By David Johnson
Uflipit.com, a new online service launched Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2006, allows college students to buy and sell new and old products, find class notes and save time in getting rid of unwanted items, absolutely free.
“We”re kind of like eBay for college,” said Jarrad Lewis, 23-year-old co-founder of Uflipit.com.
Greg Soroka, the other co-founder of Uflipit.com, said after Lewis graduated from the University of Maryland, they went through his old class notes and wondered what to do with them. While they talked, the idea for a Web site that allows students to sell unwanted items or buy needed items originated.
“The whole thing is about connecting students” wants and needs,” Soroka said.
When students register with the Web site, they create a user ID and password each time they use it. Registering with the site is free and takes less than one minute, Soroka said.
While accessing the Web site students can search nationwide for new products, or find used textbooks from other students. The Web site also allows them to narrow their search to the university they are attending, Soroka said.
Lewis said Uflipit.com not only has more than 75 retailers, but it also gives the chance to earn extra money and save time.
According to the Web site, students can price items in anyway they choose, but it states students should post items at a competitive price to improve the speed of sale.
When a student posts an item for sale they can put it up for auction or put it at a fixed rate, Lewis said. Once an item is posted and a buyer is found payments are made through the online service, PayPal. He said PayPal “is one of the most secure forms of payment on the Internet.”
During the checkout process e-mail addresses are exchanged and shipping arrangements are made. Shipping options are determined by the seller, Lewis said.
In the past students may have given an old couch to a local thrift store or posted “For Sale” signs across campus. Now they can post it online and make money without the extra efforts, he said.
Soroka also said while Uflipit.com will try to ensure purchased items are delivered to the buyer, it is only meant as an intermediary service.
If a seller or a buyer fails to follow through with a promised transaction, he said there is a way to post feedback regarding particular buyers and sellers.
Soroka said student feedback is a the most vital part in ensuring Uflipit.com benefits students.
The Web site also has a wish list for students who may be seeking for an item that is not posted. Soroka said items posted on the wish list could even include notes from a class a student may have missed.
(For comments, e-mail David Johnson at )
