The unique site is a one-stop source promising savings in time and money for anyone buying or selling any kind of service.

Unlike simple directories of service providers, WhoCanDo actually helps the user engage a service provider in a way that is efficient and effective for both customer and supplier.

WhoCanDo operates as a secure online reverse auction system, enabling

• - Buyers to save a lot of time finding high-quality services at reasonable prices, from reliable suppliers, in a secure environment, and
• - Service providers to find high-quality leads from committed buyers, achieving huge savings in time on finding and quoting on work, and a free place to prove their references and capabilities.

WhoCanDo owes its conception to a small but common problem. Founder, Robert Finkeldey, needed a few jobs done: a building extension designed, the bathroom renovated, the roof and gutters cleaned, the garden maintained, firewood split and other household chores.

'We had just moved into a new suburb and didn't know anyone,’ says Robert. ‘My wife and I were busy at work and didn't have time to spend on calling companies in the Yellow Pages who might not even return our calls. We didn't want to pay too much, but wanted to make sure that whoever did the job had a good reputation, and was insured in case someone fell off the roof.'

An idea was born: 'What if we advertise our requirements on the Internet, and service providers can decide if they are interested?' The idea was tested with dozens of potential users — buyers of services as well as service providers. Responses were overwhelmingly positive. 'Everyone had a list of service needs — just like us — from painting to moving house to any kind of so-called white-collar service.

WhoCanDo is the result of intensive research, usability testing and system development.

Unlike traditional reverse auctions, the buyer does not have to choose the cheapest service provider. The buyer can select their preferred provider based on any combination of reputation, price, experience, availability, insurance and other criteria.

Membership of the WhoCanDo website, for service recipients and service providers, is free. Members can place auctions and bids free of charge. Buyers will pay a small percentage-based success fee only if their auction attracts bids.

WhoCanDo provides a unique certification process which allows service providers to inform buyers about their professional and trade qualifications, membership in professional associations, insurance coverage, type of company and other relevant facts.

Most importantly, feedback from previous customers will be used to display the satisfaction with job delivery – the perfect word of mouth.

Says Robert: 'We realised that service providers also loved the concept, not only because this service is free for them, but because they would no longer have to write proposals in the evenings and at the weekend or pay additional staff to do this work for them. They know, too, that any auction is a real sales lead and not just a quote for something that might never happen. Imagine how many quotes they have to write in order to get one deal? And they always know how competitive their offer is.'

He adds: 'Our vision for WhoCanDo is clear. We will work towards becoming the prime source for finding reasonably-priced, high-quality services from trustworthy suppliers.'

Visit WhoCanDo at www.whocando.com.au. WhoCanDo is offering its service for the next 100 auctions at no cost.

ends (http://www.whocando.com.au/?q=node/50)    

This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Sydney/ NSW: (02) 8005 1880 - Melbourne/ VIC: (03) 9018 7717 - Brisbane/ QLD: (07) 3102 3633 - Perth/ WA: (08) 9467 5774