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Ask HN: Simple little business - what should I call it?

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Re: Ask HN: Simple little business - what should I call it?

#61

Post by bigohms »

limmeau wrote: post #37
AlexMuir wrote: post #32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm not started yet - I just used the present tense for brevity above. I'm going to test the market over the next couple of weeks with a sample dropoff. I founded a student storage business [ http://www.thebigspace.co.uk ] 7 years ago and so I've got a good grasp of the logistics of collecting and moving boxes. I also have lots of empty boxes. 1. Zero so far. 2. I'm going to start at 15% after selling costs (ebay fee…

This sounds partly similar to businesses who clear out deceased people's houses. Perhaps you can learn from them?

In the U.S. estate sale providers make a killing and have first dibs on gold, silver and other precious, historical items.

Re: Ask HN: Simple little business - what should I call it?

#63

Post by gjm11 »

thirdstation wrote: post #14

clutterbin.com Think about what you're doing for people and maybe you'll get more ideas. You're helping people by making it easy to clean up their unwanted clutter and then magically, they get money and peace of mind because they're not surrounded by stuff they don't want :-)

I think "clutterbox" sounds better (perhaps because of its similarity to "chatterbox") and has better associations (perhaps it's a UK/US thing, but to me "bin" strongly suggests throwing stuff away permanently, which suggests a mere disposal service). In the UK there seem to be a company called Clutterbox (providing resources for primary-school teachers) and a product of the same name (a garden shed!), whereas Clutterbin seems not to be in commercial use anywhere.

Re: Ask HN: Simple little business - what should I call it?

#65

Post by astine »

AlexMuir wrote: post #5
michael_dorfman wrote: post #4

www.box-away.com is available. If you want to avoid the hyphen, you can go with www.MagicBoxAway.com, or use colored boxes, and go for www.BlueBoxAway.com (or GreenBoxAway, or YellowBoxAway, etc.)

Coloured cardboard boxes cost a surprising amount extra (almost double). BrownBoxAway doesn't have the same ring to it. MagicBoxAway is pretty good though.

Yes, but they look so sleek. Seriously, people will judge the trustworthiness of your company by the appearance of your boxes and the quality of your branding. I don't know the costs of the cardboard boxes you're looking at, but I suspect that the price difference might be worth it. Add a simple logo and you'll be golden. ...I like the 'redboxaway' because the color is the brightest, and because red and box are the same number of letters it leads itself to more logo options. There is a possible name clash with a popular video rental business though.

Re: Ask HN: Simple little business - what should I call it?

#66

Post by astine »

olalonde wrote: post #48
AlexMuir wrote: post #38

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's a trust issue. This way, our interests are aligned, and people aren't going to think 'Hey, this might be worth something - I'll hang onto it'. I'm going to get the best price for their stuff, and they can see it. Cash4gold pay as little as they can get away with - I don't want to be 'exposed' in the scams section of the paper.

Cash4gold is not a scam and they make a shit load of money. The trust issue in my opinion will lie in you walking away with people's stuff with no real incentive in getting the best price out of it since every sale is profit for you. Also, what will you do when an item doesn't sell after some time? Do you ship it back to its owner? Just think carefully about your business model because profit-sharing might not be the…

Cash4Gold is a terrible investment. you can nearly always get a better price at your local pawn broker (or hell, eBay.) They may not technically be a scam, but they are still perceived as such and have a terrible reputation amongst customers.

Re: Ask HN: Simple little business - what should I call it?

#67

Post by aberkowitz »

olalonde wrote: post #48
AlexMuir wrote: post #38

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's a trust issue. This way, our interests are aligned, and people aren't going to think 'Hey, this might be worth something - I'll hang onto it'. I'm going to get the best price for their stuff, and they can see it. Cash4gold pay as little as they can get away with - I don't want to be 'exposed' in the scams section of the paper.

Cash4gold is not a scam and they make a shit load of money. The trust issue in my opinion will lie in you walking away with people's stuff with no real incentive in getting the best price out of it since every sale is profit for you. Also, what will you do when an item doesn't sell after some time? Do you ship it back to its owner? Just think carefully about your business model because profit-sharing might not be the…

Cash4gold is a scam in the sense that they prey on uninformed people, and make it difficult to get items you do not wish to sell back.

Re: Ask HN: Simple little business - what should I call it?

#68

Post by ovi256 »

I had a friend that did exactly this in France starting in 2007. I didn't hear about it anymore a year later, so I'd say his venture ended, but I really am not sure. I can't remember the name and google doesn't find anything anymore, as anything touching eBay is SEO'd to high heaven.

Re: Ask HN: Simple little business - what should I call it?

#69

Post by bobf »

cosgroveb wrote: post #56
AlexMuir wrote: post #32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm not started yet - I just used the present tense for brevity above. I'm going to test the market over the next couple of weeks with a sample dropoff. I founded a student storage business [ http://www.thebigspace.co.uk ] 7 years ago and so I've got a good grasp of the logistics of collecting and moving boxes. I also have lots of empty boxes. 1. Zero so far. 2. I'm going to start at 15% after selling costs (ebay fee…

Take 30%. Seriously.

At least, if not more.

Re: Ask HN: Simple little business - what should I call it?

#70

Post by shanes »

Hi Alex Here are my ideas. I apologize for mixing up the good ones with the stupid ones.

TossitAndProfit

BoxitAndHawkit

FillPhilsBox

RustyDustyMustyAndBling

CashForYourStash

OneMansTrash

AnotherMansTreasure

SloughOffYourToffStuff

WrapYourCrap

HunkOfPlunkForYourFunkyJunk

KnickKnackBricABrac

BarmyGitsKaboodles

FackYerTackle

LesMoore

JackDawse

LowellWatt

SellDeezTingsMon

TallyMansBananas

MoolaNoFoola

DoshForTosh

TankitAndBankit

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