disinformation Posted March 16, 2010 Share Posted March 16, 2010 (edited) I know the majority of users here are from other countries, but I had the thought of starting a service similar to Gamefly in Australia. I had the thought while reading This thread. I did a pretty in depth search and found only 1 company in Australia who offers this service, but they are based in Perth (probably the furthest capitol city from any other in Australia - Might as well get games from Malaysia). There was another one that I found, but it seems as though they've stopped trading as the most recent game I found on their list was Modern Warfare 2 (released November last year). My thoughts were offering a service setup in the following manner: - Monthly membership fee of $24.95 per month for a 2 game membership. - Keep the games as long as you want (provided you haven't canceled your membership). - Included Postage costs utilizing Australia's Registered Post. - Free game swapping up to 8 times per month (maybe charge $1 for each swap within the month after that) - Option to purchase ex-rental games. - Option to take payment via Pay-Pal (probably only 1 game membership for $15.95 until you've been a member for a set amount of time on pay-pal accounts). - A reduced cost for the first month for new members. - A "Queue" system similar to that of gamefly. - And lastly, a guarantee of sorts whereby if we can't provide a game that's in you're Queue for any more than say, 2 weeks, you dont have to pay your membership fee for that month (provided you don't have any other games out and your queue list is more than 3 games in size) For those here in Australia, would you go for something like this? those outside of Australia, please feel free to provide your thoughts on it. I'm aware that the initial cost would be pretty substantial and it probably wouldn't pick up for a while, but I'd be interested to hear any thoughts on this to see if you guys think it would be worthwhile doing. If you do like the idea, I encourage you to have others look at it if possible to get their thoughts too. Edited March 16, 2010 by disinformation Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DBZ0wnz Posted March 16, 2010 Share Posted March 16, 2010 I'm currently on a O k a y service, but their from QLD and im from NSW which takes like forever to arrive, Good idea mate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToastedAndButter Posted March 16, 2010 Share Posted March 16, 2010 Yer me and DB are on the same service, and its alrightttt.. but thinking about it, you would need a lot of money to purchase a good set of ps3 games to start, and more then one copy of each. And where are u? coz i need a job lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HemDogz Posted March 16, 2010 Share Posted March 16, 2010 I'm currently on a O k a y service, but their from QLD and im from NSW which takes like forever to arrive, Good idea mate. what service are you on? I want in!? I didn't know such a thing existed in AUS. and as for your idea, it would be AWESOME if you could, but it would require a lot of start up capital, so, a small business loan would be your best bet, but, I am unsure as to whether or not a bank or financial institution would loan you the money, they might see it is too risky.. but, I mean, if you personally want to get it started, you have to think, it would be a business, a full time job.. very hard and a very risky to start, but seeing as there are little to no similar things in AUS that I am aware of, you'd have a niche market and could make a lot of money. there are steps to creating a small business, I personally have no idea, but i'd assume you'd need some sort of business plan, and I am sure there would be places to help you out if that was the path that you wanted to take. But I mean, go for it, we need a service here like gamefly, and i'd sign up day one if you or someone else started it.. and i'm sure a lot of others would too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToastedAndButter Posted March 16, 2010 Share Posted March 16, 2010 Its Game Guys: PS2 / Playstation 2, PS3 / Playstation 3, Nintendo DS, Nintendo Wii and X-Box 360 Game Rentals, Australia they speciaize in games now, just havnt changed there domain name yet.. and im not sure if this is classed as advertising so mods, do what u feel fit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bjorn9486 Posted March 16, 2010 Share Posted March 16, 2010 I'm a business major and I would agree with what people have said here; you will need a lot of start up capital, it would be a full time job (or close to it) and it will be very risky. However, if it is true that there is no such service in AUS and there is a demand for it (which there seems to be) you should do quite well as long as you stay on top of it. Good luck if you attempt this! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToastedAndButter Posted March 16, 2010 Share Posted March 16, 2010 Well comparing prices to what he wants and the service i am currently with, he wants 25 dollars for 2 games rental, and i am on 20 for one games rental, and they ask 30 for 2 games (if i remember correctly) so hes already out front there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
disinformation Posted March 16, 2010 Author Share Posted March 16, 2010 Well comparing prices to what he wants and the service i am currently with, he wants 25 dollars for 2 games rental, and i am on 20 for one games rental, and they ask 30 for 2 games (if i remember correctly) so hes already out front there. Yeah, i looked at the other guys and figured I'd have to do better than them in order to succeed, hence why I put these prices - having said that, i've yet to look into postage costs on such a venture, but I imagine, that should cover costs and turn a profit (once it picks up and I have a decent catalog of games). I'm in Melbourne, but depending where you are, could do a sort of secondary shipping point from where you are (if it started doing well) I'm a business major and I would agree with what people have said here; you will need a lot of start up capital, it would be a full time job (or close to it) and it will be very risky. However, if it is true that there is no such service in AUS and there is a demand for it (which there seems to be) you should do quite well as long as you stay on top of it. Good luck if you attempt this! Thanks for the good luck! Im sure it would be a fairly big cost, but I may be able to talk a supplier/distributor into retailer prices if they see it as a viable business. what service are you on? I want in!? I didn't know such a thing existed in AUS. and as for your idea, it would be AWESOME if you could, but it would require a lot of start up capital, so, a small business loan would be your best bet, but, I am unsure as to whether or not a bank or financial institution would loan you the money, they might see it is too risky.. but, I mean, if you personally want to get it started, you have to think, it would be a business, a full time job.. very hard and a very risky to start, but seeing as there are little to no similar things in AUS that I am aware of, you'd have a niche market and could make a lot of money. there are steps to creating a small business, I personally have no idea, but i'd assume you'd need some sort of business plan, and I am sure there would be places to help you out if that was the path that you wanted to take. But I mean, go for it, we need a service here like gamefly, and i'd sign up day one if you or someone else started it.. and i'm sure a lot of others would too. Thanks heaps, glad to know I would get some customers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DBZ0wnz Posted March 16, 2010 Share Posted March 16, 2010 Of course if we help out (across aus) we'd need some sorta discount. btw GameOguys have free shipping. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToastedAndButter Posted March 16, 2010 Share Posted March 16, 2010 I would gladly run a shipping point from home. I have a friend up in sydney who does it for quickflix. But she doesnt do it from home, just goes in puts dvds in envolopes and goes home lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Archavia Posted March 16, 2010 Share Posted March 16, 2010 (edited) I reckon it's a great idea. I've always envied those who can use Gamefly, as it is something I could see myself using quite a lot. If you could get everything organised for it, and got underway with it, then I could see it turning out quite well. Hope something comes together for you, not only to benefit you, but to benefit us as well Oh and when you say $25/month 2-game membership, does that mean for $25 a month, you could rent 2 games at any one time, or does that mean you can rent 2 games every month? I'm slightly confused by that. Edited March 16, 2010 by Dark_Raven666 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aidan Posted March 16, 2010 Share Posted March 16, 2010 You'd definitely have to look into patents, licences and what not. Contracts with mail service, and sometimes contracts with publishers because otherwise renting them out without special permission could be illegal in some countries. I'd bother with the legal aspect first. Then the financial aspect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OWTLAW274 Posted March 16, 2010 Share Posted March 16, 2010 its a good idea. with i guess only 1 competitor you could potentially take a large amount of the market share including customers from the other provider. a SWOT analysis is needed. oh im a 2nd year business student lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
disinformation Posted March 17, 2010 Author Share Posted March 17, 2010 Oh and when you say $25/month 2-game membership, does that mean for $25 a month, you could rent 2 games at any one time, or does that mean you can rent 2 games every month? I'm slightly confused by that. Any two games, if you wanna swap one of em out, you send you one back, we send the next one out. Hold onto the games as long as you want (as long as your still paying the monthly fee). @DBZ: Shipping would be included in the monthly fee (hence why the $25/mnth isn't yet set in concrete - but odds on, thats what it'd be) I could definately also provide this sites aussie members a discount with a few conditions (like minimum x posts here and x amount of time as a member. I'll draw something up for that soon) That and a refferal discount on exrental game purchases like game fly does probably. I'll be asking the people I have to to sort out what I'd need to do Legally (Thanks Aidan) then look into the financial side and see how viable it is. keep checking back for updates on it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incuband Posted March 17, 2010 Share Posted March 17, 2010 That's a great idea! Hope it works out well for you. I have actually been thinking of doing that myself here in my country, but piracy is a big deal over here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToastedAndButter Posted March 18, 2010 Share Posted March 18, 2010 Wow i cant belive you may be going through with this. I am very excited for you and oz rightnow lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guzzy Posted March 18, 2010 Share Posted March 18, 2010 Also, try hooking up with a big non-retail corporation game rental store. They already have the connection to get many games at once, it would remove a step, and some people might recognize the name. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DBZ0wnz Posted March 18, 2010 Share Posted March 18, 2010 Keep the name simple and sweet. Wow i cant belive you may be going through with this. I am very excited for you and oz rightnow lol.Im also excited! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
disinformation Posted March 18, 2010 Author Share Posted March 18, 2010 Also, try hooking up with a big non-retail corporation game rental store. They already have the connection to get many games at once, it would remove a step, and some people might recognize the name. I was thinking of contacting the distributor/wholesaler of games in Australia and see if I could get my stock that way and pay what the retailers pay for the games (Or at very least, a hefty discount from retail anyway). I've yet to hear back from anybody ive contacted, but I'm looking forward to seeing the responses Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
disinformation Posted March 19, 2010 Author Share Posted March 19, 2010 I had a thought on the name (i'd have to see if it not yet copyrighted) Gameswap It gives a good idea of what the business does and it's nice and simple... Thoughts?? No other progress as yet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zeek Posted March 19, 2010 Share Posted March 19, 2010 I'm pretty sure you need to talk to the game company's before renting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
disinformation Posted March 19, 2010 Author Share Posted March 19, 2010 I'm well aware of that one, because of the note on each of the booklets stating that you cannot "rent for profit" etc etc as such without express permission, which is what I'm currently seeking... i see you voted "no" (cause it was all yes' 2 mins ago)... May I ask why? Purely to see why it's not a good idea to you... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zeek Posted March 19, 2010 Share Posted March 19, 2010 I'm well aware of that one, because of the note on each of the booklets stating that you cannot "rent for profit" etc etc as such without express permission, which is what I'm currently seeking... i see you voted "no" (cause it was all yes' 2 mins ago)... May I ask why? Purely to see why it's not a good idea to you... I never voted Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoTrevGo Posted March 20, 2010 Share Posted March 20, 2010 I voted no - only because I wouldn't use it. I go through periods where I will play heaps and then times where I wouldn't play for months at a time so I couldn't justify an ongoing expense. I'm sure you will do a proper cost analysis but It has been tried here in Oz and failed - to keep all your members happy you would need a shitload of the latest release games - hopefully you can get a good deal and make your purchase price back by selling ex rental after the initial rush. Anyway I really hope that for the benefit of you and everyone else on the site it does take off and goes really well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
osmanj Posted March 20, 2010 Share Posted March 20, 2010 There is probably a very good reason that there's only one firm in this market place. Think about it, if there were massive amounts of profit to be made, there'd be more competition. A few positive remarks on a trophy hunting forum shouldn't really be convincing you into starting up a costly financial venture. Trophy hunters are a tiny minority and a lot of them are just cashless kids. Stick to the day job mate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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