What ya'll think?

[OCBob]

Hey guys, trying to figure out a way to make some money and keep a roof over our heads. Came up with an idea, but wanted to hear what folks might think about it. I guess you could call this a focus group hehehe.

Anyway, I'm thinking about starting up a business that would provide shopping (grocery) services. We would let families give us a budget for their weekly shopping and guarantee that we would stay in that budget. I know how easy it is to go over that budget as you're walking the aisles and picking up things that you didn't plan on.

In addition to doing the shopping, we would provide recipes for each meal using the ingredients that we picked up. The budget would be entirely up to the customers, and we would also gather information on likes/dislikes, cooking skills, and the amount of time available to prepare the meals. That's what we would base the menu off of, making sure to provide plenty of variety. The food and recipes would be delivered once a week, according to the customer's schedule.

First off, would anyone be interested in a service such as that? (not asking you to subscribe as it would be a local thing, just if it sounds like something that you would consider). Second, if you would consider it what do you think something like that would be worth?

Seems like something we could get started with very little capital, which is a good thing as we currently have no capital hehe. Just trying to decide if it's worth giving it a shot.

 

[TNVIPER]

I have read about businesses that do shopping for people but not to the degree of managing their grocery budget and menu...Dont know Bob..just depends on the type people in your area...I would think that your cliental would consist of mainly wealthy seniors that are physically unable to shop and rich lazy azzes...:dontknow:

 

[wesalbert]

Sounds interesting. I know it would work down here in south FL. Heck, there are places that make your meals and deliver it to you every night down here.
With little capital should be easy enough to start. Also seems easy to mess up. What happens when you get something someone doesnt like, but they didnt tell you? What happens when you dont get enough to feed a family of 4 all week and the person calls up complaining?

just a though.

 

[tsmith3]

Bob, if you were local my wife would hire you in a heart beat! She is like me and hates making the wall mart trip and guessing what the family wants to eat. It really stresses her out as the rest of the family doesn't usually give her much input.

I think you will find a lot of people that would like to hand this choir over to someone else. As far as price for this service I don't know, it would have to correspond to how much effort "you" as the service provider puts in to the order.

 

[Django]

I have read about businesses that do shopping for people but not to the degree of managing their grocery budget and menu...Dont know Bob..just depends on the type people in your area...I would think that your cliental would consist of mainly wealthy seniors that are physically unable to shop and rich lazy azzes...:dontknow:

I believe this falls loosely into the category of concierge services.

And yes, it is the wealthy folk who are unable to get out, are too lazy or too busy because of their livestyle-those with discretionary income.

It's (of course) a niche market and most of the start up costs would go to getting the word out and the cost of a suitable van for deliveries... With some marketing info on the side of course...

Tough market. Your first customer will hopefully get the referral ball rolling....

Start simple, like grocery shopping & delivery....

Good luck, Bob...

D

 

[ntw0rk]

Sounds pretty cool to me!

 

[wesalbert]

Maybe you need to put together pre determined menu's and prices. List specific brands (and maybe replacments in case item is not available). This way they know what they are getting, and how much. Once they agree to it they cant really complain since you listed exactly what they are getting. :dontknow:

 

[TNVIPER]

One suggestion Bob...try to find someone who is already doing something similiar.....someone in another state may be willing to show you the ropes to help get you started...you might look and see if there is a franchise out there doing it...saves a lot guess work and costly mistakes by using other's experiences..

 

[JTS VENOM PERFORMANCE]

actually bob it works great!

get with any of the locals, the older folks that cant get out and get around.

especially the older folks that cant drive, or hate trying to get to the store.

filling there orders , meals I am not sure of, too much bitching might go on foods cold, made me sick, you know what i'm saying

but they have a service in charlotte that delivers food services, adn there biggest clients are the elderly, and to me its a great service, it gives the older folks some company when you deliver and makes them feel safe that its not some young punk comming to rob them or worse.

but advertising is your best bet, and if you can get with a local distributor for fruits and veggies that are fresh and local, the better your product, the more they will keep commig back ,

it will be hard to get started, but once you do :burnout: :burnout:

 

[eddie102870]

i think too a lot of working mothers would definately be interested. my wife works 50 hours a week and would love to have something like that available to her. even if it was someone who just made different types of casseroles or sumthin that would be a easy meal if you catch my drift.

 

[OCBob]

I don't plan on doing any of the cooking, just providing my own recipes. I've got a ton of them. My real goal at some point is to open up a good greasy spoon diner, but that's not gonna be anytime soon unless I hit the lottery hehe.

I would be very detailed on likes/dislikes and cooking skills/time. I figure most of the folks would want something that could be made quickly but would satisfy the whole family. I think providing the menu/recipes is what would differentiate this from a regular grocery delivery service.

I really appreciate all the feedback so far, you know all ideas sound good when you think them up yourself lol.

As far as clientèle goes, we do have a very large retirement community (it's a whole town) as well as some exclusive areas here, even though I am out in the boonies.

 

[FATJACK]

You will be amazed at how many Seniors are looking for a shopping service such as this. Many have plenty of discretionary income and would be happy to pay someone just to pick up and deliver groceries, prescriptions, post office and even laundry. It might just work.

 

[ARRESTmeRed04]

if there are alreay a bunch of elderly people around you might want to see if someon else is already doing this service, might be hard to compete with someone that is already there