I genuinely hope I do not embarrass anyone.
First: Several people have posted "Print the sticker (whatever version being discussed at the moment) and I'll order some."
I am with you. But I must let the community in on one of the business realities of how this works. Many of you have never run a business, so please don't think I am being condescending.
When the 527 orders 1,000 stickers, we need to sell at least 400 to cover the initial cost of printing, shipping, envelopes, et cetera. Once we reach 400 sales, I am ready to order the next batch with a new message.
The cost analysis does not include a commission to Zoomie. I have asked the man to accept a Small piece of every sticker sold for his effort, skill and time. There is editing involved behind-the-scenes that takes even more of his time. The man takes the position that his effort is his contribution to our efforts, and I kid you not, has made it clear he will gut me like a carp if I ask again if he will accept payment. I believe him.
That is Patriotism. I have dealt with several of you in such projects who take the same position.
So - before I can ask Zoomie to invest in the work involved in spending the time away from his family and the chores of life, we have to financially break even on the current project.
With the stickers, that magic number is 400 units. He has some great art, but the next one will not be brought to market until this one pays for itself.
Here's one of his latest:
This is where we can go. But we've got to get there. And anyone who looks at that image (Act I, Act II & Act III) and does not see several layers of serious talent simply doesn't get it.
The same applies to t-shirts and mugs. I need to sell 40 mugs before the 527 breaks even on the cost. Flags: 25 units to break even (we have sold 34). When we get to the poster we'll need to move 400 units to break even.
We have very limited resources, folks. I can't buy a full line of III Gear at once and wait for it to sell.
So, if you want more sticker designs, buy more. Buy 25 or more and sell them at a slight profit to your gun buddies. Or take a stack of 10 to each gun store in your area and let them sell for you. We need to network, and let others do the marketing for us. Order 150-300 and go to a gun show, and sell them 10 at a time to the vendors - they are ALWAYS looking for merchandise to set on the table where they can make $1-3 per sale profit.
So, the hard truth is: If the same small group of III Patriots buy a few items offered, we will run out of operating capital in no time. So buy in bulk, and go sell your local gun/surplus sellers to buy from you at cost (or a small profit - why shouldn't you cover your gas money) and let them do the work for us. They have more III allies walk through their store every day than you'll meet at your office.
Buy bulk, then disseminate.
Everything is at IIIGear.com
Kerodin
III
