I'd like opinions from everyone on this...

[Anonymous]

..and it's not, which is why I was asking questions.

Not to be a wise-ass, but to get more info.

Thanks again, Jenn.

Peace,

Chip

 

[Anonymous]

Also, one more question.

What *about* eBay? That negates most of your points, doesn't it Jenn?

Peace,

Chip

 

[Kalkbreath]

I think most of us would be more interested in the name of the back stabbing
wholesalers who would sell to you?
See you cant really create any hobbyists from your house and your not really making any products like a coral farm(just reselling)So.....
Who's customers are you gonna steal?
Its Brick and Mortars who create customers and Jen and I understand how much time and money it takes to create hobbyists.
The idea of selling online is fine as long as you do your part to keep the hobby alive by creating new hobbyists. People walking their dog in front of your house are not likely to get the urge to set up an aquarium.(at least not in large numbers)
The system of supply and demand doesnt work if I have to bare the burden of creating your customers.
Wholesale suppliers better get this through their thick heads soon or the back bone of the marine aquarium trade (B&MStores)will never survive the next downturn in the US economy. (like President H.Clinton)



:wink:

 

[JennM]

What about eBay? I don't understand the question.

If you're selling on eBay you'll still have all those costs. If you opt not to advertise anywhere else, you'll still have all the other costs discussed above, plus the listing fees and pay pal fees.

In addition to the other things mentioned, you'll also need packing materials, oxygen, heat or ice packs, bags, boxes... gets costly when you're shipping one or two things to each individual.

What about DOA/DAA policy? What happens when somebody files a claim with eBay because something you sent them was DOA etc?

Jenn

 

[Usename]

I wont go into details but if its only a temporary thing, there other better options when it comes to a little business.


If you are thinking of selling online only, then you will not be able to compete with the prices you will be getting from a wholesaler.

With 5-6 tanks I very doubt you can import from the islands.

By the way, have you checked just how much it costs to ship next day? Especially if you are not a "legal business" with permits and such. You will not get a good shipping rate with fedex and others.

Selling online is much..much more complicated than it seems.

You buy a coral for lets say 10.00 (just numbers here). you want to be cheaper than everybody else right? you will say sure ofcourse I have no over head so I can. Ok well lets say that coral normally retails for 40.00.. so you list for 20.00 .. wow you are already making 20 bucks. Ok but it costs 40.00 to ship it... now what?

Due to shipping cost, you have to sell alot of stuff per order to make some profit after shipping etc... So in reality to make a small profit you have to sell a good 200.00 in corals. So $200.00 in corals = a few corals + a few orders a day = more space than just 5-6 tanks.

Customer pays for shipping? Why buy from you then when others online offer free shipping with only the need to buy 100.00 or less

There are so many little details... that is why everybody here says that is more than what it seems and will take a lot of time.........

I work in a huge online retailer and its very complicated.


Your best bet is find some other none live product, buy it from china real cheap and sell it on ebay. No risk, nothing to loose. :lol:

 

[dizzy]

I work in a huge online retailer and its very complicated.


Your best bet is find some other none live product, buy it from china real cheap and sell it on ebay. No risk, nothing to loose. :lol:

Which one do you work for Usename?
PS
Your advice sounds sound.
Mitch

 

[Anonymous]

Used to make about a grand a month drop shipping aquarium drygoods by selling on ebay. I think that might be your best bet. No overhead. The only problem is finding wholesalers who will drop ship. (Not too hard)

 

[dizzy]

Used to make about a grand a month drop shipping aquarium drygoods by selling on ebay. I think that might be your best bet. No overhead. The only problem is finding wholesalers who will drop ship. (Not too hard)

You can just use your nose and follow the stench. It'll lead you straight to them. :evil:

 

[Anonymous]

So, to veer this completely off-topic, what *other* business could we do from home to generate some extra cash for a short period of time?

Peace,

Chip

 

[dizzy]

Make porno movies.

 

[Anonymous]

Prostition, drug sales or envelope stuffing

I see signs all over the place advertising "work from home, earn big money"

One word.......AMWAY

 

[WayneSallee]

So, to veer this completely off-topic, what *other* business could we do from home to generate some extra cash for a short period of time?

Peace,

Chip

Mow Lawns.

It will give you profits imediatly if you already have a lawn mower, and a weed eater.

But if you don't live in the south, that will end come fall.

Wayne Sallee
Wayne's Pets
[email protected]

 

[dizzy]

After the mowing season most of those guys get into leaf removal around here. All you need is a rake and some garbage bags. :wink:

PS
And you can always join the National Guard or sell blood.

 

[Anonymous]

I think you already know the answer Chip... - Chop shop. :?

I can't imagine it'll sit well with anyone (who's vocal) here though.

And no, I'm not condoning it, I wouldn't do it myself and I wouldn't knowingly buy from a chop shop either. Which is why I don't buy online for anything more than drygoods anyway.

-*~##~*-

On the computer side of things.. - Do you fix as well as teach?? - I get lots of people hitting me up for simple spyware removal fixes and I don't try to sell it or advertise it AT ALL.. - They hit me up for it, period.

Combine your sales and computer.. - Pound the pavement and sell it and you should be able to turn enough from it to WAY more than cover the gap you mention.

Maybe Paulette would be interested in churning up the advertising machine with flyers, cards and whatnot...? - And of course, taking calls/orders, etc...

Just a thought...

 

[horge]

On the computer side of things.. - Do you fix as well as teach?? - I get lots of people hitting me up for simple spyware removal fixes and I don't try to sell it or advertise it AT ALL.. - They hit me up for it, period...

Yep. I get that too.
Of course, if geography is against you,
your housecall transport costs can easily outpace
earnings from the 'reasonable' fee you first think up.

 

[WayneSallee]

Yep. I get that too.
Of course, if geography is against you,
your housecall transport costs can easily outpace
earnings from the 'reasonable' fee you first think up.

That's why you charge a trip charge, in addition to the service charge.

Wayne Sallee
Wayne's Pets
[email protected]

 

[JennM]

Hey Horge!! Good to see you! Long time, no text!

Your name was dropped on TRT a few months ago... in a good way I forget who was asking about you... but perhaps your ears were burning?

Jenn

 

[JennM]

The idea of selling online is fine as long as you do your part to keep the hobby alive by creating new hobbyists.

:wink:

So, Jeff, in your mind it's OK to sell livestock online to people in other parts of the country, as long as you have a B&M to create local hobbyists where you are?

What about the LFS in other cities whose customers you might be shipping to? IMO that's no different to those LFS than a garage-based business, or a livestock drop-shipper.

Maybe I'm kicking a beehive here, or deviating from the original topic... but
http://www.thereeftank.com/forums/showt ... hp?t=82634

I'm only pointing this out because you flamed Chip for doing what you're about to do - only you have a B&M and he doesn't. Other than that, there's not much difference. If it's good for the goose, then it should be good for the gander, IMO.

Jenn

 

[dizzy]

Wow,
Jeff self deleted that link in a hurry. Kalk how about reposting that missing information here so we can give you our opinion of your new sales technique. Is it currently on your web site?
Mitch

 

[JennM]

Mitch, he'd self-deleted before I even saw the thread a few days ago, however from a previous thread http://thereeftank.com/forums/showthread.php?t=79793 it appears he's tinkering with a WYSIWYG webcam concept.

I'm honestly not trying to pick a fight here... just trying to clarify what is deemed "ok" insofar as shipping livestock goes, in the minds of folks here.

Plenty of etailers have a B&M, and many don't - I'm trying to understand if there is indeed a double standard at work here (in general, not specifically singling out Jeff or anyone)... from what I'm hearing, some people think it's OK to ship livestock if they have a B&M, and some people think it's wrong to ship livestock to hobbyists, period.

It's a whole can of worms - and perhaps this would have been best suited for a new thread - moderators can move it if they see fit... just that Jeff's comments to Chip concerning "stealing LFS customers" kind of jumped out at me, because it seems to me that he's wanting to engage in similar activity, using the reason that he does have a B&M as a means to justify it.

What say you all?

Jenn