Customer to customer, or C2C, is a type of e-commerce model in which customers can purchase products, services or digital goods directly from other customers. The model has grown in popularity in recent years due to the advent of the sharing economy and the widespread adoption of online marketplace platforms and digital services that enable buyers and sellers to transact without any third party intermediaries.

This business model is distinct from the two most popular models of e-commerce – business to consumer (B2C) and business to business (B2B). In B2C, a business sells its goods or services to individual consumers, while in B2B, a business trades with other businesses. With C2C, individual customers are able to discuss and transact with each other, with the profits from the sales going directly to the buyer and the seller.

C2C transactions occur mainly in the form of auctions, classifieds and marketplace platforms. Craigslist, Etsy, eBay, Fiverr and many other sites are some of the most popular C2C platforms. Most transactions are made with cash, checks or other payment methods that don’t require a third-party to facilitate the transaction.

C2C trading is usually convenient, as customers don’t need to go through long and tiresome processes to buy and sell products and services. C2C also allows buyers and sellers to specify their own terms, eliminating the need for a third party to act as a middleman. Finally, C2C provides a platform to facilitate peer-to-peer reviews and ratings, which can help build trust and transparency in the C2C transaction.

At the same time, C2C businesses do have some drawbacks. One challenge is the lack of quality control and guarantee of payment. This is due to the fact that buyer and seller are engaging in a direct transaction, with no third-party intermediary to protect both parties. Additionally, C2C platforms tend to lack professional support and customer service, which is provided by more established B2C and B2B platforms.

In conclusion, C2C is here to stay and has become a major part of the e-commerce industry. It provides customers with a platform to buy and sell goods and services with great convenience, while also enabling buyers and sellers to form meaningful relationships and engage in peer-to-peer transactions. However, customers should also be mindful of the potential problems that could result from C2C transactions, such as a lack of quality control and payment guarantees.