Thinking about getting out of arcade stuff sales

[SirPeale]

It's an odd thing:   there seem to be more and more projects popping up, but my sales on parts have dwindled to nearly nothing.

After the last  batch of locks sold out, I bought another batch of 150.  To date, I've sold four locks.  I restocked in May.

Same with the quick disconnects.  Bought 10,000 of them, have sold perhaps 300.

So what's going on?  These things used to sell like hotcakes.  Some new market I'm unaware of?

[tommy]

Probably just that anyone can buy that stuff at thier local hardware store in thier town... unlike t-molding ect.

[Timoe]

I cant.  I cant get those dang blue .187 fully shielded quick disconnects.

Can I get 200?

and 100 re QDs

Also 100' red wire and 100' black wire?


Oh no, I cant.  Because you're sold out. 



....Still I do very much want them.

[Jabba]

Peale, I could use some more disconnects. I clicked on your sig and could not see the price. PM me on how much for 200 shipped to Canada... Thanks...

Edit: Found your price. I need 200 .187 Female Red, how much shipped to Canada (K2S 1W3). Also, any idea where I can get leaf buttons that can replace my current Happ Microwitch buttons?

Thanks.

-Jabba

[SirPeale]

Oh no, I cant.  Because you're sold out. 

Bah...I'm not.  People 'fake shop' and because of a bug in the cart system, if they don't fully place their order it remains out of inventory.  I'll correct that in a minute.

Probably just that anyone can buy that stuff at thier local hardware store in thier town... unlike t-molding ect.

You'd be hard pressed to find prices like mine at a hardware store.

Peale, I could use some more disconnects. I clicked on your sig and could not see the price. PM me on how much for 200 shipped to Canada...

Price would't be there on out of stock items.  I'll update in a minute.  It's the same price shipped to .ca, except in rare instances.  I'd let you know if it was a problem otherwise.

[Grasshopper]

There are several things that are difficult to get from local hardware stores that you might consider stocking -

T-Moulding

T-Moulding slot cutter bits

Vinyl

Carriage bolts

[Jabba]

And I'll add anything Leaf...

[SirPeale]

There are several things that are difficult to get from local hardware stores that you might consider stocking -

T-Moulding

T-Moulding slot cutter bits

Vinyl

Carriage bolts

Everything you've listed I can't sell cheaper than what's already available.  T-Molding.Com has the market on the molding, MLCS has a heck of a deal on the slot cutter, Parts Express has the vinyl and carriage bolts can be found easily at the hardware store.

Edit: not sure about the leaf buttons and supplies.  ArcadeShop, maybe?

[Jabba]

Only place I've found is Bob Roberts....I'm not sure if he is back in business or not...

[Grasshopper]

There are several things that are difficult to get from local hardware stores that you might consider stocking -

T-Moulding

T-Moulding slot cutter bits

Vinyl

Carriage bolts

Everything you've listed I can't sell cheaper than what's already available.  T-Molding.Com has the market on the molding, MLCS has a heck of a deal on the slot cutter, Parts Express has the vinyl and carriage bolts can be found easily at the hardware store.

Edit: not sure about the leaf buttons and supplies.  ArcadeShop, maybe?

Yes but it's nice to get everything from one place. Also I should point out that I live in the UK and for some weird reason hardware stores here don't seem to sell carriage bolts smaller than M6.

One other thing I've thought of is joystick mounting plates.

[pmc]

Yes but it's nice to get everything from one place. Also I should point out that I live in the UK and for some weird reason hardware stores here don't seem to sell carriage bolts smaller than M6.

One other thing I've thought of is joystick mounting plates.

I was thinking that too. Grill cloth, vinyl, pots, wire, speaker grills, restricter plates, molex connectors, bits and bolts, etc. I seem to spend alot of time bouncing from point a to point b to get stuff. I like to group up my orders and get everything at once (ponyboy, Bob Roberts, Ultimarc). The more one-stop-shopping available, the better.

That said, it doesn't make it necessarily a viable business opportunity. You have to carry the inventory after all.

Anyway, I need those quick disconnects too and my local Radio-shack sucks. I'll PM you.

-pmc

[Jabba]

PM sent...

[rsoandrew]

One stop shopping is a definate bonus. You could also point out on your website that buying everything at one place saves on shipping. You might be able to get things cheaper by buying from several different vendors, but shipping would kill you.

[NIVO]

wire and molex kits. If you recall a while back Peale I asked you about carrying wire in "yellow". Most folks say just get it local, well you wont beleive what a pain in the arse it is to even try finding it local, no one has it. I plan to make my own custom 12v molex leads for my project, because i need long runs of varying length. And as the way I do things i dont like hacked up cables so i prefer to build them. And shipping...........lol................thats another story; minimum orders of $25 online and overly ridculous high shipping. All kinds of modding to be done out there, and its tough to get sometimes. And im a thrifty guy, I search and look everywhere, never to find exactly what i need.

[Boz]

It's an odd thing:   there seem to be more and more projects popping up, but my sales on parts have dwindled to nearly nothing.

It's obvious you interact here a lot, but where are you finding your market. In other words, posting here is great, but do you have other avenues to generate leads?

In terms of internet marketing and "store front", most savvy people will not shop from some sub-directory of a family owned website. When I shop online, I'm looking for the credibility that comes from a domain name owned by a company whose name is on the front page. (I know... there's a thousand other things that could be generating false credibility, but store front is the first thing out the gate) Now, if yours is mostly a side-thing that you do in your part time for fun or hobby or "love of the game", the best you'll probably do is generate sales from individuals who either know you personally or are familiar with your interaction here and other Internet stomping grounds. But, if this is your primary income I'd recommend moving your site to its own domain name and re-energizing your advertising direction.

Just my humble $0.02

[AC.]

I agree with In2ishun

It's an odd thing: there seem to be more and more projects popping up, but my sales on parts have dwindled to nearly nothing.

In terms of internet marketing and "store front", most savvy people will not shop from some sub-directory of a family owned website. When I shop online, I'm looking for the credibility that comes from a domain name owned by a company whose name is on the front page.

That store front does not instill a sense of buyer confidence.  Plus there is a difference between saving 50 dollars and 50 cents.  I usually will not spend hours searching and comparison shopping, when the best result might only save a few bucks.

[SOAPboy]

Start accepting CC funded paypal and you would get a few more hits.. some of us dont like using our bank info..

[SirPeale]

Start accepting CC funded paypal and you would get a few more hits.. some of us dont like using our bank info..

I'd do it, but have to raise my prices to compensate.  I've always been proud of the prices I've been able to offer. 

That store front does not instill a sense of buyer confidence.  Plus there is a difference between saving 50 dollars and 50 cents.  I usually will not spend hours searching and comparison shopping, when the best result might only save a few bucks.

The site was never meant to be permenant.  And no, it's not a major source of income (barely any, actually).  I started it when I couldn't find some of the parts I wanted at a price I wanted to pay, unless I bought them in bulk.  I thought to myself, "I bet others feel the same" so I did buy them in bulk, and turned around the savings to help the community.

Turnaround has actually been very good - up until recently.  I've just been curious about the dropoff.

As for product selection, sometimes it's limited by what *I* can get.

But I'm always eager to hear what people want.  Molex wiring kit?  That sounds like an interesting idea.  And I'll see what I can do about yellow wire.  I mean, I already have red and black, so...

[SOAPboy]

Start accepting CC funded paypal and you would get a few more hits.. some of us dont like using our bank info..

But you have no problem giving them a credit card number.

I'd do it, but have to raise my prices to compensate.

[SirPeale]

So charge the whole 1-3 bucks extra on small orders for CC paypal orders..

Why do you think i havent ordered a wire kit?

If it was on *just* CC orders, I'd consider that as well.  Paypal takes their cut from ALL orders when you upgrade.

[NIVO]

call it a $2 processing fee on all CC paypal transactions.

[SirPeale]

call it a $2 processing fee on all CC paypal transactions. 

So maybe I should have two accounts, one for CC and one for non-CC?

*shrug* It'd work I suppose.  My wife's account is equipped for CC.  Be a PITA to get things to the correct account properly.

[NIVO]

well what im thinking is you have 2 links from a main page one goes to CC, the other is the old style you use now. Sorta like when you goto a site that 2 links:  flash/java based   or   plain vanilla no frills hehe. (i think you get my meaning buddy hehe)

[SirPeale]

Yeah, I get that.  It would mean I'd have to have two seperate copies of the store, two databases, etc.

Nah...I suppose if anyone REALLY wants to pay with CC they should PM me, maybe we could work something out.

[NIVO]

personally i wouldnt mind paying you with a money order, because i have sense enough to order ahead of when ill be needing supplies hehe

[Level42]

I can get all the stuff you sell here localy at Suzo for better prices sorry.
About the T-molding: both T-mold.com and T-molding.com seem to not dare to start with the fluorescent T-mold. Why not pick it up ?

[Jabba]

Tried ordering from your site, wouldn't let me enter more than a Qty of 1 for the red .187 Quick Disconnects.

The other thing is, most people who use Paypal, set it up for a CC. You would prolly get more hits using PP with a CC...

[SirPeale]

Tried ordering from your site, wouldn't let me enter more than a Qty of 1 for the red .187 Quick Disconnects.

After this thread popped up I sold a bunch.  I've got more, I'll just have to change the quantities on site.

The other thing is, most people who use Paypal, set it up for a CC. You would prolly get more hits using PP with a CC...

Been thru this, read above.

[RayB]

Let me ask you this Peale: If you used CC payments, do you still make a profit? If the answer is yes, then just accept CC payments! A lost customer due to you not taking CCs is lost profit, even if that profit is lower than you'd like it to be.

[Grasshopper]

What I don't understand is, why is it illegal to charge more for CC payments? Who passed this law?

If that is the law then I suppose we have to live with it but I just don't see the logic. Vendors have to charge all customers more money to cover the extra transaction costs of those customers who choose to pay by CC. So what effectively is happening is that people who choose not to get into debt are subsidising those that do. A pretty unhealthy situation if you ask me.

[Wienerdog]

I know paypal doesn't allow it, but is it really a law?  I'd need to see some proof of that.  I've had people tell me the surcharge for paypal fees is "illegal" but then I found comments from Paypal that made me think otherwise. 

[Grasshopper]

I know paypal doesn't allow it, but is it really a law?  I'd need to see some proof of that.  I've had people tell me the surcharge for paypal fees is "illegal" but then I found comments from Paypal that made me think otherwise. 

Yes, that's what I was thinking. It may well be a breach of contract but I'd be surprised if a specific law has been passed preventing charging for CC transcations. It sounds like a blatantly anti-competitive requirement to me and it would be interesting to see what happened if anyone ever challenged the CC companies in court.

[SirPeale]

Let me ask you this Peale: If you used CC payments, do you still make a profit? If the answer is yes, then just accept CC payments! A lost customer due to you not taking CCs is lost profit, even if that profit is lower than you'd like it to be.

If it was high ticket items I might do it.  On a $6.00 item, no, there is no profit there.  Remember, I include shipping in the price of each item.

Maybe I should stop that.

[quarterback]

I know paypal doesn't allow it, but is it really a law?  I'd need to see some proof of that. 

No need to spend time wondering.   Use Google.

Since 1984, when a Truth in Lending law ban on surcharges expired, some states have enacted laws prohibiting surcharges; see States That Prohibit Credit Card Surcharges.

Visa and MasterCard prohibit surcharges, and American Express discourages them. Amex does prohibit "discrimination" against the Amex card, however, so if a merchant accepts Visa and MasterCard (and cannot impose a surcharge under those companies' rules), the merchant may not discriminate against Amex by imposing a surcharge.

[quarterback]

It's an odd thing:   there seem to be more and more projects popping up, but my sales on parts have dwindled to nearly nothing.

I'm not sure it's so odd.  My guess is that your drop in sales is proportional to your activity on these boards.  Whether that be in specific forums, specific threads, or all together.


During my first 6-months at BYOAC I was actively looking for parts, trying to figure out what to build, what to buy etc.  During that time period, I was repeatedly reminded that you were selling parts.  OTOH, until I read this thread, you've almost completely dropped off my radar as far as being a 'seller' goes.

I'm still looking for parts, so that's not it.  It has to do with how many non-EE threads you might post to and what they're about.   I feel like I used to see your posts in B/S/T regularly.  At the point I was ready to buy QDs, I was very aware that you had them.  I remember having to use the forum's search function to figure out how exactly I'd buy them from you (looking for a link to your site) but you were in my buying conciousness.

Now?  Not so much.

Have you gotten any sales since you started this thread?  If so, then it's just because people are aware of you again.  If not, then give it time and I bet this thread will bring you some sales.

[Jabba]

Peale, just tried ordering again....Still could not order more than Qty of 1. PM me when you've updated the site...Still not sure why you can't just sell via a PM...oh well!

[SirPeale]

I'm not sure it's so odd.  My guess is that your drop in sales is proportional to your activity on these boards.  Whether that be in specific forums, specific threads, or all together.

Wow...that's got to be it!  Started about the same time as things with my daughter started picking up.

[versapak]

There is no way

I know paypal doesn't allow it, but is it really a law? I'd need to see some proof of that. I've had people tell me the surcharge for paypal fees is "illegal" but then I found comments from Paypal that made me think otherwise.

Yes, that's what I was thinking. It may well be a breach of contract but I'd be surprised if a specific law has been passed preventing charging for CC transcations. It sounds like a blatantly anti-competitive requirement to me and it would be interesting to see what happened if anyone ever challenged the CC companies in court.

I can't imagine it is a law. There are still gas stations out there that have higher prices for credit.

[dabone]

It's usually part of your merchant agreement with the card processors.

You can't charge more for credit cards, but some allow you to offer discounts for cash.   


It all depends on the agreement you sign to accept card purchases.


(At least in Tennessee, where I'm at)


Later,
dabone

[SirPeale]

Peale, just tried ordering again....Still could not order more than Qty of 1. PM me when you've updated the site...Still not sure why you can't just sell via a PM...oh well!

It's easier on me, that's why!    With this thread came a slew of orders, and the meager quantity I put in the database was 'sold out'.  I've since checked my inventory for actual numbers, and you are now safe to order.  Unless someone orders like 15 packages, that is!