10 replies to this topic

[Alabama Anter]

Hey guys!!! I just wanted to tell u guys that me and a couple of my friends decided to make Company on ants. We will make great quality ant products. I mean like Antscanada sells 5 test tubes for $11.00 Dude... we sell 10 tubes for $3.25 so just check out our sight and if anyone thinks this is rude/bad advertising on someone's forum please tell me... I will immediately erase the whole thing... thx for ur time

[Alabama Anter]

Here r the links for our sight and forums...
Sight;http://friendlyantho...aria/blank-page
Forum: http://cyberantforum.boards.net

[Reacker]

Congratulations on starting a business! More companies making quality ant keeping products is always a welcome sight and I wish you guys the best.

 

However, you may want to do some more refinement of your designs for your first product. I see several major flaws with your formicarium design that I believe would discourage most or all potential buyers from purchasing it. 

 

http://friendlyantho...ce-f3aa0272ea4b

 

1) It's already clearly cracking apart, and it sort of looks like you tried to glue it back together without much success. If I were willing to overlook any of the other flaws that I'm about to discuss, I still would be very hesitant about buying because it's not at all clear to me that the nest would show up in one piece. 

 

2) The finish is extremely rough. It looks like ants wouldn't have trouble escaping out from under the glass in literally every direction. There doesn't seem to be anything holding the glass down either.

 

3) There's no way to water it in a way that won't make a giant mess. 

 

4) The ants also look they can escape where the tubing meets the plaster.

 

5) It just doesn't look very good. Certainly no where close to $25+Shipping good. 

 

6) You're not price competitive with other retailers. In your price range there are dramatically better options that are clearly better thought out with more refinement an consideration for the practicalities of ant keeping. See The following 3 nests from TarHeel and Antscanada ranging from $18-$50 (your price range of $25). Ask yourself, why would someone purchase your formicarium over the 3 below? Can you personally justify to yourself buying your nest instead of the atom or inception nests?

 

https://tarheelants....cts/atom-nest-b

 

https://tarheelants....-chamber-3-inch

 

http://www.antscanad...rid-nest-small/

 

 

My overall assessment is that your product looks like not just the first version of your design, but literally the very first formicarium that you've ever made. While I definitely think that it's possible for a new ant store to be successful, I believe that you may have to rethink think your level of commitment to Research and Development before you can begin to have competitive offerings. 

 

 

Good luck!

[ctantkeeper]

congrats!!! we can always use new stores more variety and more economically efficient options are always welcome. however, I do have to agree with Reaker on this one. your formicarium designs do need to be re-evaluated and you do need to ask yourself whether or not you are ready for such a large commitment such as this. Anyways, with a bit of refinement and ingenuity, you should do great. good luck!!!

[Alabama Anter]

Ok thx!!! The cracks r mostly natural when making a grout formicaria and no this is not my first time making a nest and I understand it is rough but the sides r packed with 3 layers of plexi glass with glue gun so escape should be hard. Now that I think of it, I should lower the prices... Thx a lot guys!!

[Air]

Finally, a *FROM WHAT I CAN TELL* a 4th website! I can't wait for it to get up and running. I can tell by your writing, that you are probably under 16 if I am correct. You have a great idea, but with a little more thought I bet you can get this to be amazing. Good luck guys!

[SoloThisPlayer]

Congratulations on starting a business! More companies making quality ant keeping products is always a welcome sight and I wish you guys the best.

 

However, you may want to do some more refinement of your designs for your first product. I see several major flaws with your formicarium design that I believe would discourage most or all potential buyers from purchasing it. 

 

http://friendlyantho...ce-f3aa0272ea4b

 

1) It's already clearly cracking apart, and it sort of looks like you tried to glue it back together without much success. If I were willing to overlook any of the other flaws that I'm about to discuss, I still would be very hesitant about buying because it's not at all clear to me that the nest would show up in one piece. 

 

2) The finish is extremely rough. It looks like ants wouldn't have trouble escaping out from under the glass in literally every direction. There doesn't seem to be anything holding the glass down either.

 

3) There's no way to water it in a way that won't make a giant mess. 

 

4) The ants also look they can escape where the tubing meets the plaster.

 

5) It just doesn't look very good. Certainly no where close to $25+Shipping good. 

 

6) You're not price competitive with other retailers. In your price range there are dramatically better options that are clearly better thought out with more refinement an consideration for the practicalities of ant keeping. See The following 3 nests from TarHeel and Antscanada ranging from $18-$50 (your price range of $25). Ask yourself, why would someone purchase your formicarium over the 3 below? Can you personally justify to yourself buying your nest instead of the atom or inception nests?

 

https://tarheelants....cts/atom-nest-b

 

https://tarheelants....-chamber-3-inch

 

http://www.antscanad...rid-nest-small/

 

 

My overall assessment is that your product looks like not just the first version of your design, but literally the very first formicarium that you've ever made. While I definitely think that it's possible for a new ant store to be successful, I believe that you may have to rethink think your level of commitment to Research and Development before you can begin to have competitive offerings. 

 

 

Good luck!

Thank you very much sir for your tips and opinions! Me and the Company will deeply take this seriously and also rethink most of the development as we go.

[Alabama Anter]

Thx Air

[Reacker]

Ok thx!!! The cracks r mostly natural when making a grout formicaria and no this is not my first time making a nest and I understand it is rough but the sides r packed with 3 layers of plexi glass with glue gun so escape should be hard. Now that I think of it, I should lower the prices... Thx a lot guys!!

 

If cracks are normal then perhaps you should reconsider using grout. Nobody wants a cracked formicarium.

[ctantkeeper]

I've molded with grout on several occasion and have never had that happen. try using different water / grout ratios or a different brand. Generally, you are trying to establish a peanut butter - like consistency.

[dspdrew]

I would suggest perfecting your products before even worrying about trying to sell them. I've been working on mine for years and still haven't publicly posted anything for sale with the exception of prototypes or current housing of ant colonies I'm selling.