+smstext Posted October 22, 2009 Posted October 22, 2009 How many people would be interested? Im in the uk so probably be looking more at uk people and so far have found that a minimum order of 250 would be needed. At the moment its an idea running through my head and the biggest thing stopping me is the fact that I would need to find a few hundred pounds from somewhere. Obviously I would be looking for money up front if I do go ahead it be a case of a pre order from everyone before i put the order into production and i probably would be looking at this after Christmas. Any tips etc would be appreciated.. Quote
+Ruud4d Posted October 22, 2009 Posted October 22, 2009 How many people would be interested? Im in the uk so probably be looking more at uk people and so far have found that a minimum order of 250 would be needed. At the moment its an idea running through my head and the biggest thing stopping me is the fact that I would need to find a few hundred pounds from somewhere. Obviously I would be looking for money up front if I do go ahead it be a case of a pre order from everyone before i put the order into production and i probably would be looking at this after Christmas. Any tips etc would be appreciated.. Coiners are very cautious when it comes to pre-ordering from a relatively new designer. You could offer your design to a manufacturer. That shop can produce and sell your coin without you needing lots of money. And it would help if you showed us the design of what you have in mind. Ruud Quote
+The Moop Along Posted October 22, 2009 Posted October 22, 2009 Coiners are very cautious when it comes to pre-ordering from a relatively new designer. You could offer your design to a manufacturer. That shop can produce and sell your coin without you needing lots of money. And it would help if you showed us the design of what you have in mind. Ruud What he said. Find a minting company to work with you for cost reasons. The list of companies available is in the pinned thread at the top of the forums. It looks like there is a recent addition to that list, if I read it right too. TMA Quote
+The Moop Along Posted October 22, 2009 Posted October 22, 2009 How many people would be interested? Im in the uk so probably be looking more at uk people and so far have found that a minimum order of 250 would be needed. At the moment its an idea running through my head and the biggest thing stopping me is the fact that I would need to find a few hundred pounds from somewhere. Obviously I would be looking for money up front if I do go ahead it be a case of a pre order from everyone before i put the order into production and i probably would be looking at this after Christmas. Any tips etc would be appreciated.. In response to the "few hundred pound" part. 200 pounds won't even pay for the tracking on 250 coins, let alone a custom icon, etc. if you are going that route. You should definitely get a feel for the cost magnitude of making 250 pcs. of a coin before you dive in. TMA Quote
+Droo Posted October 23, 2009 Posted October 23, 2009 (edited) Well, I can see from your profile you've been bit hard by the bug. 300 cache finds in 10 weeks, 30 odd trackable icons gathered and even a handful activated. Who's been a busy lad, then??? To answer your question - depending on how cool or attractive your design you can either have coiners flock to your coin sale or avoid it like the plague. Some designs are automatic hits while others are total busts. Do you want to invest a THOUSAND pounds or more in that gamble? On the other hand if you make a personal coin with a design that reflects who you are or what you find compelling about geocaching you could do well and sell half to try to recoup your costs and trade the other half to build up your collection, if that appeals to you, or release in caches to garner stories and photos. That also depends on your design though. Are you creative and want to produce and sell your designs that you're confident will appeal and sell? Start by making a name for yourself. Have company back your first design so you get your name out there associated with a cool coin before you try it on your own. Sure they get the profits but they also front the cash and do all the legwork necessary to bring the project to completion, with your input of course. And you could get a couple dozen coins out of it for your efforts as well as your name and your design on a couple hundred geocoins. Every journey no matter how long or adventuresome begins with one step. Just don't expect any guarantees or everyone would be doing it.... !! Edited October 23, 2009 by Droo Quote
+tsunrisebey Posted October 23, 2009 Posted October 23, 2009 Well, I can see from your profile you've been bit hard by the bug. 300 cache finds in 10 weeks, 30 odd trackable icons gathered and even a handful activated. Who's been a busy lad, then??? To answer your question - depending on how cool or attractive your design you can either have coiners flock to your coin sale or avoid it like the plague. Some designs are automatic hits while others are total busts. Do you want to invest a THOUSAND pounds or more in that gamble? On the other hand if you make a personal coin with a design that reflects who you are or what you find compelling about geocaching you could do well and sell half to try to recoup your costs and trade the other half to build up your collection, if that appeals to you, or release in caches to garner stories and photos. That also depends on your design though. Are you creative and want to produce and sell your designs that you're confident will appeal and sell? Start by making a name for yourself. Have company back your first design so you get your name out there associated with a cool coin before you try it on your own. Sure they get the profits but they also front the cash and do all the legwork necessary to bring the project to completion, with your input of course. And you could get a couple dozen coins out of it for your efforts as well as your name and your design on a couple hundred geocoins. Every journey no matter how long or adventuresome begins with one step. Just don't expect any guarantees or everyone would be doing it.... !! Amen brotha! Quote
Odyssey Voyager Posted October 23, 2009 Posted October 23, 2009 Im in the uk so probably be looking more at uk people and so far have found that a minimum order of 250 would be needed. i was under the impression that the required "minimum" order numbers had changed as of March 2009. check out the following pinned thread, and scroll down to the latest entry. i believe many manufacturers will produce a geocoin run of 50 or 100 minimum now. i hope this information helps. Groundspeak Current Policy Thread Quote
+murphyrulez Posted October 23, 2009 Posted October 23, 2009 Does the mint charge more if the coin is shaped? Quote
+Crowesfeat30 Posted October 23, 2009 Posted October 23, 2009 Does the mint charge more if the coin is shaped? Yes. CF30 Quote
+The Blorenges Posted October 23, 2009 Posted October 23, 2009 Over in the UK section, pinned at the top, there's a topic called "Geocoins relating to UK and Ireland." There are posts there from various UK cachers who have designed and had their own geocoins made over the last couple of years. It may be useful if the OP contacts one or two of them to get their thoughts and opinions from the UK perspective. Jacaru has done several geocoins recently, and Birdman-of-Liskatraz has a 'general information' sheet documenting his experiences (the trials and tribulations) of producing the successful Cornwall geocoins. MrsB Quote
+drneal Posted October 23, 2009 Posted October 23, 2009 (edited) Does the mint charge more if the coin is shaped? cutouts add to the price also (Kathy's Coin has quite a few,) , along with the thickness of the coin, icon, and of course activation codes ILYK Edited October 23, 2009 by drneal Quote
+murphyrulez Posted October 23, 2009 Posted October 23, 2009 So we're talking anywhere from 700-1000 dollars for 100 coins? 400 just for the coins, 150 for the codes, 150 for the die fee... Plus all the extras... Ouch Quote
+MustangJoni Posted October 23, 2009 Posted October 23, 2009 So we're talking anywhere from 700-1000 dollars for 100 coins? 400 just for the coins, 150 for the codes, 150 for the die fee... Plus all the extras... Ouch If it is a personal coin, make it not trackable. That will save you a bundle! Quote
Odyssey Voyager Posted October 23, 2009 Posted October 23, 2009 So we're talking anywhere from 700-1000 dollars for 100 coins? 400 just for the coins, 150 for the codes, 150 for the die fee... Plus all the extras...Ouch and there may be other hidden fee's associated with creating, minting, and selling a geocoin, too. i just hope some online buyers will read this thread and realize why a large, special shaped, hefty, trackable geocoin with an icon, can cost a bit more than a small round micro. Quote
+smstext Posted October 23, 2009 Author Posted October 23, 2009 many thanks to all that have taken time to respond, im in no rush and do thank you all for your time so far. to one of the replies above about my few hundred quid quote i think you are thinking im talking dollars which im not. In dollars im looking at about $500+ dollars. Anyone that can point me to a company who would (if they thought the design was sellable) stump up the cash etc would be very much appreciated. many thanks again!! Quote
+Eartha Posted October 24, 2009 Posted October 24, 2009 Please check the pinned thread at the top of these forums for the Groundspeak Approved Vendor List. Forum users are not allowed to link to store fronts here, only direct geocoin sales links. You have to do your research and approach the vendors, check out their websites, and see what they offer. If someone wants to PM information to you, that's fine, but no advertising in the thread. We usually close threads that turn into advertising threads for coin vendors. Quote
+smstext Posted October 24, 2009 Author Posted October 24, 2009 sorry, i was meant to say anyone who could help to pm and not break the forum rules.. again im sorry.. Quote
+ECplus3 Posted October 24, 2009 Posted October 24, 2009 So we're talking anywhere from 700-1000 dollars for 100 coins? 400 just for the coins, 150 for the codes, 150 for the die fee... Plus all the extras...Ouch and there may be other hidden fee's associated with creating, minting, and selling a geocoin, too. i just hope some online buyers will read this thread and realize why a large, special shaped, hefty, trackable geocoin with an icon, can cost a bit more than a small round micro. My personal coin cost me $848 US to produce 155 coins. It is a 1.75" x 1.75" square coin with 8 cutouts, translucent enamel, two engraved areas, is trackable, has an icon, and includes shipping from Hong Kong. Here's the breakdown: Die Fee: $140 for zinc allow die cast Sample: $20 (6 finishes) Freight: $25 (for samples) Tracking # $232.50 (for 155 tracking codes) Icon: $150 Minting: $191.25 Freight: $83.53 Coin Flips: $6.20 My extra costs included bank charges for sending International Remittance to the mint's bank, brokerage fees from FedEx for bringing the shipment into Canada, eBay and Auctiva fees for coins sold on eBay, web hosting and domain registration fees, paypal fees for all payments received via paypal. There is also the time involved in designing the coin, dealing with the mint, packaging sold coins, and runs to the post office to ship them. I've probably forgotten a lot of little costs ( like all the Coke I drank and ramen I ate ) Quote
+Droo Posted October 24, 2009 Posted October 24, 2009 My personal coin cost me $848 US to produce 155 coins. It is a 1.75" x 1.75" square coin with 8 cutouts, translucent enamel, two engraved areas, is trackable, has an icon, and includes shipping from Hong Kong. Hey that's awesome that you can still produce a coin with cutouts for a little over $5... I assumed differently. Thanks for that breakdown. Quote
Odyssey Voyager Posted October 24, 2009 Posted October 24, 2009 Here's the breakdown: Die Fee: $140 for zinc allow die cast Sample: $20 (6 finishes) Freight: $25 (for samples) Tracking # $232.50 (for 155 tracking codes) Icon: $150 Minting: $191.25 wow! you got a fantastic deal on the minting (cost of the metal used?). the rising price of metal has caused this price to double, or at least thats what some companies are quoting these days. this may also be the only area that is subject to "mark up". Quote
+ECplus3 Posted October 24, 2009 Posted October 24, 2009 Here's the breakdown: Die Fee: $140 for zinc allow die cast Sample: $20 (6 finishes) Freight: $25 (for samples) Tracking # $232.50 (for 155 tracking codes) Icon: $150 Minting: $191.25 wow! you got a fantastic deal on the minting (cost of the metal used?). the rising price of metal has caused this price to double, or at least thats what some companies are quoting these days. this may also be the only area that is subject to "mark up". The zinc alloy die cast method is significantly cheaper (and was the only way they would do the small cutouts I required). The per coin cost of the single finish coins was around $1.16. The same coin (without cutouts) would have been around $1.70 ea. as a die stamped coin. The molding fees are higher for zinc alloy though. My latest coin is a traditional round coin at 1.5" diameter. As a zinc alloy coin it would have cost me $1.02 with $120 in die fees. As a die stamped brass coin it is $1.56 with $90 die fees. Quote
+bittsen Posted October 25, 2009 Posted October 25, 2009 At the moment its an idea running through my head and the biggest thing stopping me is the fact that I would need to find a few hundred pounds from somewhere. My ex was a few hundred pounds.... (sorry, couldn't resist) Quote
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