Makersbay, l’eBay della stampa 3D

Se avete più di trent’anni vi ricorderete il momento in cui, agli albori di Internet, è nato eBay e ha completamente rivoluzionato il commercio tra privati, andando, insieme ad Amazon, a tracciare un linea chiara di quello che poteva essere il potenziale dell’eCommerce. Tra vent’anni vi ricorderete il giorno in cui è nato MakersBay, un sito che vuole fare la stessa cosa per il commercio di stampanti, materiali e oggetti stampati in 3D.

Di fatto si tratta del primo sito che permette a chi opera nel mondo della stampa 3D di vendere e acquistare qualsiasi cosa senza commissioni e costi aggiuntivi: le centinaia di piccoli laboratori che costruiscono e vendono stampanti 3D personali ottengono così un nuovo canale di vendita con tutti i vantaggi e la visibilità di un network globale. Idem per chi produce o compra i materiali di stampa, i cui prezzi potrebbero finalmente iniziare a scendere. Al momento il sito è piccolo e include circa 80 oggetti ma i vantaggi per chi si registra subito sono molteplici e non c’è dubbio che sia destinato a crescere. D’altra parte anche eBay, una volta, erano sole poche pagine scritte in HTML.

L’interfaccia è semplice da usare e il sistema supporta – ovviamente – i pagamenti digitali via Paypal. La speranza è che, come accaduto con eBay, i prezzi dei vari prodotti possano scendere grazie a sempre maggiori quantità: soprattutto per quanto riguarda i costi dei materiali, vero limite ad una ulteriore crescita e diffusione della stampa 3D consumer.

Articolo originale da 3Dprintingindustry.com

MakersBay.com is a new peer-to-peer marketplace designed specially for 3D printing – an online trading platform that aims to bring producers and distributors together with buyers and enthusiasts. Solo makers and larger businesses trade products using an individual seller account. Products include 3D printers, 3D scanners, filaments, parts and accessories. Think a mini-eBay specialising in 3D printing.

For the customer, you can compare and purchase the product you like using PayPal or a credit card. The seller ships directly to you. Current stock includes the Finnish price friendly miniFactory3; RapidBot 3D printer, which is capable of printing 750 x 250 x 200 mm. Plus the usual range of accessories and tools such as print boards, heater blocks, bearings, resisters, wire cutters and rods for advanced makers from our Indian friend MakeMendel. Currently, MakersBay offers more than 80 products.

If you are a producer or distributor of 3D printers or 3D printing related products, you can simply register at MakersBay.com, upload some pictures of your product, technical specifications and set the price. The MakersBay team will help you to collect orders – all you need is to ship the product and receive your money directly. Currently, MakersBay offers products from more than 10 sellers.

Stock also includes the fully assembled MBot Cube II 3D printer, the open source answer to MakerBot’s Replicator 2. MBot’s 3D printer kit with double extruder for makers also appears, for just USD$729. Yes, these are imitations of MakerBot products. No, they are not quite as good. But, no, most of the world cannot afford a MakerBot, especially as MakerBot’s prices gradually climb (such as their $130 filament rip-off I wrote about yesterday) and those 3D printers that are half the price of MakerBot’s products increasingly have a genuine global mass-market appeal.

MakersBay list some features and benefits we include here for your deliberation

Benefits For Buyers:

• Great variety of 3D printing hardware and supplies for makers – all in one place;
• Good product description and comparison option;
• Easy-to-use interface;
• Secure payments with PayPal;
• Good prices – you buy directly from manufacturers and distributors;

For Sellers:

• Special offer till the end of year 2013: 100% discount on commission for first 15 registered sellers; 75% discount for the next 15 registered sellers; 50% discount for next 10 sellers.
• New distribution channel – the first online marketplace focused on 3D printing hardware and supplies;
• Peer-to-peer network – no middlemen, it’s only you and your customer;
• MakersBay support service always ready to assist you or your customer;
• Personal seller account with easy-to-use interface;
• Built-in billing function;
• Low sales commission ONLY from sold products;
• No additional costs (no registration fee, no listing fee).