Carbon Filter Sploof - Good Idea?

To keep my house from smelling like smoke all the time I made some carbon filter sploofs with PVC pipe. I'm unemployed and bills are piling up, so I had the idea of selling my handmade sploofs online, cheaper than similar ones like the SmokeBuddy.
It's just as effective (or more since I use 2 filter layers) though it doesn't look as flashy. I rather like them, more discreet.
I've thought of trying to sell them on ebay if allowed, and maybe on a site I set up later on. The thing is, I want to get an idea of how many people would be interested in buying such a thing before putting too much work and money into it.
I think there's a market for them since they're small, discreet, and cheap, but I don't know if I could sell enough to make a website worth the setup time and effort.
What do you guys think?

i think we need pics and desired price

Palolo said:

To keep my house from smelling like smoke all the time I made some carbon filter sploofs with PVC pipe. I'm unemployed and bills are piling up, so I had the idea of selling my handmade sploofs online, cheaper than similar ones like the SmokeBuddy.
It's just as effective (or more since I use 2 filter layers) though it doesn't look as flashy. I rather like them, more discreet.
I've thought of trying to sell them on ebay if allowed, and maybe on a site I set up later on. The thing is, I want to get an idea of how many people would be interested in buying such a thing before putting too much work and money into it.
I think there's a market for them since they're small, discreet, and cheap, but I don't know if I could sell enough to make a website worth the setup time and effort.
What do you guys think?

Click to expand...

I think you should take that money and go pay some bill off

I'm going to make a couple later today, I'll take pics when done. The idea is to sell them for $10 each (maybe a bit less on ebay due to competition) but I'm open to suggestions.
One's going to be painted since I want to see how that turns out. I don't know how well spray paint sticks to PVC but if it works it's a cheap way to add value and variety to them.

Just finished a couple. It's clear now paint is a no go since it peels off very easily.
They not much to look at but they're just the thing if all you care about is keeping your place from smelling like smoke.
Linking to pics since they would stretch the page:
http://palolo.dyndns-web.com/pics/100_1979.JPG
http://palolo.dyndns-web.com/pics/100_1980.JPG

i wouldn't expect to make too much money off those.

the whole reason why YOU made them was to save costs. hence the DYI. why am I, the consumer, going to buy something i can make at home? especially if it looks like its been made in someones home??!?! seriously tho, having not read this thread and seen your shit on ebay, id say tomyself" hey, i can make one of these. i cant believe this assclown is trying to sell these, this shit will never sell".

just MHO.

You do realize that even if this is a marketable idea anyone with manufacturing contacts in China can easily undercut you and drive you out of the market. They will probably even be able to design something that looks nicer then a glued up pvc tube. No disrespect but even with paint and no visible glue the things are going to be fugly. I might build your tube, and if I had $20 burning a hole in my pocket I might buy a smokebuddy. I would not, however, spend $10 on what is so obviously a pvc tube with filters jammed in. I would either recreate it at home or spend more to get something that looks nicer.

Don't get me wrong it's a neat solution to your problem I just don't see it as a marketable item. Design something that actually looks presentable and get a good deal with a manufacture in China and you might have a snowballs chance in hell (emphasis on the word might seeing as you have established competitors and people who can DIY it). Until then all your pvc tube is good for is your own personal use.

Sorry for being so negative. What you came up with is cool, I just don't see it selling. Even if it does anyone could write a proper business plan, get a bank loan or investor, hire a foreign manufacture, and push you out of the market. Not to mention that your competitors are already in a position to quash your venture before it begins.

The tube is a great idea the business is not.

sorry to bump an older thread and kill your idea but this could easily be made with a toilet paper roll or gatorade bottle with a hole cut in the bottom. you fill each with fabric softener sheets and blow smoke into them, they work wonderfully.

edit: im an idiot and i didnt realize that i had already posted in this thread.. if you need someone to help you beta test this i'd def help you out fine tune this thing..

wrong forum.