How to Sell Your Product - View from an angry buyer

I saw something today. A little post on Facebook that seriously caused a bit of angst in me. Admittedly more so than it should have. But it did. I think it likely came from the fact the post was promoted by someone I've been following for a bit now in regards to workouts, at home stuff, kettlebell training, etc. So I think I was a bit let down. So what was the issue?



A piece of workout equipment. No big deal right?



A $600 piece of workout equipment. Well...that’s rather pricey.



A $600 piece of equipment that literally is built to do ONE thing. WTF?!?



Imagine a late night infomercial selling some garbage that literally only solved one issue that, frankly, is already solved by other more practical and economical ideas. Now make that item $599 (shipping included - zomg!). But hey, its built to last so it's got to be worth it. Right?


Well, maybe. I mean I see what it does. And won't argue it does it well. But that is all it does! Not to mention there really isn't much to the construction. Just a small padded bench, two bent pipes, and a small platform. Then there's the issue of how ridiculous you looking performing the exercise. It's a glute movement so picture a girl laying face up just dry-humping the crap out of the air. Once again this is actually a great movement BUT you really think something like this will go mainstream? Hell even the first comment on the YouTube video demonstrating it reads “This is soft porn”.



I checked through the comments and the price of the product did in fact come up. It was justified “Well similar pieces of equipment cost more so it's fair to say that my price is ideal!” There are literally dozens of pieces of equipment purpose built for the same thing that not only do what this product in question does, but WAY more! And only cost about 1/3 more. Sorry, man, but just because it's similar does not justify a price hike. Even with shipping included you are looking at roughly $50 bucks tops. Depending on how well you can pack it of course. So if this thing costs 550 then how much is your manufacturer charging? It was designed by only one guy so there goes R&D. So I can only assume the manufacturer is fleecing this guy. Or he's just incredibly greedy. And since I've read his stuff and he seems intelligent enough then you can see why I have some issue here.



So back to my title post. “How to sell your product.” Just get a following. Make sure the people believe everything you say. Even if it is something worth standing by. Then develop a product and charge out the ass for it. Because at the end of the day somebody is going to brag that they got it and someone else doesn't. Like some of those dumbass clothing lines that charge 50 bucks for a t-shirt. I can custom build my own for that price. And truly I feel the same way about this equipment. I can contact a local fabricator and copy the design (it really isn't that complicated) and likely have a product in a week.

That last sentence is actually getting me to consider finding someone to do this. Or maybe just get my own design and contact Rogue Fitness to build it. Seriously doubt they would charge that much. I love those guys over there.