Help with market research

[Belarin]

So I have mentioned many times lately that I would really like to try and get a little shop up and running to provide clothing and cloth nappy/diaper products aimed at the ABDL and IC community, I can create items that would be suitable to support different levels of bladder/bowel loss and clothing to aid with discretion as well as much more "childish" clothing using fun/cute prints and designs.

It's not likely to happen right away as I would need time to make some example/display items and get photos, set up a store front (probably Etsy) and figure out the financial side, I would also need to save up enough money (or get a small loan) to buy plenty of fabric to get going including printed fabrics for the AB side.

I would be quite happy even if I just sold a few items here and there that would help cover the cost of my own stuff or have a little "pocket money/allowance" for extra treats while still working full time.

However before I start to try and do anything I am curious to know what kind of prices people would be comfortable paying for different items so I can sit down and work out the material and time costs to see whether it would be worth it for different items and just to gauge the potential.

So I thought I'd post a short list of possible things I could make and sell on here and ask everyone if you could copy and paste the list into a reply and after each item add the price you would be comfortable paying for it and then the maximum you would expect to pay, for example: "Onesie £20, £35" please specify currency too so I can convert it. Obviously the quality and designs would influence this but just a ballpark figure is helpful.

Also if this kind of thing is not allowed I apologise, feel free to remove it. The only rules I could see were about company reps which I'm not yet as there is no company and there was nothing in there about market research.

Items I could sell. All diapers would be cloth and most items may be able to be customised with extras (like lap neck on a onesie, different sleeve lengths or adding ruffles).

Diapers. (AIO pull ups could be discreet or bulky but still functional diapers, 2 piece would be a waterproof cover with pad inserts.)

• AIO diapers.
• Fitted diapers.
• Pocket Diapers.
• AIO Pull up diapers.
• 2 Piece pull ups.
• Pouch style briefs (think Gdiaper. looks like briefs, has inner pouch for pads. light incontinence but very discreet)
• PUL diaper cover (pull up or wrap styles).

Under garments. (training pants are thinner than pull up diapers so hold much less)

• Non waterproof training pants.
• Waterproof training pants.
• Briefs printed to look like baby diapers.
• briefs/boxers in childish prints.

Snap crotch onesies.

• Plain discreet shirts.
• Printed/patterned.
• Snaps at front/back waist.
• What extra for Lap Neck/snap shoulder?
• Romper (longer legs).
• Skirted.

Outer clothing.

• Dungarees.
• Shortalls/Skirtalls.
• wide elasticated waist trousers/pants.
• Bonnets.
• Food bibs.
• Dribble bibs.
• Mittens.
• Leggings.
• Booties.
• simple dresses.
• Fancier dresses.
• Jumpers/hoodies
• Sleep suit (footed or not)
• Sleeping bag with sleeves.
• Sets (trousers with matching onesie + bonnet etc.)

There are probably other things I could do but these are the obvious things. Any input is appreciated to help me work out what I should be focusing on.
Thanks.

 

[Mallowmarsh]

I think this is a wonderful idea. First I would definitely make a chart how much everything would cost you, supplies for not only the materials, but sewing machines and anything else you might need. Then I would break everything down into time. How long does it take you to do each item; this will also help you see how much your time is worth.

Start looking around on Etsy and other websites to see their price points. This will also help so you don’t undersell yourself nor undermine anyone.

Once you have how much everything will cost and a general idea for what your time is worth; I would look into shipping. How much would something weigh and how much would it cost to ship in different locations. This way you know if you can only do local or international.

Don’t forget to look into patents too! Can’t wait to see what you create! 😊

 

[Belarin]

I think this is a wonderful idea. First I would definitely make a chart how much everything would cost you, supplies for not only the materials, but sewing machines and anything else you might need. Then I would break everything down into time. How long does it take you to do each item; this will also help you see how much your time is worth.

Start looking around on Etsy and other websites to see their price points. This will also help so you don’t undersell yourself nor undermine anyone.

Once you have how much everything will cost and a general idea for what your time is worth; I would look into shipping. How much would something weigh and how much would it cost to ship in different locations. This way you know if you can only do local or international.

Don’t forget to look into patents too! Can’t wait to see what you create! 😊

This is basically what I was hoping to do with this thread but no responses yet, I already have lists of fabric prices by varying lengths (and with bulk discounts) and "maps" of how many items I can cut from a piece of fabric using as much as possible, tool replacement costs etc. I have started trying to figure out how long things would take both making items individually and also in bulk (marking and cutting at once, sewing item stages a few at a time...)

I have already looked around at a LOT of shops and sellers for their prices, the thing is there can be a huge range in prices that makes it much harder to judge what the potential buyers might consider a fair price, For example I have seen simple, plain solid coloured snap crotch onesies in a medium adult size going for anything between £15 and £40.

Even buying bulk from manufacturers the fabric for a onesie that size would be around £12-£14 for one, plus sales fees, tax, packaging, invoices... If it takes an hour to make you're looking at selling for £30 minimum if you want minimum wage (£10.50 p/h). How they can sell at £15 and keep running I have no idea.

 

[KrankyPants]

I used to work for a company that did market research. Can't tell you the name 😉🙃, but you have to trust me. Transparency of what your goal is by selling the product sells, like you can sell salt to a slug if you mention why you have an item for sale. Take my word and good luck! I later worked in sales and man I could sell a soul to a man who sold his an hour ago and profit from it and eat for a month.

Certain keywords sell it for you. It's slick, but it is fair when it works to benefit you and the company. I did it all all day since I was fresh out of HS. It is manipulative to some folks, but when the product can benefit the audience it is more boasting why you are better than your competitors. You have to know the ins and outs of the item and also that of your competitors. It is fun to me, learning about other items out there and why people like them. Just use that knowledge to your advantage and you'll be successful. 😉

 

[Rita]

I would like to see more Diaper Covers ! Just not that many of them to chose from along with different colors along printers !