The Problem With "Warby Parker for X"

#1

Post by jamiequint » Tue, Mar 05, 2013, 5:47 PM UTC

The Problem With "Warby Parker for X"
jamiequint.com

Re: The Problem With "Warby Parker for X"

#2

Post by thetrumanshow » Tue, Mar 05, 2013, 5:55 PM UTC

Interesting article, but tangentially (heh) ... if anyone wants to get into the "DollarSockClub" business with me, I'm so effing tired of buying packs of expensive socks.

Is it really that hard to source and deliver quality socks at a reasonable price?

Maybe it is.

Re: The Problem With "Warby Parker for X"

#3

Post by jgrahamc » Tue, Mar 05, 2013, 6:02 PM UTC

thetrumanshow wrote: post #2

Interesting article, but tangentially (heh) ... if anyone wants to get into the "DollarSockClub" business with me, I'm so effing tired of buying packs of expensive socks. Is it really that hard to source and deliver quality socks at a reasonable price? Maybe it is.

Why do you need so many socks that a sock delivery service is necessary?

I imagine I buy socks about once a year (max).

Re: The Problem With "Warby Parker for X"

#4

Post by ihodes » Tue, Mar 05, 2013, 6:02 PM UTC

thetrumanshow wrote: post #2

Interesting article, but tangentially (heh) ... if anyone wants to get into the "DollarSockClub" business with me, I'm so effing tired of buying packs of expensive socks. Is it really that hard to source and deliver quality socks at a reasonable price? Maybe it is.

For what degree of quality, and what price?

Also, do you really need that many socks?

Re: The Problem With "Warby Parker for X"

#5

Post by sp332 » Tue, Mar 05, 2013, 6:06 PM UTC

thetrumanshow wrote: post #2

Interesting article, but tangentially (heh) ... if anyone wants to get into the "DollarSockClub" business with me, I'm so effing tired of buying packs of expensive socks. Is it really that hard to source and deliver quality socks at a reasonable price? Maybe it is.

http://www.manpacks.com/ was around before Dollar Shave Club.

Re: The Problem With "Warby Parker for X"

#6

Post by arkitaip » Tue, Mar 05, 2013, 6:13 PM UTC

sp332 wrote: post #5

thetrumanshow wrote: post #2

Interesting article, but tangentially (heh) ... if anyone wants to get into the "DollarSockClub" business with me, I'm so effing tired of buying packs of expensive socks. Is it really that hard to source and deliver quality socks at a reasonable price? Maybe it is.

http://www.manpacks.com/ was around before Dollar Shave Club.

I still don't understand why people needs underwear, tshirts and socks delivered on a schedule. Personally I buy these items maybe once a year or every other year because they just last.

Re: The Problem With "Warby Parker for X"

#7

Post by thetrumanshow » Tue, Mar 05, 2013, 6:14 PM UTC

jgrahamc wrote: post #3

thetrumanshow wrote: post #2

Interesting article, but tangentially (heh) ... if anyone wants to get into the "DollarSockClub" business with me, I'm so effing tired of buying packs of expensive socks. Is it really that hard to source and deliver quality socks at a reasonable price? Maybe it is.

Why do you need so many socks that a sock delivery service is necessary? I imagine I buy socks about once a year (max).

{A wild potential partner appears} :)

My good sir, you know that retailers strive to maximize dollar-per-square-foot. As such, the inventory changes to squeeze more money from folks like me who come back a year later and can't figure out why the hell the Puritan socks they had last year are no longer on the shelf.

I just want someone to offer me a product that I like and deliver that same great product to me for 20 years. Won't someone take my money?

Re: The Problem With "Warby Parker for X"

#8

Post by sp332 » Tue, Mar 05, 2013, 6:16 PM UTC

arkitaip wrote: post #6

sp332 wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

http://www.manpacks.com/ was around before Dollar Shave Club.

I still don't understand why people needs underwear, tshirts and socks delivered on a schedule. Personally I buy these items maybe once a year or every other year because they just last.

Maybe they use them harder than you do. Maybe they own fewer pairs of socks so they rotate more often and wear out quickly. Maybe they are picker about the condition of their clothes than you are. Anyway the "manpacks" are on a 3-month schedule, so just divide your annual needs by 4 and sign up :)

Re: The Problem With "Warby Parker for X"

#9

Post by thetrumanshow » Tue, Mar 05, 2013, 6:16 PM UTC

ihodes wrote: post #4

thetrumanshow wrote: post #2

Interesting article, but tangentially (heh) ... if anyone wants to get into the "DollarSockClub" business with me, I'm so effing tired of buying packs of expensive socks. Is it really that hard to source and deliver quality socks at a reasonable price? Maybe it is.

For what degree of quality, and what price? Also, do you really need that many socks?

All negotiable within reason.

Do you not know the joy of changing socks mid-day? Boom! I just changed your life :).

Re: The Problem With "Warby Parker for X"

#10

Post by antr » Tue, Mar 05, 2013, 7:26 PM UTC

There is a bigger trend that the article omits: the internet has become mainstream enough for "anyone" to open an online store, and best thing is, this is great for consumers.

Not every internet business needs to have an "innovative business model", but these businesses can still be highly profitable just by selling a product/service that people want.

Take German bicycle manufacturer Canyon (www.canyon.com). They are a direct-to-consumer business, they sell bicycles which have been around for over 100 years, and they are wildly profitable. Still, their business model is not innovative.

This article comes across as very negative towards people who want to start an online business, but the reality is that the internet is what electricity was to the second industrial revolution.