Printer-Ink Pooling đź–¨
People overpay for ink. You bulk-buy cartridges for common models, store them, and ship or deliver refills as needed.
Concept
People overpay for ink. You bulk-buy cartridges for common models, store them, and ship or deliver refills as needed. It’s like a neighborhood Costco for ink.
Micro‑Capex Stack
- $500 for high-turn ink stock (HP, Canon, Epson)
- Free Airtable inventory tracker
- WhatsApp group or email list to manage orders
48‑Hour Validation
- Run a Reddit poll in r/frugal or r/smallbusiness: “What’s your monthly ink spend?”
- Offer a beta refill service to the 10 most frustrated respondents.
- If 5 convert, start building the pool.
Service Flow
- Subscribers pay $15–$25/month for swap service or per‑refill fee.
- You schedule drop-offs or mail outs.
- Track model types and usage to optimize inventory.
Scale Plays
- Partner with schools, libraries, small offices.
- Offer same-day refill delivery for $10 surcharge.
- Add recycling: pay $1 for each used cartridge returned.
Pitfalls to Dodge
- Compatibility chaos—track printer models precisely.
- Upfront cash strain—start narrow, expand slow.
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