Selling Parrot Stands

[Michael]

Ok, since this is like the 3rd time my special training stands have come up in discussion, I decided to post here to gauge the overall interest in such a product. Basically all I can tell you is that it's an adjustable height portable free standing system that holds a typical bolt on perch. The beauty is that the perch bolts into the stand and can thus be easily replaced. I used old perches from Kili's cage that were chewed down for my personal stands cause they were still usable but just not fun for Kili to have in the cage. These are much better than typical play gyms and parrot stands cause they hold a natural perch and it's easier to land on and grip for flight training. My stands are awesome to use for trick training and flight training cause they can be easily moved from place to place depending where you want the parrot to go and since the height is adjustable, you can bring it up to eye level, or put it down for flights.

You may have seen the stands I made for myself in some of my training videos. Right now, my brother and I are trying to figure out a way to improve the design and refine the assembly process to make them look nicer and professional. The goal will be to offer them at a price of 2 stands for $100. The reason I want to sell the stands in pairs is because it's a great way to teach early recall and flight training by targeting the parrot back and forth from perch to perch as you may have seen me do for Kili. I'd probably throw in a clicker and target stick as a bonus so it would make a complete startup training package for just $99! I'd use my training blog as a platform to sell it and considering people from all over google may find the blog when searching advice about training, it would be the most suitable and reasonable supplemental product to go with my otherwise free blog. I might even make some basic training manual to go with the system, but I really have to see how much I can get the materials cost down cause the way I have it right now, I'd be making beans considering how much work it is to make. I could probably offer the stands with a choice of perch size from small to large for different parrots. Considering most crappy parrot stands don't even sell for less than $100 for a single one, this will be a good deal.

What I'd like to know is how many people would actually consider buying something like this? Any suggestions or requests? Do you find the pricing reasonable for what it is? Feel free to say if you think it should cost more, I'll still offer them for the original promised price to any current forum members if it gets to that. So don't by she to say you'd pay $150 for the same thing if you believe that cause it will just help me set a suitable entry price. The more I can sell it for, the more bells and whistles I can include obviously. If you wouldn't buy something like this, I'd definitely like to know why not. On the poll, I made two kinda of "no" answers. The first "no" is basically that you like the stand and would have considered buying it but already have other stands that suit the job. The second no is that you might be looking for a stand but this concept doesn't suit your needs. Please don't vote "yes" just to be nice. I really need to get an honest estimate of the kind of initial interest out there to see if it's worth pursuing this enterprise any further. Oh and remember, anything I can earn on my blog, just goes back to help pay my costs of running the forum (and keeping it free of charge or ads) and to my parrots. Everything I've earned on parrot stuff so far hasn't even come close to what I've spent.

If I go with the stand selling idea, I might offer to produce some parrot training slides as well (see Kili and Duke on slide). Once again, need to come up with better ways of making it but if you think you'd like one (includes instructions how to train the trick of course) just let me know as well. I appreciate all of your feedback.

[HyperD]

I like the idea, but as you mentioned I think you will need to touch up the designs to make them more professional looking.

I would consider buying one but as I am on the other side of the pond I don't think it would be worthwhile!

I have voted no but like the idea, I hope that was the right choice...

[TheNzJessie]

i voted yes. cant buy anything like this in new zealand. we have a VERY limited design for cages let alone free standing perches.

as long as the shipping wouldn't cost more than the product i would buy a set. defiantly.

the cage you have for kili i found one in new zealand and guess the price.....$799...yea i know right......

[lzver]

I voted No - but like the idea/design.

With my husband being a carpenter, he can build anything I need and for less cost.

[xXMissEuphoriaXx]

$100 isn't that little too much?

[Michael]

No, it should probably be more like $150-$200 but since I'm just getting started, I'm trying to make a lucrative price. Go look at any other parrot stands and you'll have a hard time finding a single one for under $100, let alone two. Furthermore many stands have cheap machined dowels for perches rather than natural branch perches that I use.

[TheNzJessie]

michael, any idea on shipping to new zealand? i would like a set. but its not worth it if the shipping will be more than the item.

[budgiebuddy]

I really like the idea Michael. I just don't think I would buy one. I hope that doesn't upset you.

[Bear]

Umm I wouldn't pay $100 for such a thing no. My boyfriend makes our birds playstands, perches etc himself, it really isn't difficult at all. Our playgyms/ stands/ prches are fantastic with toys, different levels to climb on, bases, feeding bowls and so on, each one only takes him about an hour to make, so no I definitely wouldn't pay $100 for any aprrot accessory like that.
A clicker you can pick up for basically nothing also. I think the problem with the pet industry already is overpricing, and I think these days a lot of people just know better! Birds are very easy animals to cater for with toys and perches, all can be made at home very easily.

[Michael]

Well not everyone is able to make their own stands, that's obviously who I am making this for. Those are the people that have been asking me about the stands. Clearly people who can make their own (like me) don't buy them.

Just for reference, it's this kinda thing that I'm competing with:



This is the example of the $100+ stand. Actually this one is $120 but I've seen similar stuff in local stores for closer to $150-$200. The stand is heavy and bulky which is why it needs the wheels. The one I make is compact and light with adjustable height. Furthermore mine uses a natural perch rather than the flat machine dowel which is more comfortable for the parrot and easier to land on. I totally understand that it's not for everyone but I'd really like to hear from folks who buy their stands or could use some. People who can build their own won't buy mine nor theirs anyway.

The fact is, there's no stand (that I know of) in production that is convenient to use for training (particularly flight training, but even just simple tricks). All of them are fixed height and have a lot of junk on them to distract the bird. They are all meant for the parrot to sit/play on. My stands are primarily meant for training. The stands should be sold in this pair bundle because some of the training techniques I recommend require two perches. So for $100 even for a single stand it's a reasonable price, but at 2x for $100 it really is a bargain.