The sites keep the identity of potential buyers secret until the buyer is ready to reveal that information, lessening pressure on the buyer. Buyers and sellers communicate by e-mail routed through the Web sites' systems to maintain anonymity. Particularly for travel items, the sites expect that at some point the buyer and seller will get on the telephone with one another to work out final details. IWant says it is looking into other ways to connect buyers and sellers, perhaps through chat sessions on the Web site. EWanted already offers discussion group areas for the exchange of ideas and to build up a community feeling.
Travel is a major part of the Web sites.
Respond says its travel section, one of 13 top-level categories of items, receives more postings from buyers than another category. The interest has not gone unnoticed. Earlier this month, American Express invested in Respond, promising to promote Respond on the American Express merchant Web site, while Respond promotes Amex's services on its Web site. And last week iWant reached an agreement with the Cruise Lines International Association , giving 21,000 travel agencies affiliated with CLIA a break on the fees iWant charges sellers, and greatly expanding the number of sellers that will respond to buyers' travel requests on the site. Buyers can save time by letting sellers find them, and they can save money by pitting sellers against one another.