Website idea.

[qwertyjon]

Apologies if this is in the wrong place.

I've had an idea for a website, it's essentially a reverse auction where 'customers' can list a machining job, then 'manufacturers' can bid for the job.

The 'customers' would be:
Businesses - prototyping, small run of items, excess work, etc...
Individuals - who want parts made for something, diy, projects etc...

The 'manufacturers' could be a business with spare machine capacity, or home cnc'ers, garage machinists etc...

The site would have to take a small cut in the way of fees to cover its costs and could have an ebay style feedback system.

Please bear in mind that this is very much in the idea stage at the moment. So does anyone think there would be a demand for this? Please feel free to shoot me down if you think it would be a waste of time persuing.

Regards

Qwertyjon

[irving2008]

Such things already exist - by way of example look at Couriers | Delivery Services | Cheap Courier Auction Site UK or Courier Services | UK Delivery Service Companies - Shiply

[qwertyjon]

Such things already exist - by way of example look at Couriers | Delivery Services | Cheap Courier Auction Site UK or Courier Services | UK Delivery Service Companies - Shiply

That first site is what gave me the idea.

[longy]

That's not a good idea really, as it would only drive prices DOWN and only the lowest bid would get the job. But at what quality and time. Coming from years working in the building trade (chippy) more than often low prices just lead to poor quality work and then the customer is unhappy and has to pay again for the work to be done right, cowboy builders ermmm next it will be cowboy CNC's LOL

You can get quotes for jobs already at Manufacturing and Industry Sales Lead Index

[Gunny]

That's not a good idea really, as it would only drive prices DOWN and only the lowest bid would get the job. But at what quality and time. Coming from years working in the building trade (chippy) more than often low prices just lead to poor quality work and then the customer is unhappy and has to pay again for the work to be done right, cowboy builders ermmm next it will be cowboy CNC's LOL

You could have a review or rating system like on similar websites. Nobody will then use the companies who produce poor quality work - regardless of price.

[magicniner]

You could have a review or rating system like on similar websites. Nobody will then use the companies who produce poor quality work - regardless of price.

It is alleged by both customers and "Rated/Trusted People/Traders" that such sites are removing poor feedback for traders who are generating good income for said site - no surprises there ;-)

[qwertyjon]

It is alleged by both customers and "Rated/Trusted People/Traders" that such sites are removing poor feedback for traders who are generating good income for said site - no surprises there ;-)

Thats new to me. I can assure anyone that it wont be the case on mine. Im not looking to make anything from the site, so I would rather have accurate fedback and let the customers make their own decisions about who to choose.

Regards.
Qwertyjon

[magicniner]

I think you should give it a go and see how it goes, you'd definitely get a lot of interest from those wanting a cheap job and only trying it out will show what level of interest you get from what kinds of manufacturers.
..
If the site takes a cut it will have some level of responsibility (whether it wants it or not) for ensuring the competence of it's registered "manufacturers", you'll need some serious commercial insurance in the event that a part sourced through the site fails and the customer sees it as a better bet to sue you than a hobbyist working out of a shed at a rented address.
A disclaimer will not stop someone taking out proceedings against you which could cost you your house before things get anywhere near a courtroom, a Limited Company is no longer good protection as direct action in person against directors and officers of a company is now commonplace,
JMTP,
- Nick

[qwertyjon]

Sorry its taken so long for me to put a reply on this, having Internet issues, it seems Sky have sorted it out at last.

It looks like there are mixed feelings on this so im going to give it a try. I am by no means a professional web developer so it may take time.

If the site takes a cut it will have some level of responsibility (whether it wants it or not) for ensuring the competence of it's registered "manufacturers", you'll need some serious commercial insurance in the event that a part sourced through the site fails and the customer sees it as a better bet to sue you than a hobbyist working out of a shed at a rented address.
A disclaimer will not stop someone taking out proceedings against you which could cost you your house before things get anywhere near a courtroom, a Limited Company is no longer good protection as direct action in person against directors and officers of a company is now commonplace,
JMTP,
- Nick

I hadnt thought of that, so I think I will go with a free listing service, and try to make it quite clear that the site has no affiliations with its users, and that its there purely to advertise jobs to a select group of subscribers.

With regard to driving prices down, from a manufacturers point of view it could make a machine busy and make a small profit, instead of one laying idle. I wouldn't recommend it as a businesses main way of getting jobs, but could be quite handy to fill in any empty gaps. From a customers point of view, they will get a selection of prices from varying machinists, they are under no obligation to accept the cheapest one, or indeed any at all. And only by reading the profiles and reviews will you know what to expect.

Keep the comments coming, its interesting and useful to hear impartial comments.

Regards.
Qwertyjon

[Jonathan]

And only by reading the profiles and reviews will you know what to expect.

You could help suppress the myth about quality always reflecting price by including a section specifically for people to upload portfolios of their work, including prices for each piece if they wish.