Now, shopping online just got a lot easier

Picture this. A customer places an order as he reclines in his easy chair with his feet up. Dealers scramble for the customer and the lowest bidder bags the order. Both gain from the deal, and of course, the facilitator too. This is Reverse Option.

The concept of Reverse Option runs like this: You are a professional too busy with work and living your life to spare half a day to go around looking for a flat-screen TV. You go online and log on to govasool.com, an online shopping site. Like a search engine, govasool alert sellers of TVs in the city asking them to quote their prices.

Once approved by the customer, the goods are delivered free of charge. In the bargain, the city sees a drop in vehicular traffic and hence a reduction in pollution levels. The online facilitator also helps create an Internet network of major dealers that helps future online shoppers.

"Saving money is in every Indian's DNA," says Aditya Bhamidipaty, the young co-founder of govasool, "but they often get cheated and do not have a proper platform to make sure of two crucial parts of any business deal: Quality and a fair price."

Govasool is an easy way to bargain for bulk discounts by joining other shoppers. Aditya's partner is Srikanth Chunduri. They claim govasool is the only online store in India with this group-buying feature that helps disorganised buyers get bulk discounts.

In its five months of existence in Bangalore, govasool has done 110 transactions and handled 1,500 queries, despite their low visibility.