T-shirt promotion suggestion

[PrntRhd]

Just noted our friends at Spywareinfo.com are doing fundraising for their site due to the DDOS attack costs they have had to bear for cleaning PCs of crud. They are selling T-shirts, mugs, hats and the like: spywareinfo shop (http://www.cafeshops.com/spywareinfo) The logo is Don't Let The Bastards Win.

I was wondering if ixl might try to advertise this site in a similar way, should pay its way with proceeds if done right.
:)

[Abbadon]

I'd pay to own such a shirt :)

[Fruss Tray Ted]

I'd even wear it! ;)

[malcore]

deja vu all over again.:p

Wasn't this idea bandied about a year or so ago?

[jabarnutcase]

Hehe...April 14, 2003 to be exact. Pretty darn close to a year ago!

The thread that included the suggestion of t-shirts (and other merchandise) was: Site Sponsorship / Recognition -- *** PLEASE VOTE *** with 71 replies.

Didn't want to actually post it but for those that would like to re-live it, the Bold, exactly as written, is in the "Administrative/Suggestion Box" forum.
In fact, it was an interesting thread....I just didn't feel like reading it again at the moment. :p

Seems to me ixl wasn't totally against the idea, but had neither the time nor the will to take it on himself.
As busy as he is, I'm sure his feelings are the same and I can't say as I blame him.
(Although a PCGuide T-Shirt would be pretty cool). :D :rolleyes:

Hmmmmmm...wonder what ever happened to "Site Sponsorship/Recognition" in the end? :p

[PrntRhd]

Although a PCGuide T-Shirt would be pretty cool).

Yes it would! So would a TCP/IP Guide shirt, but it is ixl's call, a year ago he was writing the book.

[Paleo Pete]

Yep, the T-shirt idea was kicked around quite a bit, as well as mouse pads, caps, coffee cups...

mjc and I got together on IRC and looked up sources for bulk t-shirts and mousepads, got some pretty decent prices actually, but Ixl was pretty busy at the time and was never convinced it would work.

I still like both the t-shirt and mousepad ideas, even though t-shirts wouldn't be exceptionally profitable once you figure in shipping and handling, and I think both would be excellent advertising. To be profitable they would have to cost around $15 US per shirt and a couple of bucks shipping, plus someone would have to take the time to pack up and send each one off. Mousepads would have to be around $6-7 each. But...How many people are going to see the big blue PC Guide logo when you walk through wal mart or the mall?

Don't quote me on those prices, that was a year ago and a ballpark estimate, not a definite projection once all the initial costs were figured in. T-shirts in particular might end up more expensive than that.

You'll think well, if you go see [insert band name here] concerts, their t-shirts are $35...and they sell thousands. That's a well esteblished concession business, websites haven't gotten that trend started yet. Would PC Guide visitors pay $15-20 for t-shirts? Yes, a lot of our regular members would, just to help the site, but would the average person who thinks it's a cool looking shirt and doesn't practically live here every night?

I'm thinking the original blue PC Guide logo about 4-5" tall, and white, black or light gray t-shirts would work, especially light gray since it would come close to the webpage look. Same for mousepads, but the logo would be about 3" tall to fit the standard size mousepad. And the logo only has to be resized, it's already been created long ago...

Bottom line though, we'll have to see what Ixl thinks, it's his call.

[ixl]

Hi everyone...

First, I do appreciate people coming up with these sorts of ideas to try to help the site.

That said... ;)

I don't really see this being a particularly good method of raising funds for the site. Just too much work and not enough return. And realistically, it's not that much of an advertising method either compared to online referrals.

Sorry to be a bummer. I do like the idea, however, for a different reason: I think it would be a neat way to build community and to do just because it would be fun.

As a few people have already surmised, I like the idea but I really don't have the time to take care of making all the arrangements myself. If someone is willing to "take the point" on this I will certainly be supportive, and we could use banners on the site to advertise the merchandise if/when it is ready.

Thanks again.

c

[Fruss Tray Ted]

I'd put in an order for at least a couple shirts but I am thinking bumper stickers would be the least initial investment and shipping should be reasonable as well, and actually quite visible in the real world.

I don't decorate my vehicle with bandaid looking stickers here, there, cover the rust everywhere,,, rather, I use a rotation of stickers on my dash or tape them on the inside of my truck cap's rear window. Most times though, mine reads:

Get in, sit down, hold on, and SHUT UP!

[Steve]

Well, I don't think that selling tee shirts is going to bring in much revenue. But I'd like it if ixl gave the ok for us regulars to print one or two up for ourselves. For personal use, of course.

You never know. There might be one or two out there already...:)

[PrntRhd]

The money is only incremental, and the ordering and sizing and stocking and shipping is a pain. Still it would be a cool thing.
:D

[LadyGrey]

You know guys, I have the time and I would be willing to take up the shipping, stocking, sizing, end of things. I'm not real good with selling, or advertising but I could handle the shipping part ok. Now, I'm talking smaller scale here, not a warehouse!!!:D :D I don't have Broadband so I don't have an always on connection. Someone would have to fax or email the orders to me I guess. I'm on the east coast, I'm in the country but town and a major post office is just 10 miles. I run into town just about every other day for something or other. Usually end up in Best Buy harassing the clerks about what they DON'T know about computers!:D
I've thought for a long time about doing my own T-shirt but didn't want to without ixl's permission. Thought about the bumper sticker idea too. I don't plaster my car either with stickers but I do like FTT, I tape things that mean something to me in my rear window, slap one in hubby's 1964 Chevy Impala window, that would get seen for sure!:D
I'll keep an eye on this and see what you all decide.
LG;)

[ixl]

LadyGrey, that is nice of you to offer. I will wait and see what consensus, if any, is reached with regard to this project.

c

[halovivek]

i can support that one can we get that t-shirts in india?

[Whyzman]

I suspect the main problem in such an endeavor as this is determing quantities. We could get around inventorying product by doing either a once a year or twice a year offer, and do this on an "intent to purchase" first.

This could be used to determine not only interest, but also quantity. The gathered numbers could then be matched to minimum order requirements from a screener and determine individual pricing...

A couple Tees would probably ship easily USPS Priority for the minimum $3.85 here in the US...

Payment options??

Sure seems doable...

Thanks for your offer LG to handle the logistics! ;)

[Abbadon]

I don't know much about shipping costs, but if it would make a major price-difference, I could handle the european "distribution". I could have them printed form the same design here in Belgium and post them to european countries.

Of course, that brings down the volume per continent and thus raises the price for printing again...

It'll be a mather of how much shipping to europe costs I guess...

[Whyzman]

Abbadon, this might be handy:

http://ircalc.usps.gov/speed.asp?Country=Belgium&Pounds=1&Ounces=0&cmdSubmit=Continue&Contents=1

Here's the calculator itself for others interested:

http://ircalc.usps.gov/weight.asp?Contents=1

The nice thing about the United States Postal Service is that they furnish the box/envelope for mailing included in the pricing. For things such as a T-shirt they have those envelopes that are made of some sort of spun material that doesn't tear and is lightweight...

[PrntRhd]

For things such as a T-shirt they have those envelopes that are made of some sort of spun material that doesn't tear and is lightweight...
Whyzman,
I believe it is Tyvek material, tough stuff.

[Whyzman]

Yeah, that's it Tyvek...lightweight and tough...sounds like me! :p :rolleyes: :D :cool: :)

[pop pop]

I'd buy one. Alternative logo in Latin: Illigetimi non-carbarundum.:)