Moderators, if this is in the wrong forum, please delete or lock accordingly.

I've been tossing around an idea that would help some people buy mods that they really want but can't afford at the time. As of right now, my idea is basically a lay away plan on mods. But with some dialogue, I'm hoping to develop this idea to help people out. I don't really have anything to gain from this, just thinking I might be able to offer a helpful service.

http://www.paradox-systems.com/forum...opic.php?t=101

 

If you don't receive the product until you pay it off in full, then how is it any different from saving up for it on your own? At least with WSP's payment plan you got the item up front when you made your "deposit".

 

sounds promising, but also sounds like a hassle. If a person stops paying, a waiver should be signed....getting the waiver to the customer...then back....it may be a hassle for your company in the long run.

personally, i believe in not investing into a product unless you have the money for it. Products dont sell out immediately (with the exception of the greddy sp2's) and are usually avail. when it comes time for purchase.

 

people seem to like layaway. a ton of major stores offer it (walmart, target, dept. stores), and people use it quiet frequently. i guess the thought process is if you try and save the money on your own, you will spend it on something else, but when you already have 1/3 of the money at the store waiting for the product, your more likely to pay the rest for the product you want.

i have personally never used it, but this seems like a much safer way than taking a deposit and giving out the product to a customer who may or may not pay, and then hassling with them to get payment, dealing with collection agencies, etc.

 

seriously...modding cars is an expensive hobby...if you can't afford it then find a different hobby.

 

but on that same note, people who mod their cars put their parts on the credit card since they dont have the cash on hand. if they are charging them at 6% interest and paying for rims over a year, its really no different than this, more expensive i would assume.

but i do agree also, people who have a modded 3 series parked outside their moms house, or are living in the slums with a fully modded GLE max do not have priorities straight, but to each his own, their lives, they can do what they want.

 

[devil's advocate] Maybe some people value a nice car over living on their own. Especially nowadays, the generational gap has shortened, and living at home isn't as tumultuous as it used to be. [/devils advocate]


With that said, I still see no advantage to this idea if you don't get the product upfront.

 

I agree, if something like this were to be implemented if should be only for items that are at least $500 and above.

 

Sounds interesting...but yeah should be for higher priced items

 

Definitely for higher priced items, it'd be a waste of time on everyone's part for anything under $100.

As for the difference between this and saving up yourself, I was talking to NYCZBubba online and the thought process we came up with was, if you save, you'd be tempted to spend it somewhere else, making it harder to save. Also, its "easier" on the wallet to spend lets say $10 / week (or whatever the set payment is) than to shell out the larger amount all at once. Its a psychological thing I guess.. I would personally much rather spend $10 a week to have the suprise of a an expensive mod showing up at my door than sit there debating whether or not to hit the "send payment" button on a $500 item.

Also for us that have significant others that monitor our spending on our cars... A small payment weekly or monthly is easier to sneak by than a large purchase.
That, I think is the greatest advantage..

I'm not pushing the idea. I'm sure if I were to implement this it'd only cause me to lose money or just create more headaches. Wanted to see people's opinions or if anyone had any better ideas. And not just better for the consumer.. I would love to be able to front the money and give away mods but that's just not smart on my part.. How can I ensure that I will get paid?

 

I think that it would benefit those that cannot afford this stuff but want to. I know that there are many times that I just wanted that s/c or body kit but couldn't get it. This could be something good for the poor student.

Layaway would be an excellent idea. Those who don't want to pay...suggestion: Give the person an account to save their money after 2 months of inactivity on his/her account, they must forfit whatever money they have paid. This would be an incentive to pay on time. I think that it's their responsibility to keep up with the account, not yours.

 

[deciding to be another devil's advocate, like Mizeree_X] - and let's just say, for the sake of argument, that said person runs into some particularly nasty financial issue (i.e., major accident, coma, loss of job, divorce, etc...). Are they just S.O.L.??

As for your suggestion, MaxMoJo, it DOES hold its merits. I, for one, would GLADLY be able to shell out $10-$15 per month for a mod or two as opposed to dumping $500, $700, or even $1,000 on a mod all at once.

As in all conversations of this type, however, there are two schools of thought here. With two unique - and valid - opinions. So, I guess it all boils down to how the end user wants to invest their money. Some people want it NOW, NOW, NOW, while others have the "patience of Job" - as my grandpa was so fond of telling me.

Food for thought, folks... now let's do the dishes!

 

The link doesn't work at the moment.. so i can't read anything but i will say this.

This is like asking for a PR and a legal nightmare. If someone really wanted something they could just take out a loan from their local bank like most people do.

 

I missed your Message on AIM, I think its a great Idea for people like me who can not come up with the funds at that exact moment when the product is avaliable. My question to you is, what style of intervals are you going to suggest as some people would dare skip a month.

 

Ok well ways this would benefit the consumer would be in terms of SALES or GROUP DEALs. I will use for example a Carbon fiber hood, The group deal is going for 250 shipped$ the original price is 350$ shipped. So what would happen is if you don't have the full amount at the moment, lets say 100$ in hand. You would put that 100$ down and continue monthly payments in order for you to get that SPECIAL group deal price. Basically locking you into that low price if you weren't able to afford it at the moment. Or lets say you have to wait for a paycheck or something and at the moment have a small amount of money. IMO that is the great benefit of this. As MaxMojo says it is easier to make payments in installments instead of a one lump sum of something.

Hope this post will help any of you with any questions.

 

Well that can be solved easily. I was thinking as long as there was some sort of payment put down with in that 2 months of inactivity to let the business know that you are still interested in their part that you have for layaway. OR you can simply call and cancel the layaway(with a small fee attached).

 

Ya know.. I've had a layaway plan set up for myself for years..

See, I've got this jar.. it sits on my desk.. When I have extra money, I put it in the jar. When I want to buy a new toy for the car, I see how much money is in the jar. If there's not enough money, then I hold off on buying the toy until I've put enough in the jar to cover it.

Very simple, but highly effective.

 

Well it sounds likea good idea, But trust me, I was a Bill Collector, Getting people to pay when they dont want to is a B!tch, You should have some kind of Interview for it or something.

 

You might as well bend over now and take it. You'll get screwed on this more than once. Someone that doesn't have the money up front isn't going to have the money later. I have never bought anything on credit for the Max and I plan to keep it that way. I would agree with those that stated, "If you don't have it don't do it" type thing.