Sharing platform Olio is an ideal way to declutter. To list an item on the app, just take a photo and add a short description. Users get to “request” the item and pick it up from the a home or office.
And unlike online marketplace Carousell, there is no need to haggle with low-ballers hankering after a discount.
The app, which lists food and non-food items, was founded in Britain in 2015 and available internationally by the following year.
The app is free and users do not pay for posting or collecting items.
Between 2015 and 2018, there were about 2,080 Olio users in Singapore. That number has since multiplied to about 15,000 after members of the SG Food Rescue Facebook group, which “rescues” and redistributes blemished but edible vegetables and fruit, began using Olio to share food.
Mrs Koh, a baker in her 30s who teaches cake decorating, gives away a demonstration cake on a Facebook group called “3R Recycle, Sharing is Caring” about three times a week.
She stipulates in her post that the cake should go to a low-income family celebrating a birthday.
She receives 50 to 70 requests a cake. Requesters sometimes take a photo of their Community Health Assist cards, which offer subsidised healthcare to low-income households, as proof of need.
TIPS FOR FRIENDLY SHARING
1. GIVE IT A TRY
Olio co-founder Tessa Clarke says new users often wonder if anyone will want their items. Often, the answer is yes – about 50% of food items are requested within an hour of being listed on the app.
2. SHARE ON THE RIGHT PLATFORMS
There are at least 10 Facebook groups for people to share or request items, so pick the most suitable one. For instance, Art Don’t Throw (SG) is for craft materials, Free Loved Furniture (Singapore) is for furniture and Freegan in Singapore is for general items.
3. UPLOAD COMPREHENSIVE LISTINGS
To increase the chances of your items being requested, include useful information such as the expiry date of the food, make-up or skincare and give an idea of the item’s condition.
4. BE A GRACIOUS REQUESTER
Popular items often have several people eyeing them – a PowerPoint clicker I listed received 20 requests. Increase your chances of getting an item with a polite, friendly request and offer to meet at the user’s convenience. Once you have made an appointment, avoid backing out or risk being blacklisted.
Read more here.
Source: The Straits Times, 18 August 2019