I've run into a problem with my small business idea

[Droopy]

The plan was to buy a 15 passenger van and on the weekends load people up and drive them to the casino 60 miles down the road. I would pick them up and drop them off at their homes. The idea being that you could go to the casino and party down and not have to worry about getting home. It would be a lot cheaper than staying in the casino hotel or hiring a taxi, and you wouldn't have to worry about getting a DUI.

The problem is with the picking up and dropping off at home part of the idea. I just figured up how much time that would probably take yesterday. At 20 minutes per person it would take almost 3.5 hours to pick up 10 people. Then you have an hour drive to the casino. I don't think that would fly.

So what might a solution to my problem be? Could I just advertise that I'm available for group outings on the weekends? I could pick everyone up for the casino idea at a meet-up point, but that would sort of defeat the purpose of having a ride to begin with.

[Tripper11]

1. Do you know who you would be picking up yet?

I ask because, if there are groups that live in same areas, you could create a "bus stop" where 2,3 or 4 would gather and then you could cut down your pick up and drop off's.
I realize that they would still need to get to their repsective homes, but it's a start?

[Droopy]

2. No I don't

But I did think of something similar to your idea. I could just work in my hometown, which is pretty small, instead of the greater Dayton, Ohio area. That would cut down a bunch on time spent picking up and dropping off, but I'm not sure if I would have a steady supply of customers.

It would be awesome if I could find customers now and have the same people every weekend, but I don't think that would happen.

[hippywife]

3. Contact some retirement centers.

Talk to their Activities Director. Ask if they have active, independent seniors who would be interested in the trip. Also offer to work with the director on some other types of trips where the seniors would pay their own way for the transportation. Most places will have their own transportation for scheduled trips like shopping and dinners out but some may not be able afford to have someone on staff to take them to evening entertainments like plays, musicals, etc. See if there is enough interest in excursions to some attractions that are nearby but may take an hour's drive or so, like museums in Cinci or something.

[Droopy]

4. Thanks

There are a couple of those retirement communities and a rest home nearby. I'll have to give them a call and see if there would be any kind of demand for such a service. I know some of those folks in those places would probably be happy just to get out of the house for a while.

[hippywife]

9. I would approach them

with a few suggestions for excursions rather than just the casino. Make it just one of your suggestions. Good luck! :hi:

[Chan790]

5. Another idea of the same vein...

fraternities/sororities/other college groups. Usually you have to just contact the Student Activities office, they'll advertise for you.

They usually rent vans to their students for use for activities, but having work-studied in that office, I can tell you that they're never really comfortable with longer trips or those in which alcohol might end up being involved, evn if all promises have been made that nobody will drink. They also don't supply the driver, the van is driven by the renting student...you offer a solid alternative transport where they don't have to worry about their liability if they rent the van to some student group, the student driver gets shitfaced, and kills 20 people. This very thing happens often enough that universities pay exorbitant insurance on student access vehicles because of it. It helps both ways: you get customers, they get to claim mitigation of liability which will reduce their premiums.

[Droopy]

7. Thanks Chan. I hadn't thought of colleges

Now that seems like a possibly big market. There are several colleges around here including a large state school.

[khashka]

6. My 2 cents

Pick them up at a certain place at a certain time. As a group. Reduces wear and tear on your car and you use less gas (and at current prices!).

It's a good idea. But your first plan, well, your costs will be more than your profits. You'll end up losing money rather than making it.

Khash.

[Droopy]

8. I thought about that khashka

But I think that would sour one of my selling points. The idea that you could get hammered at the casino and not worry about getting home. If they were to meet in a certain place, they would still likely have a short drive home.

Now we're just talking about the casino idea. I think for other group outings that don't invlove alcohol your idea would be optimal.

[khashka]

10. You are right

getting a bunch of drunk people or even slightly tipsy to show up at the same time in the same place is unworkable. And trying to get a gambler from the table when he's on a hot streak requires at least four big strong men.

But someone mentioned retirement communities - a very good idea. If they were serious drunks they wouldn't have lived that long, and on fixed incomes they can't be major gamblers either.

Also.... feel out your market.

Khash.