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Partnership with electronic vendors

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rafael_tashkent started this discussion 10 years 7 months ago

Hey community, has anyone tried to partner with an electronics vendors like Samsung, LG, local brands, so that they would provide/rent all the necessary electronics (washing machine, fridge, PC, TV etc) in exchange for us displaying their logos/stickers on the electronics? Like you know drink manufacturers provide fridges for stores to display and sell they drinks.

If it doesn't work, what do you reckon is the most budget-friendly way to get all those electronics?

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slushysnow

10 years

Hi,

I'm not sure if any companies would do that as I'm not sure they'd consider it adequate promotion... Worth a shot though!

There are companies that will provide some facilities in return for a share of the profits (I know some vending machine companies do this, possibly some laundry companies also).

The other option is renting - at one of our properties we rent the vending machine, which can work out much cheaper for a start-up. I believe some laundry companies will also do the same.

Best tip I can give you is to buy in bulk. Go to your local electronics store and bargain away. You'd be surprised at how much money you can get off when you are buying 20 TVs for example...

With fridges, go for second-hand in a quality brand. I can recommend Skope fridges (not sure if you can get them where you are). They last forever with only minimal problems and you can pick up a second hand one for half the price of a new one.

In general, go with commercial products. Domestic products are cheaper, but it tends to be false economy as they tend not to put up with the high usage you get in a hostel. Maytag commercial coin operated washers/driers are very good quality and barely ever have problems.

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rafael_tashkent

10 years

worth a shot - exactly the way i was thinking. we are a launching a small-sized hostel, 40 beds approximately, so we won't need a huge set of electronics. and there won't be much profit to share :) i'll definitely consider second-hand stuff though.

Anybody have more options to share?

Cheers, Tom, appreciate the tips.

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Rucksack Brian

10 years

The big brands may want more exposure than what you can provide with 40 beds in order to stock your hostel. You website can help reach even more people, and you can lend customer satisfaction and credibility to their brand. Write a blog about how you stocked your hostel with their brand because it’s so good. List their brand name when you promote your facilities on your site, in flyers, in any other promotional material (ex. Maytag washer and dryer for guests, fully stocked kitchen with a Skope refrigerator). Get a local TV or radio station to do a story about you and be sure to point out how you got top-of-the-line brand name appliances. You hostel may be small potatoes in their eyes, but you can still become a customer with a rave review that has a positive influence.

In all honesty, they’re not likely to jump all over the chance the put their product in your hostel for free because of the benefits you provide for them. If you can get in touch with someone in the company and convince them that your hostel is a really cool place though, they may want to support what you’re doing anyway. Your glowing review and brand plugs just seem like a really nice thank you then.

I totally agree that it’s worth a shot.

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rafael_tashkent

10 years

Many thanks, Brian, those were useful comments as well, I've added most to my offer.

Will let you how it works.

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rjd1983

10 years

I see you are based in Uzbekistan, which is going to make it much harder for you to get the goods you need, at the price you need.

In the UK, my dad is often purchasing TVs for various property projects he does, through website. He is always able to secure a discount on TVs, even if they are sale, but he usually buys about 5-10 at a time, so they are much more willing to give him a better deal.

My suggestion is write up a shopping list of what you need, then go to the reseller and see what price they can do for you on everything. Definitely see what you can buy second hand as well.

RJD

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rafael_tashkent

10 years

yeah, second hand is my second option indeed. We don't need much stuff so I don't think the resellers will be willing to offer a big discount if any.

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