13 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
13 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

Was it really wrong to be the middle guy?

by Chris Q Banned
10 replies
Hello guys,

I just wanna share something that I am doing for the past few weeks. I've parted ways with my long term client who paid me around $500-$800 a month due to his lack of communication and having no interest with me anymore through GTalk. So what I did was taking action to find alternative ways to make quick money in order to pay my own monthly bills...so I'm thinking about being the middle guy.

I've tried and tested different gigs here on Warrior Forum and Fiverr and I sell the same gig to Digital Point Forums, Wicked Fire and other related forums at a higher price. I've sold numerous services which I charge $33 compared to my gig provider here on Warrior Forum that charges only $26, so I earn $7 profit per order.

In those forums I've posted, they gave me good feedback about the service and I have an average of 2-3 sales daily being the middle guy and I do deliver great value to their reports fast. But the thing is, what if the service provider or existing clients finally figures it out that me and the outsourcer are selling the same service? Was it really wrong to be the middle guy? Is this really a legal and legitimate way to make extra emergency cash?

I'm not yet sure if I continue with this. This is just an extra or emergency money for me to cope up with my bills....and I'm now planning to experiment unique ways to make money with affiliate products.

I need your opinions here. Thanks!

Jeff
#guy #middle #wrong
  • Profile picture of the author estreet
    Banned
    [DELETED]
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4831290].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Coptech
      You do not have to worry as your business sounds very legit. A lot of businesses in the world are run like they are the middle man. There is nothing wrong with playing the part to match service providers with those that requires a service and in the process increased the price for it.

      An example of this takes place in a distributive firm, e.g. uniliver. They buy from producers at a fairly cheap price and then sell their products to consumer at margins you would even think was fair. But that is business and so go right ahead carrying out your business!

      =)
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4831310].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author twistedpixel
        You might call it the "supply chain"

        From product developer to manufacturer to wholesaler to retailer. The web can cut out much of the middle, but that how it's been done for centuries.

        Consider the title of "value-added reseller", add enough additional value and even if your clients were to discover your supplier, they will most likely stay due to the added-value you provide. (think better reporting, additional service on top of your supplier, etc)

        i.e. Differentiate, develop your USP
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4831367].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author Chris Q
          Banned
          Originally Posted by twistedpixel View Post

          You might call it the "supply chain"

          From product developer to manufacturer to wholesaler to retailer. The web can cut out much of the middle, but that how it's been done for centuries.

          Consider the title of "value-added reseller", add enough additional value and even if your clients were to discover your supplier, they will most likely stay due to the added-value you provide. (think better reporting, additional service on top of your supplier, etc)

          i.e. Differentiate, develop your USP
          Yes I'm thinking about that, adding an additional service. But still I might find the right "someone" who can outsource it too....or I can combine multiple gigs into one right instead of only one service that I focused?

          Oh btw..what's USP?
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4831389].message }}
          • Profile picture of the author twistedpixel
            My main point was to make it unique enough so you have no competitors..whether you outsource or fulfill the service or product yourself is not important except to timely fulfillment and quality of service.

            It's basically a "Blue Ocean Strategy" if you are familiar...

            Blue Ocean Strategy


            Originally Posted by lamposproject View Post

            Oh btw..what's USP?
            Wikipedia says it best...

            Unique selling proposition - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
            {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4831424].message }}
            • Profile picture of the author Chris Q
              Banned
              Gee thanks! I think I know what to do now. At least I know this method is really legitimate after all.

              Just doing business....thanks!

              Jeff

              Originally Posted by twistedpixel View Post

              My main point was to make it unique enough so you have no competitors..whether you outsource or fulfill the service or product yourself is not important except to timely fulfillment and quality of service.

              It's basically a "Blue Ocean Strategy" if you are familiar...

              Blue Ocean Strategy




              Wikipedia says it best...

              Unique selling proposition - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
              {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4831464].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
    Banned
    There's nothing unethical about being the middle man. It's called arbitrage and it's done a lot.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4831839].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author pennington33
    keep doing what your doing. Nothing wrong at all being the middle man long as it is legal.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4834638].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author CDarklock
    Originally Posted by lamposproject View Post

    I'm thinking about being the middle guy.
    This is called "arbitrage."

    Now you can sound all smart when you talk about what you do.
    Signature
    "The Golden Town is the Golden Town no longer. They have sold their pillars for brass and their temples for money, they have made coins out of their golden doors. It is become a dark town full of trouble, there is no ease in its streets, beauty has left it and the old songs are gone." - Lord Dunsany, The Messengers
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4834680].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author CheapTrafficDude
    Nothing illegal about unless it is clearly stated on the website and I know some companies won't allow it so make sure you cover your own butt buddy. In the IM world tho, vendors (or whatever) won't worry about it if you making a buck from their service as you are essentially an affiliate WHILE increasing the value of their service; seeming you are charging more for the same service, this gives them ground to bump up (or reduce) prices.

    If you want to be 100% sure and not get any nasty surprises, you might want to contact the product or service provider to see if you're not breaking any of their rules. Last thing you want is having to spend tons of cash defending yourself in court because you failed to exercise proper duty of care which could result in tons of cash in punitive damages and lawyer fees.

    Take care and all the best
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4835247].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Chris Q
      Banned
      Originally Posted by CheapTrafficDude View Post

      Nothing illegal about unless it is clearly stated on the website and I know some companies won't allow it so make sure you cover your own butt buddy. In the IM world tho, vendors (or whatever) won't worry about it if you making a buck from their service as you are essentially an affiliate WHILE increasing the value of their service; seeming you are charging more for the same service, this gives them ground to bump up (or reduce) prices.

      If you want to be 100% sure and not get any nasty surprises, you might want to contact the product or service provider to see if you're not breaking any of their rules. Last thing you want is having to spend tons of cash defending yourself in court because you failed to exercise proper duty of care which could result in tons of cash in punitive damages and lawyer fees.

      Take care and all the best
      Mostly I'm reselling Warrior Forum gigs here because these guys are top-notch and provides great value to their customers. I resell Warrior Forum gigs that were related to contextual backlinks, SEO, etc. to Digital Point Forums, Wicked Fire and Backlinks Forum.

      UPDATE: Someone asks that if I am the same webmaster of the service I posted, what should I do? Shall I reveal myself as a reseller, broker, middleman or what?
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4835710].message }}

Trending Topics