C2C

Customer to customer (C2C) is a business model that facilitates an environment, usually online, where customers can trade with each other. Two implementations of C2C markets are auctions and classifieds. C2C marketing has soared in popularity with the arrival of the internet, as companies such as eBay and Craigslist have fostered greater interaction between customers.

At its most basic level, C2C represents a market environment where one customer purchases goods from another customer using a third-party business or platform to help facilitate the deal. C2C businesses are a new type of model that has arisen with e-commerce technology and the sharing economy.

C2C websites and similar platforms make their money from fees charged to sellers for listing items for sale, adding on promotional features and facilitating credit card transactions. These C2C transactions generally involve products sold through a classified or auction system, and the products sold are often used or second-hand.

The C2C market is projected to grow in the future because of its cost-effectiveness. The cost of using third parties is declining and the amount of products for sale by consumers is steadily rising. Retailers see it as a very important business model, given consumers' growing use of social media and other online channels. These channels showcase specific products already owned by consumers and increase demand, which drives increased online traffic to C2C platforms.

However, C2C has some issues, such as lack of quality control or payment guarantees. There's also the occasional difficulty in making credit card payments. The rise of PayPal and other payment systems over the years has helped eliminate the latter problem.