Product Idea

[carenkh]

Hi -
I have an idea for a product that I believe would be quite popular. It's a different version of something already in existence, so I'm not wanting to manufacture this myself; I'd like to sell my idea to the company already producing the original product. Is that possible? How would that work? It's a food item, so I don't know if that has any bearing on how things would be handled. (i.e., different from computer program, etc.)

I haven't researched this at all, google or otherwise -- thought I'd start with the top source first! Does anyone have any experience with this? Any ideas?

I just remembered today I had a dream about my item a few years ago, and wished it existed!

Thanks IA for your thoughts -

Gassho ~

[JimC]

I would send them the recipe/idea, preferably to the CEO or someone high up. I doubt they get many things like that, so they will probably pay attention to it.

Make sure you get a patent or something on it before you send it though.

If they like it, they will send you an offer.

[Sam988]

I also had a brilliant idea once, then i did a lot of searches on google and ended up finding a product that was exaclty what i've been thinking about, and it was launched just march of this year, damn suckers

[JimC]

It's that darn overpopulation... too many ideas and inventions floating around.
Let's invent someone to fix that >;D muahaha

[1000feet]

Originally Posted by JimC

I would send them the recipe/idea, preferably to the CEO or someone high up. I doubt they get many things like that, so they will probably pay attention to it.

Patented recipes? No suggestions from consumers? I hope you're joking .

If you're talking about a large food company, it's not likely that they'll listen to you. They have spent a lot of time, money, and effort building their own ways to come up with new ideas and bring them out, and they do this because it gives them predictable results. The results from your idea will be more unpredictable and probably insignificant to the company as a whole.

It's true that if their customers start asking for a new flavor of something they'll probably make it, but that depends on hearing from a lot of people and it's not something valuable enough to them that they would pay each person - they just see a chance to make a bit more money and take it.

If you really think it's a good idea you may have to pursue it on your own. It would be easier to use the resources of a company that's already doing something similar, but a lot of good companies have been founded because someone thought a bit differently.

[carenkh]

Originally Posted by 1000feet

Patented recipes? No suggestions from consumers? I hope you're joking .

Funny - that's what I was thinking when I read that post, then I saw those thoughts reflected here! Thank you everyone for your thoughts.

It may involve getting permission to use a product, then, in my version. Hmmm... I just remembered we have a group of retired businesspeople here who will advise those wanting to start their own business, or who have questions like mine, for free. I may need to get in touch with them.