One of the most difficult things about this venture is being able to make a good margin off the checklist.  In order to effectively do this I will need the suppliers of all the items to provide them at a relatively low price.  On the surface this may not seem like a smart idea to them but I think after some persuasion this can be done.  The biggest reason that I think suppliers would be willing to provide items at a relatively low cost is because of the convenience of my website to end users.  If there is a website that centralizes the entire move in process and easily allows incoming freshmen to choose through a variety of brands, these companies will want their products on the website.  Users are much more likely to choose certain brands and items on the simplified website rather than shopping online at ten different websites looking for certain items.

On the other hand in order for me to make a decent margin I won't have to charge extremely high markups.  I think if the website does well and companies see thats its attracting customers, they will provide these items at a low enough cost where I only need to mark it up slightly.  By providing not only low to medium range prices but also the convenience factor this venture has ability to attract lots of customers and get companies highly involved and motivated to participate.  

After writing my last post, I began to think more about the segment and how many freshmen actually use websites that provide move in checklists to help break down and plan their move.  Because this type of information is not readily available on the internet, I decided to utilize my teammates and sent out a survey to my team's email listserv.  On the survey I inquired upon four different multiple choice questions:
             1.  Yes, I used an online checklist to plan my college move
             2.  No, I did not use an online checklist to plan my college move
             3.  I used a checklist to plan my college move but it was not online
             4.  I did not use any checklists to plan my  college move

In the end over 40 people responded to my survey with 48% answering that they used an online checklist to plan their college move and 24% saying they used a checklist that wasn't online.  These numbers definitely confirmed my hypothesis that the demand for move in checklists are there.  They make the entire process much easier.

I believe that in order for this type of website to succeed it has to have a very simple interface and be very user friendly.  It would be incredibly easy for new entrants to come in and copy this idea.  In order to stand out from competitors, the website would have to be the easiest to use.  Customers don't want to have to use difficult and complex websites that are confusing to navigate.  Simplicity is key.  Being able to create a website that provides easy access to checklists and different brands of items all while having a simplistic interface has the ability to really stand apart from competitors.

Although after doing quite a bit of research, there don't seem to be any websites or companies that combine both buying necessary college items and moving them into dorm rooms, the greatest competitor for my new venture is when Universities partner with companies like Bed, Bath and Beyond.  I can certainly speak to this firsthand.  When I was an incoming freshmen, knowing that UPenn partnered with BBB, I felt more comfortable buying my items from them and believed that not only was I getting a very good bang for my buck but that I was also getting all the items that I would need.  New college students may feel uncomfortable buying specific dorm room items that UPenn does not partner with.   

In addition, there are also countless "college check list sites" that provide students with necessary information and items that they will need for their first year.  While these sites are quite useful, my venture intends to not only provide this option but also the option to directly buy items from various websites in the check list.  For example, if you know that you need a microwave, instead of just checking it off the list, there will be the option to directly buy it as well from all different companies.  

The biggest competitor with moving the items into dorm room's would be the actual universities. UPenn and many schools across the country offer complimentary move-in services.  It's tough to compete with this when it's free.  However, this service only works when you have the ability to drive everything to school.  For many international students and students coming from across the country this is not feasible.  The option to have everything already moved into your room will make their entire move in experience much easier.  In addition, while this industry would be used more when the economy is doing well, with so many affluent kids coming to UPenn every year it has the ability to be more or less recession proof.   

Simplifying College Move Ins

Moving into a college dorm room as a freshman can be extremely stressful and challenging.  There are countless moving parts and variables that need to be executed to perfection in order to make it go smoothly.  Specifically, incoming freshmen often worry about making sure they have all the essential items for their dorm rooms.  One potential way to help simplify this process would be a website that allows users to choose specific items they want to purchase for their new room.  For example, important items like microwaves, bedding, towels, etc would all have a drop down menu and users could search through different brands and companies and select the one that they like the most.  In addition, once all items are selected and purchased, there would be an option that would allow users to either ship the items directly to their dorm room or another option that allowed customers to have their items moved and set up in their dorm room before they arrived on campus.

Currently, there are no central interfaces that allow new college students to shop and search for all dorm room paraphernalia.  While schools often partner with companies like Bed Bath and Beyond, this only provides some of the crucial items that college students need.  A website that allows students to shop for everything through one platform will make it much easier and more efficient.  Not only will students have more options but they will also have less stress knowing that they won't forget anything.

Although this website would be useful for any type of student, specifically, I see it mostly targeting foreign students and students who live across the country.  Incoming freshmen who live close to school won't need the service as much but for those who live in other countries or five hours away it would be quite useful to have all your items either on campus or already setup in your room.  Making a trip from another country is probably already stressful enough, and those students (usually very affluent ones) have the means and want to simplify the entire move in process.

With so many students coming from all over the world, I think there would be a very high demand for a website like this.  Realistically, it would not be too difficult to make and with the right advertising and marketing it certainly has the ability to take off and make money.