Invading Someones Turf

Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
les-smith

les-smith

Member
Joined
Oct 2, 2006
Messages
1,158
Location
Oklahoma
I believe I've found a little nich for selling pens, but......

the only reason I found it was because I noticed someone else selling pens. No one has really sold pens in this area before so they're having pretty good success. I haven't jumped in and offered my stuff yet for fear of offending the other people. I believe my product is better so I think I could have good success as well.

My questions: Is it offensive to jump in and start selling ASAP, or should I wait? If I wait, how long? I'm kind of torn, I don't want to offend but I don't want to miss out.

Your thoughts please.
 
Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
Les jump right in, you might offend but in business if you think your product is better and will sell the only thing the other party can do is either drop out or get better. Good luck. I've never let competion bother me.
 
I'm suer Home Depot isn't afraid to offend Lowes when the set up shop across the street.

Or McDonald's when the set up next door to Burger King.

Just Do It!
 
Les,
Does that mean you are going to put Roy out of business? :rolleyes::rolleyes::wink:

I think Roy is spot on, unless you have a personally ethical reason to not invade the other persons area, as in they are a friend, or helped you learn to do the same thing, etc.
 
Sounds way too cryptic to post a response. We don't know the circumstances you are refering to. Maybe the place was given to them by someone and you are not welcomed. You will have to do better with details to get any decent response.
 
Speak to the competitor ask him if he has a problem with some competition. Do this in a friendly way. It could be that he has spent time and money to get where he is.
Another thing to consider, how will it affect you. Would you regret or not slept well.
Money is nice, but it ain't everything.
 
JerrySambrook said:
Les,
Does that mean you are going to put Roy out of business? :rolleyes::rolleyes::wink:

I think Roy is spot on, unless you have a personally ethical reason to not invade the other persons area, as in they are a friend, or helped you learn to do the same thing, etc.
Click to expand...

Funny. I'm yet a meir grasshopper compared to Roy. He has no worries.
 
jttheclockman said:
Sounds way too cryptic to post a response. We don't know the circumstances you are refering to. Maybe the place was given to them by someone and you are not welcomed. You will have to do better with details to get any decent response.
Click to expand...

Yep, cryptic it is. The other fellow may visit this forum and I rather they not know I'm talking about them or where they sell pens. Also, I'd rather not let anyone else know where it is, so as to take better advantage.
 
If someone freaks out over competition, then they have no business being in business. The exception is well put buy Jerry, it would be kind of crummy to do if this person was someone who helped you learn to do what you do.

Mike
 
OKLAHOMAN said:
Les jump right in, you might offend but in business if you think your product is better and will sell the only thing the other party can do is either drop out or get better. Good luck. I've never let competion bother me.
Click to expand...


Roy has a very good point and is on target. Competition has driven many companies to improve their products which in turn has provided many of us with alternatives, options and competitive prices that we otherwise wouldn't have in our daily lives. None of us should be afraid of a little competition! :smile:

Linda
 
les-smith said:
jttheclockman said:
Sounds way too cryptic to post a response. We don't know the circumstances you are refering to. Maybe the place was given to them by someone and you are not welcomed. You will have to do better with details to get any decent response.
Click to expand...

Yep, cryptic it is. The other fellow may visit this forum and I rather they not know I'm talking about them or where they sell pens. Also, I'd rather not let anyone else know where it is, so as to take better advantage.
Click to expand...


Again I say it is ok for competition but there are other factors and if you are not staing them then how do you expect us to suggest anything. It is so eassy to say yea go jump in this guys turf competion is good. But what if he has paid for that spot and asked the owners or whatever. I can think of alot of reasons not to do it and only one to do it. So take it from there and hope things work out well for you and them.
 
This may help. I started doing craft shows in Chicago, as I got better, we did a show at Rosemont (near O'hare). Perusing the show, from my "aisle 19 new vendor booth", I saw a booth in row 4-----Father Sing's Pens.

Dick Sing wrote some of the books that introduced pen turning as a craft. So, after a couple times of being in the same shows, I asked him what he did NOT like to do, in penmaking. He said, "I hate plastics". Thus was born my future emphasis on plastics.

If you have a DIFFERENT idea, or a truly novel approach, you are NOT copying. If you copy, be prepared for your intended target to defend his position---right now, he is the only "dog" on the block. Dogs show their territory by marking---try not to get marked.

Dick and I did the same shows for about 4 years before he left to teach and travel the world full time. He was a real gentleman who appreciated our symbionic relationship. And, he was much better at turning wood pens than I. He would have devoured me, had we not had different "niches". As the unwanted invader, I felt it was MY job to find NEW turf, even if the ground was shared with Dick.

Hope this helps!!
 
I'm with John on this one. There isn't enough information to give a good answer.

I'm honestly quite surprised at everyone saying go for it especially considering some of the threads on here last year that dealt with the same type of scenarios and people dead set against it. Please don't jump on me as I'm just stating my opinion and have no desire to argue it.
 
What Venue??

les-smith said:
I believe I've found a little nich for selling pens, but......

the only reason I found it was because I noticed someone else selling pens. No one has really sold pens in this area before so they're having pretty good success. I haven't jumped in and offered my stuff yet for fear of offending the other people. I believe my product is better so I think I could have good success as well.

My questions: Is it offensive to jump in and start selling ASAP, or should I wait? If I wait, how long? I'm kind of torn, I don't want to offend but I don't want to miss out.

Your thoughts please.
Click to expand...

OK...you should know whether or not you will feel "right". If you are going to feel like you're being a thief if you do it (and the fact that you're asking about it gives me reason to think you will) then don't.

Generally speaking I believe it is good to offer the consumer a better "mousetrap" and/or more choices ... always good for the consumer but not necessarily good business.
 
les-smith said:
I believe I've found a little nich for selling pens, but......

My questions: Is it offensive to jump in and start selling ASAP, or should I wait? If I wait, how long? I'm kind of torn, I don't want to offend but I don't want to miss out.

Your thoughts please.
Click to expand...

To answer your question: Yes, you very well may offend someone and if that bothers you, then you have to make your own decision.

However, if it were me and I liked the opportunity, I would go for it immediately. You may be criticized, you many get turned down or kicked out, or you may get rich. If you have product to sell and you have a viable plan for getting you foot in the door, go for it.
 
Smitty37 said:
OK...you should know whether or not you will feel "right". If you are going to feel like you're being a thief if you do it (and the fact that you're asking about it gives me reason to think you will) then don't.

Generally speaking I believe it is good to offer the consumer a better "mousetrap" and/or more choices ... always good for the consumer but not necessarily good business.
Click to expand...

Very wise Smitty, IMO.

I agree, while I like money it is not the ruling factor in my families life. I kind of feel that if the shoe was on the other foot I wouldn't want someone jumping in on me, thus the reason for my question. The best I can come up wth right now is to give the other person time to sell his stuff first. How much time, I don't know.
 
Last edited:
MLKWoodWorking said:
OKLAHOMAN said:
Les jump right in, you might offend but in business if you think your product is better and will sell the only thing the other party can do is either drop out or get better. Good luck. I've never let competion bother me.
Click to expand...


Roy has a very good point and is on target. Competition has driven many companies to improve their products which in turn has provided many of us with alternatives, options and competitive prices that we otherwise wouldn't have in our daily lives. None of us should be afraid of a little competition! :smile:

Linda
Click to expand...

I once knew a restaurant manager that was looking to open another restaurant in another area... there was another Mexican restaurant on the same block and I commented about having two so close together... he told me that the competition would be good for business for both... one.. they would have to improve quality to compete and two.. customers would have a choice and more likely to frequent either of them... competition is good for business.
 
From a business standpoint the area is fair game. From a moral standpoint, that is an issue that you have to decide, if you feel it is wrong to invade another's territory, then you will have to sleep with that. But, and there is always a but when combining business with morals, if you feel the idea of invading his territory is wrong, maybe you should rethink trying to expand your business. In today's society morals and business practices usually are not in the same boat.
 
les-smith said:
Very wise Smitty, IMO.

I agree, while I like money it is not the ruling factor in my families life. I kind of feel that if the shoe was on the other foot I wouldn't want someone jumping in on me, thus the reason for my question. The best I can come up wth right now is to give the other person time to sell his stuff first. How much time, I don't know.
Click to expand...

Actually in my own mind you just answered your own question.. I would probably be in the camp of those saying competition is good... However my overriding rule in my mind is " do unto others". Since you said you wouldnt want someone doing it to you - how would you feel breaking your own "rule"?
 
I'll bite.....

I assume ( I know, I know...) that this is one individual selling pens because he is really good or pretty good at making pens. (Not as good as you my friend!) Would I be cheating, or stealing from him/her? I don't think so. Should I be concerned with their short term financial situation? I say short term because if there is a market then there will be competition sooner or later. I believe this is a little more like a job interview with only two people. If one of the people doesn't go to the interview than the other guy gets the job. Would you not go to an interview just so the other guy could get the job? Possible but not likely. I'm here in Oklahoma and I would love more people to have pens similar to what I make. Our marketing consists of buyers showing off their pens. If more people were showing off pens then I could say, " I can do something like that" and we all sell more pens. Well maybe.
 
Oh stop wimping around and get out there and hawk your product.

My whole professional career was in a highly competitive arena. Guess what? The guys and gals who bent the rules to beat me are now all in jail or litigation. What you have over everyone else is your conduct, professionalism, pride and quality. That will bring you repeat customers.
 
Last edited:
If you decide to set up in competition with this other penmaker thats business, through time though there maybe someone thinking of setting up against both of you.

How would you feel about that? That is what you done to the original vendor!
 
I mean this with no disrespect but if you have to come to a forum to ask if something like this is right or wrong then maybe you shouldn't do it. I go with my gut instinct on things like this and it rarely lets me down. You probably already have your own gut instinct on this without everyone else's opinions.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom