Online store feedback needed!

[tjdracz]

Hi guys! It's been a long time ;)

After going through some ups and downs and hurdles, I'm finally close to opening the online store (about a year delay, but hey!)

As it's catering for you guys and I don't want to do anything just on my whim, I'd like you to spend couple of minutes to complete the small survey I've whipped up. All the feedback would be much appreciated and would help me make the store better for you :)

You can access the survey at: http://goo.gl/forms/TYM8GWZjWO

And just as a small token of appreciation for your help, I will run a small prize-draw (nothing special but I can tell you I've scored a small stash of vintage Mullard trannies so... :P). If you wish to participate, please leave your email at the end. I will close the draw in two weeks time and choose the winner using the random number generator ;)

Thanks!
Tom

[dbat69]

Done - and good luck

As I have for some friends over the pond, if I can help getting some components from the UK, just let me know

[tjdracz]

Thanks for the feedback and thanks for the offer, I'm in UK myself though ;)

[Beaker]

Done!

Thanks Tom, and the best of luck to you

Edit: By the way - the price I put for kits was for basic kit format - enclosure, knobs not included.

[dbat69]

tjdracz wrote

Thanks for the feedback and thanks for the offer, I'm in UK myself though ;)

 Dohhh   (I need a little icon that smacks itself on the head)
I thought you were in the US (I get confused so easily) - so my comments won't make much sense then.  But then again you'll probably suffer the same problems I do

[inefficiency]

All done!

The germanium pricing I was kinda stuck at, so they're pretty much guesses.

The kit prices I just decided by knocking a few quid off the price I would have to pay the guy nearest to me. Although I generally find his stuff a little steep - You could buy finished clones on eBay from a great builder like Vince for the price he is selling a kit for in some cases.

[dbat69]

Tom

I was just thinking - you have probably got two types of DIYer - (1) ones like a lot of us on the Forum who have amassed a decent stash of components and don't mind buying quantities of Russian germs, and (2) others who just build pedal by pedal and/or probably source components in small quantities.

As far as kits go, for (1) I would guess you may not get much take up, but (2) would be more the market

For components, for (1) it will be the harder to source components or 1 offs, and for (2) you would be more like an electronics shop

Just a couple of thoughts - pricings for (1) and (2) could therefore vary quite a bit

[tjdracz]

dbat69 wrote

Tom

I was just thinking - you have probably got two types of DIYer - (1) ones like a lot of us on the Forum who have amassed a decent stash of components and don't mind buying quantities of Russian germs, and (2) others who just build pedal by pedal and/or probably source components in small quantities.

As far as kits go, for (1) I would guess you may not get much take up, but (2) would be more the market

For components, for (1) it will be the harder to source components or 1 offs, and for (2) you would be more like an electronics shop

Just a couple of thoughts - pricings for (1) and (2) could therefore vary quite a bit

Very true, lots of people here are I think just like me, getting stuff like Ge trannies in bulk when the good deal appears.
I would rather aim at the one-off DIYers as I can compete on the price then (untested AC128 for £2 or more? nah...), for bulk pricing it's hard to compete but I did consider doing some bulk batches aiming to get at least slightly above break even.
Got some sources that stock stuff like Philips AC128, got some sample and it looks quite promising, still wide buckets gainwise as Euro types go, but definitely better leakege-wise than Tungsrams that we all grew to love from lack of better alternatives.
One way or another, I'm not that profit driven at the end of the day. I've got quite a stash of components that I won't use anytime soon so I might as well sell it on and if it doesn't sell, it will be of use to me some day. ReallyEnd of the day, it's mainly selling excess stock, I'm not really losing money.
Probably got enough for 4 or 5 months of sales (!) and if it proves successful, more than happy to invest more into it. Again, it's not like stompbox DIYers are massive market, right? ;)

[Silver Blues]

Done  some of my pricing estimates are kind of guesses, though, haha.

[tjdracz]

Silver Blues wrote

Done  some of my pricing estimates are kind of guesses, though, haha.

Thanks! :) it's not really what you think people would pay but what would YOU pay!

So far, I'm getting some nice feedback. What I found quite interesting is that people give higher price value to transistors selected for particular circuit, so typical Fuzz Face pair of let's say HFEs 70 and 90 seems more desirable than just buying two transistors in 70-79 and 90-99 brackets. That gives me something to think about!

Really appreciate your feedback, guys! Thanks again :)

[Ciaran Haslett]

Hi tjdracz

Just completed the survey but skipped the part regarding pricing as I'm more of a casual hobbyist and was afraid of spoiling the survey with unrealistic prices as I've little experience in such things.  But I did make some comments which I think would be useful to others like myself.

When buying ICs, trannies, diodes for builds, I usually buy specific to the layout.  The problem here is that I'm limited to what I can swap, replace, test etc when it comes to hfe and or clipping etc.  I learn from here every day but its daunting when I go shopping as I just don't have the knowledge that others here have.

I would propose listing bulk pricing for all the specialist components (and by bulk I mean in lots of 5 or 10 haha).  It would also be great to buy a bag of different trannies, ICs, diodes etc as this would greatly help people like me to build up a varied supply of parts that would allow me to test in a circuit rather than being stuck with the one IC I specifically bought for that one project.

[rocket88]

done and done. Just remember that if you're going to sell bulk unsorted lots to keep the price reasonable. I was thinking take a look at chromesphere's online store. I think he does pretty well and is known for being reasonable. Plus, glad to here you're back and the store is finally coming through.

[tjdracz]

Thanks, Ciaran! I think you're into something with transistor/ic goodybags! Try different ones in your fuzzes or swap TS ICs!

For bulk selling or not, I definitely want to keep prices reasonable. Basically, I ask myself whether I would buy this at this price or not. Chromesphere looks good and reasonable and I was looking at keeping prices at similar level, but I can offer wider range of tranny choices

[rocket88]

I figured based on what you were telling me when you first were looking at doing the store. I was just thinking it would be a good model. Smallbear too, although, my biggest gripe has always been that shipping kills the deal when I only want 1 dualgang pot, so I wait till I need a bunch of stuff.

Also, that idea of goody bags sounds like a great idea. Think about wanting to do something like a fuzzface, and getting different sets of trannies so you can see how they alter the sound, and you can find something you like.

[Muadzin]

Filled in the survey. I said it in the comment, but I'll say it again. Since you're from the UK I can also get vero layout effect kits from bitsbox. IvIark has links to kits for some of his layouts on the blog. The kits however don't come with knobs, enclosures and jacks, which you have to buy separately. Including them would be a huge plus. But the biggest plus in my book would be if you would offer 125B enclosures, as bitbox doesn't sell them. Screw the 1590B! It's an inefficient aluminum turd as far as I'm concerned. I want the 125B as it allows me to do top mounted jacks. That's my OCD. Give me that option and you have my interest.

[tjdracz]

Thanks for that, all valuable feedback! I know Bob at Bitsbox is doing his kits for Mark's layouts but we've already spoken with Mark about that ages ago and I don't want to offer the same stuff he's doing but kit-wise, would aim to concentrate on stuff that's using parts that Bob doesn't have, like Ge trannies, Belton bricks, MN3007 or whatnot.
Jacks I would offer as a choice with a kit, open or closed style and that's that. WIth the enclosures and knobs, it's a personal preference so wouldn't want to force people to buy specific thing but I was definitely thinking of discounting the stuff if you're buying a full whack.
Also understand your love for 125B, love that one!

[tjdracz]

OK guys, thanks for all the feedback you left, very appreciated!
As announced, there's little token of appreciation from me and excel random number generator decided...

*DRUM ROLL*

It's our very own dbat69!

Just sent you an email mate asking about your postage address so you can expect something from me shortly ;)

[dbat69]

Thank you very much TJ   - I hope the enterprise boldy goes where ... ever you want it to