1) GiftRocket http://www.giftrocket.com/
Why would I use this? Why not just give cash? I can see how some people might think of giving cash as tacky or thoughtless. Is GiftRocket supposed to overcome that? I get the feeling that there's something I've overlooked here. Feel free to set me straight.
2) GrubWithUs http://www.grubwith.us/
This is fascinating. They're not just trying to start a company, they're trying to create a whole social movement. If this takes off, it'll be a completely new way to socialise.
3) Like.fm http://like.fm/
Really wasn't sure what to make of this. The concept seems very similar to last.fm. Chatted with Chris Chen using Live Help on the site's home page. He seems convinced that the only two things that they have in common is that both sites record what you listen to. He pointed out that Like.fm allows you to follow people, and will soon have a recommendations system that will "blow whatever you get from last.fm out of the water." He's got my attention.
AmEx gift cards are basically cash. People know that when they buy them. They come with some pretty steep fees ($4 for a $25 card + $5-10 shipping if you buy online). They probably sell ~$10B a year. Maybe more. Just AmEx.
Remember, everything in the gift card market is more restrictive than cash. We're focused on user experience and building something fun, easy, and cool that "just works".
My first thought after seeing GiftRocket: could I give someone a gift certificate for some random place, like the top of a mountain, so they have to climb the mountain to redeem it?
Edit: Here's another one. My brother, who lives a couple hours away, rarely visits. Can I give him a gift certificate to my house?
You can buy your brother a GiftRocket to a place right next to where you live, like a coffeeshop down the street. Yelp also has a lot non-businesses. For example, here's one in the middle of the Presidio in SF:
1) GiftRocket http://www.giftrocket.com/ Why would I use this? Why not just give cash? I can see how some people might think of giving cash as tacky or thoughtless. Is GiftRocket supposed to overcome that? I get the feeling that there's something I've overlooked here. Feel free to set me straight.
2) GrubWithUs http://www.grubwith.us/ This is fascinating. They're not just trying to start a company, they're trying to create a whole social movement. If this takes off, it'll be a completely new way to socialise.
3) Like.fm http://like.fm/ Really wasn't sure what to make of this. The concept seems very similar to last.fm. Chatted with Chris Chen using Live Help on the site's home page. He seems convinced that the only two things that they have in common is that both sites record what you listen to. He pointed out that Like.fm allows you to follow people, and will soon have a recommendations system that will "blow whatever you get from last.fm out of the water." He's got my attention.