What to do.. kit buying wise

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RyanNJ

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Joined
Jan 31, 2010
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780
Location
Burlington, New Jersey
I am thinking of expanding what i make to include the following kits but how many should i buy of each?

Bracelet Helper
Secret Compartment Keychain
Whistle Keychain
Tool Keychain??
Bottle Stoppers
Letter Openers
Light Pulls
Possibly purse hangers but i dont know how i would turn them

Any suggestions or things i should consider adding/removing from my list
 
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I would recoommend a half dozen of each of the keychains and light pulls to start. The stoppers should go well so I would make a dozen or more (acrylic/ polyester sells best for me).
The purse hanger (@$7.95 at Penn State) can be bought complete with initials or settings most anywhere for $9.99 to $15.00, so dont expect to make much profit. It has a mandrel you can purchase to make the size correct. I just measure mine with calipers, 3 dots of CA on a waste block and its good to go.
 
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EBorraga said:
That's why I sell so many of them. They really like the tie-dye color for some strange reason.
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I make so many of them, I bypass teh kit alltogether. I buy packs of alligator clips, then do a closed end handle with no tube, and glue the clip in the hole. They usually get lost before they get broke!!:biggrin:
 
oh yeah... I almost forgot.

If you carry the bracelet helper, the secret compartment keychain is a nice upsale! Make them in pairs! one bracelet helper, and one keychain!!!:biggrin:


Mine is made of Axis deer antler!!!:tongue:
 
RAdams said:
I make so many of them, I bypass teh kit alltogether. I buy packs of alligator clips, then do a closed end handle with no tube, and glue the clip in the hole. They usually get lost before they get broke!!:biggrin:
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This is a really good idea but i don't know how to do closed end work. Off to look in the library for some information
 
If you're just testing the waters with these kits, get just enough to get the first quantity discount, maybe a few more if you're confident. That saves you a few pennies per, and gives you a few of each kit to have a variety of colors, and maybe a spare or 2 for custom colors. If something goes quickly, it's easy enough to order more.
 
sefali said:
If you're just testing the waters with these kits, get just enough to get the first quantity discount, maybe a few more if you're confident. That saves you a few pennies per, and gives you a few of each kit to have a variety of colors, and maybe a spare or 2 for custom colors. If something goes quickly, it's easy enough to order more.
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I did not think of doing it that way, thanks for the tip
 
Where do you hope to sell? School? Church? Craft shows? Each of these has a different clientele.

As for the "roach clips", that will be unlikely to work for you--Ron is tatooed, I am old, we both relate to the "culture". HOPEFULLY, you will not be "Plugged into" that market.

Pens and letter openers are a natural. Desk magnifiers also sell very well for me (CSUSA kit 050-7022) Hand held mag glasses are also good, but hard to make a profit. Toothpick holders (key fob) do pretty well, too---look for the ones with the nickle or chrome plated tubes---brass doesn't look as good. Also use mostly chrome plating for key accessories. Gold wears off VERY quickly when used like key rings are.

Stick to an "office" or "schoolroom" theme. And, in my experience, you need more than a half dozen choices to sell an item. Once you are down to the last four, the item stops selling.

FWIW!!
 
Thanks Ed, I was thinking School Craft Shows this fall and trying to find some other ones in the spring. I am struggling to set my LLC up right now. I hoped to this week but I am going to do an LLC with a DBA name so i can do lawn care and pens and i am waiting on some insurance information before i form the LLC.

I will order the kits. how many of each would you recommend ordering? 10? 15?
 
ed4copies said:
Where do you hope to sell? School? Church? Craft shows? Each of these has a different clientele.

As for the "roach clips", that will be unlikely to work for you--Ron is tatooed, I am old, we both relate to the "culture". HOPEFULLY, you will not be "Plugged into" that market.

Pens and letter openers are a natural. Desk magnifiers also sell very well for me (CSUSA kit 050-7022) Hand held mag glasses are also good, but hard to make a profit. Toothpick holders (key fob) do pretty well, too---look for the ones with the nickle or chrome plated tubes---brass doesn't look as good. Also use mostly chrome plating for key accessories. Gold wears off VERY quickly when used like key rings are.

Stick to an "office" or "schoolroom" theme. And, in my experience, you need more than a half dozen choices to sell an item. Once you are down to the last four, the item stops selling.

FWIW!!
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Where should i look for the fob kits with chrome/nickle tubes?
 
MOST important, Ryan---make the best product you can!!

As a young man, you can establish a clientele who will return to you for every holiday need!!!! Make business cards (on your computer printer is FINE). Pass them out to your friends' parents---"Hey, I make some nice wooden handmade gifts for the mailman, your pastor (crosses on the clip)......." You get the idea.

Learn to take good pictures of your products---every product you make---this will allow you to sell the same pen without having to make dozens. Use your computer to make copies----instant catalog!!!

As to inventory----more is better, but stay within your budget. AFTER you start SELLING, put the money back INTO your business. If a pen costs you $7 to make and you sell it for $22, you can buy materials for THREE more--your inventory grew, your "out of pocket" did not.

This is how you SAFELY grow a business.

Good luck, and have fun!! Your LLC will be GREAT experience.
 
Penn State has them, (chrome tube toothpick holders) I believe. Which means you can buy them from Woodnwhimsies or Woodturningz.

But some of the Chinese kits have them, too. May be cheaper and what can go wrong with a chrome-plated key fob??
 
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