Forum Moderators: buckworks
I know of a local retailer that fabricates their own product, and it happens that it is a product that I am passionate about. Sounds good. This retailer has even mentioned to me how he would like to get on the web, but doesn't have the time, nor is he ready to pay to have someone in the shop dealing with orders.
I've got the idea that I could build the site for free, something very simple to begin with. For the first x number of items sold I could take 5-10% of the sale value for myself to pay for the site, and then we could work something out for the future sales.
WRT hiring someone to work for him to ship the stuff, at first it would be a small volume so perhaps he could handle it, and as volume increases hire someone for as many days necessary to cover the costs.
What do you folks of this forum think of this idea? Has anyone done this and is there something big that I am missing here? He's afraid to take the risk and lose money, and I'm not going to do this for free - I can whip up a site quite quickly for him and feel that I can get it positioned well, and quickly - so I don't see much of a risk here if the thing flops.
Am I missing something in all of this?
I assume his products are unique.
Thanks, that's a good idea. I actually started thinking that, 'cause after doing some searching I found that some other web design firm appears to be building him a site (their 'client side' has been spidered by google). I'm going to talk with him and see what he thinks - Either I work in hand with him, or as an affiliate!
I assume his products are unique.
He's not reinventing the wheel - just a former 'pro in the biz' who now makes his own gear - hoewever he only sells it from his shop.
youll be surprised just how this can work I know a guy making tables didnt have a site so I sold on his behalf before I knew I was attending trade shows etc, sold the business for nice profit. Just goes to show if you hit it right theres gold in thar hills.
Good luck.
drop-ship = What? I'm not familiar with this one.
Essex_boy - Yer on to something here. I can imagine that there are a lot of people around me in that situation...
Time to open the eyes a little wider...
Well, one of his concerns was having time to take care of shipping etc... so that may be sticky for this case, but totally possible for others.
My view of the world is changing - I live in an area where there are lots of little elves that make their own stuff...
If you are selling someone else´s stuff online, and they put themselves in contact with the store and buy that way, for example, what do you do for that? Just let the shop have that business for free?
Other example - Lets say I set up the shop for this guy, and he handles the orders - how do I keep him honest? I could receive a copy of all orders, for example, or even take care of orders myself - but this could become a bit tedious.
Any ideas for how to handle this aspect?
What you need to do is ensure that you are in effect an extended outlet for that guys products and by ALWAYS paying on time for your supplys youll be surprised just how extra accounts youll get passed to you by your supplier.
In my experience most people are honest and wouldnt poach your account by going direct to an outlet.
They dont have the time anyway - thats why they use you.
Or If ive spent a lot of time and trouble wooing (?) a customer I have the producer sign an agreement stating that they will not approach the firm directly.
Itll snowball very quickly.
Blimey at 32 years of age Ive actually been of use to someone!
Absolutely, you've all been super-helpful. Hopefully I'll be able to post something in Essex_boy's thread [webmasterworld.com] in the future.
