New LQ Merchandise Store
 

I'm happy to announce that LQ is rolling out a new merchandise store. This allows you to purchase some great LQ and Linux related gear while helping LQ at the same time. Visit the new LQ Merchandise store now and let us know what you think.

--jeremy

Mostly awesome.

But seriously, a dog t-shirt!?

Have you lost your collective minds?

Or is it that you submitted the logo to zazzle and they just print it on everything?

That was actually one of the best selling items in the old LQ Merchandise Store.

--jeremy

Seriously?

ROFLMAO

I guess it's a culture thing.
Dressing one's dog up is seen as deeply creepy where I come from.

Four bucks for a bumper sticker? $17 for a baseball cap?!....and how much is the shipping? [Hint- make shipping charges visible near the merchandise price]

I'd rather just donate a few bucks......

Don't mean to be rude- just giving my honest opinion, but this stuff looks mediocre at best.....the prices are high and without knowing how much the shipping is, I just hit the back button...... (Although my dogs would look awfully cute in matching doggie shirts! -Getting them to wear them might be another story though!- My dogs tend not to wear clothes :D)

Unfortunately, that is an effect of the one-off manufacturing process with services like Zazzle. If you are making 100K+ keychains, the price comes down to a dollar or two each. But if you are making them one at a time, the manufacturing costs are monstrous. Personally, I would agree with you. I would much rather donate some money, get a domain through LQ Consulting, or anything else that would put more cashflow into LQ.

If we still want to be selling merchandise, I would suggest deciding on a t-shirt design everyone likes and putting a thousand or so into production to bring the cost down and just sell that. People are more likely to buy one reasonably priced item than sift through a bunch of expensive ones, and the profit margins should be better, which is what this is really all about to begin with.

Well-said!

In addition to that, I'd say maybe offer (directly- not through a third party) an item or two that is not emblazened with logos/slogans- except perhaps in a very discreet way (Like maybe a polo shirt with Tux or the LQ logo where the fox or alligator might be), because, personally, I don't wear clothing of any kind with screened logos/graphics/slogans(etc.) on them, as I think they are in poor taste and trashy-looking. (Whereas something discreet, like a small Tux on the pocket of a polo shirt would be a different story)- and considering that most of the people here are geeks (or so they tell me) I'd imagine that the appeal of the current stuff would be very limited- likely only being of interest to teenagers (of which I'm sure there are a few here).

Just put up a PayEnemy...err...I mean PayPal logo (or Google Checkout...or both) on the main page with a "donate to LQ", and I'll bet you'd take in a lot more money than trying to sell this stuff. I could see even the most frugal of us kicking in $5 from time to time...and I'm sure some would gladly give $10 or $50..... I'd rather just do that, than buy some overpriced merchandise of which you probably only end up getting $1 out of.

And the trouble with all this third-party merchandise is: It all looks the same- The same hats and keychains and mugs....only the logo/name is changed for the particular client who is offering it. If you want to sell something, find something unique and tasteful (or two or three things) and offer them directly.

Not trying to be overly critical- just trying to give an honest and constructive critique- which I hope is what they want.

Hey! How about an LQ pocket protector?! Now there's something that would sell to computer geeks!!!!!

Actually, it's really about offering LQ gear to people who want it at a reasonable price in a reasonable timeframe. Making money for LQ is a very distant second (and we make very little to keep costs to buyers as low as possible). As we're not in the business of selling goods, what you propose makes little sense when you think about it. Who is going to put the money up front? Where is the inventory going to be stored? Who's going to do the shipping and billing? What about unsold inventory, returns and the other myriad issues involved with doing retail?

--jeremy

FWIW, there is a donate link on every page of the site. Not that we mind, but we get very few donations. The idea here is that some people *want* LQ gear (you may actually be surprised about how many inquiries we get about it).

As always, feedback is welcome.

--jeremy

It is indeed difficult to believe anyone would actually want to spend so much money on these trinkets if it wasn't just to support LQ. But I suppose wonders never cease.

I wonder if a disclaimer at checkout explaining that a direct donation is a vastly more efficient way to support LQ wouldn't dramatically change the ratio of Zazzle purchases to donations?

Good idea except prices a little too high while still in recession.

Lower prices + increased volume = more revenue.

Also, perhaps some other products could be sold as well. PC parts? Buy in volume, sell cheap, make revenue.

This is a great org. Some of my questions cannot be answered at openSUSE.

No baby stuff?

It would be nice to see the cost in Euro as well.

There are indeed baby items in the store. Click on the design you'd like, and then "Baby" on the right hand side.

--jeremy

Ah... Thanks.
Ordering right now :)

PS: The whole price seems reasonable to me.

@ Suggestion
 

Hi Jeremy,

It will be great to see if we have some pens & watches in the collection. I mean it will really look good to have a pen & watch with Linux Questions written on it with small penguins :-). No need to mention that I am crazy about collecting pens and watches.

Also in watch if we can have Linux question written on the dial and penguin rotating around showing seconds will look awesome.