Gobarterireland site gives back

Gobarterireland site gives back
DROGHEDA INDEPENDENT 26th August 2009

A REVOLUTIONARY new website was featured in the Drogheda Independent a few months ago called gobarterireland.ie, which saw a local woman revive the ancient art of bartering to beat the recession blues.

Well, news reaches us on the Shop Local page that they are now number one on Google and Yahoo for bartering sites worldwide and are doing very well.

In fact, as a big thank you to the people who have listed with them for free, and supplied a photo of the items they are bartering or selling, they are giving a little something back.

'We are delighted to announce a monthly drawing for a free twonight hotel stay midweek or weekend including breakfast each day and one evening meal at any of the beautiful Brian McEniff Hotels nationwide,' says website manager Maureen Peakin.

'To be included in the draw, simply list with a photo an item to go barter or to go sell on our website. All memberships and listings are free, and upon listing with your photo, you will receive a raffle number by email from us and will be entered into the draw.'

The draws will be held on the 1st of every month with the first winner being announced on September 1st.

Hits on the website have quadrupled since they started and the most popular items are motorcycles, land and horses!

'These are in our 'for sale' section though, so we're not actually bartering animals,' adds Maureen with a smile.

'But we have had tremendous interest from the States, so we are thrilled with the way the site is going.'

Log onto www.gobarterireland.ie for more details.

Alison COMYN - Drogheda Independent - 26 August 2009 Copyright ©drogheda independent.ie All Rights Reserved

Local couple 'Net' a winner

DROGHEDA LEADER 25th August 2009

Local couple 'Net' a winner

BY MICHAEL GERRARD

Peakin's business is top bartering site searched on Google

WHEN local couple Maureen and Dermot Peakin set up their online swapping service 'gobarterireland.ie' they never expected it to hit number one.

     But that's what exactly happened after the couple received the news recently that their site is now the number one hit on Google for bartering sites.

     The Drogheda Leader originally spoke to Maureen about gobarterireland.ie after she set it up hoping it would fill a gap that she identified in the market.

     Since we last spoke to Maureen the website has really taken off.
     "It's amazing how quickly the site has taken off in such a short time and to be number one on Google worldwide, is just unbelievable."
     "Myself and my husband set up the company in June of this year as there wasn't anything like it in Ireland. People can put up pictures of their items for free and barter away. Over the last week or so a person has put a picture of their house on the site because because they want to sell it, we get 500-600 hits a day," she explained.
     Since setting the site up it has generated a lot of interest and brought back the traditional way of trade, which seems to be a bug hit with people worldwide.
     "We have a lot of fans if you can call them that we are on Twitter and many people in America have commented on our site. We had a Twitter from Cathy Ireland who is a model and actress, she wished us the best of luck and likes our site," Maureen said excitedly.
     Due to the populatity of the site and the Peakin' wish to give something back to users of the site the company has teamed up with a hotel chain to give away a fantastic prize.
     "Over the next few months, gobarterireland.ie are happy to announce a monthly draw for a free two Night Hotel Stay midweek or weekend including Breakfast each day and one evening meal at any of the Beautiful Brian McEniff Hotels Nationwide."
     "To be included in the draw simply list with a photo an item to go barter or to go sell on our website. All memberships and listings are free. Upon listing with your photo you will receive a raffle number by email from us and will be entered into the drawing," Maureen explained.
     The drawing will be held on the first of every month with the first winner being chosen on September 1st.
     "We thought it was a good idea to do this competition because it giving something back to people who use our site and it's our way of saying thanks for your support," a grateful Maureen explained.
     So what's next for the fledgling company? Maureen and Dermot are taking it step by step at the moment but there has been significant interest already expressed from potential buyers.
     "We have had interest from companies in America saying that they are watching us and are interested in our company which is very humbling. Our company is still very young and we treat it more like a hobby, we enjoy it so much," Maureen added.

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