Dog lovers opinion needed.
@melissapalardy (213)
United States
March 15, 2009 5:54pm CST
I was thinking of starting my own business from home and I was wondering if anyone thought it would be a good idea. I will explain to you what it is, and you tell me if it would be a good idea or not. Any help would be great.
I was thinking about making custom made dog beds. You can pick the color(s) or patterns. You can also pick the sizes. The dog bed will come with a pillow case type thing that can be taken off and washed in the washes. They would come in four sizes. Small, Med, Large and extra large. perfect sizes for any dog. You would also be able to have your dogs name added for an extra charge. I would put on the site all the different colors available.
What do you think? Does it sound like a good idea? There are a lot of dog lovers out there that take good care of their dogs and want them to have the best.
If you were doing this, what would you charge for the different sizes? Dog beds cost a lot in the store. A small one would go for 20-30 dollars. And that is for a little on with no name or anything on it.
Thank you for your help
3 people like this
12 responses
@Cheryl0516 (20)
• China
16 Mar 09
To me,I think it's a good idea.I've never seen anyone doing this.As a dog lover,I'd like to have such a bed for my dog.Hmmm...But in my opinion,you cannot only make beds.Think more to do.You can also put some dog food or anything else on your shop.When the customers come they could buy some other things together
1 person likes this
@melissapalardy (213)
• United States
16 Mar 09
thank you so much for your help. i think you have a good idea. now i have to think of what else i can sell.
@melissapalardy (213)
• United States
17 Mar 09
i was thinking about the same thing. and you said it, so it must be a good idea.
@EvrWonder (3571)
• Canada
16 Mar 09
Good Idea, to add other items. I would love to see blankets that custom fit the beds. I know my Yorkie loves to be covered up on a cold night.
You could really go to town on the beds. Customize for male dogs as well as that for female dogs.
Sell blankets to go with the beds, pillows and cases to match the blankets.
@Crstal0774 (38)
• United States
16 Mar 09
Your idea sounds great.
You be surprise what and how much people would spend to
have the best for there animals.
I have seen dogs with cloths and hats and more.
If people have the money they wont mine spending.
Me personal, I would to want to offer something that the others don't just to set myself apart from everyone else. As there are a lot competitors out there.
In addition, I would have to do a price check first then price my own.
I hope this help
1 person likes this
@EvrWonder (3571)
• Canada
16 Mar 09
This is a great though. The idea of personalizing with the dogs name is a nice touch.
As a seller of home made crafts, it is advantageous to figure out a way to either be able to create these dog beds so that you can offer them at a really great price and still make a profit or make them very unique as the competition would be fierce.
Go into any pet store and you will see what I mean in the dog bed department.
An idea is that the dog owners who spend most, per pound would be toy dog owners.
These people seem to always buy added accessories for their small dogs. Bigger dogs get the jumbo bags of food and huge bones etc but the small ones get the quan\tity of small toys, cloths, hair accessories, blankets and beds.
Washable bed covers would be nice. The idea similar to duvet covers. Perhaps offer different colors of covers as extras, so the owner can have the option of making the dogs bed match the bedding color of the owner.
Make different shapes of beds. Hearts, dog bones etc. As well as different textures of fabric.
Just a few thoughts.
Dog beds is a great idea. I would try to narrow it down some. Find a niche in the area of dog beds to make your creations unique.
@melissapalardy (213)
• United States
17 Mar 09
the heating thing i will have to figure out. but i love your ideas. the different covers i thought of yesterday. but the heating thing, i never thought of that. i love it. thank you
@EvrWonder (3571)
• Canada
16 Mar 09
Another idea is to add low heat to some of the beds.
there are such thing as heating pads for dogs. Not the human grade ones though as they are not to be laid on.
@melissapalardy (213)
• United States
17 Mar 09
i had the same idea. i think i am going to make a line of products for dogs. i think it will be a lot of fun. i will let you guys know when it is all up and running. thank you so much for your help
@busyB4 (874)
• United States
16 Mar 09
I think it is a great idea! My big ole dog here wont sleep on a bed though, he prefers the floor!
I think a cute idea too would be to make extra covers and you could even do seasonal ones cutsey fabrics kind of like they do with scrubs, and I think they would sell to the owners of the bed. They like making changes and spoiling their family pet!
Another idea might be making bandanas with scraps of fabric you have left. Just a thought there- good luck!!
@crazyredhead (954)
• United States
16 Mar 09
I think this would work out really well as long as you stuck to online. People will more easily order things online and you'd get more sales rather than if you were to set up shop somewhere and hope somebody came in and saw something they liked. And adding other items would be a very good idea as well.
@snowy22315 (179596)
• United States
16 Mar 09
I think it sounds like a good idea, but you might want to price it alittle lower than what is in the store. You have a new product and you want to try a promotional price to get the word out. If people like the product they will tell their friends you may want to give them coupons to give to their friends and have them return to your business.
@melissapalardy (213)
• United States
16 Mar 09
that is a really good idea. thank you so much for all your help
@lingli_78 (12822)
• Australia
16 Mar 09
i think you have a great idea in your hand... it is very creative... you just need to sell other items as well on top of the dog bed to supplement it... for example, the cushion, blanket, etc... so that customers can buy everything that they need at once in your shop... good luck... take care and have a nice day...
@makingpots (11915)
• United States
16 Mar 09
Good luck with this business, melissapalardy.
I think anything like this that you do with heart and passion can be a positive experience. I do believe that dog lovers are inclined to spend a little bit on the comfort of their companion. I'm even a little embarassed to admit what I paid for the bed my sweet dog sleeps on.
I would recommend that you look around for websites of people making similar items as yours and use that as a guide in pricing. Also ask around to friends once you have a few items made and ask what they will pay. Best of luck with all this.
@hmkoct5 (2065)
• United States
17 Mar 09
I think it's a great idea! I love spoiling my little doggy with a new bed every once in a while. They seem to get ruined when I put them in the washer and dryer. They do cost a lot in stores. So, what you are charging seems very reasonable. I wish you luck!
@Archie0 (5652)
•
16 Mar 09
Yes it is a very nice idea as far as think it is a beneficial business, but it should work in you area because many people are not comfortable to give their dogs such a luxuries life due to some problems.if your area people are much intrested to buy such things then you can go for it, it will be nice.
in my city there are home made tiffins for dogs it comes for 700rs they give both non veg or veg for the dogs with all nutrients and calcium requirement for the day to a average dog. and many are intrested as they dont find time to cook for their dogs and give them a healthy diet. and this business is in boom here. they are even trying for a good updation now. so i think if there is requirement in you city for this then you might too have a great business
happy mylotting
@HelloMickey (1655)
• Hong Kong
16 Mar 09
Nothing is impossible. Try you best.
I have seen many home-made dog stuffs, some are fail, some succeed. I think it depends how is your product quality, and also the after sale service.
Good luck.