I want business advice or help, please.
The deal is that I make aftermarket saw parts, specifically felling spikes. I want access to saws to make new parts. I want to test fit and function and make sure parts look good and fit correctly. I don't want to have to buy a new saw for every new product. I do NOT need to run the saw to test fit the parts, however I prefer to have a saw in my hands for several weeks for fine tuning the part fit and for taking photographs of the finished product.
Here is what I imagine as my options. Please advise or give tips.
1) Buy a new saw for every project, then re-sell the saw. This is an expensive and losing proposition.
2) Get access to new saws at a dealer for fit test. This does not really work, either, because saws could be scratched or otherwise damaged which makes dealers squeamish.
3) Buy a used saw for every project. This may be doable but somewhat of a hassle. Time and money is spent buying then re-selling the saw. A possible solution, however.
4) Find local users of the saw I want, then work with the owner. Maybe pay them a fee for use of the saw for a few weeks. It is hard to gain that trust and assure the user the saw won't be run or damaged.
What is the best solution?
How have other companies done this? I don't simply copy the OEM design but start from scratch for what I think would work best, so simply copying OEM shape won't cut the mustard.
Thanks
The deal is that I make aftermarket saw parts, specifically felling spikes. I want access to saws to make new parts. I want to test fit and function and make sure parts look good and fit correctly. I don't want to have to buy a new saw for every new product. I do NOT need to run the saw to test fit the parts, however I prefer to have a saw in my hands for several weeks for fine tuning the part fit and for taking photographs of the finished product.
Here is what I imagine as my options. Please advise or give tips.
1) Buy a new saw for every project, then re-sell the saw. This is an expensive and losing proposition.
2) Get access to new saws at a dealer for fit test. This does not really work, either, because saws could be scratched or otherwise damaged which makes dealers squeamish.
3) Buy a used saw for every project. This may be doable but somewhat of a hassle. Time and money is spent buying then re-selling the saw. A possible solution, however.
4) Find local users of the saw I want, then work with the owner. Maybe pay them a fee for use of the saw for a few weeks. It is hard to gain that trust and assure the user the saw won't be run or damaged.
What is the best solution?
How have other companies done this? I don't simply copy the OEM design but start from scratch for what I think would work best, so simply copying OEM shape won't cut the mustard.
Thanks