Website idea.

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

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

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Originally Posted by 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

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That first site is what gave me the idea.

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

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.
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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

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Originally Posted by 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

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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.

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Originally Posted by Gunny

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.

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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 ;-)

On here used to be reasonable ok, until Lee stopped the ability to reply to RFQ threads.

I used to look at the RFQs, and although I couldn't personally do them, I would suggest improvements to the person doing the requesting for alterations that would make then easier to do. Since I can't do that now, I just don't bother looking.

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Originally Posted by m_c

On here used to be reasonable ok, until Lee stopped the ability to reply to RFQ threads.

I used to look at the RFQs, and although I couldn't personally do them, I would suggest improvements to the person doing the requesting for alterations that would make then easier to do. Since I can't do that now, I just don't bother looking.

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A fair point, but there were some "Total and Utter Chuffs" that would slag off other members for the prices they quoted without considering that a quoted price is, in english law, an "Invitation to Treat" and as such easily ignored or refused. All this without considering that some other members have commercial or other overheads to meet whilst some are operating for fun from a shed or basement.
I'd prefer an open RFQ section with any such arse cutting up funny being offered a suitable break from forum access, suitable impartial moderation would be required for such a scenario to work,
ATB,
Nick

hi

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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.

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eerrr stuff that, a price is a price,

Then you would have the difficulty of distinguishing between the guys who have high end machines, oppose to ebay specials

perhaps the best idea for and RFQ section would be to say only proper registered business can quote, then have a subsection for smaller jobs that any forum member can quote on. Thus, giving the buyer, both options, and the clear option to choose between. It does not make sense to have hobbyist bidding against professionals.

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I don't agree with the decision to remove the ability to reply to threads in the RFQ section, as it was useful to be able to openly point out and discuss aspects of the design.

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Originally Posted by magicniner

suitable impartial moderation would be required for such a scenario to work

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Alas, the moderators were disbanded 6 months ago.

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.

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Originally Posted by magicniner

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

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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

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Originally Posted by magicniner

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 ;-)

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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

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Originally Posted by qwertyjon

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

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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.

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Originally Posted by Jonathan

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.

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I like that idea. Thanks.

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Originally Posted by magicniner

A fair point, but there were some "Total and Utter Chuffs" that would slag off other members for the prices they quoted without considering that a quoted price is, in english law, an "Invitation to Treat" and as such easily ignored or refused. All this without considering that some other members have commercial or other overheads to meet whilst some are operating for fun from a shed or basement.
I'd prefer an open RFQ section with any such arse cutting up funny being offered a suitable break from forum access, suitable impartial moderation would be required for such a scenario to work,
ATB,
Nick

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I wasn't around to see what went on before, but I'm pretty disappointed that I can't get open quotes and discussion in that section. There's lot's of bits and bobs that I would make if the price was right, and that seems like the appropriate forum to discuss eg how to design parts for manufacture.

I personally think the rfq section should have stayed open, the benefits are a Poster could put up a request but overlook or be unsure about certain aspects of the parts required.,it generates debate and a better solution can arise from it like has been the case for me in the past.
the more sensitive folks could still pm their quotes and advice if they chose.

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Originally Posted by deisel

I personally think the rfq section should have stayed open

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That would have been a sensible option, one request for 3-Axis milling work had internal corner radii of .5mm in a fairly deep pocket, but only after my effort to steer the requester as his drawing initially required square internal corners in a 3-Axis job ;-)

I've just looked at the RFQ section again and I think there's scope for a Request For Help With Requests For Quote section where no quotes are allowed but the requester might be helped to hone their request to the point where it makes sense/is possible/contains enough of a specification for a quote.
I've tried helping by PM but to no avail and have now given up :-(