Jumping the Gun

by Dan | 30th July 2010

In talking to people online this weekend, I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m not at a point where I should be offering frames for sale yet. I’m grateful to those people for pulling my head out of my ass, and have come to some conclusions about how this should be approached. First off, I am not going to be offering frames to anyone who wants one. I’m going to use the next year or two to hone my craft and get to the point where I can offer a well-crafted product.

So I’ll be setting up a prototype program with people I know. They pay for tubing/parts, paint, and maybe a little bit for my time, and I build them a frame that’s considered a “prototype” — they get to keep it, of course, but I’ll be asking them for feedback on the build, and for time to look at/analyze the frame every so often. I’m going to hash out the fine details, of course, but I do plan to use this as a springboard into more awesome stuff.

I currently haven’t decided how many to do in the program, either. It’ll be a good-sized number, though.

3 Responses to “Jumping the Gun”

  1. Mark Bulgier

    Jul 31st, 2010 :

    So you’re not selling bikes, but people can get a bike by paying you money? That’s a pretty fine line you’re drawing there bud! Someone (not me of course) who’s feeling less sympathy for your situation might say “dude you’re TOTALLY selling bikes!!!” (Those people use all caps and too many exclamation marks apparently…) I ain’t no lawyer but you might want to get an opinion on that, they may say legally you’re selling bikes.

    Got insurance?

  2. Dan

    Jul 31st, 2010 :

    You’re right. It is a pretty fine line, but I’ve been very clear that what people are getting are prototypes, and I’m going to have a release form signed as part of the project. And I do plan to talk to a lawyer, and yes, before I deliver my first bike, I will have insurance.

    Thanks for joining the discussion.

  3. Freddy

    Aug 3rd, 2010 :

    Give the work away for free, just charge em for watching you do it?
    Nah !
    If you get in front of a judge they will ask “why did you think you could do this?”

    Insurance is the cheapest tool you can get, try Lora Van Dixhorn http://www.insuranceforbicycles.com/
    I know you can do it so keep on doing.
    Cheers Freddy

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