Here it is the orignal Crashpadder interview:

What do you think makes Crashpadder exciting ?
For me, it’s meeting new people. I used to backpack a lot and now, with more commitments, work and all the other boring stuff, I rarely get away. One of the things I loved most about travelling was meeting other backpackers, swapping stories, exchanging travel books. Now I get to do that stuff in my own home. The extra income is pretty attractive too.

What is the idea of Crashpadder?
Crashpadder.com is a global community which allows guests to stay in a comfortable room in someone’;s home for a fair price, and empowers hosts to earn a little extra cash from their extra space. It is also a great way to meet new people with shared interests.

Couchsurfing is non comercial - with all the problems (not safe etc.) but Crashpadder is comercial so what can you do more then
couchsurfing?
As a host you get a little extra cash for renting out your spare room. As a guest you get a higher standard of room (we have beautiful rooms in 19th century mansions, entire flats in central London, etc also most of our rooms state wifi internet and hosts often provide meals.

What is the absolute Killertool of Crashpadder?
Hmmm… there are so many! The best part of the site is PadderPoints. Every time you are a host or a guest you earn points which can be used to claim free nights all over the world. You even earn points for joining, adding photos and inviting friends!

How many Users do you have actually (exact numbers are not necessary)?
We’re a very young community, but we’re growing fast. We launched back in November and now have over 500 users and 250 rooms in 18 countries but we’re growing fast - 100 of those rooms were added last week - so watch this space!

And at the end, some stuff about yourself.
I’ve been working with websites for the past few years and live in the countryside. I love to travel, walk, read and write. I hope to make Crashpadder my full time job one day, but until then I will continue to work in London for a design and development company.

You told me you were a Couchsurfer before you changed to Crashpadder. Why did you change?
To be honest, I haven’t changed. Of course I will use Crashpadder as much as I can, but I wouldn’t say negative things about Couchsurfing. It’s a great site and I recommend it to friends. The point is, Crashpadder.com’s a different site and will appeal to different people. I hope there is room for both Crashpadder and couchsurfing to do well now and in the future.

All the best, and let me know if you’re ever on London.

Stephen Rapoport
MD, Crashpadder

I think Stephen is a very nice person and so Crashpadder got a “bonus” in my view.

Until now I’m waiting for an answer from my Crashpadder friends (interview request) but…

nothing happend.

Sadly, I really wanted to give them a chance to show their company. But maybe it’s just another Start Up - with no real idea about Web 2.0?

So in the next few months, I will explain a little bit WoM Marketing, Viral Marketing and more - maybe some guys out there will read it?

First if you want to see a real complete viral campaign look at Obamas election …

And this is for Stephen the Crashpadder Guy - I’m waiting!

And again Crahspadder.
A few days ago I got an comment to my first view at Crashpadder – and so I want to give some answers or more to say some good thinks about crashpadder.

Here the comment:

”I’m glad you had a chance to look at crashpadder.com, and appreciate the comments.Whilst I understand why you would not want to pay for a room, it may be worth thinking about the upside. Primarily, the standard of rooms on crashpadder.com are, on the whole, higher. That’s not to say that on couchsurfing they’re uncomfortable - I’ve been a member of Couchsurfing for years and have had some great experiences both as a host and a guest.

Also, there’s security to consider. As the guest pays for the room by credit card, and the host accepts payment to their bank account, both parties identities are verified.

Finally, and this is an obvious one, as a host you can earn a little extra cash with minimum effort.

Like I said, I love couchsurfing, in fact I suggested my kid sister used it when she next goes travelling (provided there was nothing suitable on my site, naturally!) but I think it’s wrong to say there’s no room for Crashpadder too.

Stephen Rapoport
MD, Crashpadder.com”

Hi Stephen,

first of all – woah you give a direct comment, this is amazing. Believe me I know “Start-Ups” a little bit and because of this I’m impressed.
Even if I don’t like Crahspadder – you have your place in this world. Really I think crashpadder for it’s own is a good idea, but not to fight against couchsurfing.
And yeah I think the crashpadder guys made great work, the community is nice – the portal is usefull and the registration is easier then easy.
Thats Web 2.0 – the real one, the good feeling of this.

So take this as a compliment – it is one.
I’m until now impressed and for this I will ask Stephen for a “blog-interview” maybe he will agree?

Stay tuned
Your Couchsurfing Guy

A few days ago I got a mail to look at crashpadder - now after I visited the site I can say some thinks about it.
Crashpadder is like Couchsurfing, but not like Couchsurfing.
On Crashpadder the people have to pay to stay in your flat - thats the biggest point of all.
And for me it is the biggest mistake of all - yeah the site is nice, good design, good usability but hey guys why the hell should I use Crashpadder when there is Couchsurfing? Why should I pay for a room?
I can’t see the big point - that’s the problem.
So if this is a business idea - congrats, couchsurfing.com is gone to kick your ass

Baaah… I love Couchsurfing - forget Crahspadder.

Your Couchsurfing guy