jamesp
Cave Dweller 
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,608
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Post by jamesp on Dec 28, 2015 16:02:56 GMT -5
Monday morning, got a few done before noon. Work area has a lot of hoses and wires. Torch, plasma cutter, compressed air, welding cables, pressure washer, electrical cords for grinders, buffers and saws. Takes some organization to route all of it. Once routed, most of those services are an arms reach away.  This weld on label costs $350/100. Big City Manuf. Friendswood, Texas Curious if it is offensive in any way ? And should it be in full view on side of pit or down on the top of the pedestal ?  Unattached pedestal sitting in front of bowls. Label inconspicuous when on pedestal.  Etsy a fine site if your product does not have thousands of competitive products similar to your product. One big deal about Etsy is the web address. It is short and simple. My shop is firepitsatlanta. Web address is easy: firepitsatlanta.etsy.com That is a brief link as opposed to most host built website addresses. Jewelry and cabochons sure is a highly competitive category in Etsy. Caused problems for me when I listed rock/jewelry stuff in those categories. Bent some rings for the middle section of the fire pits. Bender made in China and does well.  Thought about you cab grinders when looking at this table I made out of industrial stuff.  |
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Post by Pat on Dec 28, 2015 16:16:52 GMT -5
I would rather the label be on the pedestal.
Don't see anything offensive with your name.
Like your fire pits!
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Intheswamp
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Member since September 2015
Posts: 1,910 
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Post by Intheswamp on Dec 28, 2015 16:24:49 GMT -5
What about on the inside edge of the pit?
Looks like you've got a lot more accomplished that I have today. Terribly slow around here. I don't think I've ever mentioned it, but you have a really nice layout for your work. Looks good!
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Post by rockjunquie on Dec 28, 2015 16:50:10 GMT -5
I don't like the label on the inside, but I do like it on the bowl outside. I think, if someone buys one of your pits they will be proud to own one and have the name seen. Besides all their friends will want to know where they got it. Go ahead and create your brand. Your pits are the bomb!
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Post by rockjunquie on Dec 28, 2015 16:51:54 GMT -5
BTW- I love your home shop. I'm a tool fanatic... on a smaller scale.
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jamesp
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Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,608
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Post by jamesp on Dec 28, 2015 16:56:38 GMT -5
I would rather the label be on the pedestal. Don't see anything offensive with your name. Like your fire pits! Thanks Pat. Why Pat ? To have the label discreet ? Curious minds... The side of the bowl is by far the most visible. But I was thinking some people would consider it an eyesore/advertisement. I am getting business from the Smith's and the Jones', neighbors to my customers. You know, the neighbors get together and party. My customers have had to go look at their transactions on the computer to tell their neighbors where they go it from. I try to make a lasting impression when they visit to pick up. But they forget me. Should I meet them with a flame shooting out of my ears ? in the buff ? I'll do anything. But the product has to be right. Labels can be obtrusive in my mind. If artists sign their work then redneck welders have their rights !! It is so complicated, thinking I need a nerve pill. |
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,608
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Post by jamesp on Dec 28, 2015 17:22:15 GMT -5
I don't like the label on the inside, but I do like it on the bowl outside. I think, if someone buys one of your pits they will be proud to own one and have the name seen. Besides all their friends will want to know where they got it. Go ahead and create your brand. Your pits are the bomb! That $3.50 label is not going on the inside Ed. I like what you are saying Tela. All is good, except some folks may not like my snake oil welded to the side of the pit. It would sure advertise it. That is great. Especially when sold to serious neighborhood party animals and bars/institutions. If you had to guess a percentage, what percentage would not want the label up front and center on the side of the bowl. My most serious competitor puts it on the side of the bowl, and it is 4 times bigger than my label...uh, bodacious. But his pits are more artistic incorporating found items. He makes his type and I make my simple type. Suburbia likes mine, art type personalities like his. But suburbia is a bigger population, and that is what I am trying to whore out to. hoho if they come, they buy. Only >5% shop w/out buying. If the label is on the side of the pit it best be shown on the shop ad, people don't like surprises. thoughts Tela ?? |
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herchenx
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Member since January 2012
Posts: 3,360
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Post by herchenx on Dec 28, 2015 17:28:13 GMT -5
I'd go for the pedestal as well, I'd be curious/concerned that the heat on the bowl would pop the thing loose over time. I've gone through several fire pits and the heat works any weak point it can pretty hard until it fails.
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Post by Jugglerguy on Dec 28, 2015 17:34:08 GMT -5
I think you should make your fire pits out of rock. Shipping might get expensive though.
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Post by rockjunquie on Dec 28, 2015 17:35:06 GMT -5
I wholeheartedly agree- it should be seen in the ad. I would have it on the bowl predominantly. People can either not buy or buy. I'm betting they won't mind.
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Post by captbob on Dec 28, 2015 17:35:04 GMT -5
I don't mind the label on the side of the bowl - which is unusual for me, I usually seriously object to advertising on something I buy. I won't even allow car dealerships to put their tag on the back of a vehicle I'm buying.
How about do some of each and allow customers to pick which location they want the label? Customer input would tell you where they should go in a dozen sales or so.
Personally, I'd just put it on the side and run with it. People will tell you if they don't like it soon enough.
I see you went back to your old Craigslist ad. (dumbass) And haven't listed on there in awhile as you are pretty far down the page. Is the guy from Monroe a new competitor?
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Post by Pat on Dec 28, 2015 18:03:02 GMT -5
I would rather the label be on the pedestal. Don't see anything offensive with your name. Like your fire pits! Thanks Pat. Why Pat ? To have the label discreet ? Curious minds... The side of the bowl is by far the most visible. But I was thinking some people would consider it an eyesore/advertisement. I am getting business from the Smith's and the Jones', neighbors to my customers. You know, the neighbors get together and party. My customers have had to go look at their transactions on the computer to tell their neighbors where they go it from. I try to make a lasting impression when they visit to pick up. But they forget me. Should I meet them with a flame shooting out of my ears ? in the buff ? I'll do anything. But the product has to be right. Labels can be obtrusive in my mind. If artists sign their work then redneck welders have their rights !! It is so complicated, thinking I need a nerve pill. Why? I don't like to see labels. On the pedestal, it is still visible. It's good to be able to find it easily, as it can be on the pedestal. I don't buy things with very visible labels if I can help it. I never buy clothing with labels visible, or ads on them. I'd have a prominent photo in your ads that shows your label. If you have an instruction sheet on the care and feeding of your fire pit, I'd have the label there as well. I'd also make the instruction sheet attractive. |
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,608
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Post by jamesp on Dec 28, 2015 18:26:56 GMT -5
From an industrial standpoint, labels like that were welded on old boilers and pressure tanks.
The fire pit has an industrial flair and is titled and categorized as such so I thought it adds to that effect.
That title/category does create some entitlement to put the label in open sight.
But it is not a specification label, it's a marketing label that looks like a spec label...sort of deceptive.
For instance, all welds are left as is without smoothing them with a grinder just as industrial equipment is.
Marketing photos clearly depict the welds. Part of the industrial theme. I actually over weld to make large visible weld beads.
Not sure why, but I get all excited when I see a stamped nameplate on a motor or boiler.
Gives the impression of permanence and tough duty.
I am like Pat and Bob, don't care for labels. But in this case I would like the industrial look of it.
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jamesp
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Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,608
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Post by jamesp on Dec 28, 2015 18:35:16 GMT -5
I wholeheartedly agree- it should be seen in the ad. I would have it on the bowl predominantly. People can either not buy or buy. I'm betting they won't mind. Yes, must be in the ad. Lot of people are liking the heavy industrial construction. And not just for longevity. I think they are boasting to their neighbors. "Look at my bad azz fire pit !!" I think they want their neighbors to make the leap and get one too. And be the charter guy in the hood that started it all. Perhaps wishful thinking, but the guys kinda flex when they look at them. Probably won't mind Tela. I could grind it off if they asked me to. |
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Post by rockjunquie on Dec 28, 2015 18:37:50 GMT -5
I totally get exactly what you are saying, jamesp . I don't generally like brand names splattered everywhere, either- but on these, I think, it works. Like you said, it is industrial and seems very permanent and even artistic, in a "grungy" way. edit- I didn't see your post before I posted. |
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jamesp
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Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,608
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Post by jamesp on Dec 28, 2015 18:43:11 GMT -5
I totally get exactly what you are saying, jamesp . I don't generally like brand names splattered everywhere, either- but on these, I think, it works. Like you said, it is industrial and seems very permanent and even artistic, in a "grungy" way. edit- I didn't see your post before I posted. The industrial theme is a ticket to do that label Tela. It's going on the side up front. Decision made. |
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Post by rockjunquie on Dec 28, 2015 18:47:16 GMT -5
You can always change it up if it's a problem. But, I think it will be popular.
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jamesp
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Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,608
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Post by jamesp on Dec 28, 2015 18:49:43 GMT -5
Thanks for your feedbacks all. That guy just started posting pits on Craig's list captbob. Never seen him till you just mentioned it. He is beating me in price quite a bit. Rut row. However, the platform base is way out selling the legged ones. But price talks, and he is a problem for that reason. I have access to a rare shop(a friend) that makes the platform parts, doubt he will find such a shop. May be my saving grace. No surprise, but bad news. |
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Post by captbob on Dec 28, 2015 19:12:42 GMT -5
The industrial theme is a ticket to do that label Tela. It's going on the side up front. Decision made. Which side is the "front" on a fire pit? |
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jamesp
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Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,608
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Post by jamesp on Dec 28, 2015 19:20:59 GMT -5
The industrial theme is a ticket to do that label Tela. It's going on the side up front. Decision made. Which side is the "front" on a fire pit? The most popular pedestal base has a drain cut out. I call that the back, so label opposite that. The legged ones have no front. I noticed my Monroe buddy is 50 miles from the center of Atlanta. I am 24 miles, but I have large towns within 15 miles in all directions that give me a lot of biz. And a large population along the 24 miles. Monroe is a stand alone town that requires driving on a good bit of two lane roads. I ran into this distance issue in the plant biz, the country folks were cheaper but too far to drive. May have to do the mention of distance on the Craigs list ad... Me pissed though, metallic taste... but that's business. He copied the layout of my ad verbatim. |
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