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The title of the Article misses the real innovation. The real gem of the article is telling the story of how manufacturers now go direct to public via the inter

by sheraz 14y ago

The title of the Article misses the real innovation. The real gem of the article is telling the story of how manufacturers now go direct to public via the internet, thereby cutting out he middlemen. I am an advisor to a company that enables this very model, and it works very, very well. Essentially we provide the website, marketing, customer service, and logistics from manufacturer-to-customer. It appears that is what American Giant has found as well. Good for them.

gxs 14y ago
You know, things don't exist in a vacuum. I don't have time to get into specifics, but there is a REASON why channel sales exist. There is a reason you may sometimes want to outsource this to people who specialize in marketing, customer service, or logistics. As these companies you advise grow in size, you will see why. I'm not saying you don't provide value - I'm sure you do. I'm just tired of hearing this on HN - that a startup can do it all and all these other companies are fools that aren't in on the secret.
- sheraz 14y ago
  Agreed -- channel sales work where you don't have that expertise (ie - government, oil-gas, etc). However, my points addresses direct-to-individuals is where this model works well. I think you read more into my comment that was really there. We certainly are not a fit for every manufacturer out there. But this much is true - Like it or not, the internet beat a path to the manufacturers' door. Many of them are still not prepared to handle that. It never fit their model. That is where we fit in. If the customer is already st your door, then why not capture the sale? Why send them off to a re-seller? That is a bad consumer experience.
- snogglethorpe 14y ago
  Seriously, and especially for clothing, where actual, physical, retailers can add a huge amount of value. This company may indeed make great stuff, but no way I'm gonna buy clothing I can't touch and try on first... Direct might be good for repeat orders for stuff that tends to wear out like socks, but if their sweatshirt lasts forever ... :]

by sheraz 14y ago

gxs 14y ago

You know, things don't exist in a vacuum. I don't have time to get into specifics, but there is a REASON why channel sales exist. There is a reason you may sometimes want to outsource this to people who specialize in marketing, customer service, or logistics. As these companies you advise grow in size, you will see why. I'm not saying you don't provide value - I'm sure you do. I'm just tired of hearing this on HN - that a startup can do it all and all these other companies are fools that aren't in on the secret.

sheraz 14y ago
Agreed -- channel sales work where you don't have that expertise (ie - government, oil-gas, etc). However, my points addresses direct-to-individuals is where this model works well. I think you read more into my comment that was really there. We certainly are not a fit for every manufacturer out there. But this much is true - Like it or not, the internet beat a path to the manufacturers' door. Many of them are still not prepared to handle that. It never fit their model. That is where we fit in. If the customer is already st your door, then why not capture the sale? Why send them off to a re-seller? That is a bad consumer experience.
snogglethorpe 14y ago
Seriously, and especially for clothing, where actual, physical, retailers can add a huge amount of value. This company may indeed make great stuff, but no way I'm gonna buy clothing I can't touch and try on first... Direct might be good for repeat orders for stuff that tends to wear out like socks, but if their sweatshirt lasts forever ... :]