So, being a relatively tech-savvy person geek and a child of the 80's and 90's, I remember seeing those ads on TV where you could call a number, order something, pay “just three easy installments of $19.95 plus shipping and handling” and have it in “four to six weeks”. Now, this being the 21st century and all, I'm quite used to clicking on a web page and having the thing I want ship the same day, or the next day at the latest.
So, periodically I still see things for sale on TV. Time-Life selling a random magazine, some phoney mint selling some phoney coins (no offense meant to those of you who collect these types of things), and they still take “four to six weeks” for delivery. What gives? Did these companies completely miss out on the technological advances of the 90's that is supply chain management? Are they holding out for “the next big thing” — teleportation of goods?
I need to write up a business plan to start a company that markets stuff on TV; then I could staff the call center with people Customer Service Engineers just clicking their way through Amazon and promise to have stuff delivered within days.
Phase 1: Sell stuff on TV
Phase 2: …
Phase 3: Profit!