Cashing In On the Swine Flu

Yep, it's about that time. I figured I should test the waters of this breath-takingly-fast growing niche. Ever since the WHO raised the pandemic alert level to five, people in my state (Arkansas) are discussing it.

I thought, hey, might as well cash in, right? I'm currently selling surgical masks (N95).

Supplier

I have a private source which allows me to purchase N95 masks (the only ones that can actually protect you). I can get 200 masks for $25.00 USD.

Campaign Statistics

I'm selling each mask at $5.00/mask (yeah, I know, raping the price).

I have a large easily-mobile stand that I use. I have it decreated with pictures of people wearing masks and on the top part I have:

"The N95 Respiratorical Face Mask" "Are You Prepared?"

And on the bottom I have:

"Surgical masks help stop droplets from spreading, but respirators are designed to filter small particles. If used correctly, respirators are more likely to reduce flu risk, - CDC".

"Mere Masks Are Useless -Get A Respirator"

Results

I've been doing this for two days thus far and these are the results:

First Day
I sold 250 masks at $5.00/mask

Supplies = -$26.25 USD
Gross = $1,250 USD
Net = $1,223.75 USD

Second Day (I switched towns)
I sold 383 masks at $5.00/mask

Supplies = -$47.50 USD
Gross = $1,915 USD
Net = $1,867.50 USD

The reason I was able to sell so many is that people don't just buy one for themselfs they also snag a lot for their family. So I get like eight sales off of one person.

Also, they don't seem to be wearing the masks, they just want them in case the problem gets severe enough.

P.S.
It helps if you wear one why you're selling them.

P.S.S.
It's going to suck ass if I catch the swine flu.

You serious???????? You made that much???
How long were you out there each day?

I've been trying to come up with a good way to monetize this opportunity, but haven't been able to get my hands on any good suppliers IRL who haven't already gotten wiped out. I'd love to buy some masks from you if you'd be interested in selling. Just shoot me a PM if you're interested.

Yeah, I just need to switch towns every day.

I also switch streets pretty often.

shade said:

Yeah, I just need to switch towns every day.

I also switch streets pretty often.

Click to expand...

You must've been out there all day though huh

jehnidiah said:

I've been trying to come up with a good way to monetize this opportunity, but haven't been able to get my hands on any good suppliers IRL who haven't already gotten wiped out. I'd love to buy some masks from you if you'd be interested in selling. Just shoot me a PM if you're interested.

Click to expand...

Sorry, it's a private source. Although... Ask around hospitals (*hint *hint)

professional20 said:

You must've been out there all day though huh

Click to expand...

Yeah, it was pretty much an all day thing.

shade said:

Yeah, it was pretty much an all day thing.

Click to expand...

Still pretty good for Thousand dollar profits. Congrats on that find man. I'd do that here but im in NYC and its not really that big of a deal here....atleast "yet".

Wow, NYC is huge! I bet I could seriously rack up there.

shade said:

Wow, NYC is huge! I bet I could seriously rack up there.

Click to expand...

Yeah thats what im saying! I luv marketing offline here. People take/buy whatever the hell you have lol.

Mind sharing ur source?

Print up business cards with your site on there, when they get home, they'll check out your site, make more money off of them..that's traffic who's willing to spend.

have a 'flu kit' they can buy, site with ads for insurance..

@tygoldberg,

No, selling these kinds of things seems to work better in an 'in your face' kind of tactic.

shade said:

Yeah, I just need to switch towns every day.

I also switch streets pretty often.

Click to expand...

Were you just selling these on a street corner, or near a shopping center, or where?

Shit, my town barley has that many people

Are you thinking to promote your sales online> If so, I can set up the adwords campaigns for you, and we can easily make bank on this hot keyword

Can imagine how well this works. Thought of doing something like this the other day. Just been too busy to put something together yet.

To the person that asked,

Near shopping centers.

I may actually have to go do this. I found a wholesale medical supplier where I can get the masks cheaply and there have been many more confirmed cases.

Can anyone show me a good (cheap) wholesale place to buy these? Preferable one that accepts paypal?

cheers