Not to rain on the parade, but I've tried a version of this, in the form of the first iteration of Rotorhead.ca

A bunch of backyarders who made parts listed them through my site. I took payment on their behalf and forwarded it to them, taking only a small commission to cover hosting, bandwidth, and paypal fees (occasionally at a loss). Most of the backyard suppliers were great, but a few of them began taking the $$$ and not bothering to ship the goods, leaving me holding the bag.

This is why I've had to re-invent Rotorhead as a more conventional catalogue, with most goods stocked by me and the few ones offered by others only including those that have earned the utmost trust from me.

 

I think it's a great idea, and could work well if everyone stayed honest. Unfortunately, as Manntis said, there are "the bad guys". Hopefully you'll be able to weed them out and bann them quickly. A feedback forum would be good. I enjoy spending money.

 

Now this is the best thing that i have read this week!

I think i will be able to contribute mainly with ideas.Maybe some DIY procedures to get the parts fitted.I dont think anyone will want to order aftermarket stuff from Africa


Good thinking there Mr Sterling!

 

Some really good and unconventional ideas guys! Maybe beyond simply selling stuff, some DIY help like plans/drawings and/or templates for DIY fabricators.

Manntis, the idea is not for Sterling to take responsibility/ $ for being a middleman like you were/are. Not that kind of gig.

How bout some skill based lists of people on the site? Welders, machine shop, mechanical drawing/drafting, dyno, flowbench ( ), electronics, Audio, fiberglass/composites, sand/media/bead blasting, paint and body, engine work, porting etc . And list by locations so people can find someone local to help them in either design/prototyping/fabrication/repairs.

 

But you emailed me asking for 10%. I'm asking for zero. The benifit for me is that I get much more traffic on my site, and anyone who makes a sale from having something on the site is apt to suggest my product.

I handle no payments, and therefore no headaches. I absolve myself from all such responsibilities.

I would like to do some pages on your hoods, for example, but not your whole business. Go ahead and link to your website on your hood pages, of course, but the primary feature of those pages would be the hoods. I think people want to see some shots of these things being made.
-You could have another set of pages for something else cool, but the rest of your more commercial products would be on my product link page. Example, your led lights are great, and I want people to know about them, but I don't want to dedicate a couple pages to them. They would be listed in the product index link page, I think.

I already have slashdawg and pratch offering to help me with the website so that you would each have a password and you could log on and make your own changes to your pages. I'll have an override so Carl can't put nudey pictures on the site. But basically it'll be work-free for me. (I can't afford the time, really.)

All you guys looking for ways to contribute, I really appreciate it. But I hope everyone understands that it is for the benifit of everyone that the products featured in The Backyard Mechanics' Co-op must meet a certain quality of craftsmanship.

I am seeing the need to make another section of "How-to"s for custom work, both performance-minded as well as asthetic.

 

-looks like Carl's volenteering to do mapped/networking section!

 

No nekked pics?

Seriously, what do you think of the idea? Lets work this!

 

I like Carl's idea about the skill lists too!

 

Everyone has great ideas here. It looks like this could work out nicely. I know other people have great ideas also, but may not be able to make them happen. This is why I think it would work.

A good section would be customizers. These people could take requests from other people to build a specific part that they may not have been able to do themselves. I believe a lot of people would like this.

 

Are my products up to par in terms of quality and craftsmanship? Visit my site at www.Rotary13B1.com

Andy

 

Hec yea! I got the big rotor. I used to wear it around my neck . But then all the gold plate wore off on one side.

 

im actually developing a first gen only parts list page at the moment on word....if u want wen im done i'll send it to u....it's got more stuff that isn't on the FAQ part of the 1st gen forum

 

Yes, by all means, send it to me.

 

as soon as im done....a few days....gonna put it back on my priority list

 

Alright, folks. I've started the "Back Yard Mechanics' Club".
I figure the best way for us to manage the club is to have everyone else manage it

The Back Yard Mechanics' Site

 

I'm in, and a welder too. Looks like youve got a good start to this sterling, hopefully it'll take off.

 

This is great..I make a variety of machined RX-7 parts...
Also 5-lug hubs and axles for 1st gen guys.. etc.

Cant wait.

 

5 lug eh? I might be very interested in those

 

Just PM me here or there or email me and tell me what sections are needed for services you have.
If you make parts, them we'll create a section appropriate for what you do, and you get a sticky for each thing you're producing (or working on producing).
Put up pictures, whatever, prices, etc, contact info - everything.
You will be the moderator of your own section. You're expected to particip[ate by giving updates, checking in, and cleaning up your area by pruning obsolete threads, etc.