Topic: Clefts online (Read 12181 times)

patriotscreen · « **on:** December 11, 2013, 11:49:49 AM »

So it has just occured to me, why do suppliers not sell clefts online at places like eBay, Gumtree etc...

I'm sure there must be a market for it, so is there any particular reason why this doesn't happen?

GarrettJ · « **Reply #1 on:** December 11, 2013, 11:57:59 AM »

I imagine there is no profitability in it, no demand and it would be a logistical nightmare to single out such small orders when you are getting orders of upto 5000 clefts at a time from your normal customers.

patriotscreen · « **Reply #2 on:** December 11, 2013, 01:12:28 PM »

That being said though, there are plenty of small independent batmakers such as myself who cannot order in large quantities.

I should imagine that there is some money to be made, obviously not as high a margin as the larger manufacturers but I don't think it'd run on a loss. Buying clefts from more established companies is fine for now, but I would love the opportunity to get hold of clefts for the same rates that my supplier is getting them for. That would allow me to be able to purchase clefts more regularly which can only be a good thing!

mattw · « **Reply #3 on:** December 11, 2013, 01:21:47 PM »

These suppliers are quite old school, they would have to completely restructure their business to cope with this change. This may be the way of the future, however for now it's probably not worth it for the odd 10 clefts to be sold - when they usually deal with at least pallets of clefts which are sold B2B and not B2C.

I guess it depends on how much you're willing to spend on the clefts and how much of a demand there was - as you would probably have to pay a similar(or probably increased) amount as where you're currently getting them from etc due to VAT and other additional costs(website, staff, handling).

Sam · « **Reply #4 on:** December 11, 2013, 01:26:27 PM »

Could work if someone simply bought some clefts in a bit of bulk looking to make some small profits I'd be very tempted to do it if I has my own bandsaw

!

joeljonno · « **Reply #5 on:** December 11, 2013, 01:31:37 PM »

As grade one and better is alledgedly getting rarer, you would only be able to buy the lowest of the low grades through this route.

I think there is the market to sell them through eBay, but you would have to allow for postage and packaging, PayPal and eBay fees. If you think how much it would cost to package up individual clefts and post them, you would probably find it cheaper to go through your local batmaker.

As Sam said, it is more likely that an individual buying in bulk and selling them on would make more sense to do it this way.

mattw · « **Reply #6 on:** December 11, 2013, 03:45:56 PM »

Quote from: Sam on December 11, 2013, 01:26:27 PM

Could work if someone simply bought some clefts in a bit of bulk looking to make some small profits I'd be very tempted to do it if I has my own bandsaw !

Of course, however there are so many flaws in it. Most notably the prices would rocket up to become a viable business, remember that the odd company that sell raw clefts make very little on these as it's not their man source of income and therefore as no work has gone in to them, it's a little earner for them. Lets be honest, who would want to purchase a G1 cleft for about �100?

hell4leather cricket · « **Reply #7 on:** December 11, 2013, 04:04:38 PM »

What are you going to do with a raw cleft?

Sam · « **Reply #8 on:** December 11, 2013, 04:08:37 PM »

Quote from: hell4leather cricket on December 11, 2013, 04:04:38 PM

What are you going to do with a raw cleft?

I'd have thought if someone was going to do it as a side job for themselves to make a bit of extra cash they would simply buy some bulk(ish) pressed clefts and probably have a bandsaw to do a bit themselves and make it slightly profitable. I assume the more steps you could do yourself the more profitable it would be!

patriotscreen · « **Reply #9 on:** December 11, 2013, 05:45:08 PM »

Wouldn't be talking about making megabucks from doing this, but maybe a larger company which would still be able to do this as a side project, making some profit but more importantly benefitting independent batmakers who are keeping the traditional methods of making bats alive.

The only tools I use are hand tools, don't even own a bandsaw. So I can't buy clefts that are unhandled for now, so being able to buy handled pressed clefts at an affordable price is a must.

I make bats for the enjoyment of seeing something in its raw form turned into a lovely looking bat. I don't make alot of profit, thus making money is not important for me. So long as I can afford to make enough to buy in more stock I am happy. I do not make bats for a living, I have a day job. I suppose in the ever changing modern world these kind of things will eventually phase out though and everything will be machine made. Whether or not that is a good thing I don't know. Major manufacturers definately have the monopoly on small independent firms that's for sure!

joeljonno · « **Reply #10 on:** December 11, 2013, 06:30:41 PM »

Quote from: Sam on December 11, 2013, 04:08:37 PM

I'd have thought if someone was going to do it as a side job for themselves to make a bit of extra cash they would simply buy some bulk(ish) pressed clefts and probably have a bandsaw to do a bit themselves and make it slightly profitable. I assume the more steps you could do yourself the more profitable it would be!

Well, I guess that H4L, BB and Red Ink have been offering G3 handled pressed clefts at 55-75 quid, there is room to make a small profit there. I was thinking that is how you could sell them on. I forgot you'd need to press the cleft, so unless you have a press, then it's be pointless and those who have a press will have a regular stream of clefts already.

Sam · « **Reply #11 on:** December 11, 2013, 06:57:12 PM »

Quote from: joeljonno on December 11, 2013, 06:30:41 PM

Well, I guess that H4L, BB and Red Ink have been offering G3 handled pressed clefts at 55-75 quid, there is room to make a small profit there. I was thinking that is how you could sell them on. I forgot you'd need to press the cleft, so unless you have a press, then it's be pointless and those who have a press will have a regular stream of clefts already.

Little bit confused by what you mean? You could buy pressed clefts in bulk and get a little bit less profit.

joeljonno · « **Reply #12 on:** December 11, 2013, 07:26:16 PM »

Quote from: Sam on December 11, 2013, 06:57:12 PM

Little bit confused by what you mean? You could buy pressed clefts in bulk and get a little bit less profit.

To buy a cleft from the supplier, you would then have to press and handle the cleft, then shave it.

Three sponsors on here have offered pressed and handled clefts. These could be shaped and sold on, making a profit.

If you bought the raw cleft, you would need to have access to a pressing machine, which would not be available to everyone.

Large companies could possibly do this a bit cheaper, although it would probably be negligible amount of savings.

Sam · « **Reply #13 on:** December 11, 2013, 07:32:19 PM »

Quote from: joeljonno on December 11, 2013, 07:26:16 PM

To buy a cleft from the supplier, you would then have to press and handle the cleft, then shave it.

Three sponsors on here have offered pressed and handled clefts. These could be shaped and sold on, making a profit.

If you bought the raw cleft, you would need to have access to a pressing machine, which would not be available to everyone.

Large companies could possibly do this a bit cheaper, although it would probably be negligible amount of savings.

It is possible to buy pressed (and even handled) clefts in bulk at a still cheaper price

.

Red Ink Cricket · « **Reply #14 on:** December 11, 2013, 08:04:29 PM »

Quote from: Sam on December 11, 2013, 07:32:19 PM

It is possible to buy pressed (and even handled) clefts in bulk at a still cheaper price .

At a cheaper price than what?

Author Topic: Clefts online (Read 12181 times)

patriotscreen

Clefts online

GarrettJ

Re: Clefts online

patriotscreen

Re: Clefts online

mattw

Re: Clefts online

Sam

Re: Clefts online

joeljonno

Re: Clefts online

mattw

Re: Clefts online

hell4leather cricket

Re: Clefts online

Sam

Re: Clefts online

patriotscreen

Re: Clefts online

joeljonno

Re: Clefts online

Sam

Re: Clefts online

joeljonno

Re: Clefts online

Sam

Re: Clefts online

Red Ink Cricket

Re: Clefts online