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BPO researching services as a business
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Gert B Frobe
Funk On The Brain Research And Development
#1 - 2013-03-08 18:19:15 UTC
So, I have been looking at the Buy Orders forum and offering to those wanting researched BPOs that I will do the research but because I am so new to this aspect of the business that I can't afford to purchase the BPOs they want but I will do the research for a reasonable price per hour plus fees. I figured this would probably sound like a scam but thought I would at least make the offer to them hoping one or two took me up on it and allowed me to build a reputation of being a legit businessman. I know scamming is a problem in this game so I probably won't earn any trust off the bat but do you folks think this is a pointless approach or should I continue to offer my services to those looking for researched BPOs and BPCs? Essentially just looking for a way to get my foot in the door so I can make enough isk to afford the BPOs and sell them outright. Thanks guys

-Gert
Bad Bobby
Bring Me Sunshine
In Tea We Trust
#2 - 2013-03-08 18:34:20 UTC
You should create a thread in the Sell Orders forum offering the service. Take some time over the thread, word it well, make it look neat and clear.

Then you can link that thread in your forum sig and post links to it wherever you like. You can then offer/advertise your service wherever you post. The thread will then be a central location for collecting the positive feedback that you are seeking to get.

Then just work hard at it until you get customers and start building relationships.
Alex Grison
Grison Universal
#3 - 2013-03-08 18:37:27 UTC
Gert B Frobe wrote:
So, I have been looking at the Buy Orders forum and offering to those wanting researched BPOs that I will do the research but because I am so new to this aspect of the business that I can't afford to purchase the BPOs they want but I will do the research for a reasonable price per hour plus fees. I figured this would probably sound like a scam but thought I would at least make the offer to them hoping one or two took me up on it and allowed me to build a reputation of being a legit businessman. I know scamming is a problem in this game so I probably won't earn any trust off the bat but do you folks think this is a pointless approach or should I continue to offer my services to those looking for researched BPOs and BPCs? Essentially just looking for a way to get my foot in the door so I can make enough isk to afford the BPOs and sell them outright. Thanks guys

-Gert



to get around the scam aspect simply offer collaterol for the bpos.

1) You pay them the price of the unresearched bpo

2) You research the bpo

3) They will "buy it back" at a higher price.

yes
Gert B Frobe
Funk On The Brain Research And Development
#4 - 2013-03-08 18:44:21 UTC
Bad Bobby wrote:
You should create a thread in the Sell Orders forum offering the service. Take some time over the thread, word it well, make it look neat and clear.

Then you can link that thread in your forum sig and post links to it wherever you like. You can then offer/advertise your service wherever you post. The thread will then be a central location for collecting the positive feedback that you are seeking to get.

Then just work hard at it until you get customers and start building relationships.

That is a great idea. I'll work on that this weekend
Gert B Frobe
Funk On The Brain Research And Development
#5 - 2013-03-08 18:46:48 UTC
Alex Grison wrote:


to get around the scam aspect simply offer collaterol for the bpos.

1) You pay them the price of the unresearched bpo

2) You research the bpo

3) They will "buy it back" at a higher price.

The whole problem with that is I don't have the money to buy the BPO, otherwise I would just buy them myself to avoid the doubt. I'm cash poor and don't really have anything to offer for collateral.
Samroski
Middle-Earth
#6 - 2013-03-08 18:58:48 UTC
I do not want to discourage you, but there may not be a great market for this. A lot of people who own a number of BPOs have POSes. Those with one or two BPOs may want to wait for a public slots. I have noted a number of such services in the Sell Order Forum that offer their service for free - accepting any tips (which are likely to be more than what you'd normally charge). Possibly one way to get your foot in.

I was part of an alliance a few years ago, and had empty research slots- so I offered this service within alliance for free- and got some donations as well. Thus being part of a large corp/alliance may help establishing trust and getting customers.

You could consider researching cheap (1-10m) BPOs -and there are many that are in demand. See which ones are not available on contracts/forums- buy them- research them- put them up on contracts at Jita. Your volume and profits are likely to be much better doing this imho. You'd be pretty safe to start with T1 ammo that is used (e.g. kinetic missiles) and frigates.

You could open a researched BPO shop in the Sell Orders forum- and sell via the forums as well as on contracts. You could extend your service once you have regular customers.

If you want to go with your original idea- the above 2 posts have great suggestions.

Any colour you like.
Gert B Frobe
Funk On The Brain Research And Development
#7 - 2013-03-08 19:12:58 UTC
Samroski wrote:
I do not want to discourage you, but there may not be a great market for this. A lot of people who own a number of BPOs have POSes. Those with one or two BPOs may want to wait for a public slots. I have noted a number of such services in the Sell Order Forum that offer their service for free - accepting any tips (which are likely to be more than what you'd normally charge). Possibly one way to get your foot in.

I was part of an alliance a few years ago, and had empty research slots- so I offered this service within alliance for free- and got some donations as well. Thus being part of a large corp/alliance may help establishing trust and getting customers.

You could consider researching cheap (1-10m) BPOs -and there are many that are in demand. See which ones are not available on contracts/forums- buy them- research them- put them up on contracts at Jita. Your volume and profits are likely to be much better doing this imho. You'd be pretty safe to start with T1 ammo that is used (e.g. kinetic missiles) and frigates.

You could open a researched BPO shop in the Sell Orders forum- and sell via the forums as well as on contracts. You could extend your service once you have regular customers.

If you want to go with your original idea- the above 2 posts have great suggestions.

Well, being in NER I can't really offer my services to others in the alliance since they are members for the same perks. I've started getting some BPO's together for sales but I'm still trying to find a good baseline for what to charge on them. I know on some of them because I have records of research costs and times but some were given to me by a good Samaritan so I don't know exactly what to charge. Also struggling with how much to put into PE research as far as what would be worth it and what is overkill.

Also, any suggestions on BPCs? I don't know how many run to put on each copy and how to price those.
Alex Grison
Grison Universal
#8 - 2013-03-08 19:20:31 UTC
Gert B Frobe wrote:
Alex Grison wrote:


to get around the scam aspect simply offer collaterol for the bpos.

1) You pay them the price of the unresearched bpo

2) You research the bpo

3) They will "buy it back" at a higher price.

The whole problem with that is I don't have the money to buy the BPO, otherwise I would just buy them myself to avoid the doubt. I'm cash poor and don't really have anything to offer for collateral.



Not having enough money isn't a reasonable excuse to ask people to put themselves at risk.

yes
Gert B Frobe
Funk On The Brain Research And Development
#9 - 2013-03-08 19:29:58 UTC
Alex Grison wrote:
Gert B Frobe wrote:
Alex Grison wrote:


to get around the scam aspect simply offer collaterol for the bpos.

1) You pay them the price of the unresearched bpo

2) You research the bpo

3) They will "buy it back" at a higher price.

The whole problem with that is I don't have the money to buy the BPO, otherwise I would just buy them myself to avoid the doubt. I'm cash poor and don't really have anything to offer for collateral.



Not having enough money isn't a reasonable excuse to ask people to put themselves at risk.

I'm offering a service, perhaps at a price lower than they would be charged with someone else. If they don't want to use the service that is fine.

And with all due respect, giving me a suggestion to buy something I already stated I can't afford isn't a reasonable suggestion. Not quite sure why you felt the need to act all high and mighty. If you don't agree with what I am proposing or asking about, just move on to a different post, there is no need to take the time to belittle me or dismiss my questions.
Elli M0o
Doomheim
#10 - 2013-03-08 20:15:49 UTC
Gert B Frobe wrote:
Alex Grison wrote:
Gert B Frobe wrote:
Alex Grison wrote:


to get around the scam aspect simply offer collaterol for the bpos.

1) You pay them the price of the unresearched bpo

2) You research the bpo

3) They will "buy it back" at a higher price.

The whole problem with that is I don't have the money to buy the BPO, otherwise I would just buy them myself to avoid the doubt. I'm cash poor and don't really have anything to offer for collateral.



Not having enough money isn't a reasonable excuse to ask people to put themselves at risk.

I'm offering a service, perhaps at a price lower than they would be charged with someone else. If they don't want to use the service that is fine.

And with all due respect, giving me a suggestion to buy something I already stated I can't afford isn't a reasonable suggestion. Not quite sure why you felt the need to act all high and mighty. If you don't agree with what I am proposing or asking about, just move on to a different post, there is no need to take the time to belittle me or dismiss my questions.


There are people offering research service for free. Lady patricia for example. So why would they risk their bpo's to someone who cant offer collateral and new to the business and charges them?

He was offering you a valid advice. And you are offended as if you are offering a service to the players. What you are doing is a business, one that is risky for the customers and in no way risky to you. Antagonizing someone who offers useful advice, although worded poorly is not a good way to go.
Gert B Frobe
Funk On The Brain Research And Development
#11 - 2013-03-08 20:24:10 UTC
Elli M0o wrote:


There are people offering research service for free. Lady patricia for example. So why would they risk their bpo's to someone who cant offer collateral and new to the business and charges them?

He was offering you a valid advice. And you are offended as if you are offering a service to the players. What you are doing is a business, one that is risky for the customers and in no way risky to you. Antagonizing someone who offers useful advice, although worded poorly is not a good way to go.

I didn't know about Lady Patricia doing free service. I was just trying to get opinions on the ways to go about it, not get smarmy comments like he offered. I wasn't offended because I am offering a service to them, I was irritated because of the dismissive nature of his comment. I am all for getting advice, that's why I made this post, I just don't feel like I have to take belittling and not say anything about it. I have been respectful of everyone who has had good-natured suggestions and advice.
Wyke Mossari
Staner Industries
#12 - 2013-03-08 20:38:04 UTC

You won't need a lot of isk to get things rolling, start with small packs every one of a group. . Like one of each small drone, missile, hybrid charge, etc. They will sell quickly, much more quickly that you can research them in public labs.
Gert B Frobe
Funk On The Brain Research And Development
#13 - 2013-03-08 20:57:31 UTC
Wyke Mossari wrote:

You won't need a lot of isk to get things rolling, start with small packs every one of a group. . Like one of each small drone, missile, hybrid charge, etc. They will sell quickly, much more quickly that you can research them in public labs.

I have regularly available research slots so I'm trying to make the most of them, as much as I can anyway. I have some small t1 groups of things, working on getting them together for sale and collecting them as I can. How much do you think ammo and drones should be PE researched? I have a general idea about ME but I'm still trying to get a good gauge on how much PE is worth it.
Alex Grison
Grison Universal
#14 - 2013-03-08 21:06:14 UTC
Gert B Frobe wrote:
Elli M0o wrote:


There are people offering research service for free. Lady patricia for example. So why would they risk their bpo's to someone who cant offer collateral and new to the business and charges them?

He was offering you a valid advice. And you are offended as if you are offering a service to the players. What you are doing is a business, one that is risky for the customers and in no way risky to you. Antagonizing someone who offers useful advice, although worded poorly is not a good way to go.

I didn't know about Lady Patricia doing free service. I was just trying to get opinions on the ways to go about it, not get smarmy comments like he offered. I wasn't offended because I am offering a service to them, I was irritated because of the dismissive nature of his comment. I am all for getting advice, that's why I made this post, I just don't feel like I have to take belittling and not say anything about it. I have been respectful of everyone who has had good-natured suggestions and advice.


Oh yeah, so smarmy.

yes
Wyke Mossari
Staner Industries
#15 - 2013-03-08 21:13:58 UTC
Gert B Frobe wrote:
Wyke Mossari wrote:

You won't need a lot of isk to get things rolling, start with small packs every one of a group. . Like one of each small drone, missile, hybrid charge, etc. They will sell quickly, much more quickly that you can research them in public labs.

I have regularly available research slots so I'm trying to make the most of them, as much as I can anyway. I have some small t1 groups of things, working on getting them together for sale and collecting them as I can. How much do you think ammo and drones should be PE researched? I have a general idea about ME but I'm still trying to get a good gauge on how much PE is worth it.


Chruker will give you the perfect levels for ME & PE

http://games.chruker.dk/eve_online/market.php?group_id=211
Gert B Frobe
Funk On The Brain Research And Development
#16 - 2013-03-08 21:23:06 UTC
Wyke Mossari wrote:
Gert B Frobe wrote:
Wyke Mossari wrote:

You won't need a lot of isk to get things rolling, start with small packs every one of a group. . Like one of each small drone, missile, hybrid charge, etc. They will sell quickly, much more quickly that you can research them in public labs.

I have regularly available research slots so I'm trying to make the most of them, as much as I can anyway. I have some small t1 groups of things, working on getting them together for sale and collecting them as I can. How much do you think ammo and drones should be PE researched? I have a general idea about ME but I'm still trying to get a good gauge on how much PE is worth it.


Chruker will give you the perfect levels for ME & PE

http://games.chruker.dk/eve_online/market.php?group_id=211

Would I need to go perfect in PE on these normally?
Wyke Mossari
Staner Industries
#17 - 2013-03-08 21:32:16 UTC
Gert B Frobe wrote:
Wyke Mossari wrote:
Gert B Frobe wrote:
Wyke Mossari wrote:

You won't need a lot of isk to get things rolling, start with small packs every one of a group. . Like one of each small drone, missile, hybrid charge, etc. They will sell quickly, much more quickly that you can research them in public labs.

I have regularly available research slots so I'm trying to make the most of them, as much as I can anyway. I have some small t1 groups of things, working on getting them together for sale and collecting them as I can. How much do you think ammo and drones should be PE researched? I have a general idea about ME but I'm still trying to get a good gauge on how much PE is worth it.


Chruker will give you the perfect levels for ME & PE

http://games.chruker.dk/eve_online/market.php?group_id=211

Would I need to go perfect in PE on these normally?


It's a judgement call really. TBH I wouldn't bother if I was doing them for myself.

However since you are selling researched BPO that would probably be most peoples expectation.
Mr. Orange
Band of Freelancers
#18 - 2013-03-08 21:33:05 UTC
Gert B Frobe wrote:
So, I have been looking at the Buy Orders forum and offering to those wanting researched BPOs that I will do the research but because I am so new to this aspect of the business that I can't afford to purchase the BPOs they want but I will do the research for a reasonable price per hour plus fees. I figured this would probably sound like a scam but thought I would at least make the offer to them hoping one or two took me up on it and allowed me to build a reputation of being a legit businessman. I know scamming is a problem in this game so I probably won't earn any trust off the bat but do you folks think this is a pointless approach or should I continue to offer my services to those looking for researched BPOs and BPCs? Essentially just looking for a way to get my foot in the door so I can make enough isk to afford the BPOs and sell them outright. Thanks guys

-Gert


Without a sufficient collateral against any BPO that would be handed to you, your business is dead in the water.

That's all there is to it.

My advice for you is to put your POS/Labs/BPO research project on hold, go and acquire liquid isk/assets so that you can provide collateral...
Gert B Frobe
Funk On The Brain Research And Development
#19 - 2013-03-08 21:47:48 UTC
Mr. Orange wrote:
Gert B Frobe wrote:
So, I have been looking at the Buy Orders forum and offering to those wanting researched BPOs that I will do the research but because I am so new to this aspect of the business that I can't afford to purchase the BPOs they want but I will do the research for a reasonable price per hour plus fees. I figured this would probably sound like a scam but thought I would at least make the offer to them hoping one or two took me up on it and allowed me to build a reputation of being a legit businessman. I know scamming is a problem in this game so I probably won't earn any trust off the bat but do you folks think this is a pointless approach or should I continue to offer my services to those looking for researched BPOs and BPCs? Essentially just looking for a way to get my foot in the door so I can make enough isk to afford the BPOs and sell them outright. Thanks guys

-Gert


Without a sufficient collateral against any BPO that would be handed to you, your business is dead in the water.

That's all there is to it.

My advice for you is to put your POS/Labs/BPO research project on hold, go and acquire liquid isk/assets so that you can provide collateral...

I'm churning out some manufactured goods so as long as they keep selling I should get some liquid isk going. I hope, otherwise I have some mission running going on too, chippin away at it.
Gert B Frobe
Funk On The Brain Research And Development
#20 - 2013-03-08 21:48:14 UTC
Wyke Mossari wrote:
Gert B Frobe wrote:
Wyke Mossari wrote:
Gert B Frobe wrote:
Wyke Mossari wrote:

You won't need a lot of isk to get things rolling, start with small packs every one of a group. . Like one of each small drone, missile, hybrid charge, etc. They will sell quickly, much more quickly that you can research them in public labs.

I have regularly available research slots so I'm trying to make the most of them, as much as I can anyway. I have some small t1 groups of things, working on getting them together for sale and collecting them as I can. How much do you think ammo and drones should be PE researched? I have a general idea about ME but I'm still trying to get a good gauge on how much PE is worth it.


Chruker will give you the perfect levels for ME & PE

http://games.chruker.dk/eve_online/market.php?group_id=211

Would I need to go perfect in PE on these normally?


It's a judgement call really. TBH I wouldn't bother if I was doing them for myself.

However since you are selling researched BPO that would probably be most peoples expectation.

Oh wow, so it is pretty much expected that the PE be perfect on them?
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