Jellyfish is a price comparission site that launched with an twist. [Almost] every product you bought via the Jellyfish links had cashback and they paid at least 50% of whatever Jellyfish itself was making (as the team claimed).
The idea was great but it wasn’t until late 2006 when the team really hit the jackpot with their daily reverse price auctions called Smack Shopping. The auctions attracted a lot of attention in the media and brought new audience to the site. It was a smart idea and a very creative way to promote the main business.
In October 2007 the startup was bought by Microsoft and the corporation used it to spice up their Live.com offering with Cash Back to better compete with Google Product Search. For about a year Smack Shopping was all that’s left of Jellyfish at the original domain. The auctions will cease to exist on February 16, 2009 according to the email Microsoft sent out to the members today.
Dear SmackShopping User,
Thank you for using SmackShopping and participating in the SmackShopping community over the past few years. Regrettably, we are closing down the site effective February 16, 2009. SmackShows, chats and other interactive SmackShopping services will be discontinued at this point. However, you will be able to redeem any coins you have accrued for 90 days (until May 15, 2009). At the end of 90 days the site will be brought down completely.
Please do not reply to this email, but if you have any questions, please contact us at questions@smackshopping.com.
Sincerely,
SmackShopping Team
Why are they doing it?
My guess is that it made little sense to keep the auctions without the money making part of the business attached to it. I think they are great at stirring the news and promoting other products but they are a terrible money maker by itself. Why do you think they chose to close the show? Please share your own opinion in the comments.
Also read: Smack Shopping Lands Bellyup In The Deadpool at TechCrunch
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