Are you lazy? Are you too busy? Would you use this?

burl0029 · #1 01-04-2011, 09:56 PM

Let's start by saying that I spend way too much time looking at gear at a vast number of sites. I thought it might be fun to put my time to good use.

That said, I'm contemplating starting a gear-finding service where people would pay me a small fee to find specific items for them within a specified price range. I am also considering keeping a database of recent prices to give clients an idea of what a good price is compared to the average price. Would you use a service like this? Or is everyone like me and loves the thrill of the hunt (rendering such a service unnecessary)?

burl0029 · #2 01-04-2011, 10:06 PM

Also, what fee amount would you consider reasonable for such a service?

Jonny B · #3 01-04-2011, 10:08 PM

Isn't that what Google is for?

burl0029 · #4 01-04-2011, 10:11 PM

For you and me, yes. But I was wondering if there were people out there who were either too lazy, busy, or ignorant to bother with using the obvious methods.

jmercer91 · #5 01-04-2011, 10:12 PM

i know a guy who does this with cars, he contacts the dealer and charges them if the sale goes through

bwoodman · #6 01-04-2011, 10:12 PM

The internet IS a gear-finding service - and folks with GAS are never too lazy OR busy to look at or find new junk online. Such a service is unnecessary.

calmb4tehpwn · #7 01-06-2011, 06:15 AM

I would say unnessecary, but laziness defines our country. Why would you pay a 1.50 for a 20oz soda, when you can pay a buck for the 2liter sitting right next to it? Convenience. The 20oz is already cold.

I think if you could find a way to market it, this would be a decent way to make an extra bit of income. I personally wouldn't use it, simply because I am ignorant. I want the knowledge that comes with the hunt, so simply getting the answer isn't enough for me, and I have you guys to help me.

But, that said, there is a market for you.

flypejose · #8 01-06-2011, 04:17 PM

Anything is possible as long as you find a way to target the right people! Apparently it might be of interest to those who like nice but cheap gear and with the least effort possible. You’re more likely to find them among the serious musicians and collectors who are not familiar with the web.

calmb4tehpwn · #9 01-06-2011, 04:33 PM

Or the people who, like me 5 years ago, wanted to spend a decent amount of money, but was buying while deployed to Iraq.

Rudreax · #10 01-06-2011, 05:08 PM

Do it. If people are willing to pay, go for it.

mpdd · #11 01-06-2011, 07:19 PM

this is a good idea, think of all the time one could save, it seems like all i have been doing recently is trying to get a new setup without going broke or wasting gas

superbassman2000 · #12 01-06-2011, 09:40 PM

10% of the cost would be my quote if i tried doing it.

Also keep in mind the nature of the internet. How would you prove you found that website first? For instance, what if i ask you to find me a fender jazz for 500 bucks and then you take a few days to find it, and then when you send me the link, I reply that I found that site already, and then you don't get paid...if you are just looking to waste time and then maybe make some money on the side, it's a good idea, but if it's only for money, i'd say don't waste your time lol

kesslari · #13 01-06-2011, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by superbassman2000

Also keep in mind the nature of the internet. How would you prove you found that website first? For instance, what if i ask you to find me a fender jazz for 500 bucks and then you take a few days to find it, and then when you send me the link, I reply that I found that site already, and then you don't get paid...if you are just looking to waste time and then maybe make some money on the side, it's a good idea, but if it's only for money, i'd say don't waste your time lol

That's a good point.

My thought - most musicians have more time than money. The number of truly wealthy musicians who can afford to pay someone else to find gear for them, and would prefer not to do it themselves in this day of internet information access - small market indeed.

OTOH, especially if you're handy building a good website, writing up the proper contracts, etc., give it a try - the worst that can happen is that it doesn't fly. Well, the *worst* that could happen is that someone comes ostensibly to collect the gear and kills you and your family and your goldfish, but why go there?

calmb4tehpwn · #14 01-07-2011, 09:52 PM

I would charge a relatively small fee. 10% is stack of cash when you're looking for a decent deal on a high scale amp. I'd say start with 5 or 10 dollars up front, say, give what information you upon receiving the money, and offer to search for 2 days from that point, included with the 10 bucks.

Plays_For_Dog · #15 01-08-2011, 04:44 AM

I see what you're trying to do... and I like it. A one stop shop for all gear, reviews and price comparisons. I would be on it daily (mostly window shopping of course...) I like the idea of having one place a customer could go to keep up with what's availible.

I currently use Ebay as a price basis for what gear should cost, and end up buying off there often. However, I do waste countless hours on the net just searching for what's out there. It would be nice to have one website I could browse that would show everything availible on the markey, and possibly links to custom builders with a customer review option.

JeanBG · #16 01-08-2011, 05:15 AM

I've done this for a couple of people and got paid once, at first I didn't want his money but he insisted and as a poor student I didn't have a choice but to accept. ;-) Most of the people who ask me about gear are beginning players who are playing for a year or more and want to buy a more serious instrument but know nearly nothing about basses. And "older" people who already have a job etc... are maybe willing to pay

If that's your market, I think there is a chance that you will have some "costumers", but I offer the services for friends and do it for free and I think most of them wouldn't pay me if I would've asked up front as most beginners are young and don't have much money left to spend on a middle man searching for the right gear.

If I were you I would try the idea locally and maybe for some people you know who are looking and maybe offer your services for free first and ask them afterwards if they would've paid you to do it and if you decide to do this for real you'll already have a bunch of happy customers.

Best of luck with it!