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Quote: Originally posted by Riggeroo on 27/1/2014I want to make up starter kits, and Euro travel kits. The Camping starter kit would contain: pots & pans, kettle, lantern, torch, gas lighter, loo rolls, 1st Aid Kit probably for around £45,
I suspect that most new campers take pans from home, then buy new when they find out more about what works best for their needs. Pots and pans are so subjective; size, finish, what camping stove they are to be used on etc.
Lantern and torch. If you're aiming retailing this pack at £45, I'm guessing these are both going to be battery operated, and entry-level? Will you also be including batteries?
Loo rolls. Will you include quick-dissolving, for chemical toilets, or just regular stuff?
When we started camping, our main priorities (besides the tent) were a) beds and sleeping bags, b) stove and c) lantern. The rest, we took from home or worked out what we needed as we went along.
the motorhome/caravan starter kit would contain: kettle, fresh & waste water tank cleaners, gas lighter, lantern, mains lead 25m, small levelling blocks, spirit level, loo blue, loo rolls, torch probably for around £100
Most new caravanners buy a used van, so often get a lot of this stuff included in the purchase. I know we did, with the vans we purchased (usually mains lead, levelling blocks etc). Kettle for vans is usually electric, no? Loo rolls would have to be quick dissolving, or the supermarket budget range. If you can afford a van, you usually want a good quality torch, maybe with rechargeable batteries. Will this be an option?
My questions though are:
What would make you come and look at my site
What do you think of starter kits ie would you buy one?, Are they worth buying?
When you buy from accessory websites do you buy more if that site has lots of information about the product on it ie what you use the item for ?
What works best coupons (one off discounts) or loyalty schemes
Finally, Where do you currently buy most of your accessories/parts from at the moment is it online, dealer, large superstore (like Go Outdoors, Millets etc)
Thank you all for any advices you can give, it's very appreciated.
I don't want to put a downer on things, but I don't know how successful starter packs will be. As I've mentioned, we started off using a lot of the stuff from home and concentrated our buying power on the bigger stuff, so that when we realised what we needed (or wanted) it was more specific, rather than wanting a basket load of starter stuff.
Equally, when we bought our first caravan, we already had some camping kit (if you read the threads on here, I don't think this is unusual) and received some items in with the purchase, so no real need for a starter set of anything.
Identify your market. With starter sets, there's not really going to be any return custom, is there? Which means you have to consistently target new campers.
I agree with what others have said: it might be worth trialling a few of your starter packs on ebay (being mindful of ebay and paypal fees, which will offset any profit by around 15% or more) and see how it goes, before making any major investments of time or money.
Would I look at a website which focuses primarily on camping and caravan starter sets? No, not now, unless you had an especially good deal on an item of camping gear I fancied. Could you compete, price-wise, with established retailers? Would you be able to deal with the inevitable returns, as well as faulty goods?
A lot for you to consider, and a lot of unknowns, I guess. I admire your passion, but do tread cautiously.
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Topic: Thinking of setting up online biz
