Business Idea
03-12-2012, 05:47 AM
#42
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Vermont
Posts: 2,315
Are there farmer's markets somewhere you could go to once a week with your truck? This is advertised and you already have potential customers. I live in a rural area and there are crafts and quilts at the ones around here.
03-12-2012, 05:53 AM
#44
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Jozefow, Poland
Posts: 4,474
I'm not sure why people would prefer a fabric truck with limited variety to the internet. If you can get mail, you can get fabric via the internet.
So, IMHO, I wouldn't do it. It sounds like too much work for something not really needed. Many, many people live in a place where they have to order things via the internet. Unless you have people asking for such a business, I'd think it wouldn't be profitable enough to do as a real business, and if you decided to try it on Sat/Sun...is that how you want to spend your only free days?
So, IMHO, I wouldn't do it. It sounds like too much work for something not really needed. Many, many people live in a place where they have to order things via the internet. Unless you have people asking for such a business, I'd think it wouldn't be profitable enough to do as a real business, and if you decided to try it on Sat/Sun...is that how you want to spend your only free days?
03-12-2012, 05:55 AM
#45
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Melrose N.Y. Troy Area
Posts: 863
the quiltbug had a buss i don't know if they still do it but I wish they would come to my area if they did, its quiltbug.com its 40 min for me to go to a quiltshop. or people could put in pre orders if you had a website.
03-12-2012, 06:03 AM
#46
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Jozefow, Poland
Posts: 4,474
I really think that the internet is "the future" and this kind of traveling business isn't where the future is.
Anyone who is "rural enough" to not have access to the internet or mobile phones, etc. is probably not in a financial situation to want to pay the prices you'd have to charge to make it profitable.
I know that I live in Poland (but am an American who returns back to the states once in a while), but I'm aware that in the US, people have access--they get mail--they can almost always connect. Those who can't, well, they go once in a while "to town" to get their mail, buy groceries, etc--and they could then order fabric wherever that needs to be if they sew. If they are so rural that they have no library or post office available, well, they probably could quilt with recycled clothes, curtains, etc. They just live a simpler life and your ability to "make living" off those people is probably 'nil'.
I have to add that my first few months of marriage, my DH and I lived in Northway, AK. No, there was no PO for me, and we drove an hour to a regular grocery store in Tok, AK (a small one, but not just a hole in the wall), etc. I ordered my supplies for cross stitch and had them delivered to me (25 years ago).
Anyone who is "rural enough" to not have access to the internet or mobile phones, etc. is probably not in a financial situation to want to pay the prices you'd have to charge to make it profitable.
I know that I live in Poland (but am an American who returns back to the states once in a while), but I'm aware that in the US, people have access--they get mail--they can almost always connect. Those who can't, well, they go once in a while "to town" to get their mail, buy groceries, etc--and they could then order fabric wherever that needs to be if they sew. If they are so rural that they have no library or post office available, well, they probably could quilt with recycled clothes, curtains, etc. They just live a simpler life and your ability to "make living" off those people is probably 'nil'.
I have to add that my first few months of marriage, my DH and I lived in Northway, AK. No, there was no PO for me, and we drove an hour to a regular grocery store in Tok, AK (a small one, but not just a hole in the wall), etc. I ordered my supplies for cross stitch and had them delivered to me (25 years ago).
Last edited by justflyingin; 03-12-2012 at 06:06 AM.
03-12-2012, 06:29 AM
#47
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: PA
Posts: 2,879
While I think it would be a blast to have a truck with fabric come around, and would be more fun to actually drive it, but i think the money for gas and insurance would eat up a lot of profit, and i would question of whether it would turn over enough to keep a fresh selection whenever the truck came around, or whether you could even carry enough variety so that folks would have a good selection of fabrics. Like I say, sounds like a lot of fun, but be sure you do some research first.
03-12-2012, 08:38 AM
#50
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Lived in San Diego now retired in Eagar, AZ.
Posts: 887
the cost of truck maintenance/gas/oil supplies would mean you need to count on a sale before setting off... why not start with a smaller version.... contact the quilt guilds in neighboring towns... ask when their meeting are, show up at noon (so you can count on both 'morning' and 'afternoon' quilters) and sell to the whole group... be sure to make it clear to people that this is an 'as is' business... don't start taking 'special orders' or they will nickel and dime you to death... let them have a sign up list with suggestions for 'next month's trip)... if you get enough people asking for more yellows, then you can invest in a bit... but don't become a 'one yard' tripper or your business will fold fast... it is true we can get fabric from our internet connections, but many quilters really want to feel the fabric and see the colors in advance.... you never know... just try to have six months of supply money, use your own car as long as you can, and put lots of flyers everywhere you can. you can be the Tupperfabric Avon Lady....lol
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