Can Shopify rip me off?

[Real Deal Denver]

So let's say you launch and suddenly get alot of buzz and traffic. You know what your biggest worry should be? It will be the internet marketer who is sitting at home waiting for the next fidget spinner. He sees your stuff trending and calls your supplier and says look, I'll buy all your inventory today. Send it to my warehouse. Then he throws up 10 landing pages and blitzes Facebook with $100k spend per day. Your supplier will call you to say that he's out of stock. End of business.

I've bought all my dropshipper's inventory right before Xmas before so all my competitors went out of stock and I was the only store that had it in stock for the month of December.

Great info. You never disappoint Bio!

The wrinkle in the equation, that gives me some level of protection is that my products are mine alone. Nobody can buy up my inventory. The are produced for me alone, on a per order basis.

So I'm not too worried about your situation, although I have gleaned a lot from what you have said. The ten landing pages thing is the path I'm going down.

However, my dropshipper would fulfill the orders that come in. They don't know who they came from - me or somebody impersonating me. If someone got to the source to divert the orders, it would be simple to take over my business. Now, Shopify would not allow that, of course - or maybe hackers are smart enough to get around that. I don't know. But if Shopify was to divert the orders themselves - they have the keys to all the doors to do that. And I would never have any way of knowing it was being done.

 

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[GSF]

I don't know why, but everyone I've ever encountered from UK has been cheeky. A bit full of themselves. And kind of a waste of time.

 

[Joaquim]

Just chill dude, you should already be handling your first orders instead.

Good luck and keep us updated!

 

[Real Deal Denver]

View attachment 18923

 

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[Real Deal Denver]

This is more realistic. You are going to launch and sell 50 of them in a day and then maybe 20 the next day, then a trickle of 1-3 sales a day and then nothing in week 3.

Well Bio, I just watched a couple past episodes of Shark Tank last night. One was from a guy selling sunglasses. These were not ordinary sunglasses. They were designed for computer displays.

How much hope can this poor sap possibly have of selling sunglasses? A cheap commodity product.

Everyone said he was nuts, except Laurie, who did eventually make a deal with him. The take away from that episode was that Laurie had previously sold 30 million worth of sunglasses before. 30 mill. That kind of insight makes me spit out my rum and coke! Did she just say 30 mill? Yes, and without even blinking an eye.

I'm not going for one or two hundred. I'm going for a home run. And then, I have another product in the wings that will also launch and hopefully do well. Mastering the marketing is what it's all about.

Now if I had come on here promoting something as simple as sunglasses, I could understand the doubt. If I was sane, I should doubt it too.

With the right marketing and structure in place - which is the point of this thread to start with - I expect to hit sales targets that maybe nobody here has ever done. The "tone" I get from a lot of people is set this lemonade stand up and start making money! Um, no - I want to be on the shelves of every grocery store in the land, instead of starting tomorrow with my own cute little lemonade stand.

Just thought you might like to know another side to the story. I am in the learning/building stage at the moment, and am in no hurry to launch this until it is fully ready.

If you watch Shark Tank, I think you'll be inspired. Simple products make millions there. It takes a simple mind of sorts, to grasp that dream. I think it can be done. Your advice has given me things to carefully consider, and I thank you for that. I am here to learn from the experience of the wisest of the wise, and your posts are certainly in that category.

 

[drumworx]

I like the responses, but let me make things more clear, just to be sure that I am understanding everything correctly.

I build an infrastructure of funnels, etc. selling candles. I want this to be totally automated. I want my customers to find my websites, and eventually be led to my Shopify ordering page. There they will place an order for a candle, and it will automatically to to Candles USA, which will ship the candle out.

Throughout this entire process, I will not be involved in handling an order in any way. And I'm sure not going to be shipping anything. My goal is to not do anything.

So, since I'm "out of the picture" so much, my worry is that Shopify could accept the orders somehow without me knowing about it, and "hijack" my sales. Since the order process goes through them, could they short circuit the process somehow and cut me out of the picture? I would be using the manufacturer/merchant that is already approved and set up with the Shopify system.

Maybe that makes things a bit more clear. Do I have anything to worry about?

Nopes - you control it all

 

[drumworx]

Well Bio, I just watched a couple past episodes of Shark Tank last night. One was from a guy selling sunglasses. These were not ordinary sunglasses. They were designed for computer displays.

How much hope can this poor sap possibly have of selling sunglasses? A cheap commodity product.

Everyone said he was nuts, except Laurie, who did eventually make a deal with him. The take away from that episode was that Laurie had previously sold 30 million worth of sunglasses before. 30 mill. That kind of insight makes me spit out my rum and coke! Did she just say 30 mill? Yes, and without even blinking an eye.

I'm not going for one or two hundred. I'm going for a home run. And then, I have another product in the wings that will also launch and hopefully do well. Mastering the marketing is what it's all about.

Now if I had come on here promoting something as simple as sunglasses, I could understand the doubt. If I was sane, I should doubt it too.

With the right marketing and structure in place - which is the point of this thread to start with - I expect to hit sales targets that maybe nobody here has ever done. The "tone" I get from a lot of people is set this lemonade stand up and start making money! Um, no - I want to be on the shelves of every grocery store in the land, instead of starting tomorrow with my own cute little lemonade stand.

Just thought you might like to know another side to the story. I am in the learning/building stage at the moment, and am in no hurry to launch this until it is fully ready.

If you watch Shark Tank, I think you'll be inspired. Simple products make millions there. It takes a simple mind of sorts, to grasp that dream. I think it can be done. Your advice has given me things to carefully consider, and I thank you for that. I am here to learn from the experience of the wisest of the wise, and your posts are certainly in that category.

Just check the ego mate and you're gonna do fantastic!

 

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[biophase]

Well Bio, I just watched a couple past episodes of Shark Tank last night. One was from a guy selling sunglasses. These were not ordinary sunglasses. They were designed for computer displays.

How much hope can this poor sap possibly have of selling sunglasses? A cheap commodity product.

Everyone said he was nuts, except Laurie, who did eventually make a deal with him. The take away from that episode was that Laurie had previously sold 30 million worth of sunglasses before. 30 mill. That kind of insight makes me spit out my rum and coke! Did she just say 30 mill? Yes, and without even blinking an eye.

I'm not going for one or two hundred. I'm going for a home run. And then, I have another product in the wings that will also launch and hopefully do well. Mastering the marketing is what it's all about.

Now if I had come on here promoting something as simple as sunglasses, I could understand the doubt. If I was sane, I should doubt it too.

With the right marketing and structure in place - which is the point of this thread to start with - I expect to hit sales targets that maybe nobody here has ever done. The "tone" I get from a lot of people is set this lemonade stand up and start making money! Um, no - I want to be on the shelves of every grocery store in the land, instead of starting tomorrow with my own cute little lemonade stand.

Just thought you might like to know another side to the story. I am in the learning/building stage at the moment, and am in no hurry to launch this until it is fully ready.

If you watch Shark Tank, I think you'll be inspired. Simple products make millions there. It takes a simple mind of sorts, to grasp that dream. I think it can be done. Your advice has given me things to carefully consider, and I thank you for that. I am here to learn from the experience of the wisest of the wise, and your posts are certainly in that category.

I don't understand your post. So Laurie on Shark Tank has sold 30 million pairs of sunglasses. Yes, we all know that. But what does this have to do with you? Simple products make millions. So why did the sunglasses guy want Lorie's help? Why did he come on Shark Tank? Selling 30 million pieces is not about the product, it's about the PERSON!!! Read that again, it's not the product that sells, it's the PERSON selling it!

It didn't matter what you were selling, you never said that you weren't selling sunglasses or were selling paint brush covers. If you really want to know why people are ragging on you, it is because you are inexperienced and naive. But being naive isn't bad because sometimes you do unorthodox things because you don't know better and it actually succeeds.

The "tone" that you are portraying is that you aren't a hard worker.

"First, if this goes as planned, it will be on auto-pilot, and it will be one of my baby business ventures that I don't have to tend to - which is my plan"

"My plan is to launch these with a lot of fanfare, and then - like crops - let em grow."

The "tone" that you are portraying is that you are a newbie who has never even tried to do this before.

"I don't know what I can do day to day to help sales along."

The "tone" that you are portraying is that you are ignorant of how much hard work is required.

"I am naive... but the funnels, landing pages, facebook buzz, et al, look so extremely easy to me."

Seriously, if you think funnels, landing pages, facebook ads are easy, you are in for a hard lesson once you start spending your money. I'll say, holy F*ck, funnels are hard and holy F*ck, landing pages are hard and holy F*ck, facebook ads are even harder. I'd love to see if you can even come close to breaking even on your first try.

 

[Real Deal Denver]

I don't understand your post. So Laurie on Shark Tank has sold 30 million pairs of sunglasses. Yes, we all know that. But what does this have to do with you? Simple products make millions. So why did the sunglasses guy want Lorie's help? Why did he come on Shark Tank? Selling 30 million pieces is not about the product, it's about the PERSON!!! Read that again, it's not the product that sells, it's the PERSON selling it!

It didn't matter what you were selling, you never said that you weren't selling sunglasses or were selling paint brush covers. If you really want to know why people are ragging on you, it is because you are inexperienced and naive. But being naive isn't bad because sometimes you do unorthodox things because you don't know better and it actually succeeds.

The "tone" that you are portraying is that you aren't a hard worker.

"First, if this goes as planned, it will be on auto-pilot, and it will be one of my baby business ventures that I don't have to tend to - which is my plan"

"My plan is to launch these with a lot of fanfare, and then - like crops - let em grow."

The "tone" that you are portraying is that you are a newbie who has never even tried to do this before.

"I don't know what I can do day to day to help sales along."

The "tone" that you are portraying is that you are ignorant of how much hard work is required.

"I am naive... but the funnels, landing pages, facebook buzz, et al, look so extremely easy to me."

Seriously, if you think funnels, landing pages, facebook ads are easy, you are in for a hard lesson once you start spending your money. I'll say, holy f*ck, funnels are hard and holy f*ck, landing pages are hard and holy f*ck, facebook ads are even harder. I'd love to see if you can even come close to breaking even on your first try.

Yes, you are right. I'm looking to automate this and not work hard. Right now I trade hours for dollars, and I never work less than 60 hours a week. You think I want to trade more hours for dollars? Um, no.

I don't know what you consider easy, but I sure don't consider funnel pages and a drip campaign to be anywhere near hard. In fact, besides the lottery, I can't think of too many things that are easier. I guess it's the walk a mile in my shoes thing...

Let's call it the way it is? I don't need a lecture - and I am not stupid, so don't tell me this is hard. If a talented sixth grader can do it, it's not hard.

So many here can't understand one thing - and it's one of the major points MJ continually preaches: scale. Oh, but I guess when he says it, it's all good. Me, on the other hand, I'll be lucky to break even? Man, how big are the egos here anyway?

I'm going to sell a produced on demand product. No inventory. Plenty of competition, which makes me happy because that proves the market. I'm redefining the market, so I expect to do well. When I get the marketing figured out, this will scale.

I used the example of crap - er, rap - music before. Millions will buy it. Hate the product, but love their business model. That's one segment of the market I'm aiming for. If those fools have ten bucks for rap, they have money for my product. I'm not inventing anything new - I'm just doing it better.

A long time ago, I'm guessing when I was a teenager (decades ago), a guy was on Johnny Carson talking about "building a better mousetrap." He said he didn't have to, because he was selling over 10,000 a day. Every day of the year. At that young age, I knew huge success was possible. Now I have 24/7 mass marketing at my fingertips through the internet.

Because of the vast knowledge available to me, if I don't do this correctly, I'm a bonafide idiot. That's because there are more than 20 books on this type of marketing I can *download* right now. Wow - a library at my fingertips on anything I want to know - instantly. A computer I can type ANY question in, and get an answer, or it will direct me to a selection of books on any topic. Instantly.

Along with Shark Tank, a much better show is "The Profit." You want to see real world action in business, and learn a ton in the process? Watch that show. That guy can launch a powerhouse business in two weeks. And he does. Not just a website - but a business "presence" that makes millllllions. And he's an old fart from the older generation. I guess he reads a lot of books? Nobody can know everything, and I realize that about me. Why did I create this thread? To fill in the blanks of what I didn't know.

But - with that said - I admit I am new, and I admit I am not chomping at the bit to jump in and work my butt off. I've been doing that since I was ten. From ten on, I was making money. That's not the trait of a lazy person. I'm anything but lazy. Wanting to harness the power that is available to me, might be called - smart.

BTW, I'm not arguing with you, or defending myself, even. I'm just adding insight to the very narrow picture you have of me. And the ones here that "rag on me" I pay as much attention to them as they're worth; which isn't much. Every circus has its clowns. Just learn to identify them and don't waste time discussing things with them - and everything will be fine. And dandy.

PS - by work, one thing I was doing for money as a kid was shoveling snow. That was before anyone owned a snow blower. You should try shoveling two feet of heavy snow for about five hours... for money. You wouldn't do it. It's too hard, even though you're at least twice as strong as I was when I was ten. Does that make you lazy? Probably not. It makes you smart. Ah ha - now things are becoming much more clear...

 

[ZCP]

How many have you sold?

 

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[Vigilante]

Yes, you are right. I'm looking to automate this and not work hard. Right now I trade hours for dollars, and I never work less than 60 hours a week. You think I want to trade more hours for dollars? Um, no.

I don't know what you consider easy, but I sure don't consider funnel pages and a drip campaign to be anywhere near hard. In fact, besides the lottery, I can't think of too many things that are easier. I guess it's the walk a mile in my shoes thing...

Let's call it the way it is? I don't need a lecture - and I am not stupid, so don't tell me this is hard. If a talented sixth grader can do it, it's not hard.

So many here can't understand one thing - and it's one of the major points MJ continually preaches: scale. Oh, but I guess when he says it, it's all good. Me, on the other hand, I'll be lucky to break even? Man, how big are the egos here anyway?

I'm going to sell a produced on demand product. No inventory. Plenty of competition, which makes me happy because that proves the market. I'm redefining the market, so I expect to do well. When I get the marketing figured out, this will scale.

I used the example of crap - er, rap - music before. Millions will buy it. Hate the product, but love their business model. That's one segment of the market I'm aiming for. If those fools have ten bucks for rap, they have money for my product. I'm not inventing anything new - I'm just doing it better.

A long time ago, I'm guessing when I was a teenager (decades ago), a guy was on Johnny Carson talking about "building a better mousetrap." He said he didn't have to, because he was selling over 10,000 a day. Every day of the year. At that young age, I knew huge success was possible. Now I have 24/7 mass marketing at my fingertips through the internet.

Because of the vast knowledge available to me, if I don't do this correctly, I'm a bonafide idiot. That's because there are more than 20 books on this type of marketing I can *download* right now. Wow - a library at my fingertips on anything I want to know - instantly. A computer I can type ANY question in, and get an answer, or it will direct me to a selection of books on any topic. Instantly.

Along with Shark Tank, a much better show is "The Profit." You want to see real world action in business, and learn a ton in the process? Watch that show. That guy can launch a powerhouse business in two weeks. And he does. Not just a website - but a business "presence" that makes millllllions. And he's an old fart from the older generation. I guess he reads a lot of books? Nobody can know everything, and I realize that about me. Why did I create this thread? To fill in the blanks of what I didn't know.

But - with that said - I admit I am new, and I admit I am not chomping at the bit to jump in and work my butt off. I've been doing that since I was ten. From ten on, I was making money. That's not the trait of a lazy person. I'm anything but lazy. Wanting to harness the power that is available to me, might be called - smart.

BTW, I'm not arguing with you, or defending myself, even. I'm just adding insight to the very narrow picture you have of me. And the ones here that "rag on me" I pay as much attention to them as they're worth; which isn't much. Every circus has its clowns. Just learn to identify them and don't waste time discussing things with them - and everything will be fine. And dandy.

PS - by work, one thing I was doing for money as a kid was shoveling snow. That was before anyone owned a snow blower. You should try shoveling two feet of heavy snow for about five hours... for money. You wouldn't do it. It's too hard, even though you're at least twice as strong as I was when I was ten. Does that make you lazy? Probably not. It makes you smart. Ah ha - now things are becoming much more clear...

While you were reading a book and mentally masturbating about your easy millions... that guy @biophase just sold his last company for the type of money you daydream about. Keep watching Shark Tank reruns and talking a big game while talking down to people that know 100x more than you. I'm sure your easy path to tens of dollars will work out great for you. He obviously should have been watching Shark Tank instead of building and selling his business.

Please come back and update this thread when you've sold your first unit. Easy peasy.

BTW in your dream of scale, I personally have sold approaching roughly $500,000,000 to retailers nationwide. Doesn't mean shit. The net margin you bank is all that matters. If you knew the true story of Shark Tank and their contestants you might spend more time listening to real entrepreneurs you had access to than you would hero worshipping a bunch of made for TV inspirational drama.

Good luck to you! Your ego is strong, and I hope your intellect catches up as that could make you unstoppable.

 

[GSF]

While you were reading a book and mentally masturbating about your easy millions... that guy @biophase just sold his last company for the type of money you daydream about. Keep watching Shark Tank reruns and talking a big game while talking down to people that know 100x more than you. I'm sure your easy path to tens of dollars will work out great for you. He obviously should have been watching Shark Tank instead of building and selling his business.

Please come back and update this thread when you've sold your first unit. Easy peasy.

savage, epic.

 

[Xeon]

Can an employee of Amazon cut me out of the picture AND keep the sale? No. But if Shopify does it, I could be completely in the dark about it.

Amazon is selling/hijacking our product without authorization. Please HELP

Amazon has similar issues. Also, can't remember where I read this from, it was from some thread somewhere in this forum, which theorizes there's a possiblity Amazon is using sellers to see which products sell most, and then they come up with their own same products to sell. Amazon has YOUR DATA and movements, and also your customers' data, which you don't have full access to. With a Shopify store, you've full access to your customers' data which you can then use to contact for email newsletters for promotions and sales.

If you want to not be ripped off, you have to think like a crook. That's just due diligence. If you want 100+ more stories, I have them.

Sounds badass, I love stories. Do tell. Sometimes I get tired of watching youtube 20 mins before I sleep, and your stories can inspire me.

One more thing you should worry about.
If your manufacturer, the one who produces your on-demand products, sees that you're selling hundreds of thousands of units, what makes you think they won't start selling direct to consumers instead?! From reading the threads here, it has happened and it will happen.

Also, you're dropshipping right? That manufacturer also has your customers data and everything, which in future, they might then start marketing towards.

The probability of all that happening (read: YOUR MANU RIPPING YOU OFF), IS WAY higher than Shopify ripping you off.
That manufacturer of yours is probably worth a couple million or less, Shopify is worth billions.

You're from Singapore? I am not involved in any business relationships abroad, but I do remember knock offs of many products coming from that part of the world. I've read articles that it's an accepted part of their culture, even.

Keep calm and don't insult countries, and don't lump all countries from the East together. Not every asian culture is the same.
That's like saying the US and Haiti are both equally rich and mighty superpower countries just because they belong to the West?

Some parts of the world don't believe they have to pay a price to a software company, or a movie company, for the costs of "developing" their products. So they think bootlegging or knocking off a product is perfectly justified.

This happens in almost every country. You seem to be extremely biased against "some parts of the world".
Here's the thing, look around your home and neighborhood. Are they all 100% Made-In-America, including the materials and packaging, or do they come from "some parts of the world", in one way or another?

Not sure how old you are but you need to read more, observe more, be more humble and travel out to other parts of the world if you can.

Yes, you are right. I'm looking to automate this and not work hard. Right now I trade hours for dollars, and I never work less than 60 hours a week. You think I want to trade more hours for dollars?

You're missing some important parts of the book, it seems.
The idea in the book is to build a business based on CENTS principles, and get that off the ground running in the shortest time possible, so you don't have to grind for another 35 more years, working 12 hours per day earning US$5,000 per month.

During those early years when the business starts up, you need to grind and put in tons of hours.
You're missing out all these parts. Even MJ had to grind initially when he started his Limos website!

I sure don't consider funnel pages and a drip campaign to be anywhere near hard. In fact, besides the lottery, I can't think of too many things that are easier.

Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior, redeem my soul and sins, let me be with You, in the Garden of the Most High Lord.

I'm going to sell a produced on demand product. No inventory. Plenty of competition, which makes me happy because that proves the market.

Is it those print on demand merchandise thing? Cafepress, Zazzle, Spreadshirt, RedBubble, Threadless and Teespring?

That guy can launch a powerhouse business in two weeks. And he does. Not just a website - but a business "presence" that makes millllllions.

What is his background? Did he have any experience or successful businesses before that? Or is he just a complete noob who went from burger flipper to powerhouse launcher in 2 weeks?
I can bet Mark Cuban can lose all his billions today and he can start a business next week and make it profit within a month or less.

And he's an old fart from the older generation.

Arrogance. You were the one who started that thread asking people how to convince and get your 67-year old father to embrace and switch to the Fastlane. Old fart?! My God.

Btw, I can't believe you replied that way to Biophase. WTF, have you even READ his progress thread???!!!
And that part where you mentioned "sixth graders can do what most people here do"......

I'm done, I need to take my dinner now.

While you were reading a book and mentally masturbating about your easy millions... that guy @biophase just sold his last company for the type of money you daydream about. Keep watching Shark Tank reruns and talking a big game while talking down to people that know 100x more than you. I'm sure your easy path to tens of dollars will work out great for you. He obviously should have been watching Shark Tank instead of building and selling his business.

Please come back and update this thread when you've sold your first unit. Easy peasy.

BTW in your dream of scale, I personally have sold approaching roughly $500,000,000 to retailers nationwide. Doesn't mean sh*t. The net margin you bank is all that matters. If you knew the true story of Shark Tank and their contestants you might spend more time listening to real entrepreneurs you had access to than you would hero worshipping a bunch of made for TV inspirational drama.

Good luck to you! Your ego is strong, and I hope your intellect catches up as that could make you unstoppable.

First time reading a wall of text post by Vigilante. Almost all his posts were witty one-liners

 

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[biophase]

Yes, you are right. I'm looking to automate this and not work hard. Right now I trade hours for dollars, and I never work less than 60 hours a week. You think I want to trade more hours for dollars? Um, no.

I don't know what you consider easy, but I sure don't consider funnel pages and a drip campaign to be anywhere near hard. In fact, besides the lottery, I can't think of too many things that are easier. I guess it's the walk a mile in my shoes thing...

Let's call it the way it is? I don't need a lecture - and I am not stupid, so don't tell me this is hard. If a talented sixth grader can do it, it's not hard.

So many here can't understand one thing - and it's one of the major points MJ continually preaches: scale. Oh, but I guess when he says it, it's all good. Me, on the other hand, I'll be lucky to break even? Man, how big are the egos here anyway?

I'm going to sell a produced on demand product. No inventory. Plenty of competition, which makes me happy because that proves the market. I'm redefining the market, so I expect to do well. When I get the marketing figured out, this will scale.

I used the example of crap - er, rap - music before. Millions will buy it. Hate the product, but love their business model. That's one segment of the market I'm aiming for. If those fools have ten bucks for rap, they have money for my product. I'm not inventing anything new - I'm just doing it better.

A long time ago, I'm guessing when I was a teenager (decades ago), a guy was on Johnny Carson talking about "building a better mousetrap." He said he didn't have to, because he was selling over 10,000 a day. Every day of the year. At that young age, I knew huge success was possible. Now I have 24/7 mass marketing at my fingertips through the internet.

Because of the vast knowledge available to me, if I don't do this correctly, I'm a bonafide idiot. That's because there are more than 20 books on this type of marketing I can *download* right now. Wow - a library at my fingertips on anything I want to know - instantly. A computer I can type ANY question in, and get an answer, or it will direct me to a selection of books on any topic. Instantly.

Along with Shark Tank, a much better show is "The Profit." You want to see real world action in business, and learn a ton in the process? Watch that show. That guy can launch a powerhouse business in two weeks. And he does. Not just a website - but a business "presence" that makes millllllions. And he's an old fart from the older generation. I guess he reads a lot of books? Nobody can know everything, and I realize that about me. Why did I create this thread? To fill in the blanks of what I didn't know.

But - with that said - I admit I am new, and I admit I am not chomping at the bit to jump in and work my butt off. I've been doing that since I was ten. From ten on, I was making money. That's not the trait of a lazy person. I'm anything but lazy. Wanting to harness the power that is available to me, might be called - smart.

BTW, I'm not arguing with you, or defending myself, even. I'm just adding insight to the very narrow picture you have of me. And the ones here that "rag on me" I pay as much attention to them as they're worth; which isn't much. Every circus has its clowns. Just learn to identify them and don't waste time discussing things with them - and everything will be fine. And dandy.

PS - by work, one thing I was doing for money as a kid was shoveling snow. That was before anyone owned a snow blower. You should try shoveling two feet of heavy snow for about five hours... for money. You wouldn't do it. It's too hard, even though you're at least twice as strong as I was when I was ten. Does that make you lazy? Probably not. It makes you smart. Ah ha - now things are becoming much more clear...

I really hope you do well. The way you talk just reminds me of so many others that are just naive.

Please come back and let us know how it goes. I like that you think this is easy. In fact, i do too. The only difference is that I know the work ahead of me.

Getting six pack abs is easy. Everyone knows how to do it, it’s a pretty simple step by step process. But not everyone will do the work it takes to get them.

Business is actually 100% opposite. You can follow a step by step process and fail because nothing is step by step. Nothing goes smoothly. Everything costs 3x more and takes 2x longer than you think.

Btw, I’ve seen every shark tank and profit episode. I’ve also shoveled snow when I was little and got paid $.50 by an old lady. Lesson learned, set your price before you start! But Who cares about that?

 

[Real Deal Denver]

How many have you sold?

None. Not a one. Zero.

I guess that makes me a loser, and everyone else here a hero.

There. Happy now?

So many super heroes here. Ask for a little advice, and the macho drill Sargents surface, ready for hand to hand combat.

Pathetic. Sorry to attempt to start a conversation with a common element - my bad.

Won't happen again.

 

[Real Deal Denver]

I’ve also shoveled snow when I was little and got paid $.50 by an old lady. Lesson learned, set your price before you start! But Who cares about that?

There, but for the grace of God, go I.

 

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[ZCP]

There. Happy now?

No. Will be happy when you sell one. We just want to see you succeed. Now quit posting and get to work selling. Start a progress thread. Link it here. We can come over and help.

 

[MJ DeMarco]

So many super heroes here. Ask for a little advice, and the macho drill Sargents surface, ready for hand to hand combat.

You're insufferable.

Your biggest problem won't be Shopify, it will be your ego.

I'd comment and throw a little advice your way, but I made a promise to myself that I will stop wasting my time on people who can't show a little modicum of gratitude. You sound no different than a 19 year old who knows everything, and when he hears something his ego finds bruising, out come the passive aggressive barbs and chest-pounding.

I haven't looked at every person who responded to your question, but in a 1+ pages I see a couple of guys who have had multiple businesses, multiple liquidation events of "never work again" money. One guy is responsible for half a billion in product movement. Yes, they're damn super-heroes who have decided to allocate a small amount of their precious time to YOU. But you're already a KING who is entitled to their knowledge, advice, and time.

You've heard it before but, if you're so brilliant, why aren't you rich?

We just want to see you succeed.

Indeed we do.

Success and freedom is the desired outcome, more so than the super-heroes being right. It would be a privilege to say "Damn, great job. You killed it with those fidget spinners and we were wrong."

The "super heroes" here don't have a problem being wrong, they have a problem with ingratitude, disrespect, and entitlement. The super-heroes understand that TIME is their greatest asset so they're careful who they GIFT it to. Perhaps the aforementioned advice would be better absorbed if it weren't FREE but from a $10,000 coaching program.

 

[Real Deal Denver]

I have no ego to bruise, so I deeply appreciate the comments here.

What I know is what I have learned from the short reads on Amazon, i.e. how to sell a million products in a week. I don't know how to do this, and I have not done it. But I know other people have, and I'm planning on following in their footsteps.

But I am not totally lost in dreaming. That's why I read every word here. Twice. I know great advice when I hear it, and I want to say that I appreciate it tremendously!

Honesty and gratitude. But, things can change quickly, as we will see...

Dont take my word or anyones word for anything, you need to do your own research and find sh*t out for yourself if you wanna succeed pal.

Get screwed. Things changed!

Also, don't forget to worry about setting up the correct company structure, paying taxes, getting insurance, business cards, etc etc etc (what color lambo you'll get). You'll need all that for when your 'rocket' launches. LOL.

Get screwed again.

I don't know why, but everyone I've ever encountered from UK has been cheeky. A bit full of themselves. And kind of a waste of time.

This was put so much more milder than a vulgar remark like, "get screwed." Fortunately, I speak many dialects. I just choose not to, unless I have to make a point to the peanut gallery. We all know how that goes.

Great info. You never disappoint Bio!

Not enough fanfare there?

Your advice has given me things to carefully consider, and I thank you for that. I am here to learn from the experience of the wisest of the wise, and your posts are certainly in that category.

Well, this sentiment flies in the face of my big fat ego, doesn't it? This could even be a freaking Hallmark card!

The "tone" that you are portraying is that you aren't a hard worker.

This is the age of computers. I can work hard, but I don't think I have to anymore. Hard is a relative term though. I work 80 hours a week every so often. And that's not being a grocery checker scanning products - that's doing very analytical work. As some here may know, squeezing your brain for many hours can be exhausting.

The most successful people I've seen tend to be the smartest - not the hardest working. I know many of each. That's not saying they're lazy - they just know how to "manage" and/or "grow" a business. Not many people have those skills. So I am dividing using skills compared to working hard, although they can exist simultaneously, of course. We know what this means - don't make it complicated.

The "tone" that you are portraying is that you are a newbie who has never even tried to do this before.

Tone? I've stated it point blank that I've never done this and I don't know how to do it.

The "tone" that you are portraying is that you are ignorant of how much hard work is required.

I don't know why people read what they *want* to read, and ignore the rest. Yes, I am ignorant, which I've stated. But I've also stated that a talented sixth grader can create landing pages, sales funnels, and drip campaigns. They do, in fact. Sixth graders also create entire apps from scratch. Does that make them brilliant, or me stupid? I don't think either one. But I certainly have to at least RECOGNIZE the talent that is out there. And I take some comfort knowing that sixth graders CAN do this, and vast resources for me to learn it are available to me. That's a statement of optimism. Not cynical, or insulting, or ignorant. I am neither promoting my ego, nor insulting anyone. But, as we've seen already from other commentary, people make things out to be what they *want* them to be, and ignore whatever doesn't fit. It is what it is, and it's not hard to see what I've said.

Yes, you are right. I'm looking to automate this and not work hard. Right now I trade hours for dollars, and I never work less than 60 hours a week. You think I want to trade more hours for dollars? Um, no.

As I've said, the smartest people tend to be the most successful. I see that, and I want to emulate that. I don't intend for that to insult anyone, nor does it indicate that I have a strong ego. It just says that there is tremendous power that CAN automate things. If anything, that makes me smart to recognize that, and smart to want to use that approach. But God forbid I might say something like I'm smart - which I haven't, BTW. Because, in spite of me saying that I am naive, don't know this, and have not done this - I'm accused of having a strong ego. How that happens is something I don't understand. Maybe great insecurity on from others knowing that ~ gasp ~ maybe a sixth grader could launch a marketing website, and research key words, and do A/B analysis for market effectiveness. And even track bounce rate? Could happen. I encourage people - I don't insult or attack them. I know who I am, and I don't have to pretend to know things I don't. I think I've said that, right?

Let's call it the way it is? I don't need a lecture - and I am not stupid, so don't tell me this is hard. If a talented sixth grader can do it, it's not hard.

I can read books, and I can find the books I need to read to learn things. So can an ambitious sixth grader. Get used to it, because that's the way it is. I'm a great coach, because I improve people. I tell them nobody was born knowing how to walk - and it goes into more depth, but let's keep it simple. I tell people that they can learn things just like someone else has. I certainly don't tell them they CAN'T be as successful or talented as someone else may be, and I sure as hill don't tell them they are IGNORANT. What good would any of that do anyone - except building my own ego... ? Hmmmmm. That's an interesting thought to ponder.

Nobody can know everything, and I realize that about me. Why did I create this thread? To fill in the blanks of what I didn't know.

Once again, my strong ego - not on display here either.

Arrogance. You were the one who started that thread asking people how to convince and get your 67-year old father to embrace and switch to the Fastlane. Old fart?! My God.

Arrogance? I said he was an old fart. That is not an insult, no more than giving credit to a sixth grader being "only" a sixth grader is. That is a COMPLIMENT. I guess I have to spell things out to the nth degree. When I say a sixth grader creates an app, that adds emphasis to their ambition and talent. EVERYONE should be proud of those accomplishments. When I say an old fart funds business ventures for millions of dollars on the internet - THAT is a compliment. How many old farts are millionaires? How many can fully embrace and launch a successful business on the internet?

If a man with one leg completed a marathon, is that something to be proud of? Damn right it is. And if it was reported that this man completed this marathon, in spite of having only one leg - that's not an insult. That's adding to the compliment of his achievements!

I'm damn proud of sixth grader over-achievers, and old farts that don't let anything stand in their way. Damn proud. By the way, I'm damn proud of EVERYONE here that is successful and has done it on their own, as well.

Btw, I can't believe you replied that way to Biophase. WTF, have you even READ his progress thread???!!!
And that part where you mentioned "sixth graders can do what most people here do"......

I have replied to the 90% of the successful achievers here with thanks, gratitude, and respect. I have not "challenged" anyone, nor let my "strong ego" take control of a topic I know so little about. Instead, I have looked to the others that have vastly more experience than I do, for insight. And I've certainly expressed nothing but gratitude every step of the way, for that.

And yet, I've been lectured, told I'm ignorant, lazy, and insufferable.

What. Ever.

Now that the record has been set straight, maybe we call all go back to being productive instead of "sizing" me up and looking for something to ridicule? Sorry, I'm not the type to roll over and whimper. Used to be - didn't like it.

 

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[minivanman]

I didn't read all the responses but here is what I think is the perfect plan. Send me a message with your idea. I'll put it on Shopify myself. In 3 years I'll let you know if I think Shopify ripped me off or not and I will send you a report of how well I did or didn't do. That way it is 100% safe for you. No risk at all. I will be waiting on the message

 

[Ravens_Shadow]

 

[GSF]

Get screwed. Things changed!

 

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[GSF]

Hey @Real Deal Denver, wow that post was long, must have taken some time and energy.

Anyway, while you were busy ego typing, I was asleep, and my shopify app was pinging with sales notifications! a truly great feeling that I hope one day you can experience too. Also since you started this thread, I've started yet another shopify store! And I can report, I have checked....shopify have never stolen a single sale....I double checked just for you!

My cheekiness aside, I really do hope you get sales too and I wish you all the best!

P.s. I forgive you for the UK remark, I actually agree on point 1 being cheeky, point 2 being full of ourselves, but point 3 we would have to have a further discussion about, that's if it wasn't too much a waste of your time.

P.p.s. It's ok, my opinion of men your age from Denver, their ability to start a shopify store and how they conduct themselves has not been effected based on my reading of your posts.

 

[Real Deal Denver]

I didn't read all the responses but here is what I think is the perfect plan. Send me a message with your idea. I'll put it on Shopify myself. In 3 years I'll let you know if I think Shopify ripped me off or not and I will send you a report of how well I did or didn't do. That way it is 100% safe for you. No risk at all. I will be waiting on the message

It's about damn time I told you what I think of your posts, punk.

Love em. Every one. They are always interesting and informative. This one made my day!

Keep up the good work!

 

[Real Deal Denver]

Anyway, while you were busy ego typing, I was asleep, and my shopify app was pinging with sales notifications! a truly great feeling that I hope one day you can experience too. Also since you started this thread, I've started yet another shopify store! And I can report, I have checked....shopify have never stolen a single sale....I double checked just for you!

Ego typing? Another one that made my day! Love it here. I'm picking all of this up as ammo in case I need some at some point, so thanks.

And, much to your surprise, I bet, I did learn a LOT from your single post. I do have it in the back of my mind to clone these stores, like you have done, once I have the details figured out.

Being new to this, I also found the "pinging" to be interesting. In my current job, I have one customer that has a unique "double" message tone when they send me an order. It always makes my day when I hear that, as it usually means I'm going to make $600. A few of those a week, and I'm happy. So, I look forward to the Shopify pinging as well.

Thanks for double checking on getting orders stolen. But, I hate to tell you, you won't know if you are being stolen from, or not. Really? Let me walk you through this.

You're the big shot prez of the company, so you spend a lot of time on the golf course. I am the manager, in the shop all the time. An order comes through to me (There is no Shopify - I'm doing what Shopify does in this example). I decide to put that order in my briefcase instead of in the orders to be filled basket on your desk. Later, I send the order to be fulfilled from the fulfillment center - from me. So they fulfill the order. And I get paid for it. You? You never know the order even existed because you never saw it. I intercepted it before it ever reached you. Is that so hard to believe? Happens all the time - mostly with bookkeepers, it seems. They aren't too smart, because there is evidence to catch them. Here, the evidence evaporates. Nothing to trace!

So the main questions are - is this hard for me to do? No. Could I do it? Yes. Would I do it? I don't know. Maybe if you were selling 1,000 a month, I might think I could "divert" two hundred to me. Would you ever have any way of finding out? No. The order was never seen by you - and it was never entered into your system. As far as you know, the order never existed. And that would be correct - it never existed - for you. But it did exist for me. Stop. Think this through.

Now pull out me, and put in Shopify. They have the process automated, and they are the hub of the wheel! The order goes to them - they collect the money - they send it on to be fulfilled - and they enter in the system as being there. But could it be there, but not be there in my system? Do you watch TV much? Movies? This is doable by any hacker worth their weight. But Shopify doesn't have to hack in to the system - they are the system. They hold to key to every door. You've heard the term "inside job" right?

I guess I have to accept the fact that they "won't" cheat me. But I'd like to have some way to prevent it, without me having the orders come directly to me first, and then I forward them on to the fulfillment center. Forwarding them on is nonproductive - but safe.

And now you know the point of this thread.

I now have a lot more information and insight than when I started this thread. If a precise answer exists on how to run this with no chance of being ripped off, I'd like to know that. I guess I have two choices - trust the system, or inject myself into the system so nothing can get around me. I am not the kind that likes to take leaps of faith in trusting people. I have had bad experience with that, and it doesn't help being slightly paranoid.

I would never steal from anyone. But you should be glad you don't have a manager that thinks about how to cheat you, like I do. I know way too many people that have been cheated somehow.

Time to dream, and plan. Nite ~

 

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[biophase]

How about you just check your inventory at the end of the week and see if it matches up with your orders?

 

[SquatchMan]

In this thread you've spent the whole time arguing about how "easy" it is to go viral and build funnels and all this stuff. Talk is cheap.

Tell us how "easy" it was to get 2 million customers and how many hours you didn't work to get them, but tell us AFTER you've already done it. Until then, no one gives a sh*t how easy you think it is.

Because I'm curious:
Have you talked to your supplier(s)? Do you know your margins? Do you know what your market wants?

------

What are the odds that OP never actually starts this business?

 

[Scot]

OP’s profile says he’s 63.

Some of his comments make me believe that. Talking about selling stuff to stupid people who like rap. You sound like my grandfather.

But your complete inability to realize you’re being naive, you sound like a 17 year old. You’re throwing temper tantrums like one too.

But what do I know?

 

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[K465]

They're not going to steal your orders. It is theoretically possible but what would be required to do so makes this idea approach impossibility from a technical and logistical standpoint. That's besides the fact that they are making money off every shopify business already and have 0 motive to steal "candle" sales or whatever.

Anyways, thanks all for the posts. I'm learning just reading through the various responses.

 

[Real Deal Denver]

How about you just check your inventory at the end of the week and see if it matches up with your orders?

The wrinkle in the equation, that gives me some level of protection is that my products are mine alone. Nobody can buy up my inventory. The are produced for me alone, on a per order basis.

I'm going to sell a produced on demand product. No inventory. Plenty of competition, which makes me happy because that proves the market. I'm redefining the market, so I expect to do well. When I get the marketing figured out, this will scale.