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Forum nameeCommerce
Topic subjectService Based vs. Product Based for E-commerce
Topic URLhttps://www.businessownersideacafe.com/forums/dcboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=107&topic_id=100
100, Service Based vs. Product Based for E-commerce
Posted by Peggy Fair, Wed Dec-06-06 04:25 AM
Hi all,

I am new here and I want very badly to start a business online. I have taken some e-commerce and web design classes so I know a little about the industry...I live in a rapidly gentrifying city and want to take advantage of the new well-heeled crowd and I have several ideas bouncing around in my head on how to cater to them..My question is what has been your experiences running a service based business as well as those of you who have product based businesses? I know with product based businesses, you have the headache of dealing with inventory, product returns, shelf life, etc..almost all my ideas have been product based. Keep in mind, that this will be a one woman show, so if I decided to go towards a product based business, I would be handling the mailing all by myself.

Thanking you in advance,

Peggy
101, RE: Service Based vs. Product Based for E-commerce
Posted by bizenez, Wed Dec-06-06 11:58 AM
Peggy:
I know alot about product and service businesses. i have started both and failed at most. I'm still learning but I can offer free advice.
E-MAIL:contactbizenez@bizenez.com
WEBSITE:www.bizenez.com
102, RE: Service Based vs. Product Based for E-commerce
Posted by Peggy Fair, Thu Dec-07-06 02:34 PM
Well, it is good that you have bounced back from failure. I am really edging toward one of the product businesses I have in mind, but it seems like an online business will be a hassle for a small time one woman outfit like me.
106, RE: Service Based vs. Product Based for E-commerce
Posted by bizenez, Fri Dec-08-06 02:44 PM
I have tried dropshipping and can even give you free sources. emaile me at contactbizenez@bizenez.com or from my site at www.bizenez.com
107, RE: Service Based vs. Product Based for E-commerce
Posted by Pat and Alix, Sun Dec-10-06 12:40 PM
>Well, it is good that you have bounced back from failure. I
>am really edging toward one of the product businesses I have
>in mind, but it seems like an online business will be a hassle
>for a small time one woman outfit like me.

I am a one woman small business located online only. What kind of hassle are you most concerned about? Order fulfillment? storage of product? doing it all?

Pat and Alix P. Curl
108, RE: Service Based vs. Product Based for E-commerce
Posted by bizdev, Mon Dec-11-06 04:32 AM
Peggy, a product based web business can be done without inventory and fullfillment issues if you sell ebooks or affiliate products (or both). This is an ideal way to run a one woman business.Y ou can go to my website for an example of how to do this.

There are also lots of resources for Internet businesses here:
http://www.smallbusinessstartup.biz/internet/

110, RE: Service Based vs. Product Based for E-commerce
Posted by DBeavers, Mon Dec-11-06 04:55 AM
Peggy,

Everything in life isn't black and white, product vs. service-based, etc. I have found my niche in selling promotional advertising - The likeliest buyers are business & industry, clubs & organizations, and gov't agencies from the local school board to federal offices.

I've sold over $1 million in custom-printed promotional advertising in the past 5 years, without having inventory. My office is in a spare bedroom in my home.

Once the customer's order has been imprinted by the supplier (anywhere in the world), it is delivered to that buyer's chosen location - without passing through my office. I have sold hundreds of thousands of Bic pens (just one out of 3500+ sources) to people all across the U.S.

I'm the go-between for buyer who needs ink pens, coffee mugs, calendars, mouse pads, umbrellas, lapel pins, yardsticks, t-shirts, golf balls, or other items with their name/logo on them. I send the order and art to Kaeser & Blair, who forwards it to the chosen supplier.

I earn a commission on each and every order, with no guaranteed income. That discourages many prospective salespeople, but is in reality one of the fairest forms of compensation. Those who sell well earn excellent commissions. Those who can't sell, or are lazy, expecting the business to come to them, may leave the industry looking for greener pastures.

If you'd like to consider the prospects, visit my website for more details. There is no cost or obligation for the info or a dealership.

Dennis Bevers
BASSCO, Inc.
"Twenty-two years in my one home-based business"