Merchandise

You can use tinny holders for Pepsi too! ;)

Yes we have and I have been hassling Michell about getting the Merchandise however there is a large captial outlay (to get the min quanties) and we do not end up selling much stock. It took ages to sell the last round and we ended up giving much of it away. Yes I understand this is good for publicity and advertising however we did not get anything back in return.

I will hassle Michelle again and we will see what we can do.

David

Melissa, Wasnt totally thinking of the $30... Was talkin in general for the stock.... ;)

David.
Giving it away is good as you say for advertising. But unless you budget for it at the start, and EG
Say we will outlay X$ and plan to recoup that over 18-24 mths.

All in the planning. You have to spend money to make money. Simple fact. But as your not a LARGE business, its nuts to blow lots of cabbage.

(that edit function would have been good after I posted this at the start!!!!)

If it's over to me, then yes I have to agree that whilst the merchandise is good publicity but it does have a real cost in terms of holding extensive stock levels to bring the items down to a reasonable price.
Any people out there in the trade willing to give me a very special price on merchandise?
Furthermore, if member's want the merchandise within the membership fee then the postage charge will increase due to packaging/weight. Rather than have the fancy overheads in the membership we thought not to force people into paying for something they wont use (Melissa above says she doesn't drink beer or wear a hat see). Hence, the merchandise can be bought by those that actually want it and so costs are kept to a minimum for membership.
Ok, so I'll start looking at the quotes again on the stuff. Since you raised it, what are people's interest in the existing products - ie. hats, mouse mats and stubby holders. Shirts are expensive, and a problem because you have to stock the different sizes. Maybe the cloth badge so you can apply it to your own shirts?

Cloth badge sounds like a good idea to me coz then I can choose a shirt that I like.

But it may not sell as well as shirts as it's not ready to wear.

Rule 1. You cant please everyone.


I think something to put patches/badges on would be good. I collect Patches and Badges from places I travel too.. When ya got memory problems, it helps out to remember places ya been to :(...

Something others DONT sell... Travel Blankets maybe, and sew on patches are excellent... Cheap and easy, Tinny holders are always welcome, someone always forgets theirs! Pins/badges for hats are always good. Many a night sat around swappng hats talking about what and where... Good ice breaker for some.

Always buy a sticker and badge when I go somewhere new, I have 4 Photo albums full of stickers so far! Love it.

The wife does the spoons thing though... Good from places, but boy do they take up room!

Shirts are good, but as you say, having to stock all sizes from XXS to XXXXL 5 of each is LOTS of outlay....

What about spare wheel covers, I have no idea on their cost, never thought to look into them... LArge exploroz on that would get the word around. Also depends on if your trying to spread the word or make a buck.. Sometimes they go hand in hand, othertimes your better off to aim at one or the other, then the other may flow on later.

Valid point on the keep overheads to a low, better idea in a way.

Finally, you need things others dont have, everyone has Shirts etc, but how about Flags for when people go to places like Robe SA, where you need a flag on a big pole for safety?? Shouldnt be too expensive, and having EXPLOROZ.COM.AU and the emblem on it would rock!

Just a few thoughts...

Hi Guys,

Yep, I can see your point about large capital expense to stock merchandise, particularly shirts. Patches aren't a bad idea but get the nice embroidered ones, not the old style woven type. They don't look nearly as good. Even though I don't wear hats much, my hubby has heaps of them, so I'd probably get him one. :-) Melissa

Yeah,Ive got a wheel cover but I would chuck it out for an Exploroz one.

ditto