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The feature is powered by TrueSwitch, a product that as its name implies makes it easy to switch from one provider to another. More abstractly, I think busines

The feature is powered by TrueSwitch, a product that as its name implies makes it easy to switch from one provider to another. More abstractly, I think business models which are predicated on reducing switching costs of customers in a given industry are interesting, because they lower the pain that another company is trying to maximize, and therefore is probably valuable to both the end-user and competitors in the industry (either of which may be willing to pay). Another example I can think of is CellTrade, where users can get out of their cell phone contracts by trading them. Anyone have other examples of this sort of business model?

johnnybgoode 17y ago
I hate to say this because it already gets plugged enough here, but YC is an example of it. One of its goals is to make switching from working for a big company to working for your own company easier. Edit: My first negative-voted post! I'm puzzled (was it perceived as being anti-YC?), but don't worry, I'm not complaining.
JacobAldridge 17y ago
During the current recession I've heard ads from various Financial Services firms in my city making it clear that their staff will do all of the paperwork in switching your super (401k) or other investments to them, at no cost. Most Health Insurance countries here in Australia offer the same service, and then meta-provider iSelect also make it simple to compare and recommend where you switch to. Regarding business model, it's basically a question of loyalty. If we pay you or one of our staff to help you switch, we want the pay-off to be revenue from you for a long period of time. That's fine if combined with decent client service or a loyalty program, but if you're just as crappy, and your industry starts making switching easier, it will cost you in the long run. Not the easiest way to get clients and make money.
netsp 17y ago
It would be interesting to find purposely erected barriers. Eventually most of these will be shaken up one way or another. Each is a potential place to create wealth. What other services are people stuck with?

johnnybgoode 17y ago

I hate to say this because it already gets plugged enough here, but YC is an example of it. One of its goals is to make switching from working for a big company to working for your own company easier. Edit: My first negative-voted post! I'm puzzled (was it perceived as being anti-YC?), but don't worry, I'm not complaining.

JacobAldridge 17y ago

During the current recession I've heard ads from various Financial Services firms in my city making it clear that their staff will do all of the paperwork in switching your super (401k) or other investments to them, at no cost. Most Health Insurance countries here in Australia offer the same service, and then meta-provider iSelect also make it simple to compare and recommend where you switch to. Regarding business model, it's basically a question of loyalty. If we pay you or one of our staff to help you switch, we want the pay-off to be revenue from you for a long period of time. That's fine if combined with decent client service or a loyalty program, but if you're just as crappy, and your industry starts making switching easier, it will cost you in the long run. Not the easiest way to get clients and make money.

netsp 17y ago

It would be interesting to find purposely erected barriers. Eventually most of these will be shaken up one way or another. Each is a potential place to create wealth. What other services are people stuck with?