KOCHI: Starting a company that can cater to the needs of masses was the dream of the founders of Blue Finch Online Services Private Limited. Thus they carved out their product Whatznear.com - an online marketplace for neighbourhood stores.
Through the website, a whole set of products ranging from home appliances, kitchen appliances, mattresses to cycles are sold. The products will be delivered by the neighbourhood stores within 24 hours, claims the company. Besides this, Whatznear.com offers the facility to exchange online, with the product to be exchanged being picked up at the customer’s doorstep. The company was founded by Krishnendu A G, Sajith Geetraj, Sarun K S, Sangeeth Jose, Shidhin S, Renjith K and Varun Anilkumar - all students of National Institute of Technology in Kozhikode. They worked in various companies for many years before coming together to start this venture. Founded in July 2013, the company worked for six months to get its technology in place.
“Whatznear.com bridges the gap between online and offline shopping by bringing together the finest stores around Kochi. Popular local stores in Kochi, including cake shops and a natural perfume stores, are in our
list of stores. The service is also available in Kozhikode and Thrissur. We will expand the service to Kottayam, Kollam, Thiruvananthapuram, Bangalore and Pune soon.
Whatznear.com makes available a whole category of goods which are difficult to be sold through other e-commerce websites that have a pan-India presence. Our USP is truly localised service,” says CEO Krishnendu. The company has a dedicated customer support team that works with the retailers to ensure that the customers get the desired attention while buying the product and even after-sales service, he added.
“Brand stores of popular manufacturers like Samsung, Prestige, LG, Panasonic and BSA have signed up with us. They offer prices that can compete with any other online marketplace, along with the finest service only they could offer. The home appliances market in the state is roughly `300 cr per year. Out of which only 2-3 per cent happens through the online space. With ultra localised service, Whatznear.com wants to make its presence felt in a big way during this Onam season,” says Varun Anilkumar, VP (Business Development).
By visiting the website or dialling 1800-2000-096 customers can avail themselves of the service.