Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

I don`t know if I need capital, a partner, or a better marketing plan.

I have a great, great company that sells prepaid gas cards where people can buy gas from almost any gas station for as little as $2.99 per gallon of regular unleaded.

But I can`t find a way to market it that doesn`t cost thousands of dollars. And I`ve already put lots of money into this in research and licensing.

Any ideas would be appreciated.

My website is www.efuelclub.com

Thanks

Wow, this sounds great and could be a huge success. I think you need a bit of all you mentioned. Marketing is key! I am off to check out your site now.


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Take each day, mold it and make it yours.......

http://www.solutionshealthnwellness.com

I think the idea is interesting; however, I do see a major problem with getting the major distributors on board. With other words, why would the average BP or Shell gas station, let’s say in Miami honor your membership and sell gas at a discount, if they can sell it at market price.

I understand how their own branded discount programs work, however, since I’m not assuming you buy in bulk from BP or Shell, I’m not sure how this would work.

You can contact me via our website at http://www.FastVentures.com and I will be glad to review your business plan.


Mark



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Jackson Steiner
http://www.JacksonSteiner.com

Advanced Document Design for entrepreneurs, intermediaries, and the financial services industry.
http://www.Publications.FastVentures.com

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Joe F. Clark
Senior Principal
Start-Up Smart, LLC. - the clever way to accelerate your business
jclark@startupsmart.net

Thanks we are putting together a press release no and we have some interest from local reporters, so things are going well or at least it should.

Fast: The voyager cards are already connected to 97% of all gas stations across the country so we`re not reinventing the wheel here or trying to get local or national fuel stations to buy on to this one.

Thank you all for your help and if you need a fuel card message me and I`ll give you a discount on the membership.

Once again, thanks for all your help!

Interesting idea....with no chance to make money.

Essentially, you are selling people $5 bills for $3. If everything works well, the more customers you have, the more you lose.

 

John,

 

I have to agree with Steven. The technique they are employing is known as hedging, which means they are probably buying large quantities of gasoline on so-called spot markets at a fixed price months, sometimes years in advance.

It works similar to buying call or put options on stocks, where “calls” bet on higher prices and puts anticipate lower prices. There are two parties to this type of agreement, one being the holder of the option, who has to be prepared to deliver the stock on the expiration day regardless of the market price and the other, the beneficiary, who pays a fee for the right to exercise this option on the expiration day.

The holder of these options makes money when on the expiration day, let’s say, “calls” are “not in the money”, meaning beneficiaries of call options can buy a certain stock cheaper on the market rather than through exercising their options. Consequently, they let their options expire and the holder earned his fee.

On the other hand, the holders of these options can loose money when, let’s say, “calls” are ”in the money”, meaning holders of these “calls” can buy a certain stock on the expiration day at a discount (below market value) by exercising their options. In this event, the holder of these options has to deliver the stock at the agreed upon price even if this means that he has to buy it himself at a premium or current market price.

The scenario for commodities is slightly different, but the principle is the same.

I hope this helps.



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Jackson Steiner
http://www.JacksonSteiner.com

Advanced Document Design for entrepreneurs, intermediaries, and the financial services industry.
http://www.Publications.FastVentures.com

I would sell these cards as company incentives or premiums. Packaged in such a way with a company`s brand predominately shown, would be a win-win for all involved... and your quantities would be higher.

jack