Ya think it would sell on Ebay?

Boleyz · #1 05/10/06, 04:20 PM

Hi!
I'm putting together a step-by-step construction guide for the landscape timber cabin.

Do ya think it would sell on ebay? Would it be better to sell it on CD's or just put it on a secret web-site and then give them the link when they pay?

What would be a fair price?

I like the idea of posting it online and then giving them a link to it. It'd save me a lot of trouble and expense.

What do you expert ebayers think?

blufford · #2 05/10/06, 05:17 PM

You could sell it on ebay and when they pay send it to them in an email, file or mail it to them in a CD or paper, or all three. Pay close attention to what your title making sure you use words that bring traffic to your auction. I'm sure that others will chime in with revelant words for your title line.

blufford · #3 05/10/06, 05:21 PM

Here are some search terms that come to mind.
Homesteading
Hunting retreat
Log Cabin

BigBoy · #4 05/10/06, 05:41 PM

Setting it up to download from a web address would be simpler but once they have the address they can give it to anyone or post it on a forum. You could create a file for each buyer with a random filename and give them a time limit to download it and then delete that particular filename... but that's a bit of work.

auntieemu · #5 05/10/06, 05:45 PM

No matter what you do, if someone is bound and determined to rip you off, they will. Do whatever works best for you - but make sure they understand what they are getting if there is no hard copy.

fernando · #6 05/10/06, 05:57 PM

I've come to believe that ANYTHING will sell on e-bay.

gypsymama · #7 05/10/06, 07:18 PM

Personally, my only concern would be a secure payment method if someone is using a credit card and on your end, you need some way of making sure it's not a stolen card.

Boleyz · #8 05/10/06, 07:39 PM

I like the idea of emailing it, of course, they could still give it out to friends. I guess there's really no way to prevent that. Once something is given out on any kind of digital media it can be copied and posted anywhere.

What do ya think would be a fair price? I would use paypal to receive payments. I'm thinking it'd be nice to clear 2 or 3 bucks per sale.

That sound about right? Too Low? Too High?

frazzlehead · #9 05/10/06, 10:12 PM

You may find a solution here:

http://www.cafepress.com/cp/info/sell/

If you do a website of your own that has all the tags (homesteading, log cabin, build yourself, etc etc ... things folks will find in a search) then you can point to cafe press as the place to purchase your book.

And hey, you can sell Tshirts with pictures of a cabin like yours with "I built it myself!" as tie in merchandise!

Blurb from their website:

At CafePress.com, you can create and sell a variety of customizable products with zero upfront costs and zero inventory investment.

You can sell

Merchandise you design including t-shirts, posters, mugs, bumper stickers and much more
Books printed on-demand
Audio and Data CDs

What CafePress.com does

Gives you a FREE online shop to promote your products
Produces each item when ordered using our unique print-on-demand technology
Handles all payment transactions including major credit cards
Ships your products worldwide
Manages all returns/exchanges
Offers customer service via toll-free phone and email
Sends you a monthly check for your earnings on sales!

donsgal · #10 05/10/06, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boleyz

Hi!
I'm putting together a step-by-step construction guide for the landscape timber cabin.

Do ya think it would sell on ebay? Would it be better to sell it on CD's or just put it on a secret web-site and then give them the link when they pay?

What would be a fair price?

I like the idea of posting it online and then giving them a link to it. It'd save me a lot of trouble and expense.

What do you expert ebayers think?

Having a download link is dangerous. You will have to change it after every purchase! It would be better to confirm payment and then simply email them the plans. If the plans are too large for some email programs, you can send it to them through yousendit.com which accommodates large files that cannot be emailed.

Do you have actual blue prints or professional drawings or are they just your drawings? If they are professional plans, you probably could sell them for a pretty good price. I would think that $50 would be a good price if they are very detailed and complete.

Donsgal

donsgal · #11 05/10/06, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boleyz

Hi!
I'm putting together a step-by-step construction guide for the landscape timber cabin.

Do ya think it would sell on ebay? Would it be better to sell it on CD's or just put it on a secret web-site and then give them the link when they pay?

What would be a fair price?

I like the idea of posting it online and then giving them a link to it. It'd save me a lot of trouble and expense.

What do you expert ebayers think?

Also, there are fulfillment companies that can send them the information after they receive payment. I think that Clickbank is one of these. They take a cut but handle all the details. You might want to check them out too.

donsgal

DrippingSprings · #12 05/10/06, 10:32 PM

you could always do like the fellow at that particular butt and pass cabin building web site.

You get several people to sign up for a two three or four day course with hands on building techniques at your spot. He actually gets people booked as far as a year ahead that pay several hundred bucks to go learn how to peel bark and stack logs.

then if you wanna really push it sell packages. you already know of the timber supplier you used. Sell those same people everything from the spikes to the timbers and a set of building plans to use your newly taught skills to build at the place of their choosing. one stop shopping. The know how of what tools etc and then they can leave with a delivery on the way to their property of all of the materials to build the cabin.

Boleyz · #13 05/10/06, 10:36 PM

I'm checking your sites and studying it out. Great suggestions!

I figure I'll do some sketches and scan em in. I can do a lot with graph paper and a ruler. Not professional by any means, but sufficient for use.

Boleyz · #14 05/10/06, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrippingSprings

you could always do like the fellow at that particular butt and pass cabin building web site.

You get several people to sign up for a two three or four day course with hands on building techniques at your spot. He actually gets people booked as far as a year ahead that pay several hundred bucks to go learn how to peel bark and stack logs.

then if you wanna really push it sell packages. you already know of the timber supplier you used. Sell those same people everything from the spikes to the timbers and a set of building plans to use your newly taught skills to build at the place of their choosing. one stop shopping. The know how of what tools etc and then they can leave with a delivery on the way to their property of all of the materials to build the cabin.

I don't think I want to get that involved with people. I don't have the time to run classes and to be honest, the construction is pretty straightforward with traditional tools. I just thought I might make a few bucks sharing my experience.

If I was ambitious and had the time though, you've suggested a great business plan...

Pigeon Lady · #15 05/10/06, 10:42 PM

I've seen boat building plans that sell for over a hundred bucks and come with a disclaimer stating that you are only allowed to build ONE boat! If you want to build more you are supposed to contact the designer and I think pay some kind of royalties on any future boats you build from the plans. I've no idea how they would implement any punishment for non compliance but I see it stated a lot.

This is the next boat I would build if I ever catch up on the million farm related jobs. You'll see the plans prices listed as you scroll down. Just to give you an idea.

http://www.duck-trap.com/2002dtw.html

Good luck with you venture. It sure is a nice cabin!!

Pauline