Onion game Cases

[Azarkhel]

Seymour, throw us an update man!

[Seymor Onion]

Hey, guys!

Sales have been slow, and unpredictable.
Rising Gas Prices, and possibly having to pay in Income Tax, may be partly to blame.
If you live in the US of A, the deadline for filing Federal Income Tax is Tuesday, April 17'th.
I haven't quite reached the $ goal to begin the Physical Prototype Creation phase yet, but it's only a matter of time.

Here's a brief recap of the plan I'm using, to get the improved versions of UGC Cases Made, and available for sale:

Step One
Fundraising for Physical Prototypes & 3D Cad Files (let's call this R&D, for short) with sales from HuCard Sleeves & My Game Collection.
We are currently at this stage. The 'ETA' for reaching the goal is hard to determine.

Step Two
Post real Photos of the Cases in Action (and possibly links to videos of them on YouTube) on this forum and my website.
I'll also post (on this Forum, and on my Website) the outer dimensions of the cases,
and the dimensions of the Clear Jacket areas.

At this point I will begin e-mailing multiple USA-Based Injection Molding Manufacturers copies of the 3D CAD Files,
and photos of the Prototypes, so they can give me price quotes for the Master Mold, as well as per-case pricing for various quantity runs, and the pricing for adding the Clear Jacket to each case.
Once I narrow it down to a small number of potential companies, I may need to also mail them some of the prototypes, if they say they need them in hand for testing, and such.

This Step should take about a month.
Once I find a good manufacturer, and the price is right, on to Step Three!

Step Three
Begin KickStarter Fundraising for Game Cases*.
This will take One Month.

Step Four
Use the funds raised through KickStarter to make the Modular Master Mold, and manufacture the first run of Game Cases*.
This will take anywhere from a minimum of 3 Months, to a Maximum of 6 Months.
I will have a firm timeline for this step, on the day that I begin Step Three.

Step Five
Once Manufacture is complete, and I receive them at My Warehouse, I will begin shipping out all of the cases that donators are owed, and open up sales for the extras on my website and eBay.
I'll fill the pre-orders that were made through Kickstarter first, in the order they were received.
You will receive an e-mail on the day your order ships.
However, some Friday and Saturday Notices (and all Sunday Notices) will actually ship out on Monday,
because of the office hours of the courier's drop-off locations,
or because I might need to avoid the extra expense of weekend pickups,
to protect my low price structure.

~~~

Speaking of my Pricing structure, don't order my stuff off of eBay, unless it's from a seller that's not me, because:
A) I have to overcharge for my stuff on eBay a little bit, to compensate for eBay's Final Value Fees.
B) I will only offer Quantity Discounts on my Website.

I would avoid eBay all-together, but it helps my products to get viewed by gamers who don't know about TCP, or my website.
I say "unless it's from a seller that's not me" because there may be people other people selling my cases on eBay, in the future.
You can check the "Authorized Resellers" section of my website, to make sure they're legit, before ya order from them.
Actually, make sure to check that section before you place any orders, because there may be someone local that's reselling them.

~~~
*About KickStarter & Game Case Selection
I plan to use KickStarter so you all can place pre-orders for Game Cases.
The money from the Pre-Orders will also cover the cost of a **Modular Master Mold that will support up to Six Game Case Designs.

First, you'd select the overall quantity of Game Cases you want, in multiples of 100 (or less, if you live in certain countries, due to single-box-overall-size-shipping-limits).

Next, you'd pay for them.
Either sometime before, during, or after payment, you will either select, or write-in, what cases you want and what quantity of each type.
This part does not have to be in multiples of 100, but the sum total needs to match the overall quantity you are pre-ordering.

Here are the Case Types that the Modular Master Mold will support:
A) 8-Bit NES Games & The Super GameBoy Cartridge.
B) Super Nintendo Games & Super Famicom Games.
C) Nintendo 64 Games & (Nintendo Brand) Nintendo 64 Controller Paks.
D) Standard Size Sega Genesis Games & Tall EA Sports Games for the Genesis.
E) A Specialty case that supports the Lock-On Sonic & Knuckles Genesis Game, and the Genesis Game Genie.
F) Standard Size Cart-Based Games for Sega Master System & Cart-Based Games for Sega's 32X.

Whatever "100x Game Cases" pack you choose, don't all have to be the same Case Type.
You can mix and match using the above list.

**I might have to make a Single-Design Master Mold to begin with, instead of a Modular one.
It depends on what the upfront costs are going to be.
If I have to take this route, I'll do the NES+SGB Cases first, and the KickStarter thing will only allow for pre-orders of that style of case.

~~~
Today I'm dealing with some flooding that occurred at the Apartment, due to a mistake made by Apartment Staff, when they were working on the upstairs' neighbor's Air Conditioner's Drain Line.
Don't worry; none of my gaming stuff got wet, and everything I'm selling isn't at the apartment, anyway. XD
It's all across town @ the Warehouse.
I do Accounting (and other related paperwork) at the Apartment, and none of that got wet either.
The only water damage is to the some of the ceiling and the walls in a room I hardly ever use.
I've been using my Shop Vac to try and extract as much water as I can from the carpet, then I need to pull it up, vac some more, then set up some fans. After that's done (should only be a couple of hours, tops) it's back to the warehouse, so I can get back to Order Fulfillment. 

[wiggy]

At this point I will begin e-mailing multiple USA-Based Injection Molding Manufacturers copies of the 3D CAD Files

If you're having a hard time finding someone in the US to do the work for you or if they're just too far out of your price range, then let me know.  I have good relations with a US-based firm that has a division in China which can and will get this done for you.  I know China isn't the 1st choice (it's never been mine), but it can actually be pretty tricky to get a US manufacturer to take on jobs this small, whereas the Chinese will take on smaller projects like this without even blinking.  At the very least you'll know that you're supporting a US-based company and not just some random Chinese factory.



Also, I can help you out if you're interested in some logo/graphic design for your products.  It can be really helpful to have such things with Kickstarter and hunting for investors in general.  People tend to take you more seriously with a logo design, stationary, business cards, etc already in place.  If you're interested then just shoot me a pm and we can chat about it.  As a small business owner myself, I know it can be REALLY tough to get started with a project like this

[jonisrules]

Step One
Fundraising for Physical Prototypes & 3D Cad Files (let's call this R&D, for short) with sales from HuCard Sleeves & My Game Collection.
We are currently at this stage. The 'ETA' for reaching the goal is hard to determine.

Hey do you need any help with 3D CAD Files?  I'm a Design Engineer and can easily hook you up with 3D models and Engineering Drawings.  Message me and I'll give you my personal contact info.

[WolfAlmighty]

Man, I love how this community has people from all professions in it.  Seymour's already got someone offering help with designs, accounting, and manufacturing.  The UGC's days are numbered, methinks! 

[Seymor Onion]

If you're having a hard time finding someone in the US to do the work for you or if they're just too far out of your price range, then let me know.  I have good relations with a US-based firm that has a division in China which can and will get this done for you.  I know China isn't the 1st choice (it's never been mine), but it can actually be pretty tricky to get a US manufacturer to take on jobs this small, whereas the Chinese will take on smaller projects like this without even blinking.  At the very least you'll know that you're supporting a US-based company and not just some random Chinese factory.

Last year, when I was meeting with, and e-mailing, Injection Molding Manufacturers in the states, all I could get from them was rough estimates, as all I had were hand-drawings.
However, they were all very interested in making the Game Cases.

Thanks for the offer, but I'm sticking with All-American Materials and Manufacturing.
It's a lot easier to sue American based companies if they give me the shaft / are in breach of contract.
I'm not lawsuit happy, but still, dealing with foreign companies, in whole, or in part, is not worth the risk.
Especially now, when I'm just starting out.
I can't easily afford to fly to another country, and appear in their courts, if things hit the fan, and that is the only legal avenue open to me.

Also, I can help you out if you're interested in some logo/graphic design for your products.  It can be really helpful to have such things with Kickstarter and hunting for investors in general.  People tend to take you more seriously with a logo design, stationary, business cards, etc already in place.  If you're interested then just shoot me a pm and we can chat about it.  As a small business owner myself, I know it can be REALLY tough to get started with a project like this

I'm taking the minimalistic approach for now, to keep upfront costs low.
I am going to have some small plain-text on the inside of the cases:
JTD Software / SeymorOnion.com / Part Number & "X Goes Here" kinda stuff.
I looked in to getting Stationary/Letterhead/Company Logo/Business Cards, but again, it's money better spent on getting the first set of Game Cases out of the door. XD

I may need to get some new business cards made later on down the line, and I will need to update my company logo, and TM it, but the only people I'll be meeting with this year are manufacturers and designers that will want my business, not the other way around.

When I get to a point where I want to sell T-Shirts and hats and what not, then I'll invest in a new logo, and get some new business cards made, with the new logo on em.
The market for clothing with my logo on it is probably going to be the lowest in-demand thing I make, so it's going to be quite some time before I start investing in that. 

I'm not looking for investors at this time, and I probably never will.
There are a great number of products on the market, that are almost perfect.
This is probably due, in no small part, to investors, and caring more about the bottom line, than in the functionality of Design, and Longevity of products.
This is just my opinion, but the UGC is a great example of this.
An even better example is the Fat (first) version of the XBOX 360 Console.
Going with the lowest bidder, for Manufacturing & Parts, rarely works out well for the end-user, and can do great harm to the reputation of the companies that use these business practices.

Another issue is what happens if someone invests $ 50,000 in my company, but I never make enough money to repay it, or I don't make enough money fast enough? I might wind up losing my house, even if I didn't put it up as collateral.

There's more to it than this, but I'm trying to keep my word-count low in this post. XD

Hey do you need any help with 3D CAD Files?  I'm a Design Engineer and can easily hook you up with 3D models and Engineering Drawings.  Message me and I'll give you my personal contact info.

I already have a couple of places lined up to do this for me, once I get the $.
However, if you are based within 100 or so Miles of Downtown Houston, Texas, and have a 3D Printer, lemme know.
The R&D Phase needs to be face-to-face, and not require hotel stays, or air travel.

One thing I would really LOVE to have, is help with Accounting; ie: A Business Accountant.
I'm pretty much doing it all myself, and it is eating up more of my time that I'd like.
I'm going to stick with it, at least until I make it through several years of IRS Returns, because I need the experience, so I can spot embezzlement, honest mistakes, and such.
The record-keeping part is easy, except for the delayed reimbursements from UPS (it's a long story, for another time).
It's the Govt' forms I have issues with.
Actually, I am getting professional help just before I mail in any of my Sales Tax or IRS Returns, but it's more or less just having them double-check my math, and make sure I fill out all of the paperwork properly.

I've also been taking some online courses, so as to avoid a permanent impression of a palm on my face...

Speaking of Face-Palm Moments...
This is my old company logo:

It seriously needs an update before I start making stuff that needs a logo.
I'm thinking something that's more in line with today's logos; something vector-based, not a Photoshopped picture of me playing a VR game in the 90's... 

[Seymor Onion]

To be clear, I know that there are many foreign companies out there, that make top notch products. 

I'm just being overly cautious, because I have so much to lose, this early in my venture.

[wiggy]

It's a US-based company, like I was saying.  If you had to sue, you would do it in the US.   

I totally understand wanting to manufacture in the US.  I tried, but nobody would ever reply, so I said fuck 'em.  Sucks because we all moan about manufacturing going overseas, but it was the only option for me at the time :/  It's good to hear that you've been receiving responses

I really meant that you could use some graphics and a logo to spruce up the website more than anything at the moment.  Also, if you had a design for cards/stationary/etc you could just print 'em yourself as you need them.  You wouldn't have to really spend any money to produce the goods. Once you have a logo designed, creating stationary and business cards up would take about 10 minutes for any half-decent designer.  The logo is really the only thing about the branding that you could spend any significant money on.

I thought you were posting the project on Kickstarter?  Isn't that site pretty much for seeking an investment in something that you've created or want to create?

As far as investors go and any concerns of losing your car, house, etc, that's a non-issue.  You'll incorporate so that that CANNOT happen.  With regards to investors making a return, well, that's the risk that they're taking.  That's why investing in a new company is a precarious undertaking.  They may still try and sue, but if the company has already gone or is going belly-up, then they wouldn't bother.  Fruitless effort.

You should retain a contract lawyer before making any sort of arrangement with a firm or manufacturer.  Covering your ass BEFORE the shit (possibly) hits the fan is really what you want/need to do.  Contract law is tricky, like all law, and you may find yourself SOL because of some tiny line of text in the contract if the manufacturer were to screw you.  DO NOT try and take on the task of negotiating a contract on your own!  (if you're already on top of that stuff, then please pardon me for presuming that the info would be helpful)

Anywho, best of luck to ya!  I'm excited to see what's next

[Forte]

If you need help from an accountant, I'm an auditor with the federal government so I'm well adjusted with dealing with forms and other such bullcrap 

[mojoeskateco]

I'm a certified accountant and have no problem helping out.  Just shoot me a pm and let me know what you need

I'm a CGA in Canada however Canadian and us accounting are pretty similar and once the USA hopefully adopts international standards it wont matter much.  Regardless the company I work for reports in USA standards

You really should consider the marketing aspect.  Physical stationary may not be necessary but a flashy web presence is usually pretty cheap and a good bang for your buck

Also with regards to investing wiggy is right you would draw up a contract with the help of a lawyer that sets expectations for how and when any sort of investment would be paid back. Furthermore wiggy is right about incorporating. This means your personal assets are taken out of the equation.

The main thing I could help with is planning and break even analysis so that you can figure out if the business plan is feasible before spending your hard earned cash.

I'd also disagree about an investor wanting to compromise quality. 

A niche product must be of good quality or else the hard core market won't sustain it

The Ugc is cheaply made because it's targeted to rental places and meant to be disposable



The main thing I could help with is

[mojoeskateco]

Ignore the last half sentence.  Was posting from a mobile and couldn't scroll down

[jonisrules]

Hey do you need any help with 3D CAD Files?  I'm a Design Engineer and can easily hook you up with 3D models and Engineering Drawings.  Message me and I'll give you my personal contact info.

I already have a couple of places lined up to do this for me, once I get the $.
However, if you are based within 100 or so Miles of Downtown Houston, Texas, and have a 3D Printer, lemme know.
The R&D Phase needs to be face-to-face, and not require hotel stays, or air travel.

Well R&D doesn't necessarily have to be face to face.  I work with my France manufacturing every day on the phone, webex, or videoconference.  I'm based near New York City.   
   
To be honest I was offering to work for free; the only funding I would ever need would be to get rapid 3D printing prototypes done.  I could draft you up 3d Models and drawings in a weekend for any case you'd need.  Send me the hand drawings you have and I'll make them 3d w/ professional engineering drawing layouts.

[wiggy]

Yeah, I don't get the face-to-face part of that either.

In all honesty, I'd be willing to do some work for product.  It's not like this is a HUGE corporate branding project or anything.  We're talking about an hour or so to knock out some logo ideas

[mojoeskateco]

My offer was also to do it for free because I find it interesting ... just to clarify. 

[larryinc64]

I really meant that you could use some graphics and a logo to spruce up the website more than anything at the moment. 

I am working on a logo, I have nothing done yet, been busy but I currently on vacation.