WeGoLook

WeGoLook
Private
Industry eCommerce
Founded 2009
Headquarters Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
Key people
 Robin Smith (CEO), Kenneth Knoll (COO), Greg Starling (CTO), Mat Smith (President)
Website http://www.wegolook.com/

WeGoLook is an online and mobile collaborative economy platform that dispatches over 20,000 Lookers (Agents) to verify claims made by Internet sellers about their assets or properties. The service is designed to help people avoid scams on sites like eBay, Craigslist, and online dating sites (Match.com). The company is headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and run by co-founders Mat Smith (President), Robin Smith (CEO), and Kenneth Knoll (COO).[1][2][3][4][5][6]

History

WeGoLook was founded in 2009 by Mat Smith, Robin Smith, and Mark Caywood.[7][8]

The website, www.wegolook.com launched in June 2010.[8] The company was self-funded, with no investors or debt.[7] It also received a $100,000 “proof-of-concept” award from i2E, INC, a non-profit corporation that supports Oklahoma entrepreneurs.[2]

In 2011, Chuck Wepner, the boxer who inspired the “Rocky” movie series, partnered with WeGoLook, speaking in several interviews about consumer fraud and appearing in public events on behalf of the company.[9] By 2011, WeGoLook had also expanded services to the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia.[8]

In 2011 and 2012, the company formed several partnerships with other companies interested in fraud prevention, including Escrow.com, auction site Proxibid, Assetbuyer.com, Innovative Funding Solutions, and Scam Detector.[7][8]

In 2013, WeGoLook received SSAE 16 SOC 1 certification, an industry standard for data security.[6]

By 2013, the company launched WeGoLook PRO offering enterprise solutions to corporate clients.[8]

In February 2014, WeGoLook launched a re-branding initiative including logo, website and platform re-designs to better appeal to growing markets.[8]

In 2014, WeGoLook released the WeGoLook App for iOS and Android. WeGoLook initially crowdsourced the project through Appirio. The WeGoLook mobile application allows Lookers to securely complete on-site inspections through mobile device including taking photos within the app and transmitting dynamic data.[10][11]

WeGoLook received $1.75 million in Series A Angel Investment led by i2E, INC in 2014. Among the investors was Tech Coast Angels and advisement from Dave Berkus.[6][12][13]

The Journal Record named WeGoLook as Innovator of the Year in 2015 for their custom inspection and tasking service using crowdsourcing technology to connect online shoppers with people who can inspect the items they are browsing online and send them a report, complete with photographs. [14]

WeGoLook Services

WeGoLook performs inspection services for any item, including:[5][15]

WeGoLook also offers custom-tasking services, such as:

Customers choose the type of "Look" they need, specify the location and contact information of the seller/owner.[8] Upon ordering a Look, WeGoLook dispatches a "Looker" to physically inspect the item, property, person or complete customized tasking. Looker inspectors are independent contractors who personally visit the item in question, record details, and assemble a report.[1][5][6]

WeGoLook specializes in enterprise solutions servicing financial institutions, insurance companies, heavy equipment brokers, medical companies, and more by providing the following solutions:[5][8] The company develops customizable templates for enterprise clients to meet specific data requirements.[8]

Co-founder and CEO, Robin Smith stated: "We're involved in the leading edge of a true paradigm shift in how companies are using crowdsourcing. And with the variety of services we can provide, companies can hire just one vendor now instead of five to perform multiple tasks within their industry."[6]

WeGoLook inspects items listed on eBay, Craigslist or other auction sites prior to purchase; they verify vacation rental properties on sites like Airbnb, HomeAway, or complete custom tasking such as picking up recently purchased items and delivering them to a local shipper such as UPS or FedEx.[8][16][17][18][19]

Lookers

Lookers are WeGoLook's independently contracted agents completing on-site verifications.[8] To apply to become a Looker, individuals must apply on WeGoLook's website and pass a criminal background check.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Bill Singer (7 July 2011). "Can't Look at an Online Purchase Before You Buy? WeGoLook can". Forbes. Retrieved 17 August 2012.
  2. 1 2 "Innovators & Entrepreneurs". Oklahoma's Advanced Technology Magazine. Winter 2011.
  3. ↑ "Product inspection service for long-distance eBay & Craigslist buying". Springwise. 8 November 2010. Retrieved 11 August 2012.
  4. ↑ Marti Trewe (9 January 2012). "WeGoLook sends people to verify products, places". AGBeat. Retrieved 15 August 2012.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Magedson, ED. "WeGoLook Review". www.ripoffreport.com. Ripoff Report. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 Brus, Brian (October 28, 2014). "WeGoLook: Visions Beyond the Internet". The Journal Record. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
  7. 1 2 3 "WeGoLook – So You Don't Have To!". TechJumble. 22 June 2012. Retrieved 17 August 2012.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Root, Anton. "WeGoLook and On-The-Ground Crowdsourcing". www.crowdsourcing.com. Crowdsourcing.org. Retrieved 29 January 2015.
  9. ↑ "The Bleeder AKA The Real Rocky Balboa Talks About Online Buying Scams". YouTube. 14 November 2011. Retrieved 15 August 2012.
  10. ↑ "WeGoLook Mobile App Drupal Web and AngularJS Services Update". www.topcoder.com. topcoder. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
  11. ↑ "How WeGoLook Crowdsourced Mobile App Development to Accelerate their Crowd-Powered Business Model: A Case Study in Using Talent Outside Your Four Walls". www.innotechconferences.com. InnoTech. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
  12. ↑ Reports, Staff (October 21, 2014). "Oklahoma angel investor i2E leads $1.75 million investment in WeGoLook LLC". NewsOK. Retrieved 29 January 2015.
  13. ↑ "Tech Coast Angels Invested Best Ever $16.37 Million in 2014: Southern California Angel Network Surpasses Previous Records for Both Investments and Activity". www.prweb.com. PR Web. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
  14. ↑ "WeGoLook takes top honor at Innovator of the year". The Journal Record. The Journal Record. Retrieved 14 September 2015.
  15. ↑ Kessler, Sarah. "3 New Digital Takes On Staying Fit, Secure and Social". www.mashable.com. Mashable. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
  16. ↑ "WeGoLook Researches Before You Buy". www.businessopportunities.biz. BusinessOpportunities.biz. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
  17. ↑ Young, Megan. "WeGoLook Ensures Online Listings are Verified for Sound Purchases". www.trendhunter.com. Trend Hunter. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
  18. ↑ Miles, Stephanie. "WeGoLook – Independent Verification For Major Purchases". www.appvita.com. Appvita. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
  19. ↑ "VB Profiles: WeGoLook". Venture Beat Profiles. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
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