I sometimes wake very early in the morning and have difficulty getting back to sleep. During those times, I have had a hare-brained idea or two, but this morning I wondered if there was an online service that allowed users to order SASEs. In other words, they would be able to type in the two addresses, choose the envelope (bubble or plain), leave a message for the recipient (e.g. trade list) and pay by paypal or perhaps credit card, and the website owner would do the rest (mail the sase to the designated person).
I wondered if you all thought this service would be popular enough to support a small online business or if you knew whether it had already been tried or was currently available. I realize that most of us would not be trading seed/plants if we were not trying to economize in some fashion (more garden for the investment) so I am not sure if this service would be utilized by sufficient members either here or in other umentionable places (I really don't have time to visit them right now anyway since I spend so much time on this one). I'd have to do some investigating to determine what the overhead would be and therefore the price of the service but I would appreciate any input you could offer. (I need to borrow Daves "Voting Booth" :o)
but some of my questions are:
1. Is this service already available online? 1. no 2. yes, if so 3. where?
2. Would you use this service and if so how frequently? a. once weekly b. once monthly c. once annually or d. never
3. How much would the service be worth to you? a. $.25 b. .50 c. .75 d. $1 e. more
4. Please recommend other forums or sites that you think might make use of this service.
Thanks everyone,
deb
CLOSED: Need input on "small business" idea
Deb:
For people like me who lives abroad this service will be very helpful.
Antonio
Wow deb, interesting idea. My "lightbulb" usually goes off in the shower or driving.
I admit that my first SASE was a real hassle. I had to go to Staples, get a pack of bubble envelopes, bring them home, address them, wrap them half way in brown paper, address them again, take them to the post office, find out how much postage, finish wrapping...
I might have used a service at that point, just because I wasn't sure what I was doing. But" I got a package of envelopes and I can just purchase a bunch of stamps ahead of time. It's not that big of deal.
There is only one thing that keeps me thinking this might work....there are people out there who would buy a frozen peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Besides, on the internet, the world is your customer! At leat the US. I don't know how you would do international.
I've never heard of a service like this.
If I did use the service, I might pay up to 50 cents.
Good Luck! and always believe in your dreams!
T
I may use the service. Keep on thinking.
I do think its a good Idea but it would seem alot of work you your part for not much return. You would have to go in sheer volume.To keep the service cheap enough for people to use VS cost to opperate would be the only problem.
Ink cart. ?
Bubble evne - $.19 est.
Label -$ .04 est
Postage-$1.38 est.
Use of CC or Pay-pal-?
Your time-?
--------------------------------
1.61 Overhead est.
Charge for service $.50 - $1.00
Im sure there would be some takers that would pay almost $3.00 to make a trade. But the kicker is who else would use the service? Maybe for not so legal transactions?? Then dealing with the USPS is always a headache!!!
Still its a Very intresting idea good luck with it. You never know what will be the next Ebay.