Forever Goods

Before you read on down, first, have a guess how this past week went. And how much money I’m on!

Monday was bank holiday. So spent time with the family. No Forever Goods in sight.

Then, on Tuesday, I was back at it. Got a good video out about the Patagonia Better Sweater. Was telling people about some deals out there.

I thought it was pretty valuable stuff. People could save £50+ by following my advice.

Unfortunately, no one on TikTok really felt the same way.

223 views 2 likes. Ouchie.

Like last week, the idea was people would comment ‘DM’ and then I’d share the deals with them privately. Gumtree offers, Vinted listings, Amazon link etc.

And the Amazon link would pay me a commission if it led to a sale!

No one did comment ‘DM’.

I did check my phone every hour though, just in case.

Not giving up though.

Tuesday afternoon I was at it again. I fancied myself to do some flipping.

I figured I could stroll into the high street and pick up some delightful deals. Specifically, I’d go to charity shops, find the <insert fancy outdoor brand> product, and then resell it online for at least £1 profit.

Unfortunately, my ChatGPT plus membership proved a massive let down here.

Contrary to the infinite wisdom of ChatGPT/AI, it turns out Oxfam doesn’t exist in Southall, and the British Heart Foundation store was for furniture only. So yeah, nowhere to look round here it seems. Thanks Chat.

Walking down the Southall high street, I did realise something though.

Southall has a massive asian community. So I do wonder if there are any local brands that could be resold on Vinted for profit. Maybe cotton, khadi, wool gear. I could even help a local shop sell it themselves. I wonder very much just try and make friends with shop owners and go from there.

Also, in the evening I looked online, for more flipping.

I made 2 lowball offers on Gumtree that were unsuccessful, and checked out Peter Rye auctions, but saw no outdoor gear for sale there.

Wednesday had to be better.

I went out to the park and filmed it. Proper influencer stuff. Southall’s not Bali though.

I wanted to try a new style of video. Since last week the product-focused videos made 0 sales.

Honestly, I thought the vid – which promoted the Osprey Farpoint 40 (carry on friendly btw) – was kinda funny. I just explored my local park haha. Showed off some of my personality too with Murakami and commenting on litter.

It got 230 views and 1 like. It’s probably just the algorithm working against me 😉

I think maybe videos aren’t the way for now. I’m pushing pause on that channel.

Woah, Thursday was upon me. This week living at &Soul was flying by.

I realised I could arbitrage between differences in prices. People would see the Farpoint 40 at £170 here on Osprey. I could buy it for £134 on Amazon. Then I’d sell it for £140+ on Vinted/eBay. Would just post it straight from Amazon to the purchaser’s address.

Maybe i’ve stumbled into dropshipping haha. Just so 2010.

The prompt referenced the Forever Goods Product Section. Interestingly, it took me 2 months to compile this list and I’m regularly updating it.

From this, Chat found me a little opportunity. Patagonia Fitz Roy currently 30-40% off onsite, but not listed on eBay/Vinted. Stock is low though and not got all sizes. Looking at £75+ profit per sale if people do buy.

But.

This is where I got stuck. If I get into this, I’m siphoning off profit. Without providing value. Forever Goods is about being opinion leaders for goods that last. We’re not playing the arbitrage game.

Instead, (spoiler alert) we’re all about finding the most well-made, durable product in every category. NOT increasing the price of them for users!

I’d rather just share these deals with my readers. Which is what I’m going to do. Maybe then one of them would tip me. And i’d have hit the magic £1.

Friday. Strategy time.

Videos not working, online arbitrage not working/unethical.

I decided I need to research better. So I can provide significantly more value.

Previously have been going off vibes, whats on the brands website, and my general experience. To grow the brand, I feel I needed to go deeper.

Sooo, I had a go on Friday. Doing exactly that.

Here’s what I’m on (Google Doc) for the Patagonia Better Sweater. Lots of questions about the tiniest of details. I doubt any other reviewer goes that far!

I’ll know absolutely everything about the sweater!

Like the above doc, I plan on deeply testing what i’ve physically got: Merino socks, Nudie jeans, Capilene t-shirt, Better Sweater, Farpoint 40, Thinkpad X390 Laptop, Babyliss Pro dual foil shaver.

Then let the content flow! Alongside my adventures.

In other words, I can’t sit on a laptop and lecture people on what to buy. I need to live to the max!

Thanks for tuning in!