Horndog

I'm going to have to disagree with quite a bit of that. Someone previously suggested having trial memberships, which would mitigate the sudden $50 annual fee -- but even that can be changed. $50 was something that I suggested, but wasn't like, "Yes, we must do that price. Absolutely no compromise!" However, in theory, having some sort of up-front cost would allow people to reap the benefits from discounts. Only some of those proceeds would go toward site/server maintenance costs and revenue. Most of that fee would take a bite out of the suggested retail price. In the meantime, people can have trial memberships, or maybe even tiered membership/payment plans. Who knows? You misunderstood the model. It's not, "Why order a pack of Abenas for an extra 50 dollars when I can get them at XPmedical or even ABU at regular price?" It's the fact that for one flat annual fee, customers would have access to bulk products at wholesale prices. You don't pay, say, $50 in order to buy one pack of Abenas. You pay for a year worth of savings on everything that isn't independently sold by an affiliated vendor. Then with special promotions and free samples, that makes the investment in bulk a lot more gratifying because it's an informed decision, and it gives the customer pride that they made a bulk purchase for the lowest online cost. I believe there are AB/DL customers who do order on a consistent basis (the demand for premium AB/DL merchandise is quite high, according to Bambino and ABUniverse sales trends). The question should be: how many customers would order on a consistent basis? Second question is: how do you have consistent business with repeat customers? These are all objectives, or obstacles to overcome -- depending on how you look at it. Consistency comes from discreet shipping and good customer service, but you need more than that. You need the business to provide quality at a good price, and you need to be a resource that has the essential AB/DL supplies. Selling only commercial and customized "baby" diapers doesn't cut it. Selling on AB/DL clothing doesn't cut it. You have to have everything an AB/DL would want in order to have the best experience. My two cents. Now I'll shut up EDIT: Yes, the ideas I'm proposing would require an investment of capital. We would need investors.

He got me back tonight. Friend: "I'm here in the neighborhood. Is it alright if me and my boy come visit?" Me: "Maybe tomorrow?" [Friend arrives unannounced, and drops a package by my door. I hear what I thought was knocking at the door. When I opened it, there was a brown paper bag full of melted milk chocolate balls] Friend [who apparently saw me look at the bag from somewhere]: "Don't worry. It's edible. Merry Christmas."

Nope. Let me give you an example of what I was thinking of... and again, I must emphasize these are just ideas and nothing is set in stone. Amazon.com Marketplace allows small business to set their own prices, and compete with Amazon.com's own prices. If I'm not mistaken, Amazon charges a selling fee for vendors. The benefit of said selling fee is having exposure on a site that generates major traffic. That's not the same as taking 10-25% off small businesses. Generally speaking, discounts would be applied to products by major companies. If a small business wanted to, they could set their own pricing and special promotions.

Nope. Interesting interpretation of events, though. EDIT: Oh wait, I see why you'd ask that. No, no, and no. Just pulling his leg. My friend and I prank each other, and we have a unique sense of humor so misunderstandings are bound to happen when someone else comes across it!

A few days ago, I registered the account happyhorndog, and it seemed to be that I was approved. Now when I type in my login credentials, it says invalid username/password. Any way I can get back in?

Got a few PMs about this so far. Just want to remind people that these are only ideas -- just food for thought. I run a small business already, which is public relations and media-based. Jumping into another business takes an extraordinary amount of committment, and you have to promote it publicly. For privacy reasons, the latter part is what gets me, but I like to put the ideas out there -- and see what springs forth from them. Lots of good feedback already. Just wanted to say that trial membership would definitely be part of the mix. Why not?

I would need investors to work with me if I'm the one spearheading a business plan, but this is purely speculation. I've studied the AB/DL business market for a while. I know it can be profitable, depending on how you do it. Here are some notes I've compiled over the years, examining business models: Many AB/DL people want cheap products. They appreciate the design diapers, for instance, but not the price. People appreciate the quality brands like Dry 24/7, but it lacks the "baby" look and the price is considered expensive (XPMedical lists those diapers at $31.95 for a package of 18, which comes to about $1.77 per diaper). Similarly, for a 20-pack of ABU Cushies, it comes to $27.54 ($1.37 per diaper, but less wet capacity compared to Dry 24/7). People seem to define "cheap" as mid-level quality like Attends (cheapest for Extended Wear comes to $23.69 for 18/pack, which is $1.31 per diaper). How can we reduce the overall cost to $1.25-$1.30, and make a profit? An annual membership fee would make up for the reduced cost. Providing only inventory in bulk reduces the price naturally. But what about providing samples? Costco/Sam's Club offers a variety of free samples at their physical locations. AB/DLs react very positively to free samples, but free samples need to be monitored to prevent abuse of the system. Also, another obstacle to overcome is the S&H for free samples. How could we compensate for that S&H loss? There is no one definitive place for AB/DL clothing. Many people ask for recommendations, but suggestions are mixed. There is no place that all people go to. To eliminate overhead manufacturing costs, the company ("the aggregate") would provide inventory from independent suppliers working with the company. Profits could go toward opening warehouses for on-demand manufacturing if the demand is good enough, however AB/DL is still a niche audience There are several paid sites geared toward AB/DL. Would these sites accept discounted monthly rates in exchange for exposure on a reputable, AB/DL business? How can we work with these businesses? What laws would we need to consider when dealing with adult pay sites? All members of business must be 18+ as stated in the Terms and Conditions? Sounds reasonable Bottom-line: AB/DLs want to buy cheap in one place. In this economy, coming up with a way to turn an ordinarily expensive lifestyle into something workable would do wonders for the community. EDIT: The low fee would be important. $50 is something that I consider to be acceptable. Anything less would not cover discounts that the business would absorb -- and to pay that on an annual basis is less hassle. Have $50 as the fee, and treat purchases in the store as microtransactions. EDIT 2: How about contests? Members who buy into the site could enter into sweepstakes. Just a thought.

I registered two weeks ago. Haven't heard back from them.

Yep. Friend: "I googled that." Me: "Did you buy some?" Friend: "..."

I was talking to a fellow AB/DL the other day about businesses that cater to AB/DLs beside diaper manufacturing -- and what the profitability would be like. Here are some ideas I rattled off... ABWarehouse Concept: Online Costco/Sam's Club meets Baby 'R Us for adults Members pay a one-time annual fee (i.e. $50 USD) prior to joining Inventory would consist of an aggregation of AB/DL products at discounted prices (10-25% off) There would be monthly featured items with discounts Inventory would also include discounted memberships to paid-premium AB/DL sites Members can set up their own online storefronts, and sell their goods here Would something like this work? Do you have any suggestions that could help create a successful AB/DL-based business?

I spent a chunk of money already, and I don't have health insurance. Next year, I'll be able to get some. Not now, though. That's what makes my medical problems so agonizing. Treating it is one thing, but the costs are another.

One day, this quote will be inside a fortune cookie.

Friend*: "Hey, can you pick up some Size 3 diapers for my son?" Me: "X-Plus doesn't come in size 3." Friend: "WTF?" * Friend does not know I'm an AB/DL. He Googled "X-Plus."

I'm impressed by how supportive the AB/DL community can be. This thread is an example of it.

I just wish adult "pull-ups" would have the same thickness and absorbancy as adult diapers, yet have that underwear look.

Haven't met anyone worth dating yet (when it comes to AB/DL online dating). Currently have doubts about succeeding in that.

GI, huh? Because I don't have several hundred dollars to spend on that kind of doctor -- at this very moment -- I've stripped my life down to the barebone essentials: cut out the carbs, eating smaller meals (instead of two large meals a day), and exercise (spent several hours today, in fact, jogging). My chest feels less enflamed, and the throat irritation is minimal. Didn't need to take aspirin today, and I haven't been able to do that for two weeks. I'm just trying to be smart. My lifestyle has not served me well. Have to be aggressive in getting better.

I was just diagnose with heartburn (GERD), and now take Prilosec. My health is otherwise good, but I've been dealing with more intense stinging pain for the past two weeks. Fortunately, the Prilosec has reduced the pain significantly. Happens only once in a while. Still a worrywart.

I like Pull-Ups for the same reason as DailyDi. Couldn't have said it better.

missyD, I think you hit the nail on the head. I have a sense of humor, and I have a comedy background. When I talk to people, I have the hardest time being self-serious generally speaking. I poke fun at everything from my interests to my sexuality. I try my best to not be invasive. I enjoy a good conversation, and sometimes, I'll throw around a joke or two -- and suddenly, the energy shifts from congenial to congested. It's like, "What happened?" and I'll ask just that. Instead, I get put down. When it comes to cybercommunication, the nuances of language are lost, and everything is taken in a literal context. ARGH!

This has been bothering me for years. Finally, I'm able to put it into words. I'm a writer, and the way I phrase things often comes across as pretentious to some people. I have a sense of humor, which naturally rolls off the tongue in a conversation. I'm also very stream-of-consciousness. I say whatever is on my mind for the most part, and take into consideration people's sensitivities. I can have a normal conversation with someone, and suddenly the person I'm having a conversation with becomes irate. These people don't often tell me what the offensive remark was when I ask them. If the offending statements are glaringly obvious, they make no attempt to point me in the right direction to where the offense was taken. By the end of these conversations, I feel like an insensitive dope -- not knowing what I said or did that provoked them to act negatively toward me. After I turned 18, I became more comfortable with who I am, and what I say. I realized that if I had to hold back every time I talked to somebody, I was restricting myself unnecessarily. I observe political correctness, and try my best to stay well within the boundaries of decency. Nonetheless, there are some people that just snap, and disappear. In a recent case, I was talking to a person on instant messenger one moment, and the next I'm blocked. There was no, "Hey man, that crossed the line," or "You know what? I'm not comfortable with this subject." Though in the back of my mind, I know that if these people flip off the handle so easily and refuse to talk about issues that sprout up between them and I, I shouldn't bother with them in the first place. At the same time, it's disheartening. I don't like not knowing what I did wrong. It bothers me. It makes me not want to talk to anyone at all. Most people I interact with don't have a problem with me -- or at least they don't show that they do. But there are others, especially AB/DLs, who have these invisible DOs and DO NOTs that I'm aware of. It's frustrating.

Yeah. You're aware of my condition in the other thread I posted. I'm sure you can relate.

My warn status is zero. I try not to poop too much.

Have heartburn. Thought I had a heart-attack earlier! Geeze.

I'm seeing a doctor (see my previous posts), so I'm not solely seeking advice on a fetish site. Only reason I posted on the forum is because of the strange incontinence side effect. It's getting clearer to me that I have GERD. All the symptoms line up with that. I'm on Prilosec, and it's day four. Still feeling the difficulty swallowing and heartburn, but not as bad as the time I made the OP. Gastroentrenologist will be the next person I see if symptoms don't improve.