Is selling disposable flat shoes a good business idea?
March 9, 2010 5:33 PM Subscribe
Is selling disposable flat shoes to women struggling after a night in painful high-heels a good idea?
I live in Glasgow and a few weeks ago I was walking along one of the busiest streets at 2 or 3 in the morning. I had to walk past hundreds of people who had spilled out of clubs and bars and were heading home. One thing I noticed is that a lot of women had taken off their high heels, even though they had to walk through puddles and on the dirty ground. Obviously after a night of dancing their feet were killing them. I was wondering if I bought a bunch of cheap disposable flats on the internet and sold them on the streets after the clubs had shut, would women actually buy them? Is this a good idea to try?
I live in Glasgow and a few weeks ago I was walking along one of the busiest streets at 2 or 3 in the morning. I had to walk past hundreds of people who had spilled out of clubs and bars and were heading home. One thing I noticed is that a lot of women had taken off their high heels, even though they had to walk through puddles and on the dirty ground. Obviously after a night of dancing their feet were killing them. I was wondering if I bought a bunch of cheap disposable flats on the internet and sold them on the streets after the clubs had shut, would women actually buy them? Is this a good idea to try?
... a lot of women...
How many is a lot in this case? More than a couple?
posted by halogen at 5:38 PM on March 9, 2010
How many is a lot in this case? More than a couple?
posted by halogen at 5:38 PM on March 9, 2010
I've seen them for sale in vending machines in clubs in London. I have no idea if they sold well or not. But given how many times I've walked about in bare feet after heels? I'd buy them if presented with the option.
posted by elsietheeel at 5:39 PM on March 9, 2010
posted by elsietheeel at 5:39 PM on March 9, 2010
Yes. I'd suggest also offering thin cotton socks to make the shoes more comfortable and perhaps provide a little warmth / moisture absorption. Some cushy insoles would also be well-received, and very compact.
posted by amtho at 5:39 PM on March 9, 2010
posted by amtho at 5:39 PM on March 9, 2010
Response by poster: @halogen yes it's easily more than a couple. I saw at least 10 women actually walking barefoot through dirt and puddles, and many more staggering painfully who looked as though they'd grab a chance for some cheap flats
posted by Spamfactor at 5:41 PM on March 9, 2010
posted by Spamfactor at 5:41 PM on March 9, 2010
The only times I've taken my shoes off is when I was too drunk to care, which also meant I wouldn't have the cash for disposable shoes. Moral: make 'em cheap.
posted by dabitch at 5:42 PM on March 9, 2010
posted by dabitch at 5:42 PM on March 9, 2010
Response by poster: @elsietheeel I was looking for things related to this idea on the internet and actually saw a vending machine like you've mentioned. They seem like really good ideas but we don't seem to have them in Glasgow. I guess I could fill that gap by flogging the shoes direct to the women on the street
posted by Spamfactor at 5:44 PM on March 9, 2010
posted by Spamfactor at 5:44 PM on March 9, 2010
Folding shoes are already sold for these situations. I don't think disposable shoes sound very green. But if you had folding shoes that were not disposable but were washable, score.
posted by tel3path at 5:44 PM on March 9, 2010
posted by tel3path at 5:44 PM on March 9, 2010
I like this idea! Add in a few snacks, bottles of water or other rehydrating drink and I'd bet you could make some good money!
posted by amanda at 5:45 PM on March 9, 2010
posted by amanda at 5:45 PM on March 9, 2010
Better idea is to resell the cute kung fu mary janes (these sans buttons) for a 50% markup. They are cute, they are comfortable for the first few miles, and you can actually keep them (although I'd imagine this would be a case of reusable to go soda and coffee cups; people keep buying them because they're really hard to remember to bring with you in advance.)
posted by shownomercy at 5:46 PM on March 9, 2010
posted by shownomercy at 5:46 PM on March 9, 2010
Response by poster: @tel3path and amanda I'll admit I hadn't really considered how wasteful selling disposable shoes could be. I'll check out folding shoes and see if they're a better option. And thanks for the good suggestion amanda, I'm sure I could convince quite a few people in their drunken state to purchase some water and food off me.
posted by Spamfactor at 5:48 PM on March 9, 2010
posted by Spamfactor at 5:48 PM on March 9, 2010
ooh, yeah seconding the "Kung fu mary janes" which we call chinese slippers over here, you could probably get stock of those for very cheap since they don't sell for that much in china-town type shops. Good one.
posted by dabitch at 5:49 PM on March 9, 2010
posted by dabitch at 5:49 PM on March 9, 2010
Response by poster: @sunnichka ha thank you very much. I was quite pleased when it occurred to me and was mildly disappointed when I saw that companies with vending machines had thought of it ages ago. But still I think wandering the streets with a bag of cheap footwear could make me some money
posted by Spamfactor at 5:52 PM on March 9, 2010
posted by Spamfactor at 5:52 PM on March 9, 2010
This is such a good idea!
My additional recommendation (honestly, especially if you are a male) is that you do something to make it totally clear that you are selling an item. Like, a wheel-able cart, or with an area that's marked with a sign and such that you are selling shoes, or something like that. As a woman who is coming out of a bar late at night, barefoot and maybe with one too many drinks in me, if a stranger walked up to me with a line about wanting to sell something (without it being immediately obvious), I would think I'm about to be in trouble.
posted by Houstonian at 5:56 PM on March 9, 2010 [5 favorites]
My additional recommendation (honestly, especially if you are a male) is that you do something to make it totally clear that you are selling an item. Like, a wheel-able cart, or with an area that's marked with a sign and such that you are selling shoes, or something like that. As a woman who is coming out of a bar late at night, barefoot and maybe with one too many drinks in me, if a stranger walked up to me with a line about wanting to sell something (without it being immediately obvious), I would think I'm about to be in trouble.
posted by Houstonian at 5:56 PM on March 9, 2010 [5 favorites]
Response by poster: @shownomercy those kung fu mary janes look like a really good option and it looks like I can get a lot of them very cheaply, thanks for the suggestion
posted by Spamfactor at 5:57 PM on March 9, 2010
posted by Spamfactor at 5:57 PM on March 9, 2010
YES! Where have you been when I needed you?
posted by The Light Fantastic at 6:00 PM on March 9, 2010
posted by The Light Fantastic at 6:00 PM on March 9, 2010
What Houstonian said: a cart / a sign and some of those "I am selling stuff" blinking lihts /glow-in-the-dark sticks to attract attention is a must. Makes it easier for drunk ladies to spot you, put on a hat with a row of blinking stuff and a "shoe seller" sign.
posted by dabitch at 6:00 PM on March 9, 2010
posted by dabitch at 6:00 PM on March 9, 2010
Response by poster: @Houstonian ah I see your point. I am male and I'll have to make sure they don't think I'm some crazy pervert trying to take their money. Although to be honest I'm not exactly very threatening being 5 foot 6 and thoroughly middle-class. Most of the girls roaming the streets of Glasgow at night could kill me.
posted by Spamfactor at 6:00 PM on March 9, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by Spamfactor at 6:00 PM on March 9, 2010 [1 favorite]
Great idea! Check out Alibaba.com for potential suppliers. I like these for the purpose.
posted by Kerasia at 6:03 PM on March 9, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by Kerasia at 6:03 PM on March 9, 2010 [1 favorite]
I'd look into flip-flops/thong sandals instead of ballet flats for this purpose, for a few reasons:
-they're more flexible in terms of sizing than traditional flats, so you wouldn't have to worry so much about running out of popular sizes
-they're dirt cheap; even selling them at $5, you'd have a decent profit margin
-they're minimally designed; personal taste won't factor into a purchasing decision
-people think of them as disposable, so it won't seem weird that you're selling them
posted by oinopaponton at 6:10 PM on March 9, 2010
-they're more flexible in terms of sizing than traditional flats, so you wouldn't have to worry so much about running out of popular sizes
-they're dirt cheap; even selling them at $5, you'd have a decent profit margin
-they're minimally designed; personal taste won't factor into a purchasing decision
-people think of them as disposable, so it won't seem weird that you're selling them
posted by oinopaponton at 6:10 PM on March 9, 2010
Good Idea. Some points to think through though:
Personal Security Concern: It's night time and you're walking around with cash.
You may need a vendors license or some such, don't know the laws or regulations in Glasgow.
But +1 for being enterprising and clever =c)
posted by pyro979 at 6:13 PM on March 9, 2010
Personal Security Concern: It's night time and you're walking around with cash.
You may need a vendors license or some such, don't know the laws or regulations in Glasgow.
But +1 for being enterprising and clever =c)
posted by pyro979 at 6:13 PM on March 9, 2010
Response by poster: @pyro979 those are good points, I wouldn't be overly worried about personal security as I would only be operating on a busy well lit street which usually has a fair number of police wandering round. However Glasgow isn't exactly famous for a low crime rate so I'd have to take some safety precautions. As far as the vendor's license issue goes I have no idea what I'd need to do at this point, but my dad is a lawyer so I can always check with him on that
posted by Spamfactor at 6:21 PM on March 9, 2010
posted by Spamfactor at 6:21 PM on March 9, 2010
Spas that give away disposable flip flops to meander around the place in, or to use to walk back to your car, in case you don't want to risk chipping your painted toenails quite yet. My first google hit showed them for 62 cents each (when buying more than 10). Better than barefoot, but not much. Still, I'd buy them for $2 when my feet are killing me.
posted by cgg at 6:26 PM on March 9, 2010
posted by cgg at 6:26 PM on March 9, 2010
This is a great idea. I vote for nice, secure maryjane flats over flip flops in the name of safety. I'm sure I've had just as many drunken flip-flop injuries as high heel. They can be tricky! The good thing about the cloth chinatown maryjanes is that even though they have a buckle, they are very easy to slip on. And they aren't explicitly disposable. I had a pair that lasted a whole summer and a couple washings. Also Urban Outfitters sold an embroidered version of them for 14 dollars! You can easily get away with 5.
posted by Juicy Avenger at 6:28 PM on March 9, 2010
posted by Juicy Avenger at 6:28 PM on March 9, 2010
Another vote for those kung fu mary janes linked above. The strap means you don't need an exact fit, plus they are cute and reusable. And I think they'd be reasonably comfortable to walk in.
Good luck!
posted by JenMarie at 6:28 PM on March 9, 2010
Good luck!
posted by JenMarie at 6:28 PM on March 9, 2010
Response by poster: The mary janes seem an affordable option. One website is selling them wholesale for only 43 pence a pair. However I just discovered Scottish law requires me to have a street vendors license to do this. Although it might be fun to risk it. Apparently I don't need a license if I'm selling newspapers or coal, so I could alway carry a bag of coal with me and tell police I'm just hawking that instead of shoes if they get suspicious. Nothing suspicious about a 19-year-old guy selling coal on the streets is there?
posted by Spamfactor at 6:34 PM on March 9, 2010
posted by Spamfactor at 6:34 PM on March 9, 2010
Response by poster: Just had an idea actually. I could always buy the shoes wholesale, then buy a bag of coal. I smash the coal into tiny pieces and give a piece away with every pair of shoes I sell. If the police ask if I have a license, I can tell them I don't need a license as I'm selling coal, and just happen to be giving away free shoes at the same time. So I won't technically be breaking the law and I don't need to buy a license. That would work right?
posted by Spamfactor at 6:43 PM on March 9, 2010
posted by Spamfactor at 6:43 PM on March 9, 2010
I think it's time to ask the mods to remove this post and write up a sweet business plan.
posted by thebrokedown at 6:52 PM on March 9, 2010
posted by thebrokedown at 6:52 PM on March 9, 2010
omg - i've been looking for an alternate name for those shoes for a couple years. we call them chinese slippers and i have had the damndest time finding them.
posted by nadawi at 7:14 PM on March 9, 2010
posted by nadawi at 7:14 PM on March 9, 2010
This has already been done (and fancier version), with the added bonus of a pounch that folds out into a tote bag for the heels. That said, it's not yet very popular, so go ahead.
posted by acidic at 7:17 PM on March 9, 2010
posted by acidic at 7:17 PM on March 9, 2010
Response by poster: @acidic I'm not planning on manufacturing the shoes myself so it doesn't really matter that those shoes exist. All I want to do is sell them on the street, which is a pretty much nonexistent service in Glasgow
posted by Spamfactor at 7:20 PM on March 9, 2010
posted by Spamfactor at 7:20 PM on March 9, 2010
If I were a potential customer of yours, it would be important to me that these shoes were obviously new (like packaged somehow), and yes, cheap.
posted by nowmorethannever at 7:26 PM on March 9, 2010
posted by nowmorethannever at 7:26 PM on March 9, 2010
I wasn't discouraging you, merely telling you that if you want to make it more successful, then you could sell a reusable option similar to the link. Foldable or rollable shoes, with a nice looking bag, because nobody likes to walk around holding their shoes. Then your customers will think, "Oh, I'll bring these with me the next time I go out! It's worth the money!"
posted by acidic at 7:27 PM on March 9, 2010
posted by acidic at 7:27 PM on March 9, 2010
Response by poster: @nowmorethanever I should be able to sell them very cheap. As for packaging that will depend on what product I buy to sell. Although my target market is drunk women who wander the streets in bare feet so I don't think they'll be too picky
posted by Spamfactor at 7:28 PM on March 9, 2010
posted by Spamfactor at 7:28 PM on March 9, 2010
Response by poster: @acidic thanks I'll be sure to look at those shoes as an option. I get what you mean about a reusable or higher quality shoe attracting more customers, although I guess in a way it's better for me if they don't remember to take the shoes next time they go out, repeat business for me
posted by Spamfactor at 7:31 PM on March 9, 2010
posted by Spamfactor at 7:31 PM on March 9, 2010
I think if you're going to try to pull one over on the cops you should choose using newspapers instead of a fossil fuel. Just saying. Maybe you could package the shoes inside of a piece of newspaper?
posted by sickinthehead at 8:23 PM on March 9, 2010
posted by sickinthehead at 8:23 PM on March 9, 2010
What's so daunting about a vendor's license? Best to try to chat up some other vendors or make friends with someone from the city and find out what the deal is, how hard they are to get, etc. Maybe it is prohibitive but I'm sure the fine would be as well.
posted by amanda at 8:41 PM on March 9, 2010
posted by amanda at 8:41 PM on March 9, 2010
Um I live in Glasgow and I have noticed stewards handing out free flip flops at the central taxi rank :)
posted by By The Grace of God at 1:30 AM on March 10, 2010
posted by By The Grace of God at 1:30 AM on March 10, 2010
Can you include a cheap plastic bag for your customers to carry their heels in?
posted by marsha56 at 3:46 AM on March 10, 2010
posted by marsha56 at 3:46 AM on March 10, 2010
FYI this idea was pitched on Dragon's Den. I don't think they got the investment they were after, but a quick Google search seems to indicate they're still going. I don't know whether this is a good thing (as it suggests the idea has some... legs?) or a bad thing (as somebody's beaten you to market).
posted by kxr at 4:41 AM on March 10, 2010
posted by kxr at 4:41 AM on March 10, 2010
I would buy the hell out of those. It's one of those why is this not already happening, everywhere ideas. And I know there are folding flats I can take with me to be prepared - but I don't have the bag space and I don't care about it when my feet aren't hurting. At the end of the night, I care a lot.
I like the idea of including a cheap bag to pop my heels into.
I agree that flip flops might be easier from a sizing perspective (I do love those kung fu mary janes).
posted by KAS at 6:38 AM on March 10, 2010
I like the idea of including a cheap bag to pop my heels into.
I agree that flip flops might be easier from a sizing perspective (I do love those kung fu mary janes).
posted by KAS at 6:38 AM on March 10, 2010
This was done (for free!) in Devon during the summer. It might be worth some research to see how that turned out?
I, personally, would love this if I was walking home after a night out! But if I was just staggering to the taxi rank, I'd be less interested. I guess it would depend where you positioned yourself to 'catch' the women and how far they had to go in their painful shoes.
There also might be an element of seasonality - I couldn't care less about walking barefoot while drunk in the height of summer, but you'd be able to sell me replacement shoes if it was winter, or raining.
(Speaking as a midlander, does Glasgow *have* a height of summer?!)
posted by citands at 7:55 AM on March 10, 2010
I, personally, would love this if I was walking home after a night out! But if I was just staggering to the taxi rank, I'd be less interested. I guess it would depend where you positioned yourself to 'catch' the women and how far they had to go in their painful shoes.
There also might be an element of seasonality - I couldn't care less about walking barefoot while drunk in the height of summer, but you'd be able to sell me replacement shoes if it was winter, or raining.
(Speaking as a midlander, does Glasgow *have* a height of summer?!)
posted by citands at 7:55 AM on March 10, 2010
Sounds a lot like Rollasoles, except with you doing the actual legwork. I like marsha56's idea of giving them an inexpensive tote for their fancy shoes.
posted by deludingmyself at 8:08 AM on March 10, 2010
posted by deludingmyself at 8:08 AM on March 10, 2010
Response by poster: @The Grace of God Really? I've never noticed that. Even if that's true I've seen plenty of women who haven't taken advantage of that offer so I think there'd be plenty of people I could sell to.
posted by Spamfactor at 8:10 AM on March 10, 2010
posted by Spamfactor at 8:10 AM on March 10, 2010
Response by poster: @deludingmyself & citands & kxr yeah I've since found out there have been a few schemes where police or some organisation have handed out free shoes, and there are plenty shoes designed for this purpose like rollasoles etc. Despite this I still think there are enough women who wander the streets in bare feet in Glasgow who would buy cheap shoes if I did the legwork for them
posted by Spamfactor at 8:13 AM on March 10, 2010
posted by Spamfactor at 8:13 AM on March 10, 2010
A street trader license is 60 quid and you can buy 100 of these shoes for about 40. Seems pretty cheap to give this a go and see if it will work for yourself.
posted by IanMorr at 8:49 AM on March 10, 2010
posted by IanMorr at 8:49 AM on March 10, 2010
Response by poster: @IanMorr Thank you very much that page looks really helpful. £60 for a year is much cheaper than I thought it would be which is good news
posted by Spamfactor at 8:59 AM on March 10, 2010
posted by Spamfactor at 8:59 AM on March 10, 2010
Las Vegas is another place this is VERY MUCH NEEDED.
posted by micawber at 10:31 AM on March 10, 2010
posted by micawber at 10:31 AM on March 10, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Fiasco da Gama at 5:37 PM on March 9, 2010