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Businesses not interested in helping themselves?? Calling businesses

Marketing, social media, advertising

rexxkai

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Hey fellow fastlaners!

I have recently started a "Craigslist of Rentals" Website. Everyone can post stuff they would like to rent.

I am trying to market my business to pawn shops to get some items listed on my website.

I have been calling a couple pawn shops, telling them about my website, and how they can make some money, while their items are still sitting at the store.

But so far, the businesses all say they are not interested.

I am wondering if my calling technique is wrong...
How do you market your business?? Should I tell them the benefits on the first call?? Or should I just let them know what my business does? And let them figure out the benefits for themselves?? What is the best way to market your business?


All responses will be taken to heart and I will GREATLY Appreciate it!!
 
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InMotion

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What made you pick pawn shops to market this too; out of curiosity? I am not a pawn shop expert but normally they Buy Sell and Trade.
 

MJ DeMarco

I followed the science; all I found was money.
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I am wondering if my calling technique is wrong...

I'd say its not your "calling technique" but your business model.


I am not a pawn shop expert but normally they Buy Sell and Trade.

Agreed, probably the last thing a pawn shop wants to deal with is something like this.
 

CommonCents

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How many pawnshops did you interview before hand to see how they market and get rid of their merch? what did they tell you?

why wouldn't they just use ebay and/or craigslist where there are tons of buyers already for all kinds of merch?
 
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CommonCents

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TK1

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[video=youtube;mBlJVazr4A0]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBlJVazr4A0[/video]
 

rexxkai

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hey friends!!

first off, thanks for all the replies!

the reason i choose to ask pawn shops if they wanted to rent out their items was because pawn shops would have things sitting on their store shelves not being sold yet, so wouldn't they want to make some profit while they are waiting to be sold??

that is my reasoning.

but apparently that doesn't seem to be the case. so i will continue looking for customers!!
 
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rexxkai

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How many pawnshops did you interview before hand to see how they market and get rid of their merch? what did they tell you?

why wouldn't they just use ebay and/or craigslist where there are tons of buyers already for all kinds of merch?

umm... i don't know how this is related, but i thought my business could help them out, but apparently not.
 
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D

DeletedUser2

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I have seen this model now about 3 times in the last 4 yrs.

its been a no go for all of the ones I have seen...

I think this is a no good. good luck tho.

Z
 

rexxkai

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I have seen this model now about 3 times in the last 4 yrs.

its been a no go for all of the ones I have seen...

I think this is a no good. good luck tho.

Z

hey z, i haven't finished reading your post from the other thread, i will go read it...

but could you explain why they didn't work and what did work?? because my business model might be a bit different from what you are thinking.. nevertheless i wouldn't want to spend my time on something that isn't really worth pursuing.

all i want from this business is to earn me at least $15000 a year.
 
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dknise

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the reason i choose to ask pawn shops if they wanted to rent out their items was because pawn shops would have things sitting on their store shelves not being sold yet, so wouldn't they want to make some profit while they are waiting to be sold??

Unless they're an online pawn shop, the item can't be sold if it's not on the shelf... because it's being rented. Have you contacted any non-physical store locations with a pawn model? These are the guys who may be interested, that can sell a product without it in their possession.

Once a pawn shop puts money into a product, that's money out of their buying pool. Until they sell that product, they can't move product. So the priority is not on renting, it's on selling.

How "automated" is your system? Automation of buying and selling at a pawnshop is writing a price on a tag and applying it to the product. To inventory a product on your website requires a great deal of information. IF they are an online entity, they'll already have the info a pics for it. How can you make their on-boarding of new products easier to your site?

Something I don't know if you mentioned... what's the cost to them?
Are you taking a fee of the rental? If so how complicated is it for them.
Are you going freemium and relying on ads?
Waz the plan?



Goodluck! and even if this isn't a winner, you have the right attitude!

ps do you have the site up online?
 
D

DeletedUser2

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renting other peoples stuff.


its a logistical nightmare, getting 2 people to coordinate to get the "rented" thing to the other person.

there is liability for each side for deposit, breakages, theft, and getting it back to the other person.

whats your % take on the product, and people will try to circumvent you. cutting your revenue.

Rental shops have spent $$$$ on attorneys to make sure they are protected in the state that they rent things in.
how are you protecting both the renter, and rentee?

the list is huge. and if you try to go outside 1 city at first. you will be broke before you can drive enough traffic.

what you need is an APP. not a website. for people who are moving around to get any traction. even then. see above taste of the real world.


good luck

Z
 

CommonCents

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umm... i don't know how this is related, but i thought my business could help them out, but apparently not.

congrats on taking some action, you can pivot and find a market.

My comment of asking you how many pawn shops you asked before is relevant. It's easier to just ask several potential customers first about their needs t verify your hunch. Had you asked a few, they probably would have told you whether your idea may have merit or not.
 

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