Before you reply that this post belongs in the Classifieds forum, please hear me out.
Our local (and only) triathlon shop is having some problems. Allegedly, a former employee defrauded and stole from the business, the extent to which the owner and new manager (a very close friend of mine) are just beginning to discover. They’re sitting on a ton of inventory, and it’s absolutely critical to their solvency that liquidate it immediately. Triathlon is a seasonal sport in my area, and they have thousands tied up in wetsuit inventory - something quite difficult to liquidate when it’s snowing and 17 degrees F. outside.
Because I want to see this shop stick around, and because I know my friend has the capacity to return the business to profitability, I’ve offered to buy their entire 2003 and 2004 inventory of wetsuits at cost. Basically, I’m assuming a chunk of risk so that they can move forward.
So here’s the deal: I have approximately 70 brand new wetsuits that need good homes. I have a bunch of 2003 and 2004 QR suits (mostly full suits, many different models), and a handful of 2003 Orca suits. They’re all brand new, still in their original packaging.
If you need a new wetsuit, or if someone you know needs a new wetsuit, please consider purchasing one of these from me. The price is cost plus shipping to your door. Shoot me a Private Message if you’re interested and I’ll send you my inventory and price list.
UPDATE: I’ve received a ton of Private Messages. I’m replying with what amounts to a form letter that lists the inventory and sizing. Please don’t take offense at the impersonal-type reply. Also, it’s very easy for me to track your queries by replying to your PM with another PM, rather than replying to an email address. I hope you understand. If you asked for the list and not heard from me within an hour or two, please PM me again.
I didn’t get where I am without the help of friends. Doing this will help keep a small business above water (I’m a serial entrepreneur, so I’ve a soft spot for others like myself) and it will help my friend keep a job that he loves. That makes it a worthwhile investment to me.
That is awesome. You are a great guy. E-Bay may also be a helpful resource: Guaranteed cash in 7 days and the timing is perfect right now with the holidays here.
Will he take orders by phone for these suits? I’ll let our customers know about this and pass the information along. Hopefully we can broom some suits for you. Are the size runs pretty complete?
“We have to stick together in our little industry” -Dan Empfield, Quintana Roo, circa 1995.
What I’m doing is giving the shop a lump-sum for all their suits - cost minus $15 per suit. In doing so, I’m assuming the risk for selling these suits, providing them enough cash to place their 2005 wetsuit/clothing order, solving some cash-flow problems, and freeing up their resources so they can worry about solving this and other problems. They could certainly sell these on ebay, as they have done from time-to-time in the past. However, this requires a fair amount of resources (listing, responding to questions, billing, packing, shipping, et cetera). I work from home, I have a lot of spare time, and this seems like a good deal for everyone involved.
Whatever I don’t sell here, I’ll stick up on Ebay, but I’ll probably wait until Spring as there doesn’t seem to be much demand for wetsuits on Ebay right now. I’ll PM you with my contact information.
As for sizing/quantities, I’ve got a pretty wide range of sizes, but usually only one or two in each size.
Dude, that’s awesome. You guys on this board just make me proud to be a triathlete. I wish I was in the market. This kind of selflessness rates right up there with Dan’s bicycles for the orphans.
Thanks. I thought this would be a leisurely activity - buy in bulk and sell off slowly. Not so. I’ve received over 80 private messages so far from people interested in new suits. Bear with me folks. I’m only one man : )