Navy Dads Store - Navy Outfitters

[E.G. - ND's Creator/Admin]

Navy Dads will be opening a store this coming Spring! The name of the store will be Navyoutfitters.com. I previously offered shirts and gifts through Cafe Press on the site but will no longer offer them because of a list of issues.

1. Cafe Press is a company that anyone can upload their own images and sell at no cost to them.
2. Prices are to high ( Cafe Press set a high price on their items) I can do them at a much lower cost, in turn will be able to offer them at more affordable prices.
3. The quality of their products could be much better for the price.
4. I have no control over the inspection of how the product looks before it ships out.

This was a temporary way to offer logo shirts and such at no cost to me. But I feel the best way to do something right is to do it yourself. That is why I'm starting my own store because my name and this site (Navy Dads) which I created is accountable for the product quality and customer's satisfaction of merchandise sold. It is also a direct reflection of my integrity and character.

This site runs at a cost each month to me so offering Navy products for sell will help pay the bills and make this site bigger and better in days ahead . People have so generously offered to donate money to this site in the past and I'm thankful they are so willing to help. I have told them all "the day I ask for a donation on this site is because it will go 100% back to the Sailors. My intentions are pure. I want to make an honest buck like everybody else. I will start the store small with a few products and a percentage of the profits will go to a fund to help Sailors.

Now I would like your input on what are the needs of the store. I plan on starting with one or two shirts, hat, ribbon magnet, etc. I want to keep my cost low in starting so I'm wondering what our members are willing to spend their hard earned dollars on. Below is a magnet idea I have that will sell for 5 to 6 dollars a magnet. Will people buy this? I have taken the magnet off because I cannot use the Navy Emblem on it. This company was in the wrong. I will post the new magnet soon.


I've also thought of a hat or visor that just has Navy embroidered on it. A shirt that has Navy on it or more detailed. Logo shirts that will be at a cost of around 10 dollars. The Navy flag is another product I thought of offering. I'm looking for every one's input on ideas of things us parents would like to see offered. Sorry for being so long winded and all the support everyone has given me.
Sincerely, EG

[Paul, Bobby's Dad]

EG,
I'm new to the site and even more impressed! I like the idea on the magnet and would also be in line for a few hooded sweat shirts with the Navy dads.com, United We Stand Logo on the front. I also think the Polo's would do well. My son will be leaving at the end of next week to start his naval adventure and I was wondering if you might consider adding a line of gifts for graduating saliors from RTC? Just a thought.

Paul

[JIM WATTERS]

I think it is a great idea and would rather buy through this site than a commercial site. I will be willing to donate to the cause if you request in order to get up and running.

[E.G. - ND's Creator/Admin]

I want to thank everyone for the great ideas and support. Keep it coming! I'm still jumping through hoops trying to get everything ready to open the store. Their is a lot to be done. Everyone has great ideas but unfortunately I'll only start with maybe 5 to 10 items to start. So some great ideas will be left on the table until the store grows. Just keep posting here what you want because nothing will be set in stone until the store opens.
Thanks again for everyone's input, EG

[NavyDads Admin, Tim]

EG what kind of help do you need to get the store up and running? I don't know a whole lot about alot of things but I am willing to help in any way that I can to help you get up and going. Anything or any help I can give just let me know.
Tim

[E.G. - ND's Creator/Admin]

Thanks for offering Tim. There's really not much anyone can do right now. I'm in the process of starting the business. So paper work, filing with the state, EIN #, etc. Other than that I'm contacting company's to do the ribbons, hats, t shirts, etc. I'm drawing images the old school way. I have a graphic designer that will put them in a format for shirts, etc. If you have any contacts in this area than I would greatly accept the help. It's just finding the right vendors that have a top quality product and then buying them and hoping they sale. Any advice or tips are always welcome. Thanks for the support.

Tim said:

EG what kind of help do you need to get the store up and running? I don't know a whole lot about alot of things but I am willing to help in any way that I can to help you get up and going. Anything or any help I can give just let me know.
Tim

[Gary T.]

EG, I am very much impressed with your logo design. When the hooded sweatshirts come out I would be interested in six units up front. Still working on my other idea. Person I need to talk with is in Iraq for another month and a half.

[E.G. - ND's Creator/Admin]

Gary, what other idea? 6 units isn't that 600, I'll have them for you tomorrow! LOL Seriously, I'm not to familiar with the cold and hoodies. So if you want them, I'll offer them. It doesn't really get cold where I live. It was 76 today, so I'm a shorts and flip flops kinda guy all year around. What brand of hoodie holds up the best and is good quality? What type of hoodie are you looking for? hand pouch in the front?, draw string hood? If you can post a pic of the type of hoodie your looking for that would be a big help. What color do you want? What sizes do you need? Any info would greatly help.
Thanks again, EG

Gary F said:

EG, I am very much impressed with your logo design. When the hooded sweatshirts come out I would be interested in six units up front. Still working on my other idea. Person I need to talk with is in Iraq for another month and a half.

[NavyDads Admin (Paul)]

just kind of an aside.....customink.com has photos and reviews of various tee-shirts, hoodies, sweats, etc.. You may have to make up a fast design, but it's a way to look at the product, see about sizing, and see how some others have rated items like these.

[A Nicholas]

A Navy Dads logo on a patch is an excellent idea.

Chuck said:

EG,
I like the ideas I am reading on this discussion! Have you considered a patch for Navy Dads that could be attachtt to hats, jackets, or maybe even a polo shirt?
Chuck

[Da-Chief]

EG,
Be careful of using the Navy Emblem on your merchandise, I got bit on that with my site. It is Copyrighted.
Good Luck with the shirts, I know on Corpsman.com, we want to do it as well, but like you are learning , it is a High Cost to start.

D/C

[Kelly]

I just joined this site and I am trying to read all the things that are going on and I noticed this tab. I think this would be great. I have ordered stuff from Cafepress and it was just ok. I would rather spend money on this store and not the others. I think the magnet and pins would be a great idea as well as the other items. I myself am interested in a Navy flag and I have been looking at them but just haven't purchased one yet. I will hold off and wait to see if you do sell them.

[E.G. - ND's Creator/Admin]

Thanks Kelly for the support. I still have lots to do before the store is up and running. I hope to have it up by late April. I will offer the Navy flag down the road in the store so if you go ahead and get one I won't hold it against you. My only advice is to buy the nylon flag. It is the kind that I bought and will offer in my store. It is a little more expensive but holds up much better than the polyester and also get the swivel flag pole, it is a huge benefit so that the flag will not wrap around the pole.

Thanks Again, EG

Kelly said:

I just joined this site and I am trying to read all the things that are going on and I noticed this tab. I think this would be great. I have ordered stuff from Cafepress and it was just ok. I would rather spend money on this store and not the others. I think the magnet and pins would be a great idea as well as the other items. I myself am interested in a Navy flag and I have been looking at them but just haven't purchased one yet. I will hold off and wait to see if you do sell them.