Business Opportunity?

[Squandered Halfpints]

I think I found a way to capitalize on the rising unemployment rate. Yes... it sounds fiendish, but I think its actually a pretty benevolent idea. I know many people are looking for work (odd jobs and such) to make a little extra income, and they are willing to charge a little less in order to get the job. For example, a car mechanic who would be willing to change an old ladies oil for a couple bucks.

Both parties are usually very willing to participate. However, the problem usually lies in finding someone that will change your oil for a couple bucks, or finding the old lady who currently pays $50 to do it. (This is just an example, and I know its a little extreme). As of now, it seems that most of these parties get connected only by word of mouth.

I want to be the intermediary between these two parties. Not only connecting the two, but also the person who oversees every part of the transaction, (making sure the old lady isn't getting ripped off, making sure the job is done right and on time, making sure the old lady pays, etc).

Any thoughts?

[Hockey4Life]

I like your idea. I know of a guy who approaches friends of mine all the time looking for odd jobs and they usually have something for him to do. The guy does anything they need, I think last time he was planting flowers outside.

Anyway, yeah I like the idea. I think you could set up a local site and advertise it with signs and flyers around town. Maybe even a small weekly newsletter people could subscribe to.

[Charles of 5DPI]

I think I found a way to capitalize on the rising unemployment rate. Yes... it sounds fiendish, but I think its actually a pretty benevolent idea. I know many people are looking for work (odd jobs and such) to make a little extra income, and they are willing to charge a little less in order to get the job. For example, a car mechanic who would be willing to change an old ladies oil for a couple bucks.

Both parties are usually very willing to participate. However, the problem usually lies in finding someone that will change your oil for a couple bucks, or finding the old lady who currently pays $50 to do it. (This is just an example, and I know its a little extreme). As of now, it seems that most of these parties get connected only by word of mouth.

I want to be the intermediary between these two parties. Not only connecting the two, but also the person who oversees every part of the transaction, (making sure the old lady isn't getting ripped off, making sure the job is done right and on time, making sure the old lady pays, etc).

Any thoughts?

Novel idea. I can tell you this would be best done online (Start local, work you way up to international.)

I think it would be very easy to market, your only rough part will be building some kind of system to do it for you.

Many sites do this already, but only in certain industries that they farm in. Yours would be more of a melting pot of things, everything from mechanics to interior decorating.

..but now for the hard part.. what to name it?

[mattnelson]

Hi there,
Is this idea similar to DoMyStuff.com - Outsource your life.

[eliz4biz]

It sounds like typical bartering to me. I have an uncle that has been bartering for years...I'll look up his website and share it with you. Maybe you two could get connected and share some ideas.

[CDRamming]

I find alot of work on the side on craigslist. People post things in "Gigs" and also general help wanted ads. Its free and covers many most every city. I don't think people are going to be willing to pay for the same service.

[Squandered Halfpints]

mattnelson - It seems like my idea has the same premise as domystuff.com, except for the fact that I'll start finding my skilled laborers/employers locally.

eliz4biz - It would be great if you could find your uncles website. If he's doing something similar I woud love to hear about its success and maybe share some of my ideas with him.

CDRamming - I plan on developing a site which will also be free to post your services. I plan on profitting based on the jobs I find. I'll split my commision (a small percentage of each job) between both parties.

[agziolkow]

Would you be interested in any help with marketing it or even a partnership? I've been meddling over an idea similar to that myself. Shoot me a PM.

Cheers

[kindafishy]

I have a general question for you because I have had many ideas that I have tossed aside because I look around the internet and find that someone is already doing it. So, the question is, how do you decide that your idea is different enough? For example, if I had the idea you are describing and I posted it here to have mattnelson point out DoMyStuff.com - Outsource your life, I would be dropping the idea because in my mind, it has been done.

I am not trying to be a jerk here, I am sincerely asking, how are you deciding that your idea is different, because I don't see it?

Thanks and best of luck.

[Squandered Halfpints]

I have a general question for you because I have had many ideas that I have tossed aside because I look around the internet and find that someone is already doing it. So, the question is, how do you decide that your idea is different enough? For example, if I had the idea you are describing and I posted it here to have mattnelson point out DoMyStuff.com - Outsource your life, I would be dropping the idea because in my mind, it has been done.

I am not trying to be a jerk here, I am sincerely asking, how are you deciding that your idea is different, because I don't see it?

Thanks and best of luck.

I guess the main thing I'm trying to stress to starting LOCAL. I know many skilled and unskilled laborers looking for ANY work, especially now. And there is always demand for someone looking to hire someone to do the same quality work for cheaper. So the supply and demand for this market exist, its just a matter of bringing the 2 together.

There are sites out there that try and do this. Any online free classifieds site (craiglist) or online services (domystuff.com) But a very small percentage of people are using these sites, for one reason or another. For example: Domystuff.com - has a total of 10 listings in my area, radius of 100 miles! Thats not a typo, its 10 - some of which have been posted for a very long time. And I don't live in the boonies, I live in a city with a population of over 1 million. Thats my competition, ha!

Craigslist is much more successful in bringing these 2 markets together, with their very popular free classfieds approach. God knows why they aren't monetizing the site. I guess this is why walmart.com just launched their free online classified site powered by oodle. But I'm getting off topic.

I think there are 2 main things that would make this service successful. A good marketing strategy targeting local clientele. And a distinct feature that differes from other existing sites and/or services. And I believe I found that. But I don't really want to spill it online like this.

I've noticed another thing. Online free classified websites such as craigslist do a great job fullfilling peoples needs. However, each catagory is not at all specialized. Its just free to post (except for rentals in new york) and browse. This shows that there is definitely a demand for the types of services craigslist offers. I believe that if you focus your time on one of these services, create a site that makes it a little different/better, and market it locally it will be successful. I've had couple ideas, and now I'm focusing on the "jobs wanted/needed" type of service.

I've noticed people on this forum doing the same type of thing. I've noticed people on this forum starting a business venture with this same philosophy.
An example (2 recent posts on the same topic):

I am starting a new business where I am developing a website that will list local apartments for rent. It will be different from other sites because it have videos of the apartment, live chat with apartment offices, and a program that can give a virtual tour on request for people who can't make it to the area. (There is a large army base in my area and some prospective families are not able to tour apartments physically). The issue that I have is that I am very nervous in talking to people. I really don't know how to approch a business and get through the secretary level to the decision makers. Does anyone have any pointers that will help me with success through speaking.

-Corey

Wow. Just wow. I'm actually in the process of starting an almost identical website, The One Stop Spot for Renting in Bloomington - IURentStop. I understand the difficulty in trying to get apartments listed, and having to chat your way in. That's actually where I'm stuck on mine.
Feel free to PM me if you want to get some more in depth discussion going. We'll IM or email. I'd like to discuss what you're doing, we may have some good ideas to share with each other.

I could go on and on, but I think you've heard enough of my jibjabbering

[LittleDreamer]

Hmmm don't really know what I think about it to be honest! Ill have to give it a think... Anyways Ill have to come back :-)

[abe froman]

Here's an idea. How about doing something like a non profit. You have a service where a mechanic has agreed to change oil for old lady's (with a coupon or something) at a slightly reduced rate. The lady brings in her car and the mechanic changes the oil. Old lady pays him $2.00. The other $48 (or however much) comes from money that you have secured in advance by accepting $$$$$$ donations from corporations and individuals.

The lady gets a cheap oil change. Thee mechanic gets paid his regular (or a negotiated slightly reduced) rate. You, as the director of this "non-profit", draw a salary for your time. The corporations or individuals get tax breaks for their donations.

[eliz4biz]

I like Abe's idea.

BTW, I am expecting a call back from my uncle tomorrow and will get back to you.