|
We have interviewed a few of the top shoppers on Smokoo but there is one interview everyone wants to read. The Hawthorne interview. In a period of nine days Hawthorne, who is our biggest shopper to date, burst on to the scene and bought a Rolex worth 100K, a Mercedes C180 CGI for a combined total of R214.53!
Is there a word that is more descriptive than bargain, perhaps steal would be more apt? Come to think of it, there is no word to describe the nature of such savings on luxury items. The English vernacular needs to be updated to incorporate the new wave of web 3.0 business models. Smokoo is the future of shopping.
Here’s how the chat went:
Ed - First and foremost congratulations on securing the Mercedes auction. You do realise you are the envy of every Smokoo user, right? Then there are those that don’t believe you are real. I think this auction took everyone by surprise, nobody thought you could get a car for R211!
Hthorne – Well I never believed it myself. Especially with the Rolex, and remember, I only paid R2.74 for the Rolex and used 21 bids. When it said the auction was finished, I didn’t understand at first what happened. I phoned my wife and told her, but was a little sceptical. Then Thomas phoned me, and congratulated me and told me someone from Smokoo would be contacting me to discuss delivery. I couldn’t believe it. I had just bought a Rolex for R2.74.
Ed – Fascinating. So how did you come across Smokoo?
Hthorne – I was actually in the market to buy a Rolex. I was almost out the door, on my way to shop for one when a colleague of mine told me about the Rolex auction.
Ed – Do you still have the Rolex?
Hthorne - #raises his arm# Yes, right here.
Ed – The reason I ask is one particular Smokoo member said he was sure you would sell the Rolex and use the money in the car auction. So when he saw you in the car auction he decided to opt out.
Hthorne - #laughs# No. I’ve been wanting a Rolex for ages.
Ed – Then nine days later, you were the last bidder on the Mercedes auction. Can you tell us a bit about that experience?
Hthorne – That moment I won it I jumped out my chair and screamed. I was ecstatic! I was still at the office at the time. On that auction, I said to myself, I will set the autobid and let it run until 17h00 that afternoon and no longer. I looked away from my screen and when I looked back, I won.
Ed – Around what time was that?
Hthorne – It was around 14h30 in the afternoon.
Ed – So in hindsight, on that final day, in those final hours, you were definitely sitting in the pound seat, seeing that you were willing to run until 17h00.
Hthorne – In hindsight, yes. But on the day, you never know. You never know what is happening behind the scenes, who is still interested in bidding, who really wants the car.
Ed – Incredible. So seeing that you are somewhat at the top of the Smokoo food chain, in terms of large purchases, do you have a nemesis? Someone you hate bidding against?
Hthorne – Nope, nobody.
Ed – You are the first member that has answered that way. Perhaps that kind of attitude helps you get the auctions you want. Let’s talk strategy for a second. What strategy advice could you give the rest of the Smokoo members, especially the new guys?
Hthorne – First of all, read the small print. Go through the terms and conditions, it is important. Once you know the t’s and c’s, you know where you stand and you can begin bidding. Start small, start on a smaller auction and build your way up to a bigger auction.
Ed – Did you start on a small auction?
Hthorne – No I jumped right in and bid on the Rolex #laughs#.
Ed – What else would you suggest?
Hthorne – Know when to start bidding, it’s all about timing.
Ed – Thanks! One last question and I’ll let you take your brand new car for a drive. What auctions would you like to see on the site?
Hthorne – Gold coins, like Kruger Rands and the Mandela coins. I would definitely bid on those. It’s a good investment.
Ed – Thanks so much for your time! All the best, go well!
Hthorne – Thank you, guys!
Ed.
|
