I don’t think there is a right time frame. It depends on the situation. Its also more complicated than analyzing the finances involved since there are so often mental/psychological objectives at play as well.

I will say that imbalance has a natural tendency to correct itself via a swing in the opposite direction. I tend to see a lot of inventors get overwhelmed with what is ahead of them, and as a reaction they semi-blindly jump into action strapped with at least some blissful ignorance. Once things don’t go initially as planned and the inventor realizes that things aren’t so simple and/or promising as they would have liked, they are forced to face that overwhelming feeling once again and they adopt an assumption that things are really more complicated and/or more bleak than they really are. And that is where I see ideas get abandoned. Sometimes the ideas are worthy of being abandoned, other times they are definitely not.

There have been times when I SORT OF thought about giving up on the patented pillowcase and that is when I would get a few orders from past customers. A new customer is nice but a repeat is gold so my faith was retored and I plugged along – and continue to do so. The income generated by the pillowcase has not covered all the expenses which have gone into it over the past 8 years but I truly believe there IS a market and it could be reached with proper marketing. Besides, how does one just give up as long as there are a few dollars still in the sofa cushions? It might be easier for me since I have only myself to take care of – most people have more responsibility than that so my ‘right time’ might be different from someone else’s.

I think it was Winston Churcill who said: “Never, ever, ever give up”

Well, Evelyn (who appears in drag in her avatar), Logic tells us that we should, at some point, give up if the journey is fruitless. Not just APPEARS fruitless but actually is. But, I think with inventors, it takes a lot for us to let go.

Julie…I wish there were more that think like you but the way I see it…it is rare that an inventor gives an idea the full effort it deserves and I have seen many great ideas get dropped after even 10% or 15% of the necessary work is done to prove an idea.

They move on to the next idea, all efforts invested from the last idea a complete waste and sometimes their next idea isn’t even as good as the last because they are getting discouraged and do not put as much time into originating the idea.

I really think maybe 50% of people’s ideas around here can make some money and make some users out there…somewhere…happy. They might not be blockbuster ideas to make millions…but can make a few bucks…and that would be damn good experience.

Thanks, Ron. You have to remember that I’m 70 and have a lot more years of living experience than most in the forums. Kind of like having permanent ‘hind-site’ – wish it worked ALL the time and would keep me from messing up here and there.

If i have an idea i believe in i’m a little like churchill almost never give up,last year i sold all rights to a snow sled design prototype that i’ve had kicking around my shop collecting dust for at least 15 years…got $3500.00 for it from a guy who wanted to pursue the idea. My current project in going into its third year and will no doubt take quite a while longer as i’ve got to teach myself to learn Zbrush 3D cad to make files for rapid prototyping my designs….can’t give up its an affliction!