Here's A New Idea
 

A friend of mine manufactures and installs transfer poles. This is a devise made for wheelchair patients to assist them in transferring from their chair to the bed, toilet and back, etc. He makes them for about $15 and sells them for $149 and installs them for free. He said he got the idea when his mother fell from her wheelchair and was admitted to a convalescent home for 3 weeks. When she was discharged, the physical therapist prescribed a transfer pole to help her get in and out of her wheelchair.

When it was delivered, the delivery guy asks him for $200. He asked the guy where are you going to install it. He said “we don’t install it, we just deliver it.” So he told the delivery guy to take it back and he built his own.

He now sells and installs 2 to 6 a day at a profit of about $130 each. Everyone always get two or more, one for the bathroom & one for the bedroom. He is far cheaper than any competitor and he is the only one who installs them… and he installs them free.

I would like to see what type of creative ways a guy could sell them and get physical therapists to recommend or prescribe them. Maybe brochures in there waiting areas. I thought of giving the therapists $10 from each referral but found out that’s illegal and I see why.

Any Ideas?

Thank You,
Jason

Jason - Is this your friend?
 

I remember responding to an ad in USA Today and received a fax response about something similar to this.

Is your friend the one who sells this info?

Thanks,

Scott

Re: Here's A New Idea
 

> I would like to see what type of creative
> ways a guy could sell them and get physical
> therapists to recommend or prescribe them.
> Maybe brochures in there waiting areas. I
> thought of giving the therapists $10 from
> each referral but found out that’s illegal
> and I see why.

> Any Ideas?

Jason,

What type of marketing does he use now to get his currant daily business?

I would think that marketing anywhere people who use wheelchairs would frequent could give viable ideas for expanded business.

Lawrence

Re: Here's A New Idea
 

He just sends out letters to physcial therapist. Then a few days later follows up with a phone call.

Thanks,
Jason

> Jason,

> What type of marketing does he use now to
> get his currant daily business?

> I would think that marketing anywhere people
> who use wheelchairs would frequent could
> give viable ideas for expanded business.

> Lawrence

Re: Here's A New Idea
 

He should look into getting the names/addresses
of people in local retirement & assisted living
communities and (for those more dependent) the
relatives of nursing home residents.

Also, health/medical/life insurance agents might
be an alternative for referrals or some other JV.

Chris

> He just sends out letters to physcial
> therapist. Then a few days later follows up
> with a phone call.

> Thanks,
> Jason

Re: Here's A New Idea
 

Jason: I would say your best bet for advertising would be local "senior times" type papers. We have one here called "golden years" they have all sorts of advertisements for seniors. And you are getting local qualified leads when someone calls. The 2nd base place would be medical equipment companies. They are probably the main competitors in your industry BUT they can be an ally. Cut a deal with them to build and install them. Then let them get their cut. Hope this helps... Ron

Better have liability insurance
 

If you are going to be manufacturing and selling appliances for the disabled (even something seemingly as simple as this transfer pole) you had better have considerable liability insurance in case they fail.