Full Version: Here is a tidbit
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#1]
21 Apr 2007
To: ALL
Whilst perusing the Cadlink website, I came across THIS
It has some merit and I think it would be a GREAT market for many.
From: UncleSteve [#2]
21 Apr 2007
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#1] 22 Apr 2007
The article is directed at pet items and is spot on, to quote our "upside down" members.
I would suggest to also tie in with your local ASPCA or shelters and put together a fund raising program where they provide orderforms to the adopting parents and you engrave the pet tags. A portion of the proceeds go back to the shelter.
A typical price for a pet tag here in NY is about $6.00. The engraving goes very quickly since it is only one or two lines. Chewbarka's tags are engravable on both sides so one side can be "We support the XYZ shelter" and just flip and engrave the pet's name and phone number for contact info.
Quick math: $6 - $2 back to the shelter = $4 minus .50 cost of tag leaves $3.50 for about 5 minutes work.... this equals an hourly rate of ~$42.00. Not the highest but definitly profitable to fill in the voids and there are other products that can be sold through the shelters that bring in higher returns.
I used to do personalized pet prints, pet's name, breed and description of the breed with room for a photo and the shelters would sell them for $19.95 - $24.95. My cost was .50 for the print and $7 for the wood frame...... The shelter kept $5-10 depending on the selling price on each one.
You can reduce the cost of the prints by using a matte frame for under $1 each and let the customer buy their own wood/metal frame.
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#3]
22 Apr 2007
To: UncleSteve [#2] 22 Apr 2007
Steve,
Good ideas.......once I get my feet under me, I might steal some of them....any suggestions on how to get the word out?
Thanks
From: Cody (BOBTNAILER) [#4]
22 Apr 2007
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#3] 22 Apr 2007
Have you tried bleach?
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#5]
22 Apr 2007
To: Cody (BOBTNAILER) [#4] 22 Apr 2007
From: UncleSteve [#6]
22 Apr 2007
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#3] 22 Apr 2007
Also, put small signs/notices up at the pet stores, dog grooming salons, local supermarkets, etc.... The heading should be something like:
"Help support our local shelters!"
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#7]
22 Apr 2007
To: UncleSteve [#6] 22 Apr 2007
Ya know what Steve?
You are not as dumb as I look :B
From: UncleSteve [#8]
22 Apr 2007
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#7] 22 Apr 2007
Being that I don't have a "retail" location for my business(s), I have to find ways to advertise that don't require a customer to come to a shop/store. Also, while the internet is good, it takes ages to get listed and near the top of the search engines just to find someone giving the stuff away as a hobbyist.
From: Tom (TJGEENEN) [#9]
22 Apr 2007
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#7] 22 Apr 2007
Hi Chuck, I do Dog shows all the time. They are very hit and miss, you just never know what your going to get. I just did a show this weekend and this is what happened.... $136 for the booth for two days, Sat. I got up at 4am, drove two hours to be there by 6am. One hour to set up and be ready by 7am when the dog people start to show up. We were busy and we did well but it got very windy in the afternoon and ours and two other vendors tents broke. $250 for a new tent and thank goodness it did'nt fall on the laser. I got home about 6pm. After I got home I had to do 2 Beer Mug orders I needed my other laser to do for the customer to pick up at the show Sunday. Sunday was slow but we did ok despite a busted tent.
Next weekend I can not go to a show because I can not get a tent in time. $150 in nonrefundable booth rental.
It is not always this bad but it does have its challenges.
From: UncleSteve [#10]
22 Apr 2007
To: Tom (TJGEENEN) [#9] 22 Apr 2007
They run anywhere from about $90 to $200 and would serve as a good backup plan. Unless you need the closed sides, it also provides a view from down the aisles that could attract interest in your booth.
Interest = sales!
They have them at all camping stores and most patio stores. Also, they are selling them here in NY in many of the supermarkets near the umbrellas and cheap patio sets.
From: Tom (TJGEENEN) [#11]
22 Apr 2007
To: UncleSteve [#10] 23 Apr 2007
We use ( or used to use now that is is broke) an EZ-UP tent. They are the most popular by far at craft shows etc. but everyone I talk to at the fairs all agree that we wished there was a better quality tent. The EZ-UP is nice in that a 10x10 tent folds up and into a nice rolling case but it is very fragile and it take at least two people to put it up without breaking it. The spikes it comes with to secure it to the ground is not enough, you still need straps. Anyway, I'll be checking the stores and websites and see what I can find.
Someone could make a fortune if they could design a sturdy tent, that is compact that one person could put up.
Thanks for the info.
From: Patty (PDI) [#12]
23 Apr 2007
To: Tom (TJGEENEN) [#11] 23 Apr 2007
I bought my EZ-up at Sam's Club for right around $100. It's the right time of year for them to have them in stock here.
Patty
Tucson, Arizona
From: Tom (TJGEENEN) [#13]
23 Apr 2007
To: Patty (PDI) [#12] 23 Apr 2007
Thanks Patti, I'm not sure if I am going to get another EZ UP or go for the heavy duty kind. It's good to know Sam's has the EZ UP's.
Thanks,
Tom
From: PenMan [#14]
24 Apr 2007
To: Tom (TJGEENEN) [#13] 24 Apr 2007
From: Chewbarka [#15]
24 Apr 2007
To: PenMan [#14] 25 Apr 2007
Selling Pet tags is Extremely Profitable!!! I have engraved pet tags at shows and in 2 days I made $2700, it only cost me $600 for the show and a place to sleep!!! I charged $8-10.00 per tag
Frank
www.chewbarka.com
From: PenMan [#16]
25 Apr 2007
To: Chewbarka [#15] 25 Apr 2007
From: Chewbarka [#17]
25 Apr 2007
To: PenMan [#16] 25 Apr 2007
The original post was about finding things to engrave when times are slow and Pet tags was mentioned.
Frank
From: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#18]
25 Apr 2007
To: Chewbarka [#17] 25 Apr 2007