Hey Zabber,

Interesting product. Some people might be interested, but I don’t think I would by one. I prefer to have stuff like that in a bag. I like to table function and could see how it would come in handy sometimes. I do think the guy using it as a pillow looks absolutely ridiculous. I don’t mean to be rude, but it looks like he’s napping on a surfboard.

Table feature=great
Pillow feature=not so much

I laughed so hard about the guy on the surfboard! Yes, I hate that it’s a guy in the picture and didn’t want to pay for a lady to be replaced on it…I think the idea was to show someone using it, albeit not the best picture…thanks for the feedback. This is a finalist in Yahoo Green search my guess is that women would be the takers on this and teens and kids.

I don’t expect many guys to like it, but there are times when your bag gets wet on the ground and ruins what’s in it, as well as not being “easy to access” when you are already comfortable laying down. Tables are very hard to come by at the beach and at resorts too. THANKS!

The pillow idea is one for comfort while laying out, but the women know what I mean about ruining your suit on the cement, it’s gross water and when we sit poolside with our kids, it’s pretty hard cement and HOT!

I appreciate it and the good laugh. Do you have one to share Bill?

Yeah, like I said, I think there’s a market for it…just not me. Best of luck and keep us all posted.

As for me, no I have nothing to share. I have a couple ideas that I had thought about protecting, but haven’t yet. I’m more interested in licensing deals and letting a company do all the dirty work. I have a neat product that people might use with your pool tray…I’ll let you know if it makes it.

That would be really cool if you get a licensing deal (me too if that’s the route I go) and maybe we can collaborate on your idea? Just a thought…thanks for the feedback! AND GOOD LUCK!

Andrea… this is my quick opinion, which usually everyone’s quick opinion is something you have thought of or just an incomplete evaluation (See…this is why getting feedback from EN would not be fair or accurate to anyone)

I think your only shot to market is to sell to large hotel chains that could brand and let guests use for free. The only other thing is maybe if Coca-Cola would cover with their logo and maybe give away in certain instances. Of you could nail this, you put your website/manufacturing info on the back and you will never have to advertise, hopefully some will want for home use too.

I don’t think you will hit the numbers required for mass markets. You could possibly sell in a very custom catalog like Harriet Carter but your numbers would not be shocking in a good way. You might be happy if you could land a deal with Holiday Inn especially if you find a second use…like maybe for breakfast in bed…so your product is kept in every room.

You will have to get a good lead to sales like show a licensor interest from a hotel chain. I had to do that to lure a manufacturer, show interest from EMS and U.S. military as well as from medical professionals.

Ron Komorowski
Inventor of Handi-Straps
www.handi-straps.com

Thanks Ron, I have considered the hotel chains and that is a huge market. They could also rent these at resorts for $5 a day if they wanted to. Part of the description is to be used by hotels, cruise ships, beach resorts (like renting an umbrella) and also for personal use with the backpack to put your towel in as well. It could be given away as “promotion” as well and another idea we have tinkered with!

The other thought was to have these be done in Disney or other themes for the kids/teens (would require a license to do this from a toy company).

I like the idea of the kids magazines/custom catalog’s, that is on the marketing plan as well. These can be made very cheap in China (like $3 to $4 per piece) and they would retail from $19.99 to $39.99 so the revenue would be there. Anyway, great idea’s and thanks for the info!

Hi Andrea,
Great idea. Will it fold to a size that can fit into a small suitcase? I can see it being sold at Kmart, Walmart, American Sales and other stores doing the Summer season.
Good Luck!

Yes, it folds up into a small suitcase! I also see it sold in those stores as well as BB&B and Toy’s are Us! Thank you for the feedback!

I would say a major retailer would want to see a sales history before they touch this product which is what they usually want to see unless there is something that clearly stands out and is close to what is on the shelves but not too close. Like if it is a kitchen tool similar but better than something already proven to sell.

That is what QVC is for us inventors. Get a sales history. NOT to make money. Few new products make money on QVC. Break even is a win there with a new product. You go with them for the exposure to get you into retailers.

Another very important thing to remember…size of product and profit margin. If the product stacks poorly or takes up too much space you may have problems with retailers and may look to go with online retailers where space matters less. Most inventors never even consider that.

Wish I could afford to bring to market myself, so the “sales history” is out for now. That’s why I am on here to have EN bring to market.

I wouldn’t think this would be a good fit for QVC at this point (but would love to be on the show, wouldn’t that be what we all strive for, big exposure>)

RIght, size is big…it folds up and very thin so they could stack these very nicely, that’s why it has the folds to fold into a back pack or a bag…smart minds think alike Ron! :)

I didn’t say your product is too big but the size per profit margin surely must be considered. A diamond would be the ultimate in this size per profit margin.

Not many of us have the money for manufacturing. You can seek a U.S. manufacturer that may put up product for you or make to order or seek an investor which should be available since investing in today’s financials may be like throwing money in the wind, but investing in a product for future markets in a couple years may be perfect timing.

Edison Nation is also a GREAT step to take. Try with them first. I believe you cannot go wrong. If I gave them my Handi-Straps today or my other inventions they should surely be able to make more sales than I can. It’s all a gamble.

Ron, this is a finalist product already in the Yahoo Green search, I am a subscriber here as well, did your handi-straps go to G8 yet? These are pretty cool.

Andrea…I never entered anything to EN but I really should even though I have extensive experience in this field. Would be nice to sit back and let EN do all the work…some that enter do not know how easy they have it!