Business challenge - £xxx 2015
Discussion
beko1987 said:
Hehe, This is me!
I still do it, although sadly not as a way of making an investment, more just a supplement to my day job income!
I've probably made £1.5k this year roughly. Quite busy at the moment tbh, sold (provisionally) 2 machines before I;ve started on them.
For a rough calc of costs, I struck lucky and bought 1x DC25 and 1x DC24 for £20 at the weekend. Sadly, a previous 24 I refurbished (for £120) blew the PCB in the brushroll housing, so I swapped out the working one from saturdays machine and kept the customer happy.
So:
DC24 - Purchase price - £10
New PCB - £30 new (hopefulyl blagged a working second hand one though, but wont count that until it comes)
New post motor filter - £8
Luckily, it needs nothing else, and has come up quite well, so £48 all in so far. As I dont trust the DC24, I;m going to ebay it, similar ones on 1 day auctions unrefurbished have hit £100 recently, so I'm aiming for a £120 sale, profit of £72
DC15 - Purchase price - £10
New post motor filter - £6
New hose (as the one on it was broken unrepairably) £9
Total - £25. May facebook it, may ebay it but again, I'll aim for £120. Profit of £95
Potentially £167 profit. I did get lucky though, they all worked, and didnt need new motors etc
Someone at work gave me her old DC07 last week for £0. It refubished very well, so new tool set at £3, new post filter at £0.60 and new belts at £0.43. So £4.03 spent. Dropping it round to the new owner tomorrow lunchtime (as she lives 3 miles from work) for £60. Profit of £55.97
I should buy some bulk machines again. Circa £10 each unit, with working motors, but that means sinking £150+ and storing them. At the moment, I'm plodding along picking them up from friends, ebay, skips etc. Maybe in the summer when I can tear 3 or 4 down at a time in the garden I may. A friend normally lends me the money to do bulk buys, he did it a few times last year and gets his money back plus 10% very quickly. We went to newquay for a week last september, paid for pretty much from dyson money (I even bought 2 whilst we were there...)
Straight refurbs are good too.
Had a DC22 in, charged £90 and spent £0 on it as everything washed up well
DC25, charged £80, spent £6 on a new filter
DC07, £55 (as their easy), £2 spent on filter and belts.
It helps that I wash the pre motor filters in the washing machine 20 at a time, which normally come up like new, so can swap the maround. Machine comes in, its filter goes in the pile, a clean one comes out of the shed. Ditto hoses, I buy boxes of damaged hoses from a dyson refurbisher up in manchester, and for every 25 moses I get 18odd hoses that clean up and fix up nicely. There is a great way to wash them, and their easy to fix but I wont divulge all my secrets... needless to say I have a big stash of ready to go hoses under the bed (keeps them warm, so they dont crack in the cold)
So, it's mainly a hobby at the moment, and supplements my income. Spent £70 last week on parts to service and fix my snotter, all from dyson money. We can do a monthyl food ship frequently on dyson money, spendign money for swmbo etc and we are not as skint at the end of the month. A month without dyson money is noticable!
I;d love to set up shop properly, but I know it wouldn't work for obvious reasons, I flooded the market before crimbo and sat on refurbished machiens for a few months, their only just starting to shift now!
Sent you a PMI still do it, although sadly not as a way of making an investment, more just a supplement to my day job income!
I've probably made £1.5k this year roughly. Quite busy at the moment tbh, sold (provisionally) 2 machines before I;ve started on them.
For a rough calc of costs, I struck lucky and bought 1x DC25 and 1x DC24 for £20 at the weekend. Sadly, a previous 24 I refurbished (for £120) blew the PCB in the brushroll housing, so I swapped out the working one from saturdays machine and kept the customer happy.
So:
DC24 - Purchase price - £10
New PCB - £30 new (hopefulyl blagged a working second hand one though, but wont count that until it comes)
New post motor filter - £8
Luckily, it needs nothing else, and has come up quite well, so £48 all in so far. As I dont trust the DC24, I;m going to ebay it, similar ones on 1 day auctions unrefurbished have hit £100 recently, so I'm aiming for a £120 sale, profit of £72
DC15 - Purchase price - £10
New post motor filter - £6
New hose (as the one on it was broken unrepairably) £9
Total - £25. May facebook it, may ebay it but again, I'll aim for £120. Profit of £95
Potentially £167 profit. I did get lucky though, they all worked, and didnt need new motors etc
Someone at work gave me her old DC07 last week for £0. It refubished very well, so new tool set at £3, new post filter at £0.60 and new belts at £0.43. So £4.03 spent. Dropping it round to the new owner tomorrow lunchtime (as she lives 3 miles from work) for £60. Profit of £55.97
I should buy some bulk machines again. Circa £10 each unit, with working motors, but that means sinking £150+ and storing them. At the moment, I'm plodding along picking them up from friends, ebay, skips etc. Maybe in the summer when I can tear 3 or 4 down at a time in the garden I may. A friend normally lends me the money to do bulk buys, he did it a few times last year and gets his money back plus 10% very quickly. We went to newquay for a week last september, paid for pretty much from dyson money (I even bought 2 whilst we were there...)
Straight refurbs are good too.
Had a DC22 in, charged £90 and spent £0 on it as everything washed up well
DC25, charged £80, spent £6 on a new filter
DC07, £55 (as their easy), £2 spent on filter and belts.
It helps that I wash the pre motor filters in the washing machine 20 at a time, which normally come up like new, so can swap the maround. Machine comes in, its filter goes in the pile, a clean one comes out of the shed. Ditto hoses, I buy boxes of damaged hoses from a dyson refurbisher up in manchester, and for every 25 moses I get 18odd hoses that clean up and fix up nicely. There is a great way to wash them, and their easy to fix but I wont divulge all my secrets... needless to say I have a big stash of ready to go hoses under the bed (keeps them warm, so they dont crack in the cold)
So, it's mainly a hobby at the moment, and supplements my income. Spent £70 last week on parts to service and fix my snotter, all from dyson money. We can do a monthyl food ship frequently on dyson money, spendign money for swmbo etc and we are not as skint at the end of the month. A month without dyson money is noticable!
I;d love to set up shop properly, but I know it wouldn't work for obvious reasons, I flooded the market before crimbo and sat on refurbished machiens for a few months, their only just starting to shift now!
I'm in, Started a project back in Jan this year, as yet its not made much of a profit (not running a profit yet) but its not cost me too much either (other than precious time!).
The idea is simple, build a website that allows people to compare driving experience days. The reality is somewhat harder than that sounds, the data that I wanted to compare on is proving tricky to get hold of so I am still working on how I can get that information.
At the moment I am only working with two partners, red letter days and virgin experience days but in the next two months that will ramp up to around 20 partners, I am hoping that having additional data will help with some of the algos we are working on in the background.
We have a long way to go but I really hope to be making some profit by the end of 2015... But more than that and the reason this project was started, I hope we are able to help people buying these types of experiences to make an informed choice.
7 months in we are at about -£70.
The idea is simple, build a website that allows people to compare driving experience days. The reality is somewhat harder than that sounds, the data that I wanted to compare on is proving tricky to get hold of so I am still working on how I can get that information.
At the moment I am only working with two partners, red letter days and virgin experience days but in the next two months that will ramp up to around 20 partners, I am hoping that having additional data will help with some of the algos we are working on in the background.
We have a long way to go but I really hope to be making some profit by the end of 2015... But more than that and the reason this project was started, I hope we are able to help people buying these types of experiences to make an informed choice.
7 months in we are at about -£70.
sneddo said:
I'm in, Started a project back in Jan this year, as yet its not made much of a profit (not running a profit yet) but its not cost me too much either (other than precious time!).
The idea is simple, build a website that allows people to compare driving experience days. The reality is somewhat harder than that sounds, the data that I wanted to compare on is proving tricky to get hold of so I am still working on how I can get that information.
At the moment I am only working with two partners, red letter days and virgin experience days but in the next two months that will ramp up to around 20 partners, I am hoping that having additional data will help with some of the algos we are working on in the background.
We have a long way to go but I really hope to be making some profit by the end of 2015... But more than that and the reason this project was started, I hope we are able to help people buying these types of experiences to make an informed choice.
7 months in we are at about -£70.
How do you make money then, if it's not a stupid question? Can people book through your site and you get a commission?The idea is simple, build a website that allows people to compare driving experience days. The reality is somewhat harder than that sounds, the data that I wanted to compare on is proving tricky to get hold of so I am still working on how I can get that information.
At the moment I am only working with two partners, red letter days and virgin experience days but in the next two months that will ramp up to around 20 partners, I am hoping that having additional data will help with some of the algos we are working on in the background.
We have a long way to go but I really hope to be making some profit by the end of 2015... But more than that and the reason this project was started, I hope we are able to help people buying these types of experiences to make an informed choice.
7 months in we are at about -£70.
SydneyBridge said:
sneddo said:
I'm in, Started a project back in Jan this year, as yet its not made much of a profit (not running a profit yet) but its not cost me too much either (other than precious time!).
The idea is simple, build a website that allows people to compare driving experience days. The reality is somewhat harder than that sounds, the data that I wanted to compare on is proving tricky to get hold of so I am still working on how I can get that information.
At the moment I am only working with two partners, red letter days and virgin experience days but in the next two months that will ramp up to around 20 partners, I am hoping that having additional data will help with some of the algos we are working on in the background.
We have a long way to go but I really hope to be making some profit by the end of 2015... But more than that and the reason this project was started, I hope we are able to help people buying these types of experiences to make an informed choice.
7 months in we are at about -£70.
How do you make money then, if it's not a stupid question? Can people book through your site and you get a commission?The idea is simple, build a website that allows people to compare driving experience days. The reality is somewhat harder than that sounds, the data that I wanted to compare on is proving tricky to get hold of so I am still working on how I can get that information.
At the moment I am only working with two partners, red letter days and virgin experience days but in the next two months that will ramp up to around 20 partners, I am hoping that having additional data will help with some of the algos we are working on in the background.
We have a long way to go but I really hope to be making some profit by the end of 2015... But more than that and the reason this project was started, I hope we are able to help people buying these types of experiences to make an informed choice.
7 months in we are at about -£70.
I imagine as they're partners, he'll get kickbacks or commission. Also slap a few ads on for CPC revenue.
illmonkey said:
SydneyBridge said:
sneddo said:
I'm in, Started a project back in Jan this year, as yet its not made much of a profit (not running a profit yet) but its not cost me too much either (other than precious time!).
The idea is simple, build a website that allows people to compare driving experience days. The reality is somewhat harder than that sounds, the data that I wanted to compare on is proving tricky to get hold of so I am still working on how I can get that information.
At the moment I am only working with two partners, red letter days and virgin experience days but in the next two months that will ramp up to around 20 partners, I am hoping that having additional data will help with some of the algos we are working on in the background.
We have a long way to go but I really hope to be making some profit by the end of 2015... But more than that and the reason this project was started, I hope we are able to help people buying these types of experiences to make an informed choice.
7 months in we are at about -£70.
How do you make money then, if it's not a stupid question? Can people book through your site and you get a commission?The idea is simple, build a website that allows people to compare driving experience days. The reality is somewhat harder than that sounds, the data that I wanted to compare on is proving tricky to get hold of so I am still working on how I can get that information.
At the moment I am only working with two partners, red letter days and virgin experience days but in the next two months that will ramp up to around 20 partners, I am hoping that having additional data will help with some of the algos we are working on in the background.
We have a long way to go but I really hope to be making some profit by the end of 2015... But more than that and the reason this project was started, I hope we are able to help people buying these types of experiences to make an informed choice.
7 months in we are at about -£70.
I imagine as they're partners, he'll get kickbacks or commission. Also slap a few ads on for CPC revenue.
crxdave said:
So, 6 months in and I've built a website. Really need to pull some money together to purchase my products...
(See you in another 6 months, when I probably haven't managed to
)
Couldn't you find a drop ship supplier in your niche and use them to get off the ground? It is possible to make 20 - 60% mark up on drop shipping in my experience, with 40% being a pretty good %age to aim for.(See you in another 6 months, when I probably haven't managed to
)Once you have money to invest in product you can do so and expand your range, or wholesale some of the product (lines that you already know sell well) from your drop ship supplier and make more £?
Just seems a shame to do nothing if you already have your site ready to run.
sneddo said:
illmonkey said:
SydneyBridge said:
sneddo said:
I'm in, Started a project back in Jan this year, as yet its not made much of a profit (not running a profit yet) but its not cost me too much either (other than precious time!).
The idea is simple, build a website that allows people to compare driving experience days. The reality is somewhat harder than that sounds, the data that I wanted to compare on is proving tricky to get hold of so I am still working on how I can get that information.
At the moment I am only working with two partners, red letter days and virgin experience days but in the next two months that will ramp up to around 20 partners, I am hoping that having additional data will help with some of the algos we are working on in the background.
We have a long way to go but I really hope to be making some profit by the end of 2015... But more than that and the reason this project was started, I hope we are able to help people buying these types of experiences to make an informed choice.
7 months in we are at about -£70.
How do you make money then, if it's not a stupid question? Can people book through your site and you get a commission?The idea is simple, build a website that allows people to compare driving experience days. The reality is somewhat harder than that sounds, the data that I wanted to compare on is proving tricky to get hold of so I am still working on how I can get that information.
At the moment I am only working with two partners, red letter days and virgin experience days but in the next two months that will ramp up to around 20 partners, I am hoping that having additional data will help with some of the algos we are working on in the background.
We have a long way to go but I really hope to be making some profit by the end of 2015... But more than that and the reason this project was started, I hope we are able to help people buying these types of experiences to make an informed choice.
7 months in we are at about -£70.
I imagine as they're partners, he'll get kickbacks or commission. Also slap a few ads on for CPC revenue.
Frimley111R said:
So how will anyone find your site? You'll have little chance of competing in SEO. CPC/PPC, if the numbers stack up (cost/conversion) could be your best bet.
Well without giving the game away, we have plans to form partnerships with sites for who our software offers value, that might not be our main site it might be licencing the software to them, there are a number of very big players in very closely related fields. But we are some way off that yet. In the mean time (once we have a few more suppliers) we will start to do some lead generation campaigns and look to inform the leads of our offering at the most appropriate times. I would personally not rely on SEO, I hope that providing something of value will help it gain traction, snowball approach. If people like it, if it does add value then google and others will send more traffic our way. All roads are slow and steady at the moment though, not least because the software isnt finished yet.
Unless you have any ideas you could share, always up for hearing some ideas.
Edited by sneddo on Friday 10th July 10:58
sneddo said:
crxdave said:
So, 6 months in and I've built a website. Really need to pull some money together to purchase my products...
(See you in another 6 months, when I probably haven't managed to)
Couldn't you find a drop ship supplier in your niche and use them to get off the ground? It is possible to make 20 - 60% mark up on drop shipping in my experience, with 40% being a pretty good %age to aim for.(See you in another 6 months, when I probably haven't managed to
)Once you have money to invest in product you can do so and expand your range, or wholesale some of the product (lines that you already know sell well) from your drop ship supplier and make more £?
Just seems a shame to do nothing if you already have your site ready to run.
giltranator said:
Is this challenge still alive?
If so, in the past month I have spent £20 on equipment and am on my way to making my first £100 all for a few hours work a week...
So i thought I would give a bit more information around this...If so, in the past month I have spent £20 on equipment and am on my way to making my first £100 all for a few hours work a week...
I purchased a UV torch to find golf balls from my local public (national trust) golf course. I understand that there may be a slight issue about the legal aspects of this but you just need permission to search.
The torch was £22 delivered and so far I have found 400 balls. It involves you going to the course when it is dark as this is when the torch works best and so far it has been pretty successful. I have split the balls up and listed them on Ebay. I also sold 12 Nike's for £5 and 30 Pinnacles for £5.
I have 7 listings that end this evening - current price in brackets:
30 yellowballs (£4.99)
30 Srixon (£9.99)
30 Srixon (£0.99)
30 Titleist (£0.99)
30 Callaways (£6.50)
20 Titleist Pro V1 (£11.61)
32 Titleist Pro V1 (£9.57)
72 Random (No bids - Start £4.99)
I would say that I have put around 7 hours into this so far. It's been really enjoyable and gives me a chance to take the dog out for a walk whilst making money.
All in all I am hoping for around £50 profit from this first attempt. Once the nights start drawing in I will be able to increase the amounts found although I may hold on to the balls until the spring where more people will be looking to buy golf balls rather than out of season.
giltranator said:
So i thought I would give a bit more information around this...
I purchased a UV torch to find golf balls from my local public (national trust) golf course. I understand that there may be a slight issue about the legal aspects of this but you just need permission to search.
The torch was £22 delivered and so far I have found 400 balls. It involves you going to the course when it is dark as this is when the torch works best and so far it has been pretty successful. I have split the balls up and listed them on Ebay. I also sold 12 Nike's for £5 and 30 Pinnacles for £5.
I have 7 listings that end this evening - current price in brackets:
30 yellowballs (£4.99)
30 Srixon (£9.99)
30 Srixon (£0.99)
30 Titleist (£0.99)
30 Callaways (£6.50)
20 Titleist Pro V1 (£11.61)
32 Titleist Pro V1 (£9.57)
72 Random (No bids - Start £4.99)
I would say that I have put around 7 hours into this so far. It's been really enjoyable and gives me a chance to take the dog out for a walk whilst making money.
All in all I am hoping for around £50 profit from this first attempt. Once the nights start drawing in I will be able to increase the amounts found although I may hold on to the balls until the spring where more people will be looking to buy golf balls rather than out of season.
Is that really a business? your basically sneaking onto a golf course at night and fishing golf balls out of the ponds. Forget the legal side of things, once you have emptied all the ponds in your local golf courses you are going to either have to travel or the business will just stop. There is also the fact that you have said with the time you have put in vs the profit you are only making around £7 per hour which is only just above minimum wage.I purchased a UV torch to find golf balls from my local public (national trust) golf course. I understand that there may be a slight issue about the legal aspects of this but you just need permission to search.
The torch was £22 delivered and so far I have found 400 balls. It involves you going to the course when it is dark as this is when the torch works best and so far it has been pretty successful. I have split the balls up and listed them on Ebay. I also sold 12 Nike's for £5 and 30 Pinnacles for £5.
I have 7 listings that end this evening - current price in brackets:
30 yellowballs (£4.99)
30 Srixon (£9.99)
30 Srixon (£0.99)
30 Titleist (£0.99)
30 Callaways (£6.50)
20 Titleist Pro V1 (£11.61)
32 Titleist Pro V1 (£9.57)
72 Random (No bids - Start £4.99)
I would say that I have put around 7 hours into this so far. It's been really enjoyable and gives me a chance to take the dog out for a walk whilst making money.
All in all I am hoping for around £50 profit from this first attempt. Once the nights start drawing in I will be able to increase the amounts found although I may hold on to the balls until the spring where more people will be looking to buy golf balls rather than out of season.
Fair enough if you enjoy it and it gives you abit of pocket money but it isnt really a business start up.
Not a start up business whatsoever but fits perfectly with the idea of this thread.
Also not stealing as permission granted by the golf course. Not diving in lakes, just going through long grass and wooded areas. Stock seems to replenish after the weekend.
Also, £7p/h for something I would have been doing anyway (walking the dog).
Also not stealing as permission granted by the golf course. Not diving in lakes, just going through long grass and wooded areas. Stock seems to replenish after the weekend.
Also, £7p/h for something I would have been doing anyway (walking the dog).
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