Sciencemadness Discussion Board - Want to open a science store

Want to open a science store

Cou - 8-6-2013 at 14:09

When my grandfather dies we will get $100,000 (not to be insensitive, but i can't feel sorry for someone who had a heart attack at 50, if they still eat corn dogs every day at 82 years old), and we want to make some kind of store or business, so we can be above the average population of "wake up in the morning, go to work, make an average non-rich income". My brother opened a store so that really inspired me. But it seems all the ideas are taken; what I want to make is a store that is kind of like those jelly bean dispensers; aisles of big containers filled with different compounds, and dispense how much you want in a container that you buy. So instead of having 1 oz bottles, it's based on something like $3.00/oz and you weigh it. It should be a retail, what bothers me about online science stores is the shipping cost and waiting for it to arrive.

The only problem is that there aren't any science stores around here, is it because the police always makes them close down, or simply no one is interested in going to them? I live in Dallas Texas, the state where you need a license to own an erlenmeyer flask and most people will yell "TERRORIST, GET AWAY FROM HIM" if you utter "dihydrogen monoxide". So I might want to make it more north. After all, I am inspired by Galaxy Science and Hobby in wisconson, aka Elemental Scientific. Note that wisconson is at the liberal top of the country. Do you think a science store would work, or would it be a waste of $100,000 because of police and a conservative population? I have the feeling the only customers would be people trying to make meth labs, and most kids are too busy playing video games (notice the lack of children in the playground? Disgusts me)

[Edited on 8-6-2013 by Cou]

[Edited on 8-6-2013 by Cou]

[Edited on 8-6-2013 by Cou]

[Edited on 8-6-2013 by Cou]

[Edited on 8-6-2013 by Cou]

Variscite - 8-6-2013 at 14:32

I dont think you are going to have much success opening a science store in Texas.

Cou - 8-6-2013 at 16:57

Thats why I wanted to open it more northly. Or inside the urban area, where it is more liberal

golfpro - 8-6-2013 at 17:12

It's not a matter of liberal/conservative little man. Federal regulations cover every state and person, and federal law overrides state law in most every case, Nice having big ideas but that 100,000 is no way yours whatsoever either at least I would imagine.

Cou - 8-6-2013 at 17:49

Well we really want to make a business or store, so we can be above the average person who just works for average money. I would think it is liberal/conservative, because in a place like california or the top of the united states, the store would probably be in good business, but in texas, it would be raided with pitchforks by anti-terrorist white supremists

[Edited on 9-6-2013 by Cou]

elementcollector1 - 8-6-2013 at 18:02

Then move to the Northwest, science knows we could use the business over here...

cyanureeves - 8-6-2013 at 18:05

if he's 82 yrs. old then he must've honored his father and mother.....that thy days may be long. there is no way you would be allowed to have people grab chemicals off shelves like candy.cross contamination would cause an explosion or toxicity.an empty playground is a playground all to yourself.where i live there is a lake and alot of people have boats yet everytime i go to the lake it is empty. i never owned a boat and always fished off the banks but it seems like i own a lake.go to the playground.

[Edited on 6-9-2013 by cyanureeves]

Boron Trioxide - 8-6-2013 at 18:24

What you need more than money for starting your store is a plan and motivation; instead of buying land for a store or anything major you should get good at importing chemicals from China since that is where you are going to need to get them from. Secondly you need to find a market for the chemicals you import. The money from your grandfather will help you get started but you need motivation and a good idea of what you are doing to start a successful business.

Final piece of advice don't restrict yourself to hobby chemists, perhaps there is some exotic chemical a lab is looking for they can't find on their own, if you can find it you will probably start to be on the order form for that lab for the future.

Just my completely unqualified advice

chemcam - 8-6-2013 at 19:43

You are very right about the customer base being mostly drug cooks.. Its too bad about our hobby being looked at how it is. I don't think a brick-and-mortar store would do very well an online store may be doable, cheaper and wider customer base. What I would do is open a lab that makes a variety of products for profit and on the weekends have it be open to use by hobbiests for research make it a monthly due or something. I'd join if it was in the pnw.

AndersHoveland - 8-6-2013 at 23:01

Your potential customer base is probably spread too thin to make an actual storefront economically viable, unfortunately. Amateur chemistry is not as popular of a hobby as it once use to be. Perhaps this is due to schools and government regulators trying to keep "dangerous" chemicals away from children, the toy chemistry sets one can buy today are just pathetic.

It would make more sense to start a mail order business, or internet business, to reach customers in the entire country, and this would also have a lower startup cost.

One way to deter illegal drug manufacturers is to only sell certain chemicals in small quantities as part of a more expensive kit.

Fantasma4500 - 9-6-2013 at 02:29

to be honest i dont see you getting success starting a chemistry store in the country infamous for cooks
sickening fact that peoples impulses are so violent and their wanting for such drugs really push away all sense and logic and make people go completely insane when you mention any chemicals

i think this thread would fit better in societal issues however?

blogfast25 - 9-6-2013 at 04:15

Since as in today’s world a bricks and mortar business almost invariably has an internet component, you might as well start from the internet.

This:

“But it seems all the ideas are taken; what I want to make is a store that is kind of like those jelly bean dispensers; aisles of big containers filled with different compounds, and dispense how much you want in a container that you buy.”

… is a recipe for disaster. Don’t even think about it.

Like any business idea, be prepared for an uphill struggle and a mountain of work before you even open the doors for the first time. I should know, soon I’ll be entering my third year of business online, selling chems and labwares. Granted, I didn’t have the luxury of $100,000 seed money that would have made it easier to start up. I’m turning a profit but it’s still only the family’s second income, not first.

Getting it wrong in business is very easy and you pay with your own money for every mistake. Sometimes I try to explain it like this: ‘when I used to work in the chemical industry, if I needed a pair of scissors I went to the stationary cupboard and got one. And if there weren’t any I’d give the person responsible a bollocking. Now when I need a pair of scissors I have to go out and buy one, in my own time and with my own money!’

A science store is a hard thing to pull off, you might want to consider another kind of business, $100,000 is a lot to lose…

I’m toying with the idea of renting some decent location shop space, with good warehousing attached and using the shop window to sell related things like cleaning products, solvents etc. If that part covers at least the lease, then the increased warehousing capacity could make the internet part (chems and labwares) more profitable.

Quote: Originally posted by Boron Trioxide

What you need more than money for starting your store is a plan and motivation; instead of buying land for a store or anything major you should get good at importing chemicals from China since that is where you are going to need to get them from.
Just my completely unqualified advice

No, not completely unqualified. But on China you’re not entirely correct. If you’re going to sell chemicals in the sub kg format, a lot of Chinese stuff comes in tonnes and also ends up costing about twice the FOB prices, after you’ve paid transport and various duties. Unless you want to rent a MASSIVE warehouse and build up stock that lasts for years (not desirable), just buying everything from China isn’t really an option. Instead, each country does have some very large chemical distributors that allow you to buy at the 25 to 100 kg level. More niche products can indeed be imported directly from China at the level of 10 – 25 kg.

Quote: Originally posted by chemcam

What I would do is open a lab that makes a variety of products for profit and on the weekends have it be open to use by hobbiests for research make it a monthly due or something. I'd join if it was in the pnw.

Own production is a nightmare in itself. Niche products maybe, commodities forget it.

Your ‘rent-a-lab’ idea is fraught with problems. Apart from a narrow customer base, allowing total strangers near anything as banal as a Bunsen burner isn’t smart. And own production in a metropolitan area (where you need to be for the ‘rent-a-lab’ part) is out of the question: at the mere whiff of a bit of HCl you’ll be hounded out of the neighbourhood.

Quote: Originally posted by AndersHoveland

Amateur chemistry is not as popular of a hobby as it once use to be.

I don't think that is AT ALL true. The popularisation of science is in full swing and with ever increasing disposable income more and more people can afford to do some home chemistry.

[Edited on 9-6-2013 by blogfast25]

chemcam - 9-6-2013 at 09:05

Quote: Originally posted by blogfast25

Quote: Originally posted by chemcam

Lol, my "rent-a-lab" idea was less than one sentence long. I didn't give enough details for it even to be judged. If it was a reality I certainly wouldn't let just anyone in. It would not be advertised a lot and of course a screening process would be in place. Nobody under 18 and of course a no-liability contract, hold-harmless or however that works. And also like I said it would only be a weekend thing so customer base wouldn't matter to me. That would be my time to research so if other people don't show I would be there anyway.

Edit: Forgot to mention the following,
Where I live the industrial part of town is less than a mile from major metropolitan area. And again rent-a-lab would not be main priority I would only try to help amateurs, I bet a few people on this board would benefit from using a real lab, even you perhaps.

[Edited on 6-9-2013 by chemcam]

blogfast25 - 9-6-2013 at 11:56

Quote: Originally posted by chemcam

Where I live the industrial part of town is less than a mile from major metropolitan area. And again rent-a-lab would not be main priority I would only try to help amateurs, I bet a few people on this board would benefit from using a real lab, even you perhaps.

[Edited on 6-9-2013 by chemcam]

It's true that these are some light industrial estates just outside of towns and that those nearby would not object travelling a few miles if they were interested in the service. But such a rent-a-lab idea could never be the basis of a sound business plan. A bit of pocket money at best, for quite a lot of hassle.

12AX7 - 9-6-2013 at 14:03

Off-the-cuff ideas...

1. If the idea of meeting people every single day, putting up with their shit (and being rewarded by only a couple of good customers), and maintaining stock and inventory and accounting, leaves you not quite completely satisfied, then you're in the wrong business. Period. Retail is hard. Doesn't matter what you're selling: if you aren't good at it, absolutely committed, you stand no chance, whatever the field.

Technical retail is harder, because you can't find employees as easily. Think of all the times you've been to Radio Shack (assuming you've been at all -- just using it as an example), asked a salesdroid about a product, and been left mystified. Chemistry is harder still. I can just imagine a poorly educated conversation: "Sorry, we're all out of butanol, but we have something called butyllithium. The database says it has the same number of squigglies?" Salespeople offering substitutions (on the off chance you're out of something) requires a lot more education in this field. Can you substitute acetone for THF? For generic solvent use perhaps, but if it's metallorganic, good luck.

2. Regarding the lab part -- maybe you can hitch up with a nearby Makerspace? This is a good idea because you've got some filtering going on. You're not just another storefront to walk past, you'll have technical people nearby at all times. Makerspaces aren't focused on chemistry these days, but it might be worth a shot to try -- and if you can get a "thing" going (advertise that your makerspace now offers limited chemical facilities!), it might catch on elsewhere too, and then you need only ride the growth of that new market. You can easily make it directed towards makers already: if you're into education, you could do lectures on the chemicals used by the average maker (resins, lubricants, construction materials, you name it!), and offer them for sale in your shop. Not that you'd really be doing anything, you know, active and fundamental with those products -- just selling existing products, not the base chemicals, or making your own formulations, or whatever -- but you have to start somewhere, and it has to be useful, and that's a good way to start. It'll be more expensive, too, but if you show that you are beneficial, people will pay a premium for that as a service.

3. And it goes without saying, all employees will have to be paid well. If you require chemical engineers (or at least organic dropouts!), you've got to pay at least near a college salary (or hourly wage). And you've got to factor that into your overhead. First assume you pay all your employees and responsibilities (infrastructure, accounting, wages, and don't leave yourself out, you have to make money too!), and work backwards to a predicted sales rate and product pricing scheme. Advertise, do market research, see if you can secure some small industrial customers, maybe there are some who can't purchase the quantities, or do the imports, on certain chemicals -- so you become a distributor. Maybe those sales (which will dominate the balance sheets by quantity) can subsidize the small quantity sales (via internet or brick & mortar), or maybe the latter will necessarily be marked up to compensate.

I think a good example would be United Nuclear. If you can do what they do (maybe without the alien theme, but hey -- if you like, pick a theme, it's not a bad thing if it works!), and be competitive by price or regionally or whatever, then you're set.

4. Finally, there's always the inevitable question... what if it doesn't work!? Is your $100k truely disposable? Would you rather invest it in a retirement fund (or some other economic-growth-factor means) than spend it? What avenue benefits you and your potential interests (customers, investment partners, family -- anyone you wish to consider) the most? Might there be something else on, say, Kickstarter, which you are really impressed with and would actually rather give to? If you end up spending all that money, and starting the business, and you just can't keep it going, the numbers just aren't matching up, how much will you spend selling it off, or dismantling it, or going bankrupt?

Tim

phlogiston - 9-6-2013 at 14:14

Your rent-a-lab would perhaps work as a not-for-profit kind of hobby project, but not commercially. You say yourself you would not be interested in advertising it or growing the user-base. So, that doesn't sound like good investment for your 100k or loads of your time if you intend to get rich as you say in the topic start post. Its sounds like the chemical equivalent of a makerlab.

Selling chemicals: you would only serve local customers, but us mad-scientists are scattered widely. There are not many of us in any given area. (the few that live near to you will greatly appreciate it while it lasts though). You may be able to make a business out of selling unusual chemicals that have a wider applicability and offer a wide range of general chemicals (useful to amateur chemists) in addition. Don't try to stock everything. When customers order from you, immediately order it from another chemical supplier.

Quote:

But it seems all the ideas are taken

You can't be serious. You really believe nobody will -ever- come up with a totally new idea? Think harder. New succesful businesses open every day.

blogfast25 - 10-6-2013 at 04:58

Quote: Originally posted by phlogiston

You really believe nobody will -ever- come up with a totally new idea? Think harder. New succesful businesses open every day.

Totally new ideas are useless unless you can protect them legally. Anything new will otherwise be copied (and possibly better) by competition and be old news in under a year.

'Totally new' ideas aren't needed to get into business either. It's about far, far more than just being 'new'. How many new businesses are actually based on something 'new'?

phlogiston - 10-6-2013 at 06:14

I don't know if it is even possible to patent a business plan. He just needs a little idea for a small chemistry-related business. He doesn't seem to be looking to make major advancements in techology or science. So, indeed, It also doesn't need to be new. It is much better to copy a good idea properly than to work hard on an original but bad idea.

[Edited on 10-6-2013 by phlogiston]

papaya - 10-6-2013 at 09:05

"When my grandfather dies we will get $100,000"
Oh, really ? Even after he sees you talking that way ? Poor man..
"so we can be above the average population"
Seems you don't have anything to do in this 'average populated' forum, you seem to be too self confident and selfish despite your age, it seems you sold out last piece of your brains for money..

This is general chemistry forum BTW, and this is your second non-related thread here on the top, I wonder why this should not be at least moved somewhere else, or do you already feel yourself above-the-others?

[Edited on 10-6-2013 by papaya]

elementcollector1 - 10-6-2013 at 09:35

About this business idea - take a page from Elemental-Scientific. They do exactly what you're proposing, and get decent business. Is it enough to keep them afloat? Probably not. Do they work hard? Hell yes - it's a family business, they have 4 employees who do all of this and that's not nearly enough. Is it worth the hassle? Who knows.

Of course, you'd have to establish your reputation as a seller first - and this attitude is most certainly not going to improve your customer base. "Oh, my grandpa is going to die soon, so I get 100k - time to invest it in an extremely risky, short-term scheme instead of honoring the old man's memory." You even stated you show no empathy for him in your first post, as you "can't feel sorry for someone who had a heart attack at 50, if they still eat corn dogs every day at 82 years old". What would he think if he saw that post? Would he still want to give you $100k? I don't think so.

You need to learn how to be a better chemist, but you also need to learn how to be a better human being. Respect your elders, pride cometh before a fall, and all that.

Papaya's right - given the focus on where to put this theoretical 'store' that's not Texas, shouldn't this be in Legal and Societal Issues?

Oh, and about that 'jelly-bean dispenser' idea - it would be the best thing ever for us, but imagine how people would misuse it. The red P and iodine would be emptied every half hour, no matter how big you made the dispenser. I could see it working if you programmed it to dispense known quantities, e.g. 1g, 5g, 10g or even 1mol options, but you would also have to put in some kind of security, so it'd be more like an ATM than a jelly-bean dispenser.

blogfast25 - 10-6-2013 at 09:48

Quote: Originally posted by elementcollector1

About this business idea - take a page from Elemental-Scientific.

They do this 'rent-a-lab' thing? Well, rather them than me!

elementcollector1 - 10-6-2013 at 10:15

Wait, no. I meant the 'chemical dispensary' thing. Admittedly, the 'rent-a-lab' thing would be awesome, but I can already pop down to the high school and use their fume hood.

Aargh - such good ideas, so hard to implement correctly!

chemcam - 10-6-2013 at 10:19

Quote: Originally posted by blogfast25

Quote: Originally posted by elementcollector1

About this business idea - take a page from Elemental-Scientific.

They do this 'rent-a-lab' thing? Well, rather them than me!

Nobody is referring to the rent-a-lab.

But, you are completely misunderstanding my idea, the rent-a-lab would not be the sole purpose of the business plan nor would it even be a profitable area, what I am saying is if I started a lab either to synthesize compounds for profit or some mundane product I would like to allow fellow amateur chemists the opportunity to use the equipment for a small fee after they have been screened. Not daily, perhaps a weekend ordeal or possibly just monthly I don't know, this was only a thought not a proposition. I have no idea why you are so opposed to this, there are not enough details to be so critical.

Quote: Originally posted by elementcollector1

Wait, no. I meant the 'chemical dispensary' thing. Admittedly, the 'rent-a-lab' thing would be awesome, but I can already pop down to the high school and use their fume hood.

Aargh - such good ideas, so hard to implement correctly!

I am not talking about using a fume-hood every home chemists should have one of those already, this would be a well stocked laboratory full of expensive equipment that a simple high-school would not have. Equipment for analyzing compounds, GC-MS, maybe a rotovap, major equipment like so.

[Edited on 6-10-2013 by chemcam]

elementcollector1 - 10-6-2013 at 10:24

I didn't see the 'screening' part, and how would you even do that - what are the criteria? Also, do you ship the required equipment to them if they live across the country, or is this local-only?

I can see this working well, but implementation is going to be tough - there are plenty who would go out of their way to misuse/abuse the system.

chemcam - 10-6-2013 at 10:37

Quote: Originally posted by elementcollector1

I didn't see the 'screening' part, and how would you even do that - what are the criteria? Also, do you ship the required equipment to them if they live across the country, or is this local-only?

I can see this working well, but implementation is going to be tough - there are plenty who would go out of their way to misuse/abuse the system.

This was only meant to be a simple thought but I suppose ill take it further. It will be local only for the time being Washington/Oregon/Idaho area. No equipment leaves the lab but chemicals can be sold/traded but also logged. Photo ID required for registration. The only advertisement would be word-of-mouth and this forum. Anyone is allowed to apply but not all will gain entry.

I would screen by a general knowledge test focusing on safety and no charges related to manufacture of methamphetamine unless I think that the applicant has changed his/her ways. I believe in second chances for criminals but then the screening would be admittedly tougher for them.

Before allowed access you must sign a hold-harmless waiver, you are responsible for own actions, as in if you are injured there are no lawsuits or if you do something illegal it's your ass.

How would somebody abuse this? When the lab is open for use I would of course be there. I know what to look for in shady people.

Endimion17 - 10-6-2013 at 10:50

I actually wanted to throw in my two cents in this discussion, but blogfast25 explained it well enough.

elementcollector1 - 10-6-2013 at 11:02

Well, there's always thieves - you can't be looking at everyone all the time. I'd suggest a locked cabinet and lists of what equipment was alloted to each member - if they lose it, charge them what you paid for it.

chemcam - 10-6-2013 at 11:08

Quote: Originally posted by Endimion17

I actually wanted to throw in my two cents in this discussion, but blogfast25 explained it well enough.

I dont see how that helps this thread at all, what part are you even referring to? Some of what he said was based on misunderstanding and premature judgement.

Can you elaborate on which part you are agreeing with please.

Quote: Originally posted by elementcollector1

Well, there's always thieves - you can't be looking at everyone all the time. I'd suggest a locked cabinet and lists of what equipment was alloted to each member - if they lose it, charge them what you paid for it.

I really don't think there would be enough people in there at once to get away with stealing but yes a locked cabinet with a check out sheet is a great idea. They can't take anything with them so nothing could get lost until they build trust then I could allow renting of materials with of course a contract.

[Edited on 6-10-2013 by chemcam]

Endimion17 - 10-6-2013 at 11:16

Quote: Originally posted by chemcam

Certainly. This comment.
http://www.sciencemadness.org/talk/viewthread.php?tid=24574&...

InertGas - 10-6-2013 at 11:24

Leaving aside all the other questions and concerns expressed earlier, I wonder just how far $100,000 will get you these days in the world of commerce.

I know from personal experience that, if your bank account rarely gets into the four-figure realm, $100,000 can seem like an absolute fortune (possibly especially so if you're 14). But I've also had the experience of having had the equivalent of a couple times that amount in British Pounds Sterling, and seeing it dwindle away very quickly when trying to set up a business.

YouTube's NurdRage recently tried to crowd fund a new laboratory independent of his workplace. He was looking for Canadian $250,000 just to make films of his procedures, the breakdown being:

Quote:

A new laboratory requires around $250k minimum in funding. This may seem excessive at first but it's largely because such a laboratory must be located on industrially zoned land. A basement lab in someone's home is technically not a legal use of residential land. And because we’ll be ordering significant quantities of dangerous chemicals we cannot simply hope law enforcement doesn’t notice.

The money will go toward:

•Obtaining necessary permits and licenses for industrial activities (chemical transport permits, toxic waste disposal permits, etc.)
•Purchasing an industrial unit on properly zoned land (by far the biggest cost)
•Obtain insurance for said industrial activities
•Modifying the existing structure with extra ventilation for additional safety
•Installation of fume hoods
•Modifying existing plumbing to accommodate a laboratory setting
•Modifying existing electrical system for laboratory use
•Laboratory equipment and machinery (weigh scales, glassware, magnetic stir plates, vacuum pumps, etc.)
•Laboratory chemicals
•Digital filmmaking equipment (lights, cameras, computers, etc.)

Possibly NurdRage's figures are completely out of line with reality, but he strikes me as a rational, sensible sort who seems to have some experience of commercial realities.

blogfast25 - 10-6-2013 at 12:26

Quote: Originally posted by chemcam

Some of what he said was based on misunderstanding and premature judgement.

Please effoff, chemcam. You wrote something and I responded to it. It's a discussion forum. No misunderstanding here. Judgement? Here's a real judgement: you've got very long toes.

chemcam - 10-6-2013 at 12:55

Quote: Originally posted by blogfast25

Please effoff, chemcam. You wrote something and I responded to it. It's a discussion forum. No misunderstanding here. Judgement? Here's a real judgement: you've got very long toes.

Let me see if I can reword this to get it through your thick skull, I briefly mentioned an idea, one half sentence and you respond with "Your ‘rent-a-lab’ idea is fraught with problems." I gave NO details on how it would be ran, not one single detail, until much, much later. That is the definition of premature judgement. You didn't stop to ask anything about further explanations before automatically shutting down the idea.

You listed that I cannot build this lab in the city, nowhere did I say I would put it there or did I even ask. You add things based on your imagination and try to fill in the blanks. This is neanderthal behavior, but I said you misunderstood to be nice.

You tell me to "eff off" because I called you out ever so slightly but this whole topic was not meant for discussion, only an idea for the member cou. Because of your comments telling me it would never work I went on to give more details. Had you effed-off before you spoke negatively towards my brief idea of a rent-a-lab this whole thread would be much shorter.

"you've got very long toes" what does that even mean?
Keep your foot fetish private. That is disgusting.

[Edited on 6-10-2013 by chemcam]

plante1999 - 10-6-2013 at 13:37

Quote: Originally posted by chemcam

"you've got very long toes" what does that even mean?
Keep your foot fetish private. That is disgusting.

[Edited on 6-10-2013 by chemcam]

WTF.

I noticed that lately there is a lot of arguing on the board. It seams that many member insuld others for no much. I believe cou is the source of this, and I think we should stop taking thing too personally in cou's post.

[Edited on 10-6-2013 by plante1999]

chemcam - 10-6-2013 at 14:24

Plante, you quote my post like I was the one insulting. That is incorrect, read through everything please. I was in defense mode not offense.
(I didn't want to make new post, ok plante I understand.)

But Yes, I have noticed it to. I try to keep my arguments civil and never have I STARTED an insult post but I admit if it is directed towards me I do take it personal. I will not post again in this thread since it has become heated so if someone does want to discuss the rent-a-lab you may u2u me.

I am sorry to the people who are upset about this thread. Just all be aware that I defend my ideas and posts. I am always open to discuss the problems of my ideas but do it with respect.

[Edited on 6-10-2013 by chemcam]

plante1999 - 10-6-2013 at 14:31

Quote: Originally posted by chemcam

And by the way plante you highlight my post like I was the one insulting. That is incorrect, read through everything please. I was in defence mode not offence.

[Edited on 6-10-2013 by chemcam]

Generally, when I quote something, only the paragraph under it is related, the second paragraph is general remarks, or directed at someone else. In this case it was a general remark.

zenosx - 10-6-2013 at 19:55

I did not read this entire post as it is just TLDR, but, if you are going to invest 100K in a business, and a chemical supply business at that, you need to look at an industrial standpoint. Putting that much money into a business to cater to the private science crowd will probably fail just because of simple supply vs. demand. Yes I am sure meth makers will love to hit you up for Red P and other such chems, but that will no sustain you as you will be shut down shortly by lawmakers.

The next question is can you compete in an industrial sector chemical supply business?

Long and short of it is, you have a LOT to think about here and 100k in the grand scheme of things as far as opening an industrial size chemical supply company is NOT a lot of money.

I personally know that the land of about 1 acre in my VERY small 4 stop-light town cost over 275,000 dollars. Just for the LAND, that did not include building costs or taxes or any other amount of money.

If you want to take your 100k and make money from it I highly recommend you see an accountant and others that know about these things or otherwise you will very quickly be broke and thinking what the %@# did I do with my inheritance......

Think hard and long about this PLEASE>....
\
Just an FYI. I received over 50,000 from my dead brothers life insurance. Just living on it and paying bills, getting out of debt, getting a used car and having a very little amount of spending money = NO money in my bank account. 100k isn't as much money as it used to be and it will disappear faster than light I promise you....

My Advice... INVEST 1/2 of it, do NOT TOUCH it for years and years... take the other half, get a nice savings account, do NOT buy arbitrary junk. Get a decent (and I mean decent not a BMW) car.Then find a reasonable way to try and stretch the money as far as it will go.

From personal experience, and living VERY frugal (and I mean ramen noodles frugle), 50k only lasted me 4 years....

zenosx - 10-6-2013 at 19:59

FYI I just halfassed noticed the "rent-a-lab" postings.. In Oak Ridge TN where I live, you can in fact "rent a lab" with all of the amenities offered by any professional laboratory. I do not know the exact specifications of rental agreements but I have seen them advertised.

I would expect anyone with anything less than a doctorate and a good thesis to get lab space even paying the money however.....

blogfast25 - 12-6-2013 at 03:53

Quote: Originally posted by chemcam

Plante, you quote my post like I was the one insulting. That is incorrect, read through everything please. I was in defense mode not offense.
(I didn't want to make new post, ok plante I understand.)

You can come off your high horse now:

"Some of what he said was based on misunderstanding and premature judgement."

... was uncalled for. You floated an idea, I commented on it. If you don't want to be 'judged', then don't talk. I wasn't the only one who picked up on your idea.

Foot fetish? G-d, man, you're funny. 'Long toes' are easily stepped on. Geddit now?

chemcam - 12-6-2013 at 09:58

Quote: Originally posted by blogfast25

Foot fetish? G-d, man, you're funny. 'Long toes' are easily stepped on. Geddit now?

Oh Haha, yes I understand now. For some reason I could not figure out what you meant for the life of me. I've just had a shitty few days, didn't mean to take it out on you.