Comments on: Build Your Own Virtual Motorcycle Company

By: Viveik

Viveik — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 01:57:10 +0000

We already run a virtual motorcycle company wherein we outsource our designs to chinese subcontractors and manufacturers. Sure there is upfront design fees involved, however with some due diligience and sell-before-build, we spend fractions of what it would take to setup a full fledged factory in China or elsewhere. There are issues where subcontrators become your competitiors, but we just need to innovate faster and stay ahead of the curve..

By: coho

coho — Thu, 07 Dec 2006 06:11:11 +0000

Terry,
Your wordplay is entertaining, but I don’t understand why you seem so dead set on shooting this idea down right off the bat. Lots of people said Amazon itself would never fly, now Bezos is a billionaire and Amazon just started selling Lincolns in addition to geegaws (much to the chagrin of Lincoln dealers everywhere).

By: todd

todd — Tue, 05 Dec 2006 20:51:24 +0000

I know it’s different merchandise but take a look at the successes of CafePress.com. You can upload your designs and hope people buy them printed on T-shirts, messenger bags, and ladies panties. Mean while, CafePress is sending you a monthly check…
-todd

By: terry

terry — Tue, 05 Dec 2006 14:31:06 +0000

Dear KneeSlider = I am following with you on this, for sure….. The novel/poetry analogy is so apt! Having explored the SBA-Loan, strAngle-Investor and Vulture-Capital avenues … [edited] …

By: kneeslider

kneeslider — Tue, 05 Dec 2006 01:49:33 +0000

Of course cash is involved, you’re buying or renting time and skills, those selling the time and/or skills get something in return, cash. But the cash you put up in this case is far less than if you need to set up a shop or factory or warehouse and hire people to do the work.

As far as risk, the risk is primarily on the part of the person starting the business, as it should be. If you pay someone to do some part of the necessary work but your overall business fails, you’re out the money but they were still paid for their work. It’s like the old vanity publishers who were paid to print your books. They got paid, you got the books but if you didn’t sell them, you were stuck with a garage full of books and no money.

Amazon currently will do warehousing and fulfillment so you can sell your products. They charge you while the products sit and a fee for the sale. They make money whether your business succeeds or fails. It’s up to you to make it work. They don’t wait for you to make the sale, you pay, they do the work. No pay, no work. So I guess I’m not sure what your “mountain” is that needs to be surmounted.