Comments on: Portero Raises $6.6 Million Round For Online Luxury Goods Marketplace http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/02/19/portero-raises-66-million-round-for-online-luxury-goods-marketplace/ Startup and Technology News Fri, 27 Nov 2009 03:50:12 -0800 hourly 1 By: Hal Green http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/02/19/portero-raises-66-million-round-for-online-luxury-goods-marketplace/comment-page-1/#comment-2753925 Hal Green Mon, 18 May 2009 16:57:55 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=44849#comment-2753925 Steve- You seem to have a mixed message. On one hand your trying to sell preowned goods but and on another your trying to build authorized brand name luxury portal like Vialuxe. Frankly, I don't think your concept will succeed. I think people want to shop with individual stores that are authorized dealers and give exceptional service! A luxury portal cannot do this. Steve- You seem to have a mixed message. On one hand your trying to sell preowned goods but
and on another your trying to build authorized brand name luxury portal like Vialuxe. Frankly, I don’t think your concept will succeed. I think
people want to shop with individual stores that are authorized dealers and give exceptional service! A luxury portal cannot do this.

]]> By: Amy Bloomberg http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/02/19/portero-raises-66-million-round-for-online-luxury-goods-marketplace/comment-page-1/#comment-2697734 Amy Bloomberg Tue, 14 Apr 2009 20:48:26 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=44849#comment-2697734 Until large design houses like LVMH or Gucci Group elect to endorse these resellers as licensed venders I don’t believe there is a vast a difference among these sites as Portero would lead one to believe. Until large design houses like LVMH or Gucci Group elect to endorse these resellers as licensed venders I don’t believe there is a vast a difference among these sites as Portero would lead one to believe.

]]> By: Paid Content : VCs Pump Money Into eBay Rivals Like Swoopo http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/02/19/portero-raises-66-million-round-for-online-luxury-goods-marketplace/comment-page-1/#comment-2683921 Paid Content : VCs Pump Money Into eBay Rivals Like Swoopo Fri, 03 Apr 2009 22:52:34 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=44849#comment-2683921 [...] follows luxury goods auction site Portero's $6.6 million in funding in February (via TechCrunch), and a surge in popularity (and profits) for niche social marketplace Bonanzle (per ReadWriteWeb). [...] [...] follows luxury goods auction site Portero’s $6.6 million in funding in February (via TechCrunch), and a surge in popularity (and profits) for niche social marketplace Bonanzle (per ReadWriteWeb). [...]

]]> By: URBAQ URBAL http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/02/19/portero-raises-66-million-round-for-online-luxury-goods-marketplace/comment-page-1/#comment-2662485 URBAQ URBAL Fri, 20 Mar 2009 20:18:29 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=44849#comment-2662485 Looking at Portero's watch selection we found numerous examples of false descriptions under watches for sale. If accuracy is a desired quality when selling expensive, often-faked merchandise, then Portero has a long way to go. Good luck! Looking at Portero’s watch selection we found numerous examples of false descriptions under watches for sale.

If accuracy is a desired quality when selling expensive, often-faked merchandise, then Portero has a long way to go.

Good luck!

]]> By: HalogenGuy http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/02/19/portero-raises-66-million-round-for-online-luxury-goods-marketplace/comment-page-1/#comment-2634926 HalogenGuy Tue, 24 Feb 2009 01:59:41 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=44849#comment-2634926 If they have raised enough money, then they can survive the next 18 months and be will positioned. Their model is good: be the platform to enable the commerce on luxury product. Another company, called 1stDibs, is also doing this and growing. I also think there is another revenue stream they can add over time - branded advertisers, just like Amzn and others have done. The Portero audience will be in demand from advertisers. I also think that Bob S. understands challenges and has the right experience. If they have raised enough money, then they can survive the next 18 months and be will positioned. Their model is good: be the platform to enable the commerce on luxury product. Another company, called 1stDibs, is also doing this and growing.

I also think there is another revenue stream they can add over time – branded advertisers, just like Amzn and others have done. The Portero audience will be in demand from advertisers.

I also think that Bob S. understands challenges and has the right experience.

]]> By: David Appelbaum http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/02/19/portero-raises-66-million-round-for-online-luxury-goods-marketplace/comment-page-1/#comment-2631726 David Appelbaum Fri, 20 Feb 2009 19:29:17 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=44849#comment-2631726 Congrats Bob!! Congrats Bob!!

]]> By: davis http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/02/19/portero-raises-66-million-round-for-online-luxury-goods-marketplace/comment-page-1/#comment-2631428 davis Fri, 20 Feb 2009 15:10:59 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=44849#comment-2631428 1. Wise investors do not invest for the next 2 year, they do looking 5-7 years out, so if you're looking at the market now and investing then you're a bank, not a VC. 2. My concern is that with the initial seed and A-round traffic is not significant. (Compete shown only around 45k users, and Quantcast estimates 28k users) 3. The name really does not lend itself to a luxury brand. Great site and model though. Best of luck guys. 1. Wise investors do not invest for the next 2 year, they do looking 5-7 years out, so if you’re looking at the market now and investing then you’re a bank, not a VC.

2. My concern is that with the initial seed and A-round traffic is not significant. (Compete shown only around 45k users, and Quantcast estimates 28k users)

3. The name really does not lend itself to a luxury brand. Great site and model though.

Best of luck guys.

]]> By: Johnny http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/02/19/portero-raises-66-million-round-for-online-luxury-goods-marketplace/comment-page-1/#comment-2631049 Johnny Fri, 20 Feb 2009 06:26:41 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=44849#comment-2631049 I also own a luxury goods commerce site (December 2008 launch), and think that these types of curated private party sales are the way to go. Excellent idea. I also own a luxury goods commerce site (December 2008 launch), and think that these types of curated private party sales are the way to go.

Excellent idea.

]]> By: SJ http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/02/19/portero-raises-66-million-round-for-online-luxury-goods-marketplace/comment-page-1/#comment-2630735 SJ Fri, 20 Feb 2009 00:55:28 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=44849#comment-2630735 I Agree with J." trusted parties are invaluable". Portero has captured the trust in the luxury goods market. That's what makes Portero a great site even with our current financial situation. Daniel Nissanoff helped in the building of Portero and wrote a great book called Futureshop (http://www.auctionculture.com) explaining Portero's mission. This book was one of the inspirations for our statrup. SJ YouAuction.com I Agree with J.” trusted parties are invaluable”. Portero has captured the trust in the luxury goods market. That’s what makes Portero a great site even with our current financial situation. Daniel Nissanoff helped in the building of Portero and wrote a great book called Futureshop (http://www.auctionculture.com) explaining Portero’s mission. This book was one of the inspirations for our statrup.

SJ
YouAuction.com

]]> By: Chicken Little http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/02/19/portero-raises-66-million-round-for-online-luxury-goods-marketplace/comment-page-1/#comment-2630713 Chicken Little Fri, 20 Feb 2009 00:27:19 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=44849#comment-2630713 There are people who understand the global consequences of debt leveraging and are planning accordingly and there are those who think we're going through a 'mental recession'. There are people who understand the global consequences of debt leveraging and are planning accordingly and there are those who think we’re going through a ‘mental recession’.

]]> By: <fb:name linked="false" useyou="false" uid="685490924">Florent Peyre</fb:name> http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/02/19/portero-raises-66-million-round-for-online-luxury-goods-marketplace/comment-page-1/#comment-2630660 Florent Peyre Thu, 19 Feb 2009 23:06:28 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=44849#comment-2630660 Congrats for the team and especially Bob who came on board not so long ago. I think this is a very unique website and I'm excited to see the new functionalities! Congrats for the team and especially Bob who came on board not so long ago.
I think this is a very unique website and I’m excited to see the new functionalities!

]]> By: Financial Crash http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/02/19/portero-raises-66-million-round-for-online-luxury-goods-marketplace/comment-page-1/#comment-2630611 Financial Crash Thu, 19 Feb 2009 21:35:23 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=44849#comment-2630611 Initially I thought this was insane given the finanical situation, but I've changed my mind. Much of the current problems are about a crisis of trust, or "counter party risk". People no longer trust their bank, their investment fund, the value of their currency, even their government. In this environment trusted parties are invaluable. If Portero can leverage the trust it has from it's customers, which is essentially what their business is, they'll do very well even as net global luxury goods demand declines. They could even sell gold and it would fit in with their other products and tap into the current zeitgeist of people looking for stores of wealth. J Initially I thought this was insane given the finanical situation, but I’ve changed my mind. Much of the current problems are about a crisis of trust, or “counter party risk”. People no longer trust their bank, their investment fund, the value of their currency, even their government.
In this environment trusted parties are invaluable. If Portero can leverage the trust it has from it’s customers, which is essentially what their business is, they’ll do very well even as net global luxury goods demand declines.
They could even sell gold and it would fit in with their other products and tap into the current zeitgeist of people looking for stores of wealth.

J

]]> By: Portero.com raises more VC funding for luxury auction website | What One Million Dollars Buy http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/02/19/portero-raises-66-million-round-for-online-luxury-goods-marketplace/comment-page-1/#comment-2630609 Portero.com raises more VC funding for luxury auction website | What One Million Dollars Buy Thu, 19 Feb 2009 21:24:13 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=44849#comment-2630609 [...] York based Portero.com has raised $6.6 million in VC funding. The Series B round was led by LFE Capital. Portero.com [...] [...] York based Portero.com has raised $6.6 million in VC funding. The Series B round was led by LFE Capital. Portero.com [...]

]]> By: 高級品のオンラインマーケットプレイスを運用するPorteroが$6.6Mを調達 http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/02/19/portero-raises-66-million-round-for-online-luxury-goods-marketplace/comment-page-1/#comment-2630592 高級品のオンラインマーケットプレイスを運用するPorteroが$6.6Mを調達 Thu, 19 Feb 2009 21:02:52 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=44849#comment-2630592 [...] ［原文へ］ [...] [...] ［原文へ］ [...]

]]> By: Bob Schwartz http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/02/19/portero-raises-66-million-round-for-online-luxury-goods-marketplace/comment-page-1/#comment-2630581 Bob Schwartz Thu, 19 Feb 2009 20:43:23 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=44849#comment-2630581 Great comments!! Alejandro - we like to choose the Portero meaning of "gatekeeper". The founder chose this name to reflect our process in Authenticating All items vs a wide open wild west marketplace that stings consumers with the rampant selling of counterfeit. Also the meaning of "Doorman" is one we embrace as Portero offers excellence in customer service as is reflected by a great doorman. Smart Babes & Mathew - Portero is a luxury market platform not a luxury brand. In today’s economy consumers are searching for great values and to purchase lasting assets. Buying authentic pre-owned luxury items (and new - prestine) that hold their value is a good option (oh, and you can wear it! Heck I wish I had all my 401k all in Pre-Owned items like Birkin Bags, Panerai & Cartier watches over the past many months, instead of my lovely Smith Barney Managed Equities Account!). At the same time in this economy luxury vendors (dealers, brands & consumers) are looking to aggressively sell (pre-owned, new, vintage) because of need to liquidate or trade up. We facilitate that market exchange, in a fun luxury environment and certify everything to be authentic and guarantee it. "Portero provides certified dealers, vendors and brands a unified selling platform that maintains brand and item integrity and the assurance of authenticity and provides consumers a variety of luxury shopping experiences." Our capital use will be to roll out new technology platform experiences (Auction, eCommerce, Private Sale, Item of the Day...) over the next weeks and months as the current site was built only to prove out our model and we feel it can be greatly enhanced in many ways. We are also creating a new technology platform to allow a combination of seamless authentication and for our “vendors” to easily increase their item selection across the Portero site. B Bob Schwartz, CEO | Portero Great comments!!
Alejandro – we like to choose the Portero meaning of “gatekeeper”. The founder chose this name to reflect our process in Authenticating All items vs a wide open wild west marketplace that stings consumers with the rampant selling of counterfeit. Also the meaning of “Doorman” is one we embrace as Portero offers excellence in customer service as is reflected by a great doorman.

Smart Babes & Mathew – Portero is a luxury market platform not a luxury brand. In today’s economy consumers are searching for great values and to purchase lasting assets. Buying authentic pre-owned luxury items (and new – prestine) that hold their value is a good option (oh, and you can wear it! Heck I wish I had all my 401k all in Pre-Owned items like Birkin Bags, Panerai & Cartier watches over the past many months, instead of my lovely Smith Barney Managed Equities Account!).
At the same time in this economy luxury vendors (dealers, brands & consumers) are looking to aggressively sell (pre-owned, new, vintage) because of need to liquidate or trade up.
We facilitate that market exchange, in a fun luxury environment and certify everything to be authentic and guarantee it. “Portero provides certified dealers, vendors and brands a unified selling platform that maintains brand and item integrity and the assurance of authenticity and provides consumers a variety of luxury shopping experiences.”

Our capital use will be to roll out new technology platform experiences (Auction, eCommerce, Private Sale, Item of the Day…) over the next weeks and months as the current site was built only to prove out our model and we feel it can be greatly enhanced in many ways. We are also creating a new technology platform to allow a combination of seamless authentication and for our “vendors” to easily increase their item selection across the Portero site.

B
Bob Schwartz, CEO | Portero

]]> By: Steve Francia http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/02/19/portero-raises-66-million-round-for-online-luxury-goods-marketplace/comment-page-1/#comment-2630515 Steve Francia Thu, 19 Feb 2009 19:18:50 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=44849#comment-2630515 Thanks, To clarify... *certified authentic pre-owned and vintage luxury goods online. Thanks,
To clarify…
*certified authentic pre-owned and vintage luxury goods online.

]]> By: Monkeybutt http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/02/19/portero-raises-66-million-round-for-online-luxury-goods-marketplace/comment-page-1/#comment-2630430 Monkeybutt Thu, 19 Feb 2009 17:32:06 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=44849#comment-2630430 what about @ the brands websites? or eluxury? what about @ the brands websites? or eluxury?

]]> By: Monkeybutt http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/02/19/portero-raises-66-million-round-for-online-luxury-goods-marketplace/comment-page-1/#comment-2630407 Monkeybutt Thu, 19 Feb 2009 17:10:52 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=44849#comment-2630407 What are these VCs smokin? eTailers are not worth 1x revenues even today. This is not a VC play. What are these VCs smokin? eTailers are not worth 1x revenues even today. This is not a VC play.

]]> By: Steve Francia http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/02/19/portero-raises-66-million-round-for-online-luxury-goods-marketplace/comment-page-1/#comment-2630386 Steve Francia Thu, 19 Feb 2009 16:44:40 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=44849#comment-2630386 I serve as Portero's Chief Information Officer and posted a response on my blog. http://spf13.com/post/portero-raises-66-million I think it's important to recognize that Portero.com is the only place where one can purchase certified authentic luxury goods online. I serve as Portero’s Chief Information Officer and posted a response on my blog.
http://spf13.co...ises-66-million

I think it’s important to recognize that Portero.com is the only place where one can purchase certified authentic luxury goods online.

]]> By: <fb:name linked="false" useyou="false" uid="671640514">Matthew Rivard</fb:name> http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/02/19/portero-raises-66-million-round-for-online-luxury-goods-marketplace/comment-page-1/#comment-2630380 Matthew Rivard Thu, 19 Feb 2009 16:41:39 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=44849#comment-2630380 No - but I'm sure everyone will be more cautious on how they spend. I'm just surprised the "market size" slide made the cut given reports like this from Bain/Co.: http://www.bain.com/bainweb/About/press_release_detail.asp?id=26657&menu_url=for_the_media.asp Long term I think it's great, but the next two years will be tough. No – but I’m sure everyone will be more cautious on how they spend.

I’m just surprised the “market size” slide made the cut given reports like this from Bain/Co.:

http://www.bain...r_the_media.asp

Long term I think it’s great, but the next two years will be tough.

]]> By: Alejandro http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/02/19/portero-raises-66-million-round-for-online-luxury-goods-marketplace/comment-page-1/#comment-2630348 Alejandro Thu, 19 Feb 2009 16:21:08 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=44849#comment-2630348 Hey guys do you know that "portero" is a spanish word that means: "the guy that cleans your buildings floor and doors". "portero" came from "puerta" and it means the one that is at the door at your building entrance, the point is that it´s very funny to see a luxury goods site called "portero" is like the antimarketing, its like the Zoolander "Derelicte". Well but who knows in internet everything is possible. Hey guys do you know that “portero” is a spanish word that means: “the guy that cleans your buildings floor and doors”. “portero” came from “puerta” and it means the one that is at the door at your building entrance, the point is that it´s very funny to see a luxury goods site called “portero” is like the antimarketing, its like the Zoolander “Derelicte”. Well but who knows in internet everything is possible.

]]> By: Ralitza Iankova http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/02/19/portero-raises-66-million-round-for-online-luxury-goods-marketplace/comment-page-1/#comment-2630341 Ralitza Iankova Thu, 19 Feb 2009 16:15:20 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=44849#comment-2630341 I agree with Francis Simisim, I think this is a great website. Whomever had $8k to spend on a watch before the recession, still does. I work at a jewelry store and I see people throw down $100k on a piece of a jewelry. The rich get richer, and there's no denying that. I agree with Francis Simisim, I think this is a great website. Whomever had $8k to spend on a watch before the recession, still does. I work at a jewelry store and I see people throw down $100k on a piece of a jewelry. The rich get richer, and there’s no denying that.

]]> By: Mike http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/02/19/portero-raises-66-million-round-for-online-luxury-goods-marketplace/comment-page-1/#comment-2630297 Mike Thu, 19 Feb 2009 15:46:33 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=44849#comment-2630297 I know of another site, www.trendora.com that is a marketplace for luxury goods. I know of another site, http://www.trendora.com that is a marketplace for luxury goods.

]]> By: Gary Sheynkman http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/02/19/portero-raises-66-million-round-for-online-luxury-goods-marketplace/comment-page-1/#comment-2630293 Gary Sheynkman Thu, 19 Feb 2009 15:43:30 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=44849#comment-2630293 What... a guy/girl earning low 6 figures is gonna start shopping for a Timex watch at Walmart? This whole "sky is falling" mentality is needs to stop. What… a guy/girl earning low 6 figures is gonna start shopping for a Timex watch at Walmart?

This whole “sky is falling” mentality is needs to stop.

]]> By: Lagos information guy http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/02/19/portero-raises-66-million-round-for-online-luxury-goods-marketplace/comment-page-1/#comment-2630279 Lagos information guy Thu, 19 Feb 2009 15:26:08 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=44849#comment-2630279 Guys, please explain. What is the startup on this site?! It's seems like regular site which is not unique at all. Guys, please explain. What is the startup on this site?! It’s seems like regular site which is not unique at all.

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