SecondRotation Press Releases

Gazelle Launches Technology for Tots Fundraising Campaign with SHARED Inc

Second Rotation <customercare@secondrotation.com> — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 18:30:00 GMT

Boston, Mass. – August 11, 2009 –

BOSTON – August 10, 2009 – In an effort to improve the lives of orphans with AIDS who reside in Lesotho, Africa, SHARED, Inc., a not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving global health by increasing access for the world’s poorest people to medicine, medical supplies, medical equipment and community gardens, is today launching the “Technology for Tots” fundraising campaign. The campaign will employ Gazelle for Good for the drive’s fundraising efforts, an innovative online tool developed by Gazelle (www.gazelle.com), the nation’s largest online consumer electronics reCommerce service.

Instead of asking for cash, SHARED, with the help of Gazelle for Good, will raise funds by asking individuals to donate their used consumer electronics on http://shared.gazelle.com/. More than 20 categories of electronics will be accepted including laptops, MP3 players and cell phones. Gazelle will match all donations by five percent. The fundraising drive will take place online from August 10-24, 2009. Donations can also be made in person at a special event at SHARED’s office on August 17 from 5:30-7:00 PM at 1018 Beacon Street in Brookline, Massachusetts or at local businesses including XX.

“Working in partnership with private and public organizations as well as individuals, SHARED is always looking for new and creative ways to raise funds to support our mission,” said Elizabeth Ziemba, President, SHARED, Inc. “So many potential donors have unused gadgets collecting dust in closets and drawers. Through the ‘Technology for Tots’ campaign, they can make special use of those unused items and help provide the resources necessary to improve global health.”

“When we launched Gazelle for Good in May 2009 we wanted to create a unique platform for nonprofit organizations and individual fundraisers to raise money and access a broad base of donors,” said Israel Ganot, Chief Executive Officer, Gazelle. “This is exactly the way we hoped organizations would use our platform and our work with SHARED is one of more than 150 examples of ongoing fundraising campaigns that support a number of nonprofit organizations throughout the country. We feel privileged to have been chosen by SHARED to help them reach their fundraising goals.”

Gazelle Powers Electronics Trade In and Recycle Program for Costco

Second Rotation <customercare@secondrotation.com> — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 10:50:00 GMT

Boston, Mass – July 22, 2009 –

BOSTON – July 22, 2009 – For years, the missing link in the lifecycle of electronic gadgets was what to do with them once consumers were done using them. That gap in the lifecycle meant that old cell phones, MP3 players, digital cameras and other gadgets congregated and gathered dust in drawers and boxes in houses across the U.S. Gazelle (www.gazelle.com), the nation’s largest online consumer electronics reCommerce service, has stepped into that gap to enable consumers to earn cash by easily trading in electronics for cash or to be recycled. Gazelle is helping consumers clean out their drawers and boxes while preventing more than 20 tons of e-waste from entering landfills to date and rewarding their customers an average of $100 for each transaction.

Forward-thinking retailers are taking notice. Gazelle today announces that Costco Wholesale Corporation ("Costco") (NASDAQ: COST) is partnering with the company to power its electronics trade in and recycle program. With the program, Costco members are provided with a fast, safe and easy way to trade in their unused electronics for Costco Cash Cards, which can be used for purchases at Costco stores or Costco.com, or if the devices are no longer valuable, to have them responsibly recycled for free. The program will accept consumer electronics in a growing number of nearly 20 categories including digital cameras, laptops, MP3 players, cell phones and more.

The Gazelle Electronics Trade-In and Recycle Program involves three simple steps:

1.    Visit costco.gazelle.com to determine the value of the electronic device

2.    Ship the item(s) to Gazelle for free

3.    Receive a Costco Cash Card for the value of the item(s)

Costco cited Gazelle’s superior technology and operations, excellent customer experience, and impressive track record as reasons for selecting Gazelle as their partner. As the leader in electronics reCommerce, Gazelle provides a simple and trustworthy service that rewards consumers for responsible behavior. Gazelle customers can rest assured that their personal data is safely erased before an item is put to reuse and that items without value are responsibly recycled thanks to the company’s zero landfill policy.

“With the average home filled with dozens of electronic gadgets, we applaud Costco for its leadership in reducing e-waste,” said Israel Ganot, CEO of Gazelle. “At Gazelle, we believe that recycling starts with reuse. By rewarding Costco’s members with cash for their unwanted electronics, we hope to encourage more people to join the reCommerce movement rather than storing gadgets in their junk drawers or dumping them in the trash.”

For more information on how Costco members can participate in this new Electronics Trade-In and Recycle Program, please visit costco.gazelle.com.

ABOUT COSTCO

Costco currently operates 554 warehouses, including 407 in the United States and Puerto Rico, 76 in Canada, 21 in the United Kingdom, six in Korea, five in Taiwan, eight in Japan and 31 in Mexico. The Company also operates Costco Online, an electronic commerce web site, at www.costco.com and at www.costco.ca in Canada.

ABOUT GAZELLE

Gazelle (www.gazelle.com), a service of Second Rotation, Inc., is committed to providing an easy, fast, and safe way for consumers to get cash for selling unwanted electronics or to recycle them responsibly. To date, thousands of consumers have used the service as a way to clean out closets, get cash and help out a good cause. In addition, Gazelle empowers consumers to avoid time consuming and risky online experiences associated with peer-to-peer selling. Consumers can rest assured that all personal information is thoroughly removed from their item while benefitting from conveniences like free shipping and packaging. Based in Boston, Gazelle is backed by premier venture capital firms Venrock Associates and RockPort Capital Partners.

GAZELLE LAUNCHES NEW SERVICE TO HELP BOOST CHARITABLE GIVING

Second Rotation <customercare@secondrotation.com> — Wed, 20 May 2009 14:44:00 GMT

Boston, Mass – May 20, 2009 –

Gazelle (gazelle.com), the nation’s largest company rewarding consumers for responsibly trading in their electronics, today announced the launch of its Gazelle for Good fundraising service (gazelleforgood.com). This new service enables fundraisers to raise money for a good cause by collecting used gadgets instead of cash – allowing everyone to get involved and support causes in their community regardless of financial means. Dozens of organizations and individuals have signed on to use the free service, including the Epilepsy Therapy Project, Little Red Wagon Foundation, and Pluta Cancer Center.

Gazelle for Good connects NPOs, fundraisers and donors by providing them with a simple, customizable tool that enables them to raise funds without collecting cash. Using the service, anyone from a single marathon runner to the nation’s largest nonprofits are able to start a personalized online gadget drive. Donors simply visit the online drive to discover the donation value of their electronics and send them into Gazelle. Gazelle turns the electronics into cash and sends a check to the fundraiser to support their cause. Individuals can add Gazelle for Good to fundraising efforts and give supporters a new way to donate, and non-profit organizations can leverage this complimentary service to subsidize cash donations, which have suffered from the weak economy. According to the recent “State of Fundraising Survey” by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, only 28 percent of all charities nationwide expect to raise more money in 2009 than in 2008.

Drives can be done in conjunction with other fundraising initiatives, as an ongoing program, and leading up to a fundraising event. Currently, Zachary Bonner, a 5th grader from Tampa Florida and founder of the Little Red Wagon Foundation, is walking from his home to the White House to raise awareness and money for underprivileged kids. He will use Gazelle for Good as one of the fundraising options for people to donate to his Foundation. The Epilepsy Therapy Project, committed to advancing new treatments for people living with epilepsy, has also added Gazelle for Good to its mix, giving donors a new way to support epilepsy research and the development of new treatments. Visit their gadget drive webpage – epilepsy.gazelle.com/. Pluta Cancer Center, New York’s first independent, not-for-profit cancer center, has also started a Gazelle for Good gadget drive to support its mission to create a unique treatment program for each patient that revolves around their life, rather than their cancer. Visit the Pluta Cancer Center gadget drive at plutacancercenter.gazelle.com.

“Gazelle for Good gives individual fundraisers a new tool while bringing together NPOs who need to raise funds with donors who are seeking non-monetary ways to support their favorite cause,” said Israel Ganot, CEO of Gazelle. “We want everyone across the country to know that it’s simple to help out in your community and with Gazelle for Good anyone can start a fundraiser.”

How it Works:

1.    Gazelle for Good allows anyone to raise funds for a specific cause by facilitating a gadget collection drive to gather donations.

2.    In less than five minutes, fundraisers can log on to www.gazelleforgood.com to create a personalized Web page by uploading photos and setting their financial goals.

3.    Promotional tools help fundraisers promote their site to friends, family and other supporters.

ABOUT GAZELLE

Gazelle (www.gazelle.com), a service of Second Rotation, Inc., is committed to providing an easy, fast, and safe way for consumers to get cash for selling unwanted electronics or to recycle them responsibly. To date, thousands of consumers have used the service as a way to clean out closets, get cash and help out a good cause. In addition, Gazelle empowers consumers to avoid time consuming and risky online experiences associated with peer-to-peer selling. Consumers can rest assured that all personal information is thoroughly removed from their item while benefitting from conveniences like free shipping and packaging. Based in Boston, Gazelle is backed by premier venture capital firms Venrock Associates and RockPort Capital Partners.

GAZELLE TEAMS UP WITH STANDUP FOR KIDS TO HELP HOMELESS CHILDREN

Second Rotation <customercare@secondrotation.com> — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 21:34:00 GMT

Boston, MA – December 08, 2008 –

Gazelle (www.gazelle.com), the online service that offers a fast, safe and practical way to sell or responsibly recycle unwanted electronics, today announced a partnership with StandUp For Kids (www.gazelle.com/standupforkids) as its featured charity during this holiday season. Not surprisingly, this year charitable donations are down in comparison to 2007. In fact, 35 percent of charities have reported significant declines according to the annual GuideStar Nonprofit Survey. However, Gazelle provides an economical way for individuals to help their favorite charities such as StandUp For Kids, even when money is tight. By simply selling their unwanted gadgets such as laptops, MP3 players and cell phones to Gazelle, supporters can donate the money they earn directly to the cause of their choice.

Founded in 1990 by Rick Koca, a retired naval officer, StandUp For Kids aims to seek out and assist the 1.5 million homeless children across the U.S. that are living on the streets. Serving more than 1,000 kids a week across 35 cities in 20 states, this national non-profit organization – which greatly depends on charitable donations to support their mission of helping children in need, is utilizing Gazelle as a fundraising platform. During the months of December and January, StandUp For Kids is encouraging its supporters to clean out their closets and drawers to turn their electronics into cash. On average, Gazelle users can earn approximately $115 by selling their unwanted gadgets, which if donated, translates into more than a week’s worth of meals for a child in need.

“We understand that monetary donations can be difficult to make especially during an economic downturn, which is why we decided to ask people to support StandUp For Kids through Gazelle rather than their wallets,” says Keith Sanders, national director of corporate development. “It is estimated that one out of every seven kids will run away by the age of 18. The money that our supporters can donate through Gazelle, will be used to provide hot meals, clothing, counseling and many more much needed services for our kids, as well as allow StandUp For Kids to start new programs in other cities.”

Gazelle offers a supplemental way for non-profits to fundraise without impacting consumer’s pocketbooks or businesses’ bottom line. Through Gazelle, charities, foundations and schools are empowered to offer their supporters a win-win opportunity to earn money for their organization by encouraging them to use Gazelle. This not only provides them with the benefit of helping a cause they care about, but also fosters an environmentally-conscious approach to preventing eWaste.

“StandUp For Kids addresses so many important issues—hunger, homelessness and education. We were compelled by their mission and are proud to help a great cause by providing a fast and easy way for individuals to help homeless at-risk children,” said Israel Ganot, president and CEO of Second Rotation, the company behind Gazelle. “We envision Gazelle becoming an important fundraising tool for charities and schools – and we’re committed to simplifying this process so that more time and focus can be spent on causes such as StandUp For Kids.”

To learn more about StandUp For Kids and how consumers can make a donation with their unwanted gadgets, please visit http://www.gazelle.com/standupforkids.

ABOUT GAZELLE: Gazelle (www.gazelle.com), a service of Second Rotation, Inc, is committed to providing an easy, fast, and safe way for consumers to get cash for selling unwanted electronics or to recycle them responsibly. To date, thousands of consumers have used the service as a way to clean out closets, get cash and help out a good cause. In addition, Gazelle empowers consumers to avoid time consuming and risky online experiences associated with peer-to-peer selling. Consumers can rest assured that all personal information is thoroughly removed from their item while benefitting from conveniences like free shipping and packaging. Based in Boston, Second Rotation is led by a group of consumer Internet veterans from companies like eBay, BuyerZone and Fairmarket and is backed by venture capital firms Venrock Associates and RockPort Capital Partners.

PRESS CONTACTS: Colleen Wickwire SHIFT Communications | (415) 591-8414 | cwickwire@shiftcomm.com

GAZELLE NOW OFFERS AMAZON.COM GIFT CARDS FOR FASTER, EASIER REWARD OPTION

Second Rotation <customercare@secondrotation.com> — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 15:11:00 GMT

Boston, MA – November 11, 2008 –

Gazelle (www.gazelle.com), the online service that offers a fast, safe and practical way for people to get cash for their unwanted electronics, now offers customers a broader range of payment options with the introduction of Amazon.com Gift Cards. In addition to opting for a check, PayPal, or charitable donation, Gazelle users can now select an Amazon.com Gift Card that can be used to shop for millions of items in over 40 product categories at Amazon.com. Given the economic climate and the pending holiday shopping season, there’s no better time than now for budget-conscious consumers to trade in items they aren’t using in exchange for additional buying power. On average, Gazelle customers earn approximately $115 when selling unwanted gadgets.

“We’re expecting customers to look for convenience and additional ways to save money this season,” says Michal Geller, director of Gift Cards at Amazon.com. “We are pleased that holiday shoppers now have the convenient option to use Gazelle to trade in unwanted items for Amazon.com Gift Cards.”

Both Gazelle and Amazon.com are committed to providing customers with an environmentally responsible way to consume electronics. Gazelle finds new owners for the functional products that customer’s trade-in or guides items that have reached their end of life, to appropriate recycling channels to ensure they do not end up in landfills. Amazon.com shoppers will be able to participate in this process by visiting www.gazelle.com/amazon-green.

“Gazelle is dedicated to keeping electronics out of landfills and reducing e-waste. We commend Amazon.com’s efforts to provide their customers with the means to participate in this process,” said Rousseau Aurelien, founder & CEO of Second Rotation, the company behind Gazelle. “Thousands of consumers have already sold their cell phones, MP3 players, laptops and other gadgets through Gazelle, all while being green and feeling good about it.”

With the average household containing 24¹ consumer electronics, there’s no easier way to subsidize holiday spending then by cleaning out closets to remove any unwanted items. It’s not only economically rewarding, but consumers can increase their spending power this season without feeling the guilt of burdening landfills with unnecessary items.

ABOUT GAZELLE

Gazelle (www.gazelle.com), a service of Second Rotation, Inc, is committed to providing an easy, fast, and safe way for consumers to get cash for selling unwanted electronics or to recycle them responsibly. To date, thousands of consumers have used the service as a way to clean out closets, get cash and help out a good cause. In addition, Gazelle empowers consumers to avoid time consuming and risky online experiences associated with peer-to-peer selling. Consumers can rest assured that all personal information is thoroughly removed from their item while benefitting from conveniences like free shipping and packaging. Based in Boston, Second Rotation is led by a group of consumer Internet veterans from companies like eBay, BuyerZone and Fairmarket and is backed by venture capital firms Venrock Associates and RockPort Capital Partners.

SOURCES:

1. Consumer Electronics Association, “Trends in CE Reuse, Recycle and Removal,” March 2008 http://www.ce.org/Executive_Summary_-_CE_Reuse_Recycle_and_Removal.pdf

PRESS CONTACTS:

Colleen Wickwire

SHIFT Communications

(415) 591-8414

cwickwire@shiftcomm.com

SECOND ROTATION SECURES $6 MILLION IN NEW VENTURE FUNDING

Second Rotation <customercare@secondrotation.com> — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 14:21:00 GMT

Boston, MA – November 10, 2008 –

Second Rotation, the company behind the online service Gazelle (www.gazelle.com), today announced a $6 million round of funding led by RockPort Capital Partners, one of the largest venture capital firms focused on clean technology investments. The Series B funding includes previous investors Venrock Associates and angel investors Austin Ligon and Henry Vogel. The investment validates Gazelle’s effectiveness in providing consumers with an easy, fast and safe way to get cash for their unwanted electronics or support responsible recycling. The capital will primarily be used to further develop Gazelle by investing in new technology and product enhancements. Additionally, funds will be leveraged for branding and marketing opportunities.

“Despite the current economic climate, we believe in supporting companies that are poised to bring to market practical solutions to the world’s most pressing problems,” said Alexander “Hap” Ellis III, general partner at RockPort Capital Partners. “Second Rotation’s reCommerce business model is well positioned for successful consumer adoption and profitability based on its fundamental drivers: cash rewards, convenience and environmental responsibility.”

reCommerce is an economic model that rewards consumers for efficient consumption. By providing a quick and easy way for consumers to get a guaranteed price for the products they no longer use or need, Gazelle enables consumers to participate in reCommerce more efficiently. Gazelle does the work of finding new owners for functional products or, as a last resort, guides them through the appropriate channel for recycling so that unwanted products do not end up in landfills. Gazelle provides a no-risk, eco-friendly and economically rewarding option for consumers who are intimidated by or weary of the complexities and inefficiencies of traditional peer-to-peer selling or recycling options.

“Our objective from the beginning has been to promote efficient consumption through reCommerce,” said Rousseau Aurelien, founder & CEO of Second Rotation. “With the average U.S. household containing approximately 24 consumer electronics, this new round of funding confirms our belief that the market for reCommerce is vast, sustainable and environmentally essential. As more consumers decide to get rid of their unwanted gadgets, Gazelle will continue to be a long-term partner in helping them navigate and benefit through reCommerce.”

To date, thousands of consumers have sold their cell phones, MP3 players, laptops, or other gadgets through Gazelle, all while being green and feeling good about it. For more information on how consumers can sell or responsibly recycle their unwanted consumer electronics, please visit www.gazelle.com.

ABOUT SECOND ROTATION

Founded in 2006, Second Rotation, the company behind Gazelle (www.gazelle.com), is committed to providing an easy, fast, and safe way for consumers to get cash for selling unwanted electronics or to recycle them responsibly. To date, thousands of consumers have used the service as a way to clean out closets, get cash and help out a good cause. In addition, Gazelle empowers consumers to avoid time consuming and risky online experiences associated with peer-to-peer selling. Consumers can rest assured that all personal information is thoroughly removed from their item while benefitting from conveniences like free shipping and packaging. Based in Boston, Second Rotation is led by a group of consumer Internet veterans from companies like eBay, BuyerZone and Fairmarket and is backed by venture capital firms Venrock Associates and RockPort Capital Partners.

PRESS CONTACTS:

Colleen Wickwire

SHIFT Communications

(415) 591-8414

cwickwire@shiftcomm.com

GAZELLE LAUNCHES TO HELP CONSUMERS EARN CASH FOR UNWANTED GADGETS

Second Rotation <customercare@secondrotation.com> — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 15:01:00 GMT

Boston, MA – July 28, 2008 –

CORE NEWS FACTS

Gazelle helps consumers earn cash, while providing a guilt-free and environmentally-friendly way to feed their need for getting the hottest new products while also contributing to a good cause.

Get Rewarded – Get paid for the items you are not using without the friction of person-to-person selling.

Be Environmental – Recycling starts with reusing – extending the life of electronics by reintroducing them to the market. When items have reached the end of their life, Gazelle ensures they are recycled responsibly and are backed with a zero landfill policy.

Make a Difference – Use the cash you make to fund a cause you care about through charity donation options.

Gazelle is an easy-to-use online service that offers a fast, safe, practical way for people to get cash for selling back their used consumer electronics.

Gazelle offers a means for consumers to recycle used electronics that no longer have market value in an environmentally-friendly way.

While online marketplaces and consignment shops are time consuming, risky and a hassle for consumers, Gazelle offers a fast, easy, and trusted solution that is both green and smart. We call that “reCommerce.”

“reCommerce” is the next evolution in electronics consumption – it offers an economic model that goes beyond recycling by extending product usage first. Both consumers and corporations profit in reCommerce while being environmentally conscious.

The launch of Gazelle marks the end of beta testing for Second Rotation, the company that owns and operates the service. This improved website features Web 2.0 enhancements that make the user experience more intuitive and personalized (see new features below).

NEW ENHANCED FEATURES

Guided Navigation – A reinvented search process to help users find the exact item they have to sell.

New and Improved Calculator – Users can now see data showcasing the value of their items over time. The patent-pending technology ensures customers that they are getting the most up to date market price for their items.

More Comprehensive Catalog – Gazelle is committed to making an offer for any item in the categories we support. If you can’t find an item, Gazelle will make a personalized offer and add the item to the catalog, ensuring that every customer gets a quote.

New Categories – Now includes laptops, satellite radios and via a partnership with SimpleTech, portable hard drives.

Demonstrates Web 2.0 Capabilities – More transparency of data and insight into the Gazelle process.

Free packaging – Gazelle takes free shipping one step further by delivering pre-paid packaging for qualified transactions.

QUICK COMPANY FACTS

Gazelle is owned and operated by Second Rotation, Inc.

Second Rotation is a privately held company that launched in 2006 and is headquartered in Boston

The company was founded by a group of successful entrepreneurs and consumer Internet veterans from eBay, BuyerZone and Fairmarket

Backed by Venrock, an early investor in Apple and Intel, Second Rotation is the only consumer-facing business in the market with VC support

Gazelle is the only one-stop-shop for consumers to sell back their used consumer electronics across 9 categories and over 18,000 SKUs.

KEY INDUSTRY STATISTICS

400 million units of electronic waste is scrapped each year.¹

Spending on consumer electronics has grown 70% since 1995. Per year, the average household spends $1,400 for up to 24 items.²

In 2005, the US generated a total of 2.63 million tons of electronic waste.³

Only 330,000 tons, or 12.5%, is “recovered” for recycling.³

PRE-APPROVED QUOTE FROM ROUSSEAU AURELIEN, FOUNDER & CEO, SECOND ROTATION

“Gazelle is a triumph for both the consumer and the environment. Now, people can feed their need for the hottest electronics without feeling the guilt of wasting money or burdening landfills,” said Rousseau Aurelien, Founder & CEO of Second Rotation. “This service offers consumers the first practical way to get a fair price for used items or the option to easily recycle them when they no longer have market value – at the same time guaranteeing the safety of your personal data. Others outlets, such as Craigslist or eBay, are too time consuming and can lead to a dead end. Gazelle is the easy way to clean out your closet, while getting cash and even helping out a good cause.”

PRE-APPROVED QUOTE FROM ISRAEL GANOT, PRESIDENT & COO, SECOND ROTATION

“Consumers are growing weary of peer to peer modes associated with eBay and Craigslist, preferring instead fixed-price listings,” said Israel Ganot, President & COO of Second Rotation. “Gazelle provides a more convenient and reliable way to get cash for unwanted gadgets. Consumers can rest assured that they will get a fair market value for all items with our patent-pending dynamic pricing engine.”

ABOUT SECOND ROTATION

Founded in 2006, Second Rotation, the company behind Gazelle (www.gazelle.com), is committed to providing an easy, fast and safe way for consumers to get cash for selling back their used consumer electronic(s) and/or recycle them in an environmentally-friendly way. To date, thousands of consumers have used the service as a way to successfully clean out their closets, get cash and even help out a good cause – all while being green. In addition, gazelle.com empowers consumers to avoid time consuming and risky online experiences that are a pain in the neck and benefit from the immediate insight that a fixed price for used items gives them – as well as conveniences like free shipping and packaging. Consumers also rest assured that their personal information is kept exactly that – personal, through a thorough data cleansing process. Based in Boston, Second Rotation is led by a group of successful entrepreneurs and consumer Internet veterans from companies like eBay, BuyerZone and Fairmarket and is backed by premier venture capital firm, Venrock.

Technorati Tags:
Consumer electronics, Used electronics, Recycled electronics, Buyback electronics

PRESS CONTACTS:

Colleen Wickwire

SHIFT Communications

(415) 591-8414

cwickwire@shiftcomm.com

SOURCES:

(1)International Association of Electronics Recyclers Industry Report, 2006. Available at http://www.iaer.org/communications/indreport.htm
(2)Consumer Electronics Association
(3)US EPA, Municipal Solid Waste in the United States, 2005 Facts and Figures, October 2006. http://www.epa.gov/msw/pubs/mswchar05.pdf

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Second Rotation Announces Partnership with UPS

Second Rotation <customercare@secondrotation.com> — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 17:07:00 GMT

Waltham, MA – April 22, 2008 – Second Rotation Announces Partnership with UPS
Customers can now ship from 25,000 locations and 40,000 drop boxes nationwide

Waltham, MA – April 22, 2008 – Second Rotation, the destination for simplified selling of consumer electronics and gadgets online, today announced a partnership with the world’s largest package delivery company, UPS.

Second Rotation is thrilled to offer their customers the ability to ship their used consumer electronics from any of UPS’s 25,000 locations and 40,000 drop boxes nationwide. “We believe that our partnership with UPS will help meet the demands of our increasing customer base and is a necessary step to help develop and foster our growing business,” said Rousseau Aurelien, founder and CEO of Second Rotation. “In the last couple of months we have grown at a tremendous rate and we know that working with UPS will provide our customers with a premier shipping and customer service experience.”

Second Rotation, launched in July 2007, is an online exchange dedicated to giving individual consumers a fast, no-hassle solution for selling unwanted items on the Web. With an initial focus on consumer electronics – including digital cameras, camcorders, cell phones, gaming consoles, GPS systems and MP3 players – Second Rotation offers consumers a service that meets their desire to “sell it now” and quickly turn their items into cash without the obstacles of peer to peer selling. In addition, selling items to Second Rotation provides a responsible and environmentally-friendly way to recycle consumer electronics.

About Second Rotation
Second Rotation is the destination for simplified selling of consumer electronics and gadgets online. The process is easy: Second Rotation determines the value of the item online, provides a pre-paid shipping label, and pays the seller a fair market value once the item is received. Items are then resold or responsibly recycled. Second Rotation empowers people by removing the challenges associated with selling goods online and offers an ecologically responsible solution by extending the life of unwanted gadgets. Founded in 2006 and privately held, the company is headquartered in Waltham, MA. For additional information, please visit www.secondrotation.com.
****

For more information, contact marketing@secondrotation.com.

Second Rotation Secures Series A Funding

Second Rotation <customercare@secondrotation.com> — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 15:52:00 GMT

Waltham, MA – January 29, 2008 – Second Rotation, the destination for simplified selling of consumer electronics and gadgets online, today announced that it has raised $4.4 million in its initial round of funding. The round was led by Venrock, a premier venture capital firm founded by the Rockefeller family, and also included angel investors Austin Ligon, Ashton Peery and Henry Vogel. Second Rotation will use the funds to advance product development and expansion, as well as for sales and marketing.

“With Second Rotation, consumers now have a convenient and simplified way to resell their electronics on the Internet,” said David Beisel, vice president, Venrock. “We are impressed with the team and this concept that was designed with the consumer in mind. Second Rotation has already achieved great success and the long term potential is very exciting.”

Second Rotation, first launched in July 2007, is an online exchange dedicated to giving individual consumers a fast, no-hassle solution for selling unwanted items on the Web. With an initial focus on consumer electronics – including digital cameras, camcorders, cell phones, gaming consoles, GPS systems and MP3 players – Second Rotation offers consumers a service that meets their desire to “sell it now” and quickly turn their items into cash without the obstacles of peer to peer selling. In addition, selling items to Second Rotation provides a responsible and environmentally-friendly way to recycle consumer electronics.

Second Rotation also announced the expansion of its board of directors with five new members: David Beisel, vice president at Venrock; Austin Ligon, co-founder and former CEO of CarMax; Mike Tyrrell, general partner at Venrock; Ashton Peery, formerly a General Partner at Lucent Venture Partners; and Henry Vogel, former Chief Revenue Officer at Quigo and executive at eBay.

“Second Rotation fulfills an unmet need and we are thrilled with consumers’ response,” said Rousseau Aurelien, founder and CEO of Second Rotation. “With the addition of several new board members, we look forward to leveraging their extensive domain expertise and networks to take Second Rotation to the next level.”

About Second Rotation

Second Rotation is the destination for simplified selling of consumer electronics and gadgets online. The process is easy: Second Rotation determines the value of the item online, arranges pickup and shipping, and pays the seller a fair market value once the item is received. Items are then resold or responsibly recycled. Second Rotation empowers people by removing the challenges associated with selling goods online and offers an ecologically responsible solution by extending the life of unwanted gadgets. Founded in 2006 and privately held, the company is headquartered in Waltham, MA. For additional information, please visit www.secondrotation.com.

Contact
Nicole Daley
Horn Group, Inc.
Tel: 415-905-4006
ndaley@horngroup.com

Reuse and Now Recycle Tech Gadgets on SecondRotation

Second Rotation <customercare@secondrotation.com> — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 16:10:00 GMT

Waltham, MA – October 24, 2007 – SecondRotation, the safest and easiest destination on the Web for selling consumer electronics and gadgets, today announced it has expanded its service to recycle electronics that hold little or no market value. Since its launch, consumers around the world have called on SecondRotation to get cash for their Cell Phones, Digital Cameras, Apple Laptops and other gear. Now these same people can turn to Second Rotation to recycle older products, keeping even more unwanted electronics out of landfills.

“Since day one we’ve had great success focusing on Reuse – buying people’s unwanted gadgets and putting them into the hands of someone who still values them,” said Rousseau Aurelien, CEO of SecondRotation. “The same users that sold us their old gear have asked for our help in keeping even more materials out of landfills via the second of the environmental triad – Recycle – and we’ve listened. We’re truly excited to offer a service that further extends people’s ability to live a green lifestyle.”

On a daily basis, SecondRotation sifts through millions of online sales transactions for pre-owned gadgets to determine product values, and to identify products that are recyclable. Once a consumer identifies their recyclable product on SecondRotation.com, they can ship it for free in a box with another product they are looking to sell, or pay to ship it on their own. With the addition of recyclable products, SecondRotation now tracks over 6,000 electronic products that it helps to keep out of landfills.

Responding to International Demand - Second Rotation Goes Global

Second Rotation <customercare@secondrotation.com> — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 16:30:00 GMT

Waltham, MA – September 24, 2007 – Second Rotation, the safest and easiest destination on the Web for selling consumer electronics and gadgets, today announced that it is expanding its service globally. Consumers around the world can now use Second Rotation to sell their cell phones, digital cameras, iPods, and the company’s newest category, gaming consoles, among others.
The international expansion comes as a result of significant demand for Second Rotation’s services for global users since the site’s launch in July. Global customers will now enjoy the same benefits as domestic users. By visiting SecondRotation.com, consumers can get an instant quote for their goods, arrange for shipping and cash in on their sale via check or PayPal, all in just days. Customers outside of the U.S. will receive a special shipping allowance for sending their item in to Second Rotation for inspection.
“As we were planning and building Second Rotation, our goal was to eventually offer our service to customers around the globe; with demand being so strong for our service, we moved quickly to make this happen as soon as possible,” said Rousseau Aurelien, Second Rotation’s CEO. “The prevalence of consumer electronics and the green movement are hardly just American phenomena—they are both global, and we’re pleased to give international customers the easiest, safest solution to cash in their gadgets and help the environment.”

Sell Your Game Console On Second Rotation

Second Rotation <customercare@secondrotation.com> — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 14:23:00 GMT

Waltham, MA – September 19, 2007 – Second Rotation, the safest and easiest destination on the Web for selling consumer electronics and gadgets, wants to help you upgrade to the latest and greatest game console. SecondRotation.com, which gives consumers the opportunity to trade in pre-owned lifestyle goods for instant cash, has added game consoles to its expanding list of categories, which also includes digital cameras, MP3 players, GPS devices and cell phones.
“Second Rotation makes it as easy as possible for people to sell their used gadgets – to help them live a green lifestyle and put some green in their pocket,” said Rousseau Aurelien, founder and CEO of Second Rotation. “Since we launched the service in July, there has been tremendous interest from people looking to sell us their game consoles. We are excited to add this new category and help these people upgrade to the newest device of their choice.”
The Second Rotation service is powered by a series of processes and technologies designed to ensure a seamless selling experience. By visiting SecondRotation.com, consumers can get an instant quote for their goods, arrange for free shipping and cash in on their sale via check or PayPal, all in just days.

Second Rotation Powers New Exchange for Leading Retailer Car Toys – Lets Consumers Trade In Pre-Owned Mobile Electronics

Second Rotation <customercare@secondrotation.com> — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 14:49:00 GMT

Waltham, MA – August 13, 2007 – Second Rotation, the safest and easiest destination on the Web for selling consumer electronics and gadgets, today announced a partnership with Car Toys Inc. A leading national mobile electronics retailer, Car Toys has launched its own branded Second Rotation online exchange (SecondRotation.com/CarToys). The site gives consumers the opportunity to trade in pre-owned lifestyle goods such as cell phones, GPS devices and digital cameras that have been collecting dust or previously fast-tracked for the trash and use their remaining value toward the purchase of a new item.
“Car Toys customers are technology lovers who are always on the hunt to upgrade from their current gadget to the latest model. This is where Second Rotation delivers,” said Kyle Brehm of CarToys. “Through this partnership, we give customers an online exchange that allows them to trade-in their old gadget and put that money toward their purchase of the newer item, be it a GPS device or the latest cell phone. In doing so we help technology lovers feed their hunger and more importantly ensure that the old items stay in circulation instead of being tossed into the trash.”
Launched in 1987 and named “Retailer of the Year" for 14 years running by Audio/Video Magazine, Car Toys has built its business on offering and delivering the widest selection, top expert advice and outstanding customer service. Currently the retailer focuses on several categories of items including car audio, car security, in-car theatre, GPS navigation, satellite radio and mobile phone devices. Today Car Toys operates in 52 locations throughout Washington, Oregon, Colorado and Texas, at Kiosks, in over 360 Costco warehouse locations in the U.S. as well as through its online retail site.
“A key to Car Toys success has been its dedication to combining top-notch service and the widest selection of mobile electronics devices available,” said Rousseau Aurelien, founder and CEO of Second Rotation. “By incorporating the online trade-in model into its current Web site, the retailer adds a key new flavor to its offering, letting customers take unwanted electronics and convert them from eco-liability into cash for their purchase of the new hot gadget. It’s a win-win for everybody.”
The Second Rotation service is powered by a series of processes and technologies designed to ensure a seamless selling experience. The service’s initial focus is on consumer electronics items, including digital cameras, camcorders, cell phones, GPS systems and MP3 players. Key features powering the Second Rotation service include a the Trade-in Manager, a dynamic pricing calculator, an end-to-end Ship It capability as well as Cash it in, which ensures near instant liquidity.

Second Rotation Introduces Safest and Easiest Destination on Web for Selling Consumer Electronics and Gadgets

Second Rotation <customercare@secondrotation.com> — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 07:00:00 GMT

Waltham, MA – July 23, 2007 – Second Rotation today formally introduced its online exchange dedicated to giving individual consumers an easy way to sell pre-owned lifestyle goods on the Web. With an initial focus on consumer electronics – including digital cameras, camcorders, cell phones, GPS systems and MP3 players – Second Rotation eliminates the hurdles of selling items online by offering consumers a service that meets their desire to "sell it now"* and quickly turn their items into cash.

The company is also announcing that the Second Rotation service will include an automated shipping capability provided through DHL, the global market leader in international express, overland transport and air freight.

“There are services that allow consumers to sell gadgets online but they require time, risk and are really designed for professional sellers and retailers who possess an expertise in moving large amounts of items over the Web. As a result, many consumers are discouraged from the selling process,” said Rousseau Aurelien, founder and CEO of Second Rotation. “By offering a "Sell it Now" functionality as easy as the buying models currently in place, we ensure that old items are not tossed into the trash, but recycled back into the "gadget-user community" where the seller can use the proceeds to upgrade to the latest and greatest.”

The Second Rotation service is powered by a series of processes and technologies designed to ensure a seamless selling experience. Key features include:

Trade in Manager: Second Rotation is not limited to a narrow category of items, instead focusing on a wide array of consumer electronics products. Through the Second Rotation Trade in Manager, consumers can quickly search the site to determine if the product they are looking to sell is available for trade-in. Next they can move to the pricing process, completely side-stepping the need to write out product descriptions and upload images to the site
Dynamic Pricing Calculator: The patent-pending calculator houses the trade-in values for lifestyle goods, all based on near â€œreal timeâ€* market pricing data. Unlike competing services, Second Rotation gives a guaranteed value for items looking to be sold before the sale process begins, eliminating the need for people to determine the fair market value and removing the prolonged inquiry response process. Consumers simply enter the product model and the calculator does the rest, after which they can decide whether or not they prefer to move forward
Ship It: Through DHL, which serves 120,000 destinations worldwide, Second Rotation removes yet another stumbling block of other services by making it easy to get the item out of the consumersâ€™ hands. Using Second Rotation, DHL comes to your home or office to pick up the item, a service which is offered for free
Cash It In: Once Second Rotation has the product in hand they validate and confirm the trade-in value and following inspection issue payment via check or PayPal, removing any potential incidents of online fraud, all while ensuring near instant liquidity

In the future the company will also be offering its turnkey solution for leading retailers. Through these relationships Second Rotation will give consumers further convenience and an opportunity to obtain instant liquidity on their items by visiting stores in their local area.

"The explosive growth of online marketplaces has created opportunities for new business models – capped by this most recent arrival – the online trade-in model," said Joe Pucciarelli, Program Director, Technology Financing and Management Strategies at IDC, a leading global provider of market intelligence and advisory services. "Second Rotation has identified a rapidly growing, underserved market that impacts consumers, retailers and the broader environment through a service model that enables new market channels bringing liquidity and value to used personal electronics."