Do you ever make something and it doesn't sell?

[Ultan]

been reading all the projects I can on this, and some are so damn cool. I don't even understand how some of the things are made, and I've been welding / manufacturing for a while now !

I was just wondering, do any of you guys ever think 'hey I'll make a few ________ and sell them' but end up getting stuck with them?

If so, what have you been stuck with? I've made a clothesline and can't get rid of it

 

[winchman]

I manufactured a portable kitchen, my only competitor claimed design rights so stopped me selling but his rights run out very soon!
It pays to do your homework twice!

 

[Ultan]

I manufactured a portable kitchen, my only competitor claimed design rights so stopped me selling but his rights run out very soon!
It pays to do your homework twice!

That sucks man. I don't get what you mean by a portable kitchen though

 

[winchman]

That sucks man. I don't get what you mean by a portable kitchen though

Its a metal box that fits in your boot etc, lift it out and it opens in to a portable kitchen with stove cool box sink etc, aimed at campers, temp kitchens after flooding etc. Its a bit like the American chuck boxes but much better quality

 

[Tinbasherdan]

Its a metal box that fits in your boot etc, lift it out and it opens in to a portable kitchen with stove cool box sink etc, aimed at campers, temp kitchens after flooding etc. Its a bit like the American chuck boxes but much better quality

Hmmm that's interesting, you'll have to show me that!

 

[winchman]

Remind me and I will, we are thinking of selling the business once the claimed design right runs out, it will never make you rich but it would be a nice side line to run along an existing business, we set it up so my wife could work from home and fit around the kids demands, I used subbies to manufacture the bits so I just did simple final assembly's, it has stock, logos, website, all suppliers sorted, we designed the whole business model to be ran from home by one person with minimum space, I think it has less than 12 months then we can sell again.

 

[Tinbasherdan]

Remind me and I will, we are thinking of selling the business once the claimed design right runs out, it will never make you rich but it would be a nice side line to run along an existing business, we set it up so my wife could work from home and fit around the kids demands, I used subbies to manufacture the bits so I just did simple final assembly's, it has stock, logos, website, all suppliers sorted, we designed the whole business model to be ran from home by one person with minimum space, I think it has less than 12 months then we can sell again.

Could possibly shift a couple for you when it does

 

[ukracer]

I have got stuck with so many things..lol but for different reasons.

I am just knocking out mugs and T shirts as I have been given an ultimatum by SWMBO.

But as always some people was harrods quality at market prices.......

It tends to make me not want to bother....there is also the old adage of selling cheap and people think it's crap.....

I offered this for a tenner...

Personalised mug and T Shirt.....




And the first comment was that it's blurry. When in fact for a largely black mug it's good quality and would be sold on ebay for between 6.95 and 9.95.

Truth is its worse in the photo on a screen than in the flesh.

 

[outofthefire]

Remind me and I will, we are thinking of selling the business once the claimed design right runs out, it will never make you rich but it would be a nice side line to run along an existing business, we set it up so my wife could work from home and fit around the kids demands, I used subbies to manufacture the bits so I just did simple final assembly's, it has stock, logos, website, all suppliers sorted, we designed the whole business model to be ran from home by one person with minimum space, I think it has less than 12 months then we can sell again.

Wouldn't have stopped the chinese, I bet the dragons den wouldn't have touched them with a barge pole with just design rights

 

[Richard.]

Friend of mine is a personal trainer and I made him a couple of drag sleds about 5 years ago. He told me I'd sell loads of them to others he knew and I trusted his word and made another 4. I Got lumbered with them all. No interest in them at my prices. Ended up giving one away and cutting the other 3 up for the salvageable material. Learn from my mistakes I suppose.

 

[Shedendman]

Yep, made a bench out of reclaimed stuff,bit of RSJ's acro prop and an old wooden beam ideal for indoors, been on the evilbay now for 13 months still not had a sale.
Weird thing is everytime i relist it i always get 1 watcher

 

[brightspark]

Hmmm that's interesting, you'll have to show me that!

then u will copy itso I hardly think he will show u

 

[Richard.]

No big deal. They weren't great sellers in the first place

 

[Tinbasherdan]

then u will copy itso I hardly think he will show u

I'm not that way inclined my friend and not geared up for it at present even if I was. Merely interested as they are the sort of things that some of the landrover lads will buy to install in sankey trailers for exped/camping

 

[roofman]

I'm not that way inclined my friend and not geared up for it at present even if I was. Merely interested as they are the sort of things that some of the landrover lads will buy to install in sankey trailers for exped/camping

One life live it brigade would kill for that sort of kit at the right money...or do they still eat at KFC and dont need cooking kits

 

[Tinbasherdan]

One life live it brigade would kill for that sort of kit at the right money...or do they still eat at KFC and dont need cooking kits

In July I'm attending a meet with about 250 landies present, ranging from 800 quid discos to tricked out 90's pulling 25k off road exped trailers, I'm sure I could drum up interest

 

[winchman]

Wouldn't have stopped the chinese, I bet the dragons den wouldn't have touched them with a barge pole with just design rights

I agree
Problem is my product it better made, better quality has no design flaws, but as a two man band we couldn't afford to challenge it.

 

[winchman]

I am happy to show face to face as the quality sells it, but its about the concept and design

 

[Hitch]

I make loads of little projects that don't sell, mostly because I cant be bothered selling them half the time,
There is very few people around that appreciate quality.

I made a rose obelisk sometime ago as part of feature at a local plant nursery, 25x5 flat iirc, so not massively heavy, but solid, all in one piece. Mate had it when it was finished with. His neighbour liked it and asked him to get me to price one up... raw steel finish, £50, and you collect.
Didnt her anything, then a few weeks later me mate said they thought it was really expensive, as they had seen one in Wilko for £9.99

 

[winchman]

But as always some people was harrods quality at market prices.......

A very common problem