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Launch HN: Convictional (YC W19) – Supplier Network for Retailers

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Re: Launch HN: Convictional (YC W19) – Supplier Network for Retailers

#41

My first thought on reading the name was perhaps this was a business whose competitive advantage was hiring convicts and other people who are disadavantaged in the job market - I'm not sure how the name Convictional relates to the product?

People in our YC batch thought that we made software for convicts. We just liked the word conviction and what it represents.

Re: Launch HN: Convictional (YC W19) – Supplier Network for Retailers

#43
post #12

I think as trade tensions increase with China, there is going to be a huge market opportunity for people in the US to start overtaking some of that business that AliBaba currently owns. As a US based solution, you guys are tapping into a real opportunity here. Good luck. * Quick idea, you guys should buy a warehouse, stick it in the middle of Odgan Kansas, and charge suppliers to store their stuff there, than ship it…

It's funny you say that because some of the largest distributors in the world are basically what we have + a 3PL facility attached to it. Our hope is to partner with distributors who do the physical stuff and provide better software, which so far is working pretty well. We would be really out of our depth on the physical side of things at this point. Shopify just waded into their own 3PLs though which is interesting.…

Yep it seems like Deliverr and Shopify are trying to pry sellers away from Amazon FBA.

I'm actually working on an open-source fulfillment system for Shopify where users can source their inventory from ShipBob, Deliverr, any custom 3PL:

https://github.com/openshiporg/openship

Could we integrate with Convictional?

Re: Launch HN: Convictional (YC W19) – Supplier Network for Retailers

#44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's funny you say that because some of the largest distributors in the world are basically what we have + a 3PL facility attached to it. Our hope is to partner with distributors who do the physical stuff and provide better software, which so far is working pretty well. We would be really out of our depth on the physical side of things at this point. Shopify just waded into their own 3PLs though which is interesting.…

Yep it seems like Deliverr and Shopify are trying to pry sellers away from Amazon FBA. I'm actually working on an open-source fulfillment system for Shopify where users can source their inventory from ShipBob, Deliverr, any custom 3PL: https://github.com/openshiporg/openship Could we integrate with Convictional?

Yes: https://docs.convictional.com/ although it's worth a conversation to figure out the easiest approach. roger@convictional.com

Re: Launch HN: Convictional (YC W19) – Supplier Network for Retailers

#46

Minor nitpick but: your logo seems to blend into the background because there's not enough contrast. Also, seems like the top is cut off if you zoom enough (it's also very tiny) https://imgur.com/a/gIgGpRp Congratulations on the launch and best of luck for the road ahead!

Our logo is not great and also a carryover from a prior startup one of us had. We should definitely update it...

I feel that would be a good idea! I didn't really find a connection b/w the company and logo so had just flagged it off as abstract.

Not sure if this is the correct place, but I do design :P

Re: Launch HN: Convictional (YC W19) – Supplier Network for Retailers

#47

My first thought on reading the name was perhaps this was a business whose competitive advantage was hiring convicts and other people who are disadavantaged in the job market - I'm not sure how the name Convictional relates to the product?

People in our YC batch thought that we made software for convicts. We just liked the word conviction and what it represents.

I first read it as Convectional and I thought maybe that represented your transport model (like the convection heat transfer)

Re: Launch HN: Convictional (YC W19) – Supplier Network for Retailers

#48
Hi Roger and Chris!

I have read your landing pages but still not understanding how you are going to make leaps and bounds ahead of competition trying to add “selection”...

I see your biggest challenge is onboarding suppliers that are non-tech or don’t understand eCommerce platforms.

Otherwise you’re onboarding brands that are already listing their products with other dropshippers?

I run an a consulting agency for Amazon suppliers, essentially holding their hand through all things related to Amazon and eCommerce strategy.

I also run a marketplace store for when my brands don’t want to have their own Amazon relationship.

We haven’t pushed any brands to oberlo because it seems like a massive headache with low sales opportunity.

Who is your “perfect” brand?

Re: Launch HN: Convictional (YC W19) – Supplier Network for Retailers

#49
Would this work for just existing products in the supplier marketplace? Or would it somehow enable custom products to be dropshipped?

The advantages for the retailers seems great but what about advantages for the suppliers? Eventually if enough people started using one supplier, they would have so much inventory they would need another warehouse.

Re: Launch HN: Convictional (YC W19) – Supplier Network for Retailers

#50

Hi Roger and Chris! I have read your landing pages but still not understanding how you are going to make leaps and bounds ahead of competition trying to add “selection”... I see your biggest challenge is onboarding suppliers that are non-tech or don’t understand eCommerce platforms. Otherwise you’re onboarding brands that are already listing their products with other dropshippers? I run an a consulting agency for Ama…

Agreed re: Oberlo. So far it's fashion, furniture, homewares or other durable goods who have good reviews, started directly to consumer and then plateaued, and have US-based shipping. Even better if the product is made locally but that's less common.

Generally we can help them with a lot more than enable drop ship, which could be underwriting their receivables, doing EDI integration, setting up a B2B program, etc.

It's less focused on marketplace sellers and more directly on the company that sources or makes it. Hope this helps.

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