Money Making Idea
 

My fellow GIMers, I had an epihany (good idea) last week and I wanted to share it with some of you. Perhaps one or some of you can turn it into something. As many of you know, I am getting the Flock out of the US here shortly so I don't need it. However, if I were to stay here this is the business idea I would go with.

"Craigs Box"--a cross between a check cashing store, escrow office, bank, pawnshop whatever but it actually doesn't own anything or have any money.

Here's the gist:

When you buy and sell crap on Craigslist, the hardest part of the deal (for me) is figuring out where to do the deal...handing over money for crap.

It can be a little sketchy. I don't like to be in someone else's home and I don't like people to know where I live...meeting people in banks can also be very akward in this day and age of PATRIOT ACT.

My idea is to go buy (or lease if you must) a small vacant building (say an retail space) and make it a "Craigs Box" where people go to do the deal. Craig's Box acts as the 3rd party intermediary and takes a 3-5% commission for making sure you get your shit and the other guy gets his cash and no one gets scammed.

Anyway, that's the idea. Lots of things to think about (security, advertising, cash management, etc.) For me I thought it would be a good way to roll up some nice real estate.

There's an idea for you. Have fun. :bear_w00t:

Re: Money Making Idea
 

And if it picks up in any meaningul way I can see across the news wire CRAIGS BOX's IS HAS BEEN LINKED AS MAJOR HUB FOR AL QUEDA TRANSACTIONS AND INFORMATION PASSING..

Gotta love that DHS.


T

Re: Money Making Idea
 

Hey, can I get in on the IPO? LOL!

Re: Money Making Idea
 

Interesting idea.
Would probably only work in largish population centers.

All weapons checked at the door?

Re: Money Making Idea
 

I bought a Honda generator from a local pawn shop. When I was there picking it up, I was talking to the owner about the pawn business. I said it must be a really lucrative business to be in right now. He told me that it is such a highly regulated business, you need a Million dollars start up capitol (In Ca. anyway) what with all of the certification, bonds etc.

Re: Money Making Idea
 

Dog Farm from a woman's standpoint it is an excellent idea. Because I had Daughters in the home I never allowed workman in the house or sales transactions in the home. It is the number one way to set yourself up for a robbery or worse.

Im not sure how the details would work but I think many women who shop on craigslist would be interested. Would you be set up for vehicle exchanges too?

Re: Money Making Idea
 

I think people would balk at the 3-5 % comission. I had also thought about this but if one were to try it I think 1-2% comiss would be more palatable but not sure it would pay the rent or various insurance (including umbrella). My .02. Gotta keep thinking about the possiblities -not meant as a discouragement.

Re: Money Making Idea
 

Damn right.....to make SURE they are loaded and one in the chamber.

Big sign over the door that says:

Re: Money Making Idea
 

Since you aren't lending money or selling anything, the license requirements should be relatively straightforward; probably still need a business license and sales tax but the commissions would really be income.

Put some nice security cameras in the corners, make copies of driver's license for everyone who walks through the door (or put a scanner for their ID in the door frame like your after hours ATM).

Advertising is on...craigslist so should be cheap.

Wouldn't even need that big of space to do it in...just some parking.

Re: Money Making Idea
 

You want a money making idea? Just do what the fed does...

Open 2 bank accounts and write a check on one and deposit it in the other. Figure out how many days it takes to clear and write one from the other account before the money comes out of the first. Then go back and forth using larger amounts covering each with the other "just in time". Make the proceeds "disappear"; using the time lag to make it work.

I'm sure it's totally illegal if you or I do it... ;)

I wonder how long it would last?

Re: Money Making Idea
 

What are the advantages of Craig's box over McDonalds'? At least the later is free

Re: Money Making Idea
 

It sounds like a variation on a flea market. Instead of sellers on one side and buyers on the other, it is more peer-to-peer.

Here is an idea. Each seller stops at the entrance gate and gets a tag for every item he wants to sell. He declares the asking price for each item and gets an item tag with that price printed on it, and at this time pays the 2% commission.

Like a flea market, there are tables everywhere for transactions. When a buyer and seller agree to deal, they go to a table where a show employee witnesses the transaction and signs the item tag. The buyer takes the signed item tag along with the item as proof of purchase.

If the seller decides to lower his price, he can go back to the front gate to exchange the tag for a new one and get a partial refund of the commission. If he does not sell it at all, he can surrender the tag when leaving for a refund.

With a computerized tag printing system, the seller's picture could be printed on each item tag to help prevent loopholes, like a buyer pretending that he was the seller on exit and as an aid to prove item ownership while inside the trading area, in case of "misunderstanding" between people who are selling similar items. If sellers are willing to trade privacy for extra protection, they could have their names printed on the item tags and an ID check on entry and exit. But that should be optional so long as there is a picture on the tag.

A mechanical (non-electronic) fingerprint on the item tag might also be a workable way to prove ownership, and when sold, the old fingerprint could be blacked out for the seller's privacy.

Welcome to Barter Town!

EDIT:
Actually, the item tag could have two parts, one with the item information and the other with the seller's identity information. When sold, the seller keeps the half with his personal information and the buyer gets the signed item part as proof of ownership. That also prevents a buyer from trying to use the tag for a commission refund on the way out.

Re: Money Making Idea
 

Now THAT is dam fine slogan to have in any shop in america!!!


T

Re: Money Making Idea
 

the buyer or seller are never known to one another.

Re: Money Making Idea
 

This sounds like NWO crap!
I don�t need anyone else involved in my transactions other than me and the person I�m doing business with! And I especially don�t need any records of my cash transactions!

Re: Money Making Idea
 

Why would they care? I don't see the point

Re: Money Making Idea
 

That's fine, of course.

I believe the topic of this thread was how to set up a business acting as an intermediary for those people who are not comfortable with that. Specifically:
What would you propose? An open market with a "honor box" at the gate for sellers to deposit their commission payments might be a nice idea, but would it work?

I think it is not a trivial thing to collect sales commissions from sellers while maintaining as much privacy as possible for everyone. My idea was just a quick stab at a solution, but by all means please feel free to describe your best idea.

Re: Money Making Idea
 

If you distrust the person you're doing business with so much that you feel you can't meet them in privfate and need a third party to hold your hand through the deal, you shouldn't be doing business with that person.

JMO

Re: Money Making Idea
 

Sounds like an interesting idea but I prefer my way of doing business: Go to a fast food joint and tell the guy you are doing business with that if he tries to pull a fast one on you you'll blast him (then show your gun). If it can work for the mafia it can work for you too!

Re: Money Making Idea
 

....but the point is to make money. you have other people pay you to take on the transactional risk. you are probably very unique in being comfortable in that sort of environment (craigs box or mcds with a gun to close a transaction) and a lot of people aren't. thus, the purpose is to do it for them and to earn money, pick up the cute chicks, and sniff out the good deals for yourself (ie, guy is selling rolex for $2K and you know a jeweler who will pay you $3k...you pay seller his $2k and tell his buyer the watch was a fake so he isn't pissed and then you just made $1k)

WORK WITH ME FOLKS. WE ARE HEADING INTO THE MOTHER OF ALL ECONOMIC SHIT STORMS AND PEOPLE WILL BE SELLING THEIR FREAKING BABIES TO MAKE THEIR MORTGAGE PAYMENT AND ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS JUST FIND THE MARKS WHO CAN'T HANDLE THE DEAL, MAKE THEM COMFORTABLE WITH YOU AND YOUR STORE (OR YOUR BOOTH IDEA IN MCDS) AND SKIM A POINT OR TWO, AND GO ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS.