Having an ad battle on Craig's list

jamesp
Cave Dweller

Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,612

Having an ad battle on Craig's list Nov 9, 2015 8:53:16 GMT -5

Quote

Post by jamesp on Nov 9, 2015 8:53:16 GMT -5

Nov 8, 2015 23:23:30 GMT -5 captbob said:

Gettin' there James!

You mention in your ad now "Enjoy it as a grill, have outdoor cookouts and barbecue.", but you don't show any of the bowls with a grill grate or just how folks are suppose to cook on the thing.

Also, those lids... don't mean to harp on 'em, but that's a gotta have option if you can. Making the bowl into a table is a game changer. Handles would also be a big plus if you can work them in - IMHO
Web site guy doesn't offer lids/covers.

I'll shut up now.

Bowls come in 30,36,37.5,41,42,43,48,49,54 inch diameters. I got to massage the table top guy to get 20 minimum runs on any given size.
So it is taking a good bit of sales to build table top inventory for every size. Or I can order smaller QTY's if I wait for other customer's runs.
I don't borrow money so sales has to pay the bills.(rules) Table maker just found recently after a year of searching, so a new development.

The grill. Yes, I will add photos of the grill. It is a an overseas purchase item from Ebay(Lumberjack for $35 shipped).
May just add the grill as a freebie at purchase. But you are right, there is no photo of such grill.
Making a grill takes longer than making two pits, better a purchase item.
I have to be careful about posting photos of some ideas, both Etsy and CL terrible about people stealing ideas.

Also a heavy duty grate that is another Ebay oversea purchase item that people buy when shopping here.
Grate for easier starting. James needs to design a better grate for bowl pits to assist starting fires. On 'to-do' list.

Strangely, most customers do not want handles. I give a demo on rolling the pit like a tire, and they end up preferring that method of moving them around.
Rolling them is difficult with handles(lub-dub,lub-dub effect). Most pits I sell are over 180 pounds and a challenge to lift. Easy to roll...
Out of town customers don't request handles, but do request custom heights and leg configs which I oblige at no extra cost. If I can sell the mod if they fall thru.

And you made a mention of the ladies, they are the instigators of most purchases. Should I add photos of the Chippendales, I certainly don't qualify

Lumberjack grill, this one 16" X 28" I think, another they sell is 24" X 36". A fold up campfire grill.

captbob
no longer being taken for granite

St. Pete FL

Member since December 2007
Posts: 8,186

Having an ad battle on Craig's list Nov 9, 2015 9:46:13 GMT -5

Quote

Post by captbob on Nov 9, 2015 9:46:13 GMT -5

That's the "grill"?

kinda figured it would be something more like this:

from here: atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/for/5305349778.html

disappointed. Sad when hot dogs roll into the fire.
ETA: guess it would be easier to clean and set aside when not needed.
But you have other options? Picture above just too much additional welding?

Didn't realize the weight. Handles rather useless unless wife is an ex Russian shot putting champion. Rolling good!

How about wood lids/covers. You do wood work? Be about as easy to make as could be. Kinda like a round picnic table but easier to make.
3 (whatever) bottom frame boards cut to fit inside bowl (this keeps lid from moving) top boards attached perpendicular and sit on rim. Can be cut round, square, over sized. Rustic wood, nice wood - as requested. Lots of options. Piece of cake!

Last Edit: Nov 9, 2015 9:49:56 GMT -5 by captbob

Dogs are unlimited lines of joyful credit with a payment that comes due all at once.

captbob
no longer being taken for granite

St. Pete FL

Member since December 2007
Posts: 8,186

Having an ad battle on Craig's list Nov 9, 2015 10:08:40 GMT -5

Quote

Post by captbob on Nov 9, 2015 10:08:40 GMT -5

Outside having a smoke and thinking that a grill cover like pictured above pretty much IS a table top.
Certainly won't keep the rain out, but stuff could be set on it. Drain hole good.

Is rain a hassle for bowls with no drain? Fire residue in bowl and rain sound like one heck of a mess to me.
Florida perspective brings mosquito breeding site to mind when thinking of water standing in bowl.

Dogs are unlimited lines of joyful credit with a payment that comes due all at once.

jamesp
Cave Dweller

Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,612

Having an ad battle on Craig's list Nov 9, 2015 16:43:17 GMT -5

Quote

Post by jamesp on Nov 9, 2015 16:43:17 GMT -5

Nov 9, 2015 9:46:13 GMT -5 captbob said:

That's the "grill"?

kinda figured it would be something more like this:

from here: atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/for/5305349778.html

disappointed. Sad when hot dogs roll into the fire.
ETA: guess it would be easier to clean and set aside when not needed.
But you have other options? Picture above just too much additional welding?

Didn't realize the weight. Handles rather useless unless wife is an ex Russian shot putting champion. Rolling good!

How about wood lids/covers. You do wood work? Be about as easy to make as could be. Kinda like a round picnic table but easier to make.
3 (whatever) bottom frame boards cut to fit inside bowl (this keeps lid from moving) top boards attached perpendicular and sit on rim. Can be cut round, square, over sized. Rustic wood, nice wood - as requested. Lots of options. Piece of cake!

Yea the grilles are time consuming. And made out of easy to find materials.
The bowls on the other hand are difficult to get. And have a verbal contract on getting defective ones.
So it is much more $/hour for me to do the pits and let the customer figure out the grill.

And the grill makes use of the cover difficult. So the removable campfire grill is pretty dandy.
Swing ons get in the way.
Coals not ready till fire burns down unless using fast and dry wood. Takes a big hardwood fire a while to make coals. Sticks fastest.

For instance, in Florida I use a 24 inch pit, lay sable palm leaves in the bottom, 3 sable palm frond bases headed south, 4 laying north, and set it on fire.
12-14 minutes I have a pile of fluffy coals that put out 35-40 minutes of heat. A recipe...
Then toss a full coverage grate over the entire pit and cook away.
If cooking underground, wrap stuff in aluminum foil, place in bottom of pit, cover w/3 gallons sand.
Double palm bases to 6 south and 7 north, set on fire, wait about 15 minutes and cook off grate.
Dig aluminim foiled stuff after an hour. Feeds me and two chicks.(kidding about the chicks).

Palm frond bases give a great sweet gentle smoked flavor. Throw a few green hickory nuts in if you want to add hickory flavor.

jamesp
Cave Dweller

Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,612

Having an ad battle on Craig's list Nov 9, 2015 16:48:45 GMT -5

Quote

Post by jamesp on Nov 9, 2015 16:48:45 GMT -5

If no cover, then the drain mandatory.
Cover is best way. Puts out fire and leaves dry pieces for next fire.
Even better, lay fresh wood on coals and then cover. As coals die off it drys the next load to burn easily.

Deleted Deleted Member Member since January 1970 Posts: 0	Having an ad battle on Craig's list Nov 9, 2015 18:12:21 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Deleted on Nov 9, 2015 18:12:21 GMT -5 I need a new patio. Firpit, outdoor kitchen, table and chairs hot tub... Yeah, i need dat! Clicking on jims links now

jamesp
Cave Dweller

Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,612

Having an ad battle on Craig's list Nov 9, 2015 18:36:13 GMT -5

Quote

Post by jamesp on Nov 9, 2015 18:36:13 GMT -5

Nov 9, 2015 18:12:21 GMT -5 @shotgunner said:

I need a new patio. Firpit, outdoor kitchen, table and chairs hot tub...

Yeah, i need dat!

Clicking on jims links now

Haha, go Scott go.

Just got out of the woods. New moon tomorrow, peak rut in 2 days. Saw 20 deer in 1's 2's 3's all running for their lives from Mr Rapester bucks.
Heard a fight and maybe sex.
2 does standing out in my open field, did not run into the woods as I drove by 150 feet away on the ATV is a guarantee the bucks have gone wild.
Fun time to be in the woods.

Last Edit: Nov 9, 2015 18:36:19 GMT -5 by jamesp

Deleted Deleted Member Member since January 1970 Posts: 0	Having an ad battle on Craig's list Nov 9, 2015 20:29:12 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Deleted on Nov 9, 2015 20:29:12 GMT -5 Praying Jim still has property this time next year. Ima gonna take you up on the offer of a hunt. Woot!

jamesp
Cave Dweller

Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,612

Having an ad battle on Craig's list Nov 11, 2015 4:49:21 GMT -5

Quote

Post by jamesp on Nov 11, 2015 4:49:21 GMT -5

Nov 9, 2015 20:29:12 GMT -5 @shotgunner said:

Praying Jim still has property this time next year. Ima gonna take you up on the offer of a hunt.

Woot!

Been here 30 years, guessing I will be here another 30. You should be here now ! One Legged Cowboy is set up in the camper out front, has his horse tied in the garden.
That boy is something else, never a dull moment w/Bill. Havin fun,

captbob no longer being taken for granite St. Pete FL Member since December 2007 Posts: 8,186	Having an ad battle on Craig's list Nov 11, 2015 9:20:08 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by captbob on Nov 11, 2015 9:20:08 GMT -5 Nov 11, 2015 4:49:21 GMT -5 jamesp said: Been here 30 years, guessing I will be here another 30. I would want to clear that with Denise before placing any bets on that. Being buried in the swamp doesn't count!
	Dogs are unlimited lines of joyful credit with a payment that comes due all at once.

jamesp
Cave Dweller

Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,612

Having an ad battle on Craig's list Nov 11, 2015 9:38:32 GMT -5 captbob likes this

Quote

Post by jamesp on Nov 11, 2015 9:38:32 GMT -5

Nov 11, 2015 9:20:08 GMT -5 captbob said:

Nov 11, 2015 4:49:21 GMT -5 jamesp said:

Been here 30 years, guessing I will be here another 30.

I would want to clear that with Denise before placing any bets on that.

Being buried in the swamp doesn't count!

Her and the old school WW2 special forces neighbor have other plans.
I believe it begins with small caliber bullets and gets worse from there.

jamesp
Cave Dweller

Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,612

Having an ad battle on Craig's list Nov 24, 2015 7:29:53 GMT -5

Quote

Post by jamesp on Nov 24, 2015 7:29:53 GMT -5

LOL, the battle goes on. My burn barrel friend in Woodstock(burn barrel boy) painting his ads all over the fire pit category.
James painting back(Fire pit 24,30,36,42,48....)

To make ads faster to post I made a long inventory of repeat ads that are renewable every 30 days.
So 90 ads @3 ads per day for each month.

Only getting 3-4 CL sales per week but at ave. $400 profit per sale we are not complaining.
Oddly, 3 out of 4 sales come from Etsy, but Etsy sales are about only March/Sept/Oct/Dec. CL Oct/Nov/Dec/Jan, and local/SE US.

captbob, most sales are coming from the box stores campaign starting about 2 years ago.
Their customers love the fire pits but at year two their cheap fire pits are all rusting thru LOL.
So I thank the box stores for their massive fire pit ad campaign and short lived fire pits.
It is by far the reason for the bulk of the sales. Box stores still duping people in buying their product, and the beat goes on...

Nov 23 POTTERY BARN FIRE PIT COFFEE TABLE RETAIL $2999 $999 (marietta) pic map [×]

Nov 22 Ohio Flame 30" Fire Pit $500 (Pendergrass) pic map [×]

Nov 23 Fire pit 24,30,36,42,48 inch fire pits starting at $170 (Fairburn/South Atlanta) pic map [×]

Nov 23 Fire pit 24,30,36,42,48 inch fire pits starting at - $170 (Fairburn/South Atlanta) pic map [×]

Nov 23 Fire pit 24,30,36,42,48 inch fire pits starting at $170 (Fairburn/South Atlanta) pic map [×]

Nov 23 convertible propane fire pit and table $240 pic map [×]

Nov 23 Outdoor Patio Fire Pit ▉ Fireplace Firepit Chimnea Chimenea Chiminea $15 (Woodstock GA) pic [×]

Nov 23 BURN BARREL BARRELS METAL DRUM STEEL DRUMS FIRE PIT PITS FIREPIT CAN $10 (Woodstock) pic [×]

Nov 23 Metal burn barrel barrels steel 55 gallon drum drums burning fire pit $10 (Woodstock) pic [×]

Nov 23 METAL STEEL HALF BURN BARREL BARRELS FIREPIT FIRE PIT PLACE PITS $15 (Woodstock) pic [×]

Nov 23 OUTDOOR FIREPIT FIRE PIT FIRE-PIT PLACE PATIO PITS BOWL BOWLS $15 (Woodstock) pic [×]

Nov 23 FIRE PIT STEEL HALF BURNING BARREL BURN BARRELS METAL PITS $15 (Woodstock) pic [×]

Nov 23 FIRE PIT PITS FIREPIT FIREPITS FIRE-PIT FIRE-PITS BURN $10 (Woodstock) pic [×]

Nov 23 Fire pit 24,30,36,42,48 inch fire pits starting at $170 (Fairburn/South Atlanta) pic map [×]

Nov 23 Fire pit 24,30,36,42,48 inch fire pits starting at - $170 (Fairburn/South Atlanta) pic map [×]

Nov 23

? HALF BURN BARREL FIREPIT FIRE PIT PITS FIRE-PIT $15 (Woodstock) pic [×]

Nov 23 Fire pit 24,30,36,42,48 inch fire pits starting at $170 (Fairburn/South Atlanta) pic map [×]

Nov 23 Granite Fire Pit Topper $30 (Canton/Cumming) pic map [×]

Nov 23 Granite Fire Pit Topper $30 (Canton/Cumming) pic map [×]

Nov 22 BURN BARREL 55 gallon metal steel fire pit pits BURNING BARRELS drum $10 (Woodstock) pic [×]

Nov 22 FIRE PIT PITS FIREPIT FIREPITS FIRE-PIT FIRE-PITS METAL STEEL IRON $10 (Woodstock) pic [×]

Nov 22 STEEL BURN BARREL BARRELS METAL BURNING DRUM DRUMS FIRE CAN PIT PITS $10 (Woodstock) pic [×]

Nov 22 FIRE PIT FIRE-PIT FIREPIT PITS FIRE-PITS FIREPITS STEEL METAL IRON $10 (WOODSTOCK) pic [×]

Nov 22 FIRE DRUM DRUMS BURN BARREL BARRELS BURNING CAN CANS PIT PITS $10 (Woodstock) pic [×]

Nov 22 HALF BURN BARREL BARRELS METAL STEEL DRUM DRUMS FIRE CAN CANS PIT PITS $15 (Woodstock) pic [×]

Nov 22 BURN BARREL BARRELS METAL STEEL FIRE PIT PITS DRUM DRUMS TIN CAN CANS $10 (Woodstock) pic [×]

Nov 21 METAL STEEL HALF BURN BARREL BARRELS DRUM DRUMS FIRE BOWL PIT CAN CANS $15 (Woodstock) pic [×]

Nov 21 metal steel barrel barrels drum drums burn burning fire can cans pit $10 (Woodstock) pic [×]

Nov 21 METAL FIRE PIT FIREPIT FIRE-PIT STEEL BURN BURNING LEAVES $10 (Woodstock) pic [×]

Nov 21 CHIMINEA CHIMENEA CHIMANEA CHIMONEA CHIMUNEA CHIMNEA FIRE PIT FIREPIT $15 (Woodstock) pic [×]

Last Edit: Nov 24, 2015 7:40:25 GMT -5 by jamesp