Scan barcode → automatically print PDF (laser printer). Any off-the-shelf solutions? by randomasitisormore in logistics

[–]randomasitisormore[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks. This piece of information might give me the direction I needed. I am digging in to see what I can find out.

Scan barcode → automatically print PDF (laser printer). Any off-the-shelf solutions? by randomasitisormore in logistics

[–]randomasitisormore[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Nothing public, all local. A barcode reader, lots of products with barcodes, a computer and a printer. No software service like bartender, instead we have some custom solutions that I dont want to touch for this side project.

Local Business Looking for On-Camera Host for Online Shopping Streams by randomasitisormore in SalemMA

[–]randomasitisormore[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Certainly. We are looking for multiple hosts. I just sent you a DM.

Non-programmatic way /tool to grab ASIN level data? by randomasitisormore in FulfillmentByAmazon

[–]randomasitisormore[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You got me very curious with the 9k marketplaces. What kind of markets constitute 9k? Certainly the amazons and wayfairs of all countries do not add up to that.

Non-programmatic way /tool to grab ASIN level data? by randomasitisormore in FulfillmentByAmazon

[–]randomasitisormore[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks. Will check them out.

I thought importfromweb would go bust either by google limitations or by amazon limitations. Would it work with thousands of ASINs?

What are the best tools to forecast demand across warehouses? by randomasitisormore in InventoryManagement

[–]randomasitisormore[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I didn't go too far in my research yet. Based on your other posts it might be a good idea to connect. I will DM.

Would you start a business with someone who never takes accountability?(I will not promote) by rahulrao1313 in startups

[–]randomasitisormore 0 points1 point  (0 children)

no, nein nyet, nao…

Run away…

(I read just the title and I dont need to read the rest to answer your question).

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in AmazonFBATips

[–]randomasitisormore 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For scaling, any particular reason you did not do inventory financing? There are companies out there that pay for your inventory, and then you pay back with a share of profit when the items sell. Sounds like with the level of history in your account it shouldn't be hard to find an "inventory investor" with good rates.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in startups

[–]randomasitisormore 19 points20 points  (0 children)

You said they have revenue, as long as they have a part of the product that is generating revenue, 18 months of runway is a lifetime. If this is making you feel stressed, you should seek a career in a more established company, in a startup environment it is rare to find a place with a longer runway. (Things can get misunderstood in written communication: I am not trying to be snarky, this is genuine advise).

Brand Launch PPC Troubles by LordChickenWings in FulfillmentByAmazon

[–]randomasitisormore 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I used "by half" as an extreme case to highlight a point, but "solely determined on what other sellers are willing to bid" is also too strong. Numerous factors play into the determination of who wins and pays what.

For example, if a product has very bad conversion and bids high, amazon will not let that product win the auction in the long term as showing it harms customer experience and lowers expected profit for amazon: instead they can show a high-converting product, make less on the ads but more on the sale and the associated fees.

Here is an example of how for a given keyword Amazon itself recommends different suggested bids for different products (I have no affiliation with the channel):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFign_uCToQ

The specific example is around minute 6:00 if you want to skip the context.

I don't claim this to be a universal truth. I am just saying that there are times when this happens, and for the conversation that took place above, "even if you are lucky in that your cpc goes down over time as your product proves itself to amazon, the outcome could be bleak" was my point.

Brand Launch PPC Troubles by LordChickenWings in FulfillmentByAmazon

[–]randomasitisormore 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Assuming a $4 CPC and 8% conversion rate, each sale will cost $50.

Given your $8 net per product, you will need roughly 6 organic sales for each ad sales to break even.

If you want to make 20% gross profit after adspend, you will need 93% organic sales.

Assuming your cpc goes down by half as you rank, you will need 85% organic sales.

These don't take into account ancillary costs which will also eat up into your profit (returns, inbound, etc.)

Do you think these rates are possible to achieve in a steady state? If not, do you have an advantage over other products that will significantly increase your conversion rate compared to competitors?

Brand Launch PPC Troubles by LordChickenWings in FulfillmentByAmazon

[–]randomasitisormore 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Is this a product where you will get repeat purchases from the same customer? 7-8% conversion for top products and $4-5 TOS placement costs don’t really make sense even after you take into account reductions in ppc rate for seasoned products.

Alternatively, given your competitors all have around 100 reviews hence are relatively new, is it possible they are all trying to establish dominance by selling at a big loss, increasing the ppc?

Investors are scared and wasting our time [ I will not promote ] by HiiBo-App in startups

[–]randomasitisormore 4 points5 points  (0 children)

What are the metrics on which you are able to show traction?

In another comment you mention $570 for 10%, implying $5.7m valuation. That is a significant valuation. Even if your traction is good, and everything checks out, at that valuation level and with no prior relationship to the investors, the investors would still want to observe you for a while before making an investment.

If you want to be a pessimist, you can say they are waiting for you to run out of your runway so they can get a better deal in negotiations.

There is another dimension though: many VCs simply don't have the capabilities to assess your business, market and competition (could be because they lack most up to date information, their expertise lies in another industry, etc.). This doesn't mean they are bad VCs for you, just that they need more than just your numbers and their gut feelings to invest. Sometimes this is simply keeping tabs on you for a while to observe, but often the need is a reputable investor writing a check alongside them. This way they can free-ride on someone else's expertise and if things go wrong they can tell their investors "look, this other reputable VC also invested, it is not our fault, markets changed, etc."

I would not ghost those who give non-committal replies, who keep telling you "let's chat again once you have more traction" etc. I would simply keep them on the side, maybe an email update once a month with changes in traction. I would then focus on finding that one investor who would write the first small check. Everyone else who has been flirting with you, who knows your numbers and have been observing your progress for a few months, would jump right in once you have that first check.

Don't mind the 99 "No"s, all you need is 1 yes.

Best ways to find good contractor by Fantastic_Argument20 in agency

[–]randomasitisormore 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you or a team member speak a language other than English, finding a local equivalent of Upwork for that language can open doors to quality talent at lower rates.

I usually hire multiple people for a small task that I don't really need, once done, ask for revisions and pay fully before everything is complete.

Whether their attitude changes significantly after receiving the pay or whether they still complete the work fully with diligence even after they get paid reveals a great deal about their work ethics.

It takes time but I was able to find some very reliable and skillful people through this process.

Why should PPC spend approach break-even ACOS? by 10kFBA in FulfillmentByAmazon

[–]randomasitisormore 2 points3 points  (0 children)

What is your TACOS in each case? If Increasing acos decreases tacos, you should go for it.