What do you wish you could buy in the Gulch Marketplace?

Posted by BrettRocketSci 10 years ago to Business
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There is a popular sentiment here in the online Gulch (and one I share) that life would be much better if we could conduct business only with those who share our values, and avoid those who act against them. I love the fact that the owners of this community created the marketplace. Moving Objectivism from the pages of a book into daily life requires that we integrate it into our work, our family, and our actions. "Put your money where your philosophy is," to paraphrase the popular cliche.
So, what do you wish you could purchase here in the marketplace? Even better, what have you gone into the marketplace specifically to find and purchase, but came up empty? We need to be more conscious, consistent, and purposeful in putting our values into practice. Help yourself and the entrepreneurs among us by telling us what you want or need to purchase from fellow Objectivists! Thanks!


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  • Posted by cranedragon 10 years ago
    If Animal wants Kate Beckinsale, then please put Chris Hemsworth on the menu as well. {{grin}}

    But with a bit more seriousness, I would like to see a marketplace that connects us locally, and not just virtually, to people who share our values, so that we can trade in person with likeminded people -- auto mechanics, doctors, dentists, food producers to farmer's markets, tech support, the works.
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    • Posted by term2 10 years ago
      Yes, we need an Angie's list type of thing for local labor, medical, dental, etc. Why help the looters that abound when we can support the people who value freedom. Kind of like whats in ALONGSIDE NIGHT, the book.
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    • Posted by khalling 10 years ago
      Crane, you can suggest a meet up with gulchers in your neck of the woods. Have you utilized that feature yet?
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      • Posted by cranedragon 10 years ago
        We do have an Objectivist meetup in Austin -- we get together weekly for discussions and to read through the books. And of course Tara Smith is here, and her partner Ann Ciccolella is the artistic director of Austin Shakespeare and they did "Anthem" a couple of seasons ago.

        Given that Austin is the blue eye in the red heart of Texas, there are still a fair number of us around, and there's been an Objectivist presence here for a long time -- Yaron Brook got his advanced degrees at UT Austin and we see him down here from time to time.
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  • Posted by $ puzzlelady 10 years ago
    I would purchase bath towels; home-made jam (strawberry and raspberry preferred); whipped natural honey; good quality acrylic sheets in cool colors (3/16" thick); solar panels for the roof; repairing my driveway. There now. How's that for a practical list?
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    • Posted by 10 years ago
      Thanks for your answer! Let's continue please. Would you be willing to buy any of these products online? Local repairs and services are a different matter, I realize.
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      • Posted by $ puzzlelady 10 years ago
        Most of my shopping these days I do online. I have few needs. I don't care to get mauled by mobs in malls. Amazon can usually find even my most elusive things, like brands and styles not easily found in stores. Toothpaste, even. Sandals. Those oft-mentioned Belgian chocolates. Shirts, leggings. Gift copies of Atlas Shrugged (with large type). A small shelving unit of precise size. You can get anything you want in Amazon's restaurant... or online emporium.

        Even repair and services can be found online. Most businesses now have a Web presence. For most of my needs I already have people I've dealt with for many years. It's dreadfully annoying when any of them decide to retire or go out of business.

        I tend to be one of those "loyal" customers who is a horror to cold-call salesmen who try to get me to switch to a new service. Of course, to win my loyalty took good quality, fair prices, and integrity. The same as what I offer.
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        • Posted by 10 years ago
          Ok, thanks for that info and perspective! If you paid the same price on Amazon, but knew that a small percentage (say 2%) was going to a fellow Objectivist, would you be happy to start your purchase through their website instead?
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          • Posted by $ puzzlelady 10 years ago
            Yes, I do in fact take part in Amazon's "Smile" program where a percentage of my purchase price goes to a selected beneficiary. These are not purhases I could have made from that beneficiary. If possible, I'd rather buy direct.
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  • Posted by Protagonist_007 10 years ago
    V-neck shirts with quotes, easier to spread the word. Maybe a calendar with quotes from Ayn, or have an Atlas Shrugged calendar specifically, and screensavers, even a game. How to build finances, do you leave your job, give to the poor, let the government take it all, fight back (kind of like monopoly with the chance and community chest)... Make a game for kids to learn about responsibility...Hah! just dreaming
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  • Posted by strugatsky 10 years ago
    The Gulch has a feature of indicating approximate distance of members. Can it be expanded with either more precise locations or groupings of who's available in a particular area? I don't know if a radius is the best measure; perhaps a geographic/political area (or both). Members can then contact each other and do business.
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    • Posted by 10 years ago
      Nice feature request, thanks for your suggestion. I'm not in charge with changes but I would bet that a larger critical mass of Producers (paying the fees) would motivate and enable the team to invest more in that part of the website!
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    • Posted by khalling 10 years ago
      strug, I think the feature works pretty nifty. The problem is few have used it. When you suggest a meetup or swap or whatever, it still is broadcast to the entire gulch-it will just send alert emails to people within a certain radius of where you decide to choose. You can search by grouping. Put in your zipcode and a list of Gulchers will show up. PM the ones you want if you really want to get serious. :)
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  • Posted by Herb7734 10 years ago
    How about some Objectivist jewelry? Dollar sign pendants, rings, earrings, etc. As to an island, I would suggest a casino at one end, a high wall down the middle for the residents. The casino could fund the island leaving the question of taxation moot. Also, increase the odds in the gambler's favor by 1% more than Las Vegas and they'll flock to you in droves
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  • Posted by $ jbrenner 10 years ago
    I know that this thread is about what we would like to see in the Gulch Marketplace, but I am going to change things up just a little and ask whether anyone be interested in taking a class on any of the following during an online summer course:

    Nanotechnology, Biomaterials & Tissue Engineering, or Petroleum Refining?
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  • Posted by brando79az 10 years ago
    I'm the customer that looks for services on my block, then my zip-code... state... country etc. But if the product is quality and the cause is just I will definitely purchase elsewhere.
    I digress,
    An eBay or Amazon Marketplace directory would be helpful. I would be interested in any non-perishable consumables. Also, I collect blu-rays and books. A directory would help me locate and follow Gulch members
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    • Posted by 10 years ago
      Thanks for sharing your shopping practice, Brando! I'll ask you a similar question as another Amazon shopper--if you paid the same price as going to Amazon directly, but instead knew that a small percentage of the sale was going to a fellow Objectvist (say 2%), would you be willng and happy to start at their website instead? Maybe if all of your favorite items were listed conveniently on one page?
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      • Posted by brando79az 10 years ago
        Well, that's why I said "if the cause is just." Yes, if the cause is just, that earns consideration.
        Also, I'm glad you mentioned "listed conveniently" not only is Amazon competitive, it is also convenient. The search is convenient, the product and seller ratings (very important to me) are convenient and the shipping is convenient. Also, I have been known to shop Amazon or eBay and then use their listings to find indie sellers and go directly to their websites to cut out the middle. Especially with eBay, it is easy to follow sellers so if eBay sellers were listed in a Gulch directory, I could follow their eBay listings and look to them first. That way, even if I am not using the Gulchs' marketplace I would still support objectivists.
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