site

Linda Ivy launched her version of an eBay-style Greenbelt Facebook site last week. And on Tuesday, it had 64 members and counting.

Greenbelt On-Line Yard Sale and Classifieds (GOLYS&C) debuted with formal dresses, a Wii system, an iron glass table — and on the flip side a request to buy "old" picture frames. It's not only for posting items people want to sell, users can also post things they want to buy.

Ivy expects it to start slow then pick up speed as Greenbelters and locals get the hang of it.

People can use it to sell single items or announce yard sales and craft fairs. Noting how many crafters Greenbelt has, Ivy invited them to participate.

It is not, however, for businesses, it's for individuals, according to the guidelines posted on the site — and it's a cash-only operation.

Ivy's inspiration came from gowns, three to be exact. She had them in her closet, never worn, with the price tags still on them. They had cost around $200 and were just sitting there.

Ivy had thought about putting them on eBay, but didn't want to have to ship them out. Thus the idea for a Greenbelt site.

Once potential buyers spot an item they want, they can work out the price and arrangements with the sellers. They can meet at the Roosevelt Center, a house or at the co-op at 2 o'clock — whatever they decide works, Ivy said.

Being on Facebook gives it an element of safety, Ivy said, because buyers and sellers can look each other up.

It's an open site that Ivy set up to allow friends to invite each other; they don't need Ivy's approval to join.

Sellers start things off with a picture, if they have the capability to post one, but the site does not require it. Sellers also list the price they would like, Ivy explained. If a buyer is interested, a conversation starts.

They can talk on or offline to work out the details, Ivy said. And once it's sold, sellers are supposed to take the item off.

Ivy is excited about the site and about the prospect of her closet holding three less dresses.