Ask HN: Customers say “great idea and product” but they don't download • Hacker News Board

Re: Ask HN: Customers say “great idea and product” but they don't download

#21

Post by lazylizard » Wed, Aug 20, 2014, 3:32 AM UTC

buyfromfarm wrote: post #20

Mz wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Okay, so are you actually doing this in China then? Because I am American and I imagine most folks here are answering from an American or European or other more developed country perspective. So if you will clarify where your market is, that might help you get better feedback from the people here. I am sorry you are offended. I was not challenging your intention. I was telling you what the product looks like to an ou…

Well, my website is in English and I am asking a question in a English Forum so apparently I am targeting US. I understand your point. Yes, I should do my own research before I started to make an app. Tell me this is the story of facebook, dropbox, box, airbnb, etc. Not related but I am pretty new to HN. I thought the answer to a question should be related. Personally I don't get how your answer is USEFUL. From my un…

maybe 当局者迷，旁观者清? all they are doing is telling you what they, as strangers, see and feel when they visit your site/service. you can choose to accept those perspectives or not. and some of the feedback is even actionable. and if even that is not helpful/useful i cant really imagine what is, especially considering you asked some strangers for help and they all have nothing to gain by either helping or not..they're all just..trying to be helpful?

Re: Ask HN: Customers say “great idea and product” but they don't download

#22

Post by palidanx » Wed, Aug 20, 2014, 3:51 AM UTC

buyfromfarm wrote: post #16

Mz wrote: post #11

I am wondering what problem you are trying to solve. I am wondering if you even have a clear problem in mind or if this is a solution in search of a problem. What is your so-called elevator speech for this product? As RogerL indicated, the site does need a lot of work. But, I think a deeper problem is that I don't really see a clear business model here. I see something that looks like this type of thinking: "1) make…

Well. Making me rich as my intention is probably a little bit too much. At least I think I am trying to help them. The idea is from neighbors helping neighbors. I am from China. Nowadays almost 99% grocery shopping is done in farmer's markets in China, India and almost most developing countries. There are countless news about farmers couldn't find buyers. This is the problem I am solving. If you think my solution is…

> There are countless news about farmers couldn't find buyers.

Bigger farmer's tend to work with bigger distributors like Costco or safeway for their product. Smaller farmers go to farmer's markets to sell their goods.

For example, one of my favorite farmers is located in the central valley. They do about 6 markets a week driving to a different city every time.

Basically at least in California and in most of the nation there is some type of farmer's market infrastructure so to speak. This infrastructure makes it easier for the farmer to find buyers by only specifically targeting certain markets/cities.

In terms of farmers finding buyers specifically I don't think there is an existing model of b2c directly (at least yet). The closest thing I can think of is you are kind of similar to a CSA.

Lastly the best thing to do is put yourself in the farmer's shoes and look at it in their perspective. Is there a problem you actually are solving for them?

Re: Ask HN: Customers say “great idea and product” but they don't download

#23

Post by seekingcharlie » Wed, Aug 20, 2014, 4:54 AM UTC

buyfromfarm wrote: post #19

seekingcharlie wrote: post #15

I'd have a look at what competitor's are already doing in the space: https://www.goodeggs.com/

this is a blank page. nothing is there. tested with chrome and safari.

Look again, closer.

It's a simple page that asks users to take a core action - choose the market in their area. You can then view all items that you can have ordered to you from farmers/producers.

They have been gaining a lot of traction which is why I told you to look at them.

Re: Ask HN: Customers say “great idea and product” but they don't download

#24

Post by seanccox » Wed, Aug 20, 2014, 9:27 AM UTC

I am not a farmer, but I have lived and worked alongside them and I have to ask: What problem are you trying to solve? Is the problem you solved a problem that farmers have?

Personally, I don't think you understand the dynamics of the small farm market, or what the people involved (as growers or buyers) want and need. My two closest friends recently launched their rural Indiana farm, and I've spent time with them on farms in VT over the past several yeas. I've had lots of conversations with farmers about the potential of technologies and apps, and discussed problems they face. In a dozen conversations, no one mentioned problems selling to their neighbors or unloading product at local markets. This is probably because most farmers aren't earning their main income from those sources, and instead they go there to maintain a presence in their communities.

However, all of the farmers I spoke with had difficulties finding steady income selling bulk to restaurants or other large buyers on a regular basis. Go solve that problem, and I'm sure you will get your downloads.

Re: Ask HN: Customers say “great idea and product” but they don't download

#25

Post by JSeymourATL » Tue, Sep 02, 2014, 2:13 PM UTC

buyfromfarm wrote: post #14

JSeymourATL wrote: post #9

> what should I do? I am not gonna close my door without trying harder. Repetition is key-- visit these same people again, and again. Get to know them and their business. Question: are the vendors the true decision-makers or just helpers? Focus on getting just ONE conversion as a pilot project. Hold their hand till it gets traction. All the other vendors will take note if this thing works. Mindset is helpful, this is…

Helpful one. I actually met a CEO of a local wine company. He was excited (at least he asked a lot of questions), pointed me to his VP Marketing. Some are helpers. I will lock one and follow up.

For what it's worth-- do ping me if you would like to compare notes on strategy/execution, etc...