Monday 8 May 2017

Week 5 [8-14.05.2017] Peer-based Economies

Peer-based Economies



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We are all know services like Uber and Airbnb. These services are slowly becoming more popular among the younger crowds because their sharing-economy business models are perfectly suited for Generation Y users who were born in the internet age.

Do you remember time when you used to go to a public library and asked a helpful librarian if anyone had returned any good book recently? She would shine you a smile and point to the shelves. You then browsed the selection and chose a couple of books based on the description on the back. If you are not a bookworm, maybe you had a similar situation in movie rentals.

Now before reading a book or watching a film you check its rating on an online services like lubimyczytać.pl or filmweb.pl, where a number of your peers have already given their judgement on the item in question. You read the reviews, trying to evaluate if the content in question is worth  seeing or maybe you should browse for something else. Especially nowadays when your time is extremely precious. In short, people today trust blindly the opinions of anonymous people on the internet. 

How about your opinion?




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The concept of the sharing-economy model is a simple one. For example Airbnb. A user is looking for a holiday apartment in Vienna for example. He runs an app on a smartphone and finds a flat he likes at the price he can afford. He checks the reviews made by previous users based on such concepts as friendliness, cleanliness and location. If they are positive, he decides to book it. Once payment is made, the service takes a cut of the transaction. The controversial ride sharing service Uber implements much the same concept, but in a different market.
As you may noticed, the concept of trust is a crucial one for these services. Users not only need trust the reviews but also trust other user to be honest. This usually works out great. In fact, Uber alone conducts tens of hundreds transactions every day in dozens of countries. But there are some disadvantages. One of them is no centralized authority managing all of this. Some of Uber’s clients have been ill-treated by their driver, even with reports that a number of women were raped while using Uber in India. In fact, trust and the lack of it, is a cornerstone to the future of the industry and one of the reasons why the concept is so popular now.
Sharing-economy platforms are still in the initial stage of their development. Where could the concept extent to? Maybe decentralization of banks? In Europe ESMA (The European Securities and Markets Authority) gives us; young entrepreneurs an opportunity to make FinTech startups offering this solutions[1].


The props and cons



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With large bevy of benefits including the ability to provide a cheaper, friendlier and better service, there are a number of problems. It’s a well- known fact that reviews can be faked. For example, restaurants regularly advertise the fact that they have a high standing on the website. However, there are also companies which advertise companies for a fixed fee posting dozens of five-star reviews on your business’s profile. Another con is that such services cause a degeneration of existing market. This situation is well known from our local area. Taxi drivers have protested against Uber. However, everyone knows the flip side of the coin; some taxi drivers swindle their clients with unfair practices, like hidden costs and other tricks like making us drive longer.

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What next? In my opinion this market will grow. I found information that the consumer peer to peer market was worth 26 bln. dollars in 2013. It’s obvious, the industry from that time has grown significantly. Governments are also starting to take an interest in these kinds of companies, and starting to consider new tax requirements for tchem.

1.       Do you use a peer2peer services like Uber, Airbnb or others? What is your opinion about it?
2.       Do you think this kind of services is a real threat for exiting markets?
3.       How about reviews found on the internet? Do you trust them?
4.       Have you ever thought about any other peer based service that could help people in their daily life?



[1] PSD2 directive


36 comments:

  1. 1. I often use Uber. Perhaps I have exceptional luck, but I cannot say bad words about them. The drivers are really nice and always I can talk with them about Uber experience. The cars in Uber are actually very comfortable and the option to view real-time car location is great - you do not have to freeze in the street, you can go out just before the car arrives. The only drawback I can recall is the foreign drivers. Of course, I have nothing against foreigners. The problem arises when I have to explain something and the driver does not understand Polish.
    2. I think that such companies disrupt the market, but it is hard to do anything about it. For instance Uber is legal in some countries so there is no way to prevent people from using it. The only way for ‘other’ companies, which want to still exist on the market, is to provide clear information that what is wrong about disruptor - like for instance Uber which does not have any insurance for passengers.
    3. I usually read user reviews when I want to buy a product or when I want to get to know opinions about the seller, but I do not always trust them. I can trust opinions about a movie or book, but opinions about products or companies, - these are often cryptags or unfair behavior of competitive companies, so I cannot fully trust them.
    4. Not really. Usually, when it comes, then I appreciate someone's idea, unfortunately I never tried to do it myself.

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    1. As You I often use Uber and have the same opinion about their standards. For the second question I think traditional companies should do something to be more modern.

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  2. 1. Do you use a peer2peer services like Uber, Airbnb or others? What is your opinion about it?
    I've used Airbnb, but to be honest, I didn't find accomodation in place which I need, so I can say that I've used app, but not a "service". But in general it's a great idea and I will try to use it in future (maybe results will be better than before :P).

    2. Do you think this kind of services is a real threat for exiting markets?
    Naturally. It's mostly cheaper and better than existing services. For example - Taxi vs Uber. In my opinion in Taxi you have much bigger chance to have unpleasant driver than in Uber.

    3. How about reviews found on the internet? Do you trust them?
    I trust, but only this from well known source. You need to learn how to distinguish real and fake.

    4. Have you ever thought about any other peer based service that could help people in their daily life?
    Of course, but I can't betray my ideas. Maybe someday you'll hear about them. Keep your fingers crossed! ;)

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    1. I have used Airbnb for three times and never have any problem with finding accommodation even in Mexico ;) In my opinion Airbnb was a great idea. I have hope Your ideas will become a great p2p services ;)

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  3. Yes, I use a lot of peer2peer services, mostly Uber. I like this kind of innovative things. It makes me very productive and I do not why, maybe because of my one of dream. I'd like to be owner or even employee in a such company!

    Market should develop everytime and this kind of services makes people be more innovative! I think it is a big pros!

    I think I am the one. I work in a company where Uber is a daily routine to trip to our clients, so it is very helpful for my colleagues and for me of course!

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    1. I agree with that the market should incessantly develop. Especially when there is huge competition from p2p services.

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  4. 1. Do you use a peer2peer services like Uber, Airbnb or others? What is your opinion about it?
    I think they are very useful and cheaper means of service. In my opinion drivers on Uber are defiantly more friendlier, than typical taxi driver.


    2. Do you think this kind of services is a real threat for exiting markets?
    It could be possible. Airbnb, Uber, Blablacar and many other companies are cheaper to oldest company. Nowadays we are more consumer conscious. The service market is also online shopping, we choose this one way of shopping, because is faster- we can order products, and deliver them to our home, work, hotel.
    3. How about reviews found on the internet? Do you trust them?
    Yes, I trust. It's such a modern form of grapevine. Before I buy something, I usually read opinion about this stuff.
    4. Have you ever thought about any other peer based service that could help people in their daily life? In my opinion, worth creating a platform could create a platform that, lets you share books with other users. It would involve sharing books and also somewhere to get rid of books in the area.

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    1. Definitely, p2p services a cheaper and often also better than traditionl :) It also a good idea to read reviews before buy the product, but like Maciek Kaminski said we have to distinguish real and fake. Lastly thank You for brilliant idea! Maybe it will inspire someone ;)

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  5. 1.Do you use a peer2peer services like Uber, Airbnb or others? What is your opinion about it?
    I use filmweb.pl very often. When I want to watch the film, first I visit this webpage to find opinions. Mostly these opinions has influence for my decision to see or not to see the film.

    2.Do you think this kind of services is a real threat for exiting markets?
    I think the market should not be closed for the new ideas. There are always a real threat for others that already exist that are market rules.

    3.How about reviews found on the internet? Do you trust them?
    I use very often websites with reviews but I try to filter these reviews because sometimes review is a common advertisement.

    4.Have you ever thought about any other peer based service that could help people in their daily life?
    Yes and maybe I will made it in the near future.

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    1. Filmweb.com is awesome! As you, I use it every time when i want to watch someting new :) You have right about existing market. Traditional companies have to evolve all time and becomes more modern. I also hope we'll see yours company on the market soon! ;)

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    2. In my opinion filmweb is a not p2p service. It is only social platform for rating and discuss about films. (like as lubimyczytac.pl)

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    3. Sure, you have right. I shuld asked about not only p2p services but peer based too.

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  6. 1. Do you use a peer2peer services like Uber, Airbnb or others? What is your opinion about it?
    I didn't think more about it and consider pros and cons. I am just using it seldom.

    2. Do you think this kind of services is a real threat for exiting markets?
    No, I don't think so. Does are another services like every other services in the existing markets. They only complement some gaps on the market and make our life easier.

    3. How about reviews found on the internet? Do you trust them?
    Yes and no. I take into consideration peoples reviews when I want to buy some goods.

    4. Have you ever thought about any other peer based service that could help people in their daily life?
    Yes, I thought about it, but I didn't figure out any brilliant idea.

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    1. I was thinking about your answear for the second question. In my opinion it depends. For example Airbnb, sure. It covers some gap on the market. Everyone happy but how about uber? I think Uber takes a lot of Taxi drivers clients.

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  7. 1. Do you use a peer2peer services like Uber, Airbnb or others? What is your opinion about it?

    I have used Couchsurfing.com a lot in the past. I was great that I could find a place to spend a night but also locals that could show me their hometown as well.

    2. Do you think this kind of services is a real threat for exiting markets?

    Maybe they are, but markets always naturally change. I know that well-established companies would like to earn money as easily as possible, but they should evolve too and change accordingly to customers' needs.

    3. How about reviews found on the internet? Do you trust them?

    I usually read reviews but the more I do so the less they are helpful... As somebody has already mentioned, they often tend to be fake opinions. But besides that, in most cases, I can find both extremely positive and negative reviews and then I just don't know which ones are more accurate and useful for me. Also, when you ask for an opinion about a specific product on a dedicated forum, its users usually write that you're a big noob if you ever considered that product and offer you twice as expensive one that has the hyper-ultra-modern set of features. Features that you, of course, don't need at the first place...

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    1. I'm glad that you mentioned about couchserfing.com! This is excelent place for people who like to travel more active and wanted to learn something about local culture.

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  8. Yes, I often use Uber and probably I will use Airbnb for the first time in next month (I will travel to Czech Praga with my woman).
    I really love of this type of cooperation. Is very helpful, but I do not like if this platforms are usage by "Janusze biznesu". In our country is many small companies, who bought small cars (in leaasing of course) and employs illegally young people (Their earnings are less than the uber commission).

    In my opinion this services are not threat for standard types of services. Good competition is healthy for all. In my opinion many marketshares should be open for all
    (taxi in example).

    I often read opinion in Internet (products or travel services), but I read in many sources (not in producers webiste). I think this opinions are helpful for my decisions.

    I created with Marek Węgrzyn mobile app that helps seniors in their day to day duties. Please, look at relation about this competition.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJwI9yU7izM

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    1. With whole responsibility I can recommend the Airbnb. I used it several time even in Mexico :) I watched relation. You have made great thing there. Congrats;)

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  9. 1. Do you use a peer2peer services like Uber, Airbnb or others? What is your opinion about it?
    – I'm using Uber from time to time. The whole service was perfectly executed. I can't fell difference from taxi, I'd say that is even better.
    2. Do you think this kind of services is a real threat for exiting markets?
    – Yes it is. For example Uber, you can hear about taxi protests against Uber in plenty of countries. It obviously that even taxi are afraid of Uber and they know they stand no chance with them, so they trying the only thng they can do. Block Uber by help of law.

    3. How about reviews found on the internet? Do you trust them?
    – Mostly yes, but rather written review that just rating. I trying to read review on 3rd party webpages. I don't always trust reviews on producent website.

    4. Have you ever thought about any other peer based service that could help people in their daily life?
    – No, I have no idea

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    1. You have right about Uber. Some countries heve illegitimate Uber.

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  10. 1. I user Uber. The first time I was scared. Now it is ok. I should try Airbnb ;)
    2. Yes. But world is changing. So I don't understand the war between taxi drivers and Uber.
    3. Yes I trust them. Why not? If driver has poor reviews then I would not go with him :)
    4. If I had such an idea, I would probably have realized it :)

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    1. You should try airbnb ;) It's great :)

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  11. 1. I’ve used Airbnb, I think it's a great idea.
    2. I think it's a great idea, they are much more cheaper to oldest companies.
    3. I trust them, maybe not all of them. They have to be from well known source. I think its very good that before buying something we can check opinions about product.
    4. Yes, maybe one day I will make one :)

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  12. 1.Do you use a peer2peer services?
    I tried Uber couple of times, but I wasn't the one calling. I was just an additional passenger to my friends trip, but It wasn't a bad experience. I felt I was in a cab. Nothing unusual happened to me, while travelling with Uber.

    2.Do you think this kind of services is a real threat for exiting markets?
    Probably yes, but I support peer2peer businesses.

    3.How about reviews found on the internet? Do you trust them?
    I want to, but reviews usually writes people who are not pleased with something. I always check reviews, but i'm reading them with a minor trust.

    4.Have you ever thought about any other peer based service that could help people in their daily life?
    I would like to :)

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  13. 1. Do you use a peer2peer services like Uber, Airbnb or others? What is your opinion about it?

    Yes, I used Uber and Airbnb and in my opinion this services are very popular now and of course necessary. Since I have Uber app on my phone I haven’t used normal taxi, first of all it is much cheaper and you don’t have to call to the taxi call-center and wait for a car. From the other side, as you said, it is all based on trust. I always check the ratings of rooms in Airbnb and drivers in Uber. I have heard the stories about driver who had low rates, he was very weird and the journey was unpleasant so always check rates before you get in the car.

    2.       Do you think this kind of services is a real threat for exiting markets?

    In previous semester I had a presentation about market disruptors. This companies present completely new way of thinking about business. I don’t really think that they are threat, I prefer to say that this companies brings something new to the market and this reorganization can be very positive.

    2. How about reviews found on the internet? Do you trust them?

    I always check reviews about products that I want to buy or the movie I want to watch. Do I trust them, it depends on the service which I check. If this is Uber, I trust them because this rates have never missed the truth, but is the ratings are suspicious for me I dot trust them

    3. Have you ever thought about any other peer based service that could help people in their daily life?

    No I haven’t.

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  14. 1. Do you use a peer2peer services like Uber, Airbnb or others? What is your opinion about it?

    Unfortunately I don't use any of them. I suppose they made some changes, old fashioned bussines need to make some changes to stay be as attractive as those guys are for customers.

    2. Do you think this kind of services is a real threat for exiting markets?

    I'm not a business person and I don't know what exiting markets are.. so for me it's hard to answer this question.

    3. How about reviews found on the internet? Do you trust them?

    I read them sometimes when I try to buy something.. but I keep in mind that most of them are probably a part of marketing campaigns.

    4. Have you ever thought about any other peer based service that could help people in their daily life?

    As Kamil mentioned above, we've created an application to help elderly people to find volunteers to help them with their everyday tasks.

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  15. 1. Do you use a peer2peer services like Uber, Airbnb or others? What is your opinion about it?

    Yes of course, i use Uber very often beause the price is better, people are better (the drivers), and very comfortable application. We dont need to tell where we are, where are we want going because we setup this information in app. Very useful thingis connection with our credit card - we dont need worry about cash (a lot of normal taxi haven't terminal for credit cards). Uber is very good job for students, so i support uber even more.
    2. Do you think this kind of services is a real threat for exiting markets?
    Maybe yes, but this is good way for existing market. This is a big competition for the other companies. Thanks to that maybe the older companies will be have more modern and more good services for us with bette price.

    3
    3. How about reviews found on the internet? Do you trust them?
    Nowadays i dont trust reviews on the internet. A lot of articles, movies on Youtube are sponsored by companies!


    4. Have you ever thought about any other peer based service that could help people in their daily life?

    I liked Torrentz.com this is good idea to sharing movies and the other programs. I know that is a unlegal, but i miss them :(

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  16. Of course I use aplications Uber and Airbnb. Last time I was in Prague using the aplication airbnb. It's very interesting that I used Uber in Prague and everything worked fine. I have never had any problem with this aplication. Uber is only option of transport for me because I pay 3x less. Big reason is that I live in second zone of Warsaw. Uber doesn't have any division for zones. It's very good that I don't live in India. I think that in Poland we can trust this aplication.

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  17. 1. Do you use a peer2peer services like Uber, Airbnb or others? What is your opinion about it?
    I've never used Uber or AirBnB services. I don't use taxis and I spend my holidays in less popular places in Poland.

    2. Do you think this kind of services is a real threat for exiting markets?
    I think that this kind of services are real threat for existing markets/big companies. It's true that p2p services are cheaper than it's equivalent in normal company, but price is only one of reasons for choosing services. Older people are not very keen on using p2p services. P2p services market will surely expand, but traditional companies also don't stand still. In my opinion there is a place for p2p services and regular companies for working without getting in the way of each other.

    3. How about reviews found on the internet? Do you trust them?
    I read reviews to save time. For example, week before my microwave oven broke down. I had to buy another as soon as possible. I've bought device with the most positive reviews. To be truth, I didn't read it, what was important to me was it's numbers and positive feedback.

    4. Have you ever thought about any other peer based service that could help people in their daily life?
    I've never thought about it.

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  18. 1. Do you use a peer2peer services like Uber, Airbnb or others? What is your opinion about it?
    I am using Uber, Taxify. In my opinion it is great idea. It can serve better then traditional taxi services. I am fed up with taxi drivers cheating clients. That is reason why I am not using taxi. And that's why I started to use Uber. This is trustful for me if see app and can control everything.

    2. Do you think this kind of services is a real threat for existing markets?
    For sure. But I will not make devil from it. I think there is still place for classical approach and peer-to-peer one. Example - business companies will still be using classical taxi, but individual clients will prefer Uber like services.

    3. How about reviews found on the internet? Do you trust them?
    Not really. I am trying to read some portion of opinion, read facts and make my own opinion.

    4. Have you ever thought about any other peer based service that could help people in their daily life?
    Yes, in fact last time I discovered peer-to-peer services in insurance area. This is complete new approach, where risk is taken in small group of colleagues (which trust each other at least a little :) and share within group.

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  19. Do you use a peer2peer services like Uber, Airbnb or others? What is your opinion about it?
    Yes I do. I used Uber several Times, in emergency situations it means when I broke my car and I had to put him to the garage on a ransom. I thing that it’s interesting service and it could be better then standard taxi, because in case of Uber of course, because I haven’t used another p2p service yet. So drivers of Uber take care of customer comfort, high level of service and learn how to use Uber. They have to do it, beacause the customer for example me, first time don’t know how it works and I'm afraid I will not be cheated. In addition they must offer a competitive price. It all makes up for it that for me it’s interesting business and I trust more Uber then normal taxi services.

    Do you think this kind of services is a real threat for exiting markets?
    Of course, as I said. The „business man” of p2p services has to have new look on existing markets. In Uber case, the driver know mistakes of normal taxi drivers. So he can make it better If he wants the customer to come back to him. In the case of the Uber it provides a mobile, simple form of service

    How about reviews found on the internet? Do you trust them?
    Unfortunately yes, I said unfortunately because I know it’s boring .These reviews are usually consistent, but several times have led me to nowhere. From a fantastic venue to business meetings it turned out to be a melange to which I unfortunately invited the client…

    Have you ever thought about any other peer based service that could help people in their daily life?
    I thing that yes. This kind of business has one essential feature it’s have to be simple. The users are lazy and easy to give up, so to get him to use eg Uber and break old habits, the new solution must be simpler and more profitable.

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  20. 1. Personally I don't, It's not that I'm afraid of it by anyhow. I just had not any need to use them recently. I know that some of my friends and colleagues from work use Uber all the time, and I find it tempting. It's great that you know the price before you even order a ride.

    2. Sure I do, but I'm not concerned about it, because all that matters to me is the price and the quality of service.

    3. I make most of my decisions thanks to those reviews. I know that some of them are fake, so I usually do a big research.

    4. I had, but hush, it's my secret :)

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  21. 1. I use Uber and I strongly believe that it’s a cure polish market of taxi services which is simply sick. I have experienced different inconveniences during multiple taxi rides. I drove vehicles which shouldn’t be allowed on the road due to technical condition. I got rejected because of too short route or route ending in the area which was not convenient for taxi driver. Not even once taxi driver wanted to drive me without ‘counter’, to either avoid paying taxes or to make me pay more for a ride. None of these happened to me in Uber. I hope that competition on the marker will drive regular prices down and will positively influence customer service which is truly a disaster.

    2. It’s not a threat. It’s a natural development of the market. Some time ago one of wrote a post about this kind of break-through ideas causing irretrievable changes in the market. It’s a thing, either you play new rules, or you are out of the game.

    3. I try to validate them. I check how many other reviews were done by people who comment things I’m interested in. What was the period of getting the reviews – if they all appeared at once, or they naturally increase with time. Who are the people giving the reviews and if the given review matches this person profile. This is not the perfect algorithm which enables perfect recognition of fake reviews, however I feel a little bit safer doing so. In many cases I’m forced to trust reviews and make my decisions based on them. We all are :)

    4. For sure if I had one, I wouldn’t share it in here, but rather gained some friends to run a start-up! :D

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  22. 1. I use Uber, I think that it is a very good application, I am its big fan. However, I have had several unpleasant encounters with Uber drivers. Unlike taxi drivers, they do not have to take exams. It results in the fact that they are less familiar with the streets of the city. Navigation might incorrectly indicate the place where I need to get out. I often talk to Uber drivers concerning whether they are satisfied with their jobs. They usually say they are, because they are their own managers, they decide how long they want to work. The majority of the clients are also satisfied with the application, as they know the route and the cost before the actual journey. I have not used other applications but I would like to test Airbnb application.
    2. Certainly, such services pose a threat to existing brands. However, we live in the capitalistic economy. Competition between companies is a natural thing. Uber can create jobs. Still, I believe that our country should take care of large corporations taking money outside our economy.
    3. The opinion on the Internet matters considerably. Companies care about the way they are perceived online and therefore, there tend to be more and more untrue comments. I read opinions but I approach them with a grain of salt.
    4. I have come up with an idea of an application where people could post the description of their trip. Such a description would include places which are worth visiting, hotels where one can purchase accommodation, as well as good restaurants.

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  23. 1. Do you use a peer2peer services like Uber, Airbnb or others? What is your opinion about it?

    I sometimes use Airbnb application for comparing hotel prices. I like this kind of apps, they are very interesting and useful.

    2. Do you think this kind of services is a real threat for exiting markets?

    Yes, I do. Internet is pushing out from the market thr “traditional business”. Almost everyting you can find on the Internet.

    3. How about reviews found on the internet? Do you trust them?

    Honestly ? There are different people and they have different expectations and opinions. This which for one is very well for others will be a nightmare. I always like to try something on myself.

    4. Have you ever thought about any other peer based service that could help people in their daily life?

    I have no idea at that moment, the limit of applications has been exhausted;] Surely the market will provide new ideas and improvements for people, it is only a matter of time when new product or thing will become popular

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