Real Carousell Review Examples: Good, Bad, and Ugly

Real Carousell Review Examples: Good, Bad, and Ugly

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Carousell has rapidly grown in popularity as an online marketplace in Singapore. While initially known for facilitating the sale of pre-loved items, Carousell has evolved into a platform where businesses can thrive, selling both products and services. This evolution has led to a range of user experiences, some incredibly positive, others less so.

This blog post aims to explore real Carousell review examples, providing a balanced perspective of the platform’s strengths and weaknesses. By showcasing authentic reviews, we hope to provide a comprehensive understanding of Carousell’s potential and limitations, helping you decide whether this platform aligns with your buying or selling needs.

Table of Contents

The Good: Success Stories on Carousell

Carousell’s potential for generating significant returns is undeniable. Many users have successfully leveraged the platform to launch and scale their online businesses. One compelling example comes from a seasoned entrepreneur who utilized Carousell to establish multiple successful ventures.

Initially, this entrepreneur utilized Carousell to sell pre-loved baby items, experiencing incredible success in clearing out accumulated belongings. Recognizing the platform’s effectiveness, they decided to test its potential for business, launching a furniture dropshipping store. Within a week, inquiries started pouring in, and by the month’s end, consistent sales were achieved. Buoyed by this success, the entrepreneur then ventured into offering job servicing through Carousell, again witnessing remarkable results with deals closed within the first week of listing.

This success story highlights the ease of market testing on Carousell and the power of its targeted traffic. It showcases how the platform can be a springboard for entrepreneurial ventures, exceeding expectations and leading to substantial profits.

The entrepreneur’s students have also experienced significant success on Carousell. These individuals, after receiving guidance and mentorship, utilized the platform to launch their own service-based businesses. By strategically listing their services and utilizing Carousell’s paid “coins” feature, they achieved a high return on investment. In some cases, students generated several hundred dollars in revenue within a week of listing on the platform.

Beyond these impressive business achievements, Carousell’s success extends to personal endeavors as well. Numerous anecdotes highlight individuals finding housing and securing other essential needs through the platform. Carousell’s buyer protection feature has also received positive feedback from users, contributing to a sense of trust and security within the marketplace.

The Bad & The Ugly: Carousell Challenges and Criticisms

Despite its many advantages, Carousell also faces challenges and criticisms. One common complaint centers around the presence of “lowballers” – users who offer unreasonably low prices. While this concern is prevalent, particularly for those selling pre-loved items, it’s not as pervasive for business listings.

Experienced sellers note that presenting a Carousell store professionally, mirroring a legitimate business, can significantly minimize lowball offers. By clearly stating policies, showcasing high-quality product photos, and maintaining consistent branding, businesses can attract serious buyers and avoid unnecessary price negotiations.

Another area of contention involves Carousell’s recent changes, particularly the implementation of “coins” for listing business-related items and the introduction of buyer protection. While these changes initially faced resistance from users accustomed to free listings, they play a crucial role in creating a sustainable and secure marketplace.

The use of “coins” ensures that Carousell can continue to invest in developing features that benefit both buyers and sellers, such as enhanced search functionalities and targeted advertising options. This approach ultimately contributes to a higher quality of traffic, benefiting businesses seeking to reach their target audience.

Recent account verification measures have also sparked discussion. To enhance safety and security, Carousell now requires new accounts to provide a contact number for verification. This step, while designed to combat fraudulent activities, has led to some limitations, particularly for those outside Singapore.

The emphasis on contact number verification underscores Carousell’s primary focus on the Singaporean market. While the platform is evolving, its current structure offers a significant advantage to Singapore residents, potentially limiting the effectiveness for businesses operating outside the country.

Real Carousell Review Examples (Good and Bad)

To provide a more concrete understanding of Carousell experiences, let’s delve into real review examples sourced from various platforms. These reviews offer insights into customer service, product quality, shipping experiences, payment processes, and other critical aspects of using Carousell.

Positive Reviews

  • “Seller was very responsive, item was in great condition as described and shipping was fast!” – This review exemplifies a smooth and positive experience on Carousell, highlighting excellent communication, accurate product representation, and efficient delivery.
  • “I love using Carousell! I’ve found amazing deals on furniture and designer clothes – it’s so much fun!” – This user expresses the enjoyment and value derived from using Carousell, emphasizing the platform’s potential for finding unique items and attractive prices.
  • “Having buyer protection gave me real peace of mind. I knew I had recourse if anything went wrong.” – This review showcases the importance of Carousell’s buyer protection feature, contributing to a sense of security and trust for users engaging in transactions.

Negative Reviews

  • “Ugh, so many lowballers! It’s tiring to deal with people who offer insulting prices.” – This review voices a common frustration experienced by sellers, particularly those dealing with pre-loved items, highlighting the persistence of lowball offers.
  • “I can’t believe they’re charging for listings now. Carousell used to be completely free!” – This user expresses dissatisfaction with the shift to a “coins” system for business listings, reflecting the initial reluctance to adapt to changes on the platform.
  • “My account was banned without any explanation! I followed all the rules and still got penalized.” – This review reflects a concerning aspect of Carousell, where some users face account bans, potentially due to strict platform policies or issues with the verification process.

FAQ Section

  • Is Carousell only for pre-loved items?
    • No, Carousell has expanded to encompass businesses selling both products and services. The platform provides the necessary tools for businesses to establish a presence, manage listings, and interact with customers.
  • Are there really a lot of lowballers on Carousell?
    • Lowball offers are more prevalent for pre-loved items. For businesses, maintaining a professional storefront with clear pricing and policies can deter lowballers. Attracting the right target audience through strategic listings and utilizing the “coins” feature for enhanced visibility can also help minimize this issue.
  • Is paying for ‘coins’ worth it?
    • The “coins” system, while initially met with resistance, is designed to create a sustainable platform. The use of “coins” contributes to a higher quality of traffic and greater visibility for business listings, often leading to a favorable ROI. It also enables Carousell to invest in improving its features and functionalities, benefiting all users.
  • Can I sell anything on Carousell?
    • While Carousell offers a diverse marketplace, there are restrictions on what can be sold. It’s essential to understand Carousell’s policies and familiarize yourself with their list of prohibited items to avoid account bans or listing removals. Adhering to these guidelines ensures a safe and trustworthy marketplace.
  • Is Carousell effective for businesses outside Singapore?
    • Carousell’s primary focus is the Singaporean market, providing a distinct advantage to residents due to its widespread popularity and high traffic volume within the country. While Carousell is expanding its reach, businesses outside Singapore might experience limitations in effectiveness depending on their target market and product/service category.

Conclusion

Carousell is a powerful platform for businesses and individuals in Singapore seeking to engage in online buying and selling. Despite challenges like lowball offers and the transition to a “coins” system, Carousell’s strengths, including ease of market testing, targeted traffic, and buyer protection, make it an attractive platform for entrepreneurial endeavors.

By understanding both the positive and negative experiences reflected in real Carousell review examples, you can gain a balanced perspective on the platform’s potential and limitations. This insight can help you make informed decisions about whether Carousell aligns with your specific buying or selling needs. Ultimately, Carousell’s success depends on its continuous adaptation, innovation, and ability to meet the ever-changing demands of its diverse user base.