Marketplace Application Built

Students develop app that allows people to purchase goods

Krista ClawsonTHE SANTA CLARAMay 14, 2015 

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]wo Santa Clara students have developed an iPhone app called Spree, a platform for students at college campuses to connect with each other through buying and selling used items.

Juniors Marco Ciccone and Riley Parsons collaborated on the application’s development, which is set to release in late May.

“The idea is to eliminate the hassle of dealing with strangers and shipping costs,”  Ciccone said. “It will also promote sustainability as we are making it much easier to sell your used items.”

Upon first downloading the application, the user is prompted to sign up using his or her email address. When Broncos input their Santa Clara emails, they will be connected to the Santa Clara network.

“Something really unique about Spree is the security of the network: users cannot divulge personal information like their phone numbers or emails, but rather use the in-app messaging service to connect with each other,” said Parsons. “The network only exists within a given college campus, so students are selling things to students.”

When a user creates an account and logs in, he or she is able to browse all the current listings by category.

When a listing is clicked on, the user has the option of contacting the seller and negotiating a price, meet-up time, and location.

Sellers are able to list the items being sold in a matter of seconds. They can include a title, price, description and pictures. As of now, there are five categories in which users can post items for sale: books, electronics, clothing, tickets and furniture.

“I think this idea is really innovative and I’ll definitely use the app,” said junior Abby Becker. “It’s nice they made it so you can only connect with other students, so you don’t have to worry about getting off campus to pick up your things.”

Other students said they hope the app will become available on other platforms.

“I would use an app like this for selling books especially, but I have a Droid so I’d have to wait until they release it in that app store too,” said freshman Kelsey Ade.

The duo is currently marketing the app on campus.

Contact Krista Clawson at kclawson@scu.edu or call (408) 554-4852.