I started this thread because I think Open Bazaar is not viable in its current form. I think I have a more profitable, self-funding, design for achieving the same thing they are.... only better.
1) Users shouldn't have to keep their computers on to "serve" their ads. That is a non-starter for the masses.
2) Users want auctions as well as fixed price sales / ads.
3) Users want a solid filtering system for items.
So you implement a DAC that allows users to post ads, start auctions, and implement "buy it now" functionality. The DAC would execute the auction and natively support a local BitUSD / other currencies.
Merchants looking to sell to this audience now have a central place to list their products and get paid in BitUSD....
Implemented properly this DAC would grow far faster than Open Bazaar.. especially with the marketing it could fund to bootstrap.
Not that I want to "compete with everyone out there"... but you have to do it right and Open Bazaar is missing some critical design points.
I can do this... my current auction site is devcoinauctions.com (landing page
http://devcoinauctions.com/welcome-landing/) but I havent had time to list more auctions... its a standard wordpress style auction site (bidding fee auctions) with a buy it now option so it essentially can do both, allow you to bid and buy things cheaper than retail and/or use the bid cost to apply towards the buy it now price.. I believe this is a stronger business model than a store with just auctions, or a store with just buy it now style designs... people want the ability to win deals, and don't want to risk anything other than time to get them....
With an auction you compete with ebay etc.. with normal stores you compete with all of the tradtional online stores.. with a bidding fee style auction you compete with a few competitors and by adding buy it now, and presenting it in a DAC it essentially becomes the best of both worlds and brings another entry point into btsx.
My backend cost is really only hosting fees and profit is unlimited so it would be an ideal commodity to invest/buy into with shares.
If we want the ability to list your own items(consumer to consumer model) instead of a retailer/consumer model then we would need escrow or some sort of guarantor that will ensure people dont rip others off by running away with funds annonymously.