ClayValet Thinks You Can’t Figure Out Craigslist or eBay
by
on May 13, 2008,
Periodically on Profy we get companies who request a review. We will generally review these and, if they have merit, will give their site an honest appraisal, like we did for LongJump and other sites. We don’t promise good PR write ups, only honest site evaluations, and thank goodness, because ClayValet had few redeeming qualities.
I found the entire premise of ClayValet to be insulting to internet shoppers everywhere. The site is geared toward a demographic that is, in their words, just “too overwhelmed” by online shopping. What demographic would that be, exactly, that hasn’t yet figured out how to use sites like eBay, Craigslist or a regular online store like Apple, LaneBryant or even Target?
The site lost major points with me for its clunky design and listless colors. It had a very “web 90s” feel to it: square, boxy, pale and did not inspire to spend money at all. It was fairly easy to navigate the categories and tabs, but there wasn’t much point to doing so.
Why was there not much point to browsing the site? Because the people behind ClayValet want you to let them think for you. Instead of making things easy for you to find and empowering the internet user and shopper, they force you to rely on “personal shoppers” and fellow internet users.
When you first visit the site you must log in to do anything worth while at all. If you want an item, you must list it and wait for a response. This can often take days, partially because ClayValet is not well known and partially because you are basically sitting on your thumbs waiting for random strangers to shop for you.
There was no way to bring users together (for example, being able to do something like BookMooch does for used books - one person listing what they have and one what they want and going from there - would help ClayValet immensely). There was no way to see basic lists of items, product descriptions, photos or anything else useful.
The only parts of the site even remotely interesting were the blog-type sections like As Seen On TV. The people behind ClayValet seemed to have gathered information on items you may have seen on your favorite television shows like Gossip Girl and told you where to get them. That’s useful! Unfortunately they buried that feature and gave it no sorting or searching features to speak of, meaning it isn’t drawing anyone to the site like it could be.
ClayValet fell very short of the mark for me as far as online shopping goes. It missed the mark on looks, functionality, appeal and products. I’ll stick with ShoeBoxed and the rest who got there first and are doing it better and without condescension.
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Svetlana Gladkova
Opensource 
Michael Fidler 
I can see this being helpful for a very large target market. I just can’t see them using it. I’ve helped lots of people and businesses shop for products online. This seems useful for many. But again, I can’t see them using it. Without actual real-world hand-holding, not going to happen.
I definitely agree with Dave–the idea seems pretty good, but the actual product just isn’t that practical. I think I’ll stick with ShoeBoxed too; similar idea but empowering rather than condescending, and plus it’s easier on the eyes.
Hi Leslie, thanks for taking the time to try out and review our site.
You make good points: we need to improve our design, add search, and let users communicate easily. Actually, we are working on all of these.
However, we don’t aim to be a social network, or to have the biggest catalog. Any site can find an iPod. Our main goal is to give simple, useful answers to complicated questions. Unlike most sites, we can respond to requests like this:
I want to give my mom a present. She is 55. She likes crafts and art. I want to give an “experience”-type of give instead of “goods”. I don’t want to spend more than $50.
To this user, we recommended an online art class.
Even if you didn’t like our suggestions, I’m surprised that you found our site condescending. We haven’t heard that reaction before. I’d love to understand what we did to make you feel this way, so we don’t alienate anyone else.
Again, thanks for the feedback, and I hope you’ll like our service better next time around. We’re working very actively to improve it.
Best,
Mikhail Seregine
Founder, ClayValet
PS Small correction: we guarantee to respond to each request within 24 hours, and we often respond faster. It does not “often take days”.