Ebay for Motor Repairs

Hello I'm a UK based 10 years+ web developer, designer, and all-round-tech-web-guy who's had the pleasure (and sometimes displeasure) of working for a number of very large web clients around the world. I'd rather not name them all, but suffice to say you probably drink their coffee, order your books online from them, bank with them, or use their operating system.

I'm also a UK car owner and it strikes me as odd that still in this age we don't have a more robust and fluid method in which to get our cars serviced by reputable, honest, and fair mechanics. That's not to say their aren't reputable, honest, and fair mechanics around... it's just diffcult to know where and who, particularly for anyone not well versed in the intricate workings of the internal combustion engine (or how the child-lock works). Although I'm more than happy cracking open the 'bonet' of a Dell Web Server with Linux at the 'wheel', 'filling it up' with PHP code to do all manner of things, and 'painting' it an awesome shade of black - my only response to the question 'What car do you drive? Would be... a black one!*'

When I take my car into a mechanic I have to trust and rely on him (or her) to provide a good deal, a great service, and above all know for certain that 20+ people nearby would agree with that price and service.

Here's where you can help.

I'd like, with your start-up capital assistance, to produce an online bidding site in the style of Ebay specifically for car owners and Mechincs. The idea is simple: you (the owner) have a car problem, you take a few photos, describe the problem, and Mechanics bid to fix it for you. The resulting solution would mean you (as an owner) need only step into your driveway, take a few phone-camera pictures, add them to the website, write a few notes on the issue, and then simply review the offers to fix it - you can then compare their prices, previous feedback from customers, and locations with other mechanics in the area. It's an elegant solution to something that should have been solved a long time ago and with your funding I certainly have the historical skills to make it happen.

On completion of this funding project I will proceed to designing the overall structure and requirements of the system. I will build a portal/method to take feedback and input from each backer to ensure I have covered everything they would like, or need, in a site such as this. This process usually takes around 1 month. After which full building can proceed. I anticipate that the project would then be completed, tested, and released in Alpha state within the following 2 months. There then follows 1 month of beta release before finally launching the site live to the UK in time for that dreaded English Winter. The project aim is then to expand to Europe, and hopefully further afield. Revenue streams from the site would take the form of % costs flowing through the system (similar to Ebay in structure) an equite I would be willing to share with the right backers.

Your money will help fund the initial startup capital to kick the project off. After launch, I will also be seeking parnerships to help drive the project in terms of further funding and advancements with a mobile phone App, additional marketing, and overall growth. The project has potential to expand rapidly and I would look to share the above noted % revenue streams with suitable partners. Partners would receive a stake in the company and help drive it's advancement.

I thank you all in advance for your input, your funding (in any amont you can spare), and here's to a brighter future of getting our cars fixed in a quick, painless, relaible, and cost-effective way. 

(* I drive a 2009 Alfa Romeo 147, with a gearbox that dies a slow and uncomfortable death almost every 4 months - but I still seem to love it).