Question

Topic: Research/Metrics

Marketing A Discontinued Product... Read On

Posted by Anonymous on 1/27/2005 at 12:02 AM ET 125 Points
Hello, I have been using a product for some years now. Now, I have found another use thats works great and I would like to market it for this other new found use. The company has recently discontinued this product... due to improvement which is now not good for my newly discovered use....yikes. Any advice on how I should go about doing this? Is it possible to resell the same product under a different name? Do I have the product broken down and remade? Or, do I see if the company will make it for me? I am lost in this dilema... can anyone help with answers or insight areas for me to research.
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RESPONSES

  • Posted by Chris Blackman on 1/27/2005 at 12:18 AM Accepted
    Have you contacted the manufacturer to see if they have stocks of the newly superseded product they might want to clear out at a bargain price?

    Maybe you can get all you need that way and lower your input costs.

    If there's no stock left, will they make the old product especially for you?

    Or does your use erode their sales/margin/integrity in any way?

    Perhaps they changed the product to stop you and/or thers from using the product for the "other new found use". Any reason why they would want to do that?

    Can you cast a bit more light on this vague and mysterious question?

    Thanks

    ChrisB

  • Posted by Peter (henna gaijin) on 1/27/2005 at 12:20 AM Accepted
    If I understand correctly, you are separate from the company that manufactures it?

    If so, is it protected by patents, trademarks, etc? If it is, then you probably can only do something with the company's involvement/ok.

    If it is not protected (such as if it is a commodity or similar), then you could either work with the current manufacturer (if they will) or find a new manufacturer to manufacture a comparable product (though things like product name and such would have to change).
  • Posted by Chris Blackman on 1/27/2005 at 12:21 AM Member
    On the last part of yr Q...

    Is the product protected in any way, i.e. patent, registered design, cpyright?

    If so then you cannot make a copy without fear of possible litigation by the original manufacturer.

    Check it out before you commit expenditure to the project.

    ChrisB
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