Ozgeardo
Newly Enlightened
OK folks, I am a self confessed geardo (I believe that is now the accepted term for those of us with an obsession of all things multi-tool, knife, flashlight and EDC survival gadgetry related) :thinking:
I have become the "go to guy" for many of my colleagues, friends and others when it comes to flashlights and other gadgets. This has started to become a cottage industry hobby for me as many of my professional colleagues do not have the time nor inclination to research info, read reviews or trawl the net to get the best equipment yet alone a good price. (And to pay retail prices for premium quality flashlights and multitools in Oz is really scarey )
I often lately have found myself loaning out various lights etc for my colleagues to trial before they commit to a purchase of their own. However when returning the said light or multitool etc the majority of them just say to me they want one and how much and when can I supply one. So being the all round nice guy that I can be I put together a bulk order from the usual suppliers that we frequent, I put a couple of dollars on it all to cover costs and everyone is happy.
This has been working fine for a year or so now but I think I am biting off more than I can chew. Only one example here but I loaned out a Maglite 3D which I had upgraded/rebuilt with Terralux Mini-Star 5, Glass Lens, New switch gear O'Rings etc (nothing special I know). he wanted to use mine before I upgraded his to similar specs. Now whilst at work he loaned it to another person who runs a security company. Long story short they now want me to rebuild all their old and wornout incan maglites, no problem until they tell me they have over 100.
I only import enough bits and pieces to keep under the radar of being a commercial operation and avoiding import duties etc. I have a couple of "real jobs" that pay the bills, this is only supposed to be a hobby. Also I only purchase minimal amounts of rebuild gear for maglites etc. I usually rebuild 1x mag a month for colleagues and friends .
I am also falling into the same situation with provision of "Tactical" lights to other security,military,rescue and police friends and colleagues.
Have I dug a hole too deep to get out of :sigh:
I have become the "go to guy" for many of my colleagues, friends and others when it comes to flashlights and other gadgets. This has started to become a cottage industry hobby for me as many of my professional colleagues do not have the time nor inclination to research info, read reviews or trawl the net to get the best equipment yet alone a good price. (And to pay retail prices for premium quality flashlights and multitools in Oz is really scarey )
I often lately have found myself loaning out various lights etc for my colleagues to trial before they commit to a purchase of their own. However when returning the said light or multitool etc the majority of them just say to me they want one and how much and when can I supply one. So being the all round nice guy that I can be I put together a bulk order from the usual suppliers that we frequent, I put a couple of dollars on it all to cover costs and everyone is happy.
This has been working fine for a year or so now but I think I am biting off more than I can chew. Only one example here but I loaned out a Maglite 3D which I had upgraded/rebuilt with Terralux Mini-Star 5, Glass Lens, New switch gear O'Rings etc (nothing special I know). he wanted to use mine before I upgraded his to similar specs. Now whilst at work he loaned it to another person who runs a security company. Long story short they now want me to rebuild all their old and wornout incan maglites, no problem until they tell me they have over 100.
I only import enough bits and pieces to keep under the radar of being a commercial operation and avoiding import duties etc. I have a couple of "real jobs" that pay the bills, this is only supposed to be a hobby. Also I only purchase minimal amounts of rebuild gear for maglites etc. I usually rebuild 1x mag a month for colleagues and friends .
I am also falling into the same situation with provision of "Tactical" lights to other security,military,rescue and police friends and colleagues.
Have I dug a hole too deep to get out of :sigh: