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Startup idea: students travelling in style

When I lived in PAR (a dorm on the southernmost part of campus), anytime I wanted food, I had to time my travels such that I waited for a bus, took a half hour trip around Chambana, and eventually got to the store.  I then had to time my shoppiing such that I could get back to the bus without waiting an additional half hour.

What if I could've paid, say, 15-20 dollars for a stretch limo to pick me up, take me to the store in style and luxury, wait outside while I shop, and then return me to my dorm?  I would not have hesitated. 

I know this is tough for some folks, but for a second, disregard whether or not you think this is possible.  Don't worry about whether or not you think it's cost-effective to run or the logistics behind it.  I want to know one thing:  how much would you pay?

Some folks pay hourly for zip cars and others wouldn't pay $5 for a bike (let alone ride all the way there).  Some people will pay hundreds, sometimes thousands of dollars for a bike and then ride there.  Would you pay $30?  $15?  Would you pay anything?

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Oct 22, 2009
Rob said...
I would probably pay a flat fee per month or per semester/quarter. Maybe 30 bucks a month? ($1/day breakdown roughly) Although this wouldn't include multiple trips a day but I'd say 1 trip to the market/store should be the limit per day with a max of X trips per month (based on gas cost effectiveness and additional trips are individually paid on arrival) If i could call someone and have them drive me direct to the market , wait, and then drive me back that is worth the money (pending you don't have a car at college and have to bum rides all the time) Monthly or quarterly might be better for marketing. The "customer" isn't paying each time so they think "hey I'm not paying for this" while in reality they already did at the beginning of the quarter/month. Even a regular car just driving me there would be sufficient. Sounds like this is a PITA for you just to get a short store trip done. I can imagine it's just as annoying for many other students. A big audience to market to.
Oct 22, 2009
Rob said...
short answer: max of 30 bucks a month :)
Oct 23, 2009
Tyler said...
I could see myself paying $10 per ride. There's a psychological barrier for me to pony up anything beyond that, and I would probably have the same limit whether it was a limo or a regular car. Although when I lived at PAR I sustained myself on ice cream, Funyuns, and that flaccid pizza they sold in the basement. Now that I'm carless in the suburbs, I could really use a service like this.
Oct 23, 2009
Me said...
Currently I wouldn't pay anything just because the transaction cost is greater than waiting for bus.
However if I get a job I would totally pay maybe 5% of my earnings... so $40?
 
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