It gives you a reputation number next to your profile. Which can lead to getting things for free and so on which I have got. Id say it basically shows you as more known and gets you more respect on the site.

NOTHING!!!!
It's just a simple little number.

It's basically a level of trust, activity, helpfulness etc
People generally reward members with rep if they've been helpful or provided a decent service
It gives members a quick representation of how trustworthy you are

Masa wrote It's basically a level of trust, activity, helpfulness etc
People generally reward members with rep if they've been helpful or provided a decent service
It gives members a quick representation of how trustworthy you are

Thanks for your help Masa

It's just a number nothing more just a number

Rep is kind of like having positive feedback or a star rating. The more rep you have the more trustworthy, reliable and helpful you seem.

It indicates how active and helpful you are, it also helps when buying and selling things, as with a lot of rep you can be easily trusted.

FACT: Peoples with barley any rep say its just a number lol

It just shows your social status lol