A used baby products store... I like the sound of it.
I have but one concern. It is a concern which lead me to give a stroller and high-chair to our local Animal Welfare Op Shop - so they could sell them to raise money to look after the dumped animals while they wait to give them a home, and so they don't have to put them down if they can help it.
And that concern is,
Do people buy that kind of thing
second hand?
I obtained the items for FREE at a time I was doing a bit of a de-clutter. So I was very eager to just be gone with them. They were taking up precious space in my clutter-free zone.
I know people have asked me if I know where they can get a good "jogging stroller" - which is, according to them, a three wheeler with inflatable tires. Because New ones are too expensive. So yes, people do buy some of those items second hand.
I ask because I am not part of that market. You are... or have been. So you know the answer.
Moving along.
A site which sells 2nd Hand Baby Items could have a simple text directory structure. Clicking the desired link would then take the visitor to a page full of those items.
High Chairs
Stroller
Jogging Strollers
Bouncers
Rattles
Breast Milkers
Baby Clothes - pants, tops, suits, etc.
Milk Warmers
Books - Dr Spock, etc.
Toys - up to 1
Toys - 1 to 5
Toys - 5 - 10
Toys - 10 and up
Click here to sell your baby items
Clicking the stroller link, for instance, would take them to the stroller page. Which could have the layout I presented in the previous post.
Charges and Fess: HOW is money made from this site? *I* would charge a fee to be listed for one month. And to get the most number of people taking you up on your offer, I would also take the photos of their items. That way you take the photo and get the payment at the same time.
At $10 per listing per month, it will limit the items sold to higher priced items. Of course, a change in payment to a lower fee would allow cheaper items to be sold. In fact, you might even have a section (link) titled "Under $20" with each ad costing the person $2 and they have to supply everything - photo, text, etc.
100 listings at $10 a listing will make you $1,000 a month. That would require you to take three photos a day - not real hard.
Maybe, though, $20 per listing per month is better. That works out to be $5 per week. Ideal for someone selling a Package - high-chair, bouncer, stroller - for a good price.
Another avenue is to run the ads for free and get paid upon a successul sale. One local publication down here in Oz does it this way. Sure they have some deadbeat non-payers, but it is obviously something that is working for them because they have been in business - and expanded - for many many years.
Consignment: Kind of like above. And, the publication in question gives you a price discount if you per-pay your ad.
OR
Do all consigning from your place. - People bring their items to you. You take a photo of it. Place it on the site. Take all inquiry calls. And when people come around to view, they come to your place - have the items they want plus a "few" other tag-along items handy. (Note: with the increased traffic this kind of operation would bring to your home, neighbors might get annoyed and dob you in for running a business from home without a permit. So check with your local authorities about their rules for doing something like this. I know of one poor guy who was hasseled by the local authorities for having a garage sale every weekend.)
Another element to consider is Hire. Hire out some or all of the items. You can even do consignment hire - people lend you their items so you can hire them out. Pay them a per-hire fee.
BABY ITEMS. Strollers, high chairs, toys, bouncers, etc.
Visit www.mytownbabyitems.com or call for FREE catalog. 555-5555
The catalog could simply be a couple of sheets of paper without pictures. Small text, three column. Like a Baby Item Classified Hotsheet.
Set up the basics of the site, using your stuff. It won't take long to get the ball rolling.
Hope these ideas help some.
Michael Ross
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