ShoeFitr: The company Amazon must buy immediately(thestartupfoundry.com)
thestartupfoundry.com
ShoeFitr: The company Amazon must buy immediately
http://thestartupfoundry.com/2011/03/01/shoefitr-the-company-amazon-must-buy-immediately/
22 comments
If this works as advertised, it's a killer app for the on-line apparel industry.
I've had customers with consistent 60-70% return rates on footwear. It got so bad that customers would buy 3 sizes of the same shoe, planning to keep the best fitting pair and returning the other 2. They'd rather eat double shipping than go back and forth 2 or 3 times. The overhead from processing and restocking the returns consumed all their profit, but they had to keep the footwear to complete their product lines. This would have been great.
I've had customers with consistent 60-70% return rates on footwear. It got so bad that customers would buy 3 sizes of the same shoe, planning to keep the best fitting pair and returning the other 2. They'd rather eat double shipping than go back and forth 2 or 3 times. The overhead from processing and restocking the returns consumed all their profit, but they had to keep the footwear to complete their product lines. This would have been great.
I was initially confused by the demo.
Potential use cases
1. I have a perfect fitting shoe, I'd like to buy another perfect fitting shoe of a different brand.
2. I haven't found the perfect fitting shoe. I'd like to find one.
I assumed this would be solving problem #2, but it solves problem #1.
I thought I would tell it "I'm currently in shoe X, and it's the right length but chafes on the right side" or something of that nature, and it would tell me a better shoe.
Potential use cases
1. I have a perfect fitting shoe, I'd like to buy another perfect fitting shoe of a different brand.
2. I haven't found the perfect fitting shoe. I'd like to find one.
I assumed this would be solving problem #2, but it solves problem #1.
I thought I would tell it "I'm currently in shoe X, and it's the right length but chafes on the right side" or something of that nature, and it would tell me a better shoe.
This is actually pretty useful to a small but loyal group: runners. I know folks who run marathons and such, they are fanatical about the right fit and buy 3+ pairs when they find a good fit, because of rapid shoe model obsolescence/changes.
Perhaps with this small but profitable niche they can expand their technology into the mainstream for the likes of you and me.
I'm definitely going to suggest this site to my runner-friends and see what they think.
Perhaps with this small but profitable niche they can expand their technology into the mainstream for the likes of you and me.
I'm definitely going to suggest this site to my runner-friends and see what they think.
The founders are runners. Breck did the Boston Marathon in 2:29:36 this year... 73rd place overall.
Oh, and your running friends can already use this over at Running Warehouse, for example: http://www.runningwarehouse.com/descpageMRS-ASKNS3M.html
Oh, and your running friends can already use this over at Running Warehouse, for example: http://www.runningwarehouse.com/descpageMRS-ASKNS3M.html
That sort of help-me-find should be pretty easily possible, it just hasn't been done yet. I'd assume it will come out eventually.
What this solves is that buying shoes online is a total crap-shoot unless you're buying something you've already tried on. It's even worse than buying pants, where waists can vary by several inches off their stated inches. http://www.esquire.com/blogs/mens-fashion/pants-size-chart-0...
What this solves is that buying shoes online is a total crap-shoot unless you're buying something you've already tried on. It's even worse than buying pants, where waists can vary by several inches off their stated inches. http://www.esquire.com/blogs/mens-fashion/pants-size-chart-0...
The other tricky bit is that the perfect fitting shoe has to be a current model that they have already scanned. And hopefully it fit perfectly when it was bought, not when it was worn in.
Those are great features, but probably not part of their MVP. Maybe you should propose that to them as feedback?
This pain point is one of the reasons I do not buy pants or shoes online.
This is amazing execution of the idea, and I hope they get bought out for the millions they deserve! Or, if they'd prefer to grow it organically, that too!
This is amazing execution of the idea, and I hope they get bought out for the millions they deserve! Or, if they'd prefer to grow it organically, that too!
They have a fantastic product. I was extremely impressed with how well it worked. To top it off, Matt seemed like a really great guy when I interviewed him.
You're right g0atbutt. I know the team personally all three of them are great guys who have been working REALLY hard to make this a reality for the past few years. I'm glad to see they are finally being recognized for their awesome product & technology.
I would consider buying a new pair of shoes today through these guys if they supported more than running shoes.
That said, what stops someone getting the size recommendation through ShoeFitr and then comparison shopping for the actual shoes? I don't think this stops them being valuable to Amazon, but it does seem like a weakness if they're independent.
That said, what stops someone getting the size recommendation through ShoeFitr and then comparison shopping for the actual shoes? I don't think this stops them being valuable to Amazon, but it does seem like a weakness if they're independent.
Yes! I've been wanting someone to make this product for a long time.[1] So glad y'all did it.
The execution looks amazing. I can't wait for this to be ubiquitous.
[1] http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=1673722
The execution looks amazing. I can't wait for this to be ubiquitous.
[1] http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=1673722
Why is this dropping off the frontpage so fast? It's way uncharacteristically down. Is there some kind of hidden penalty at play? It's not spam, and has 50 points in 53 minutes, losing to posts with way less than that...
"Buying shoes online sucks. Sizing between brands (and sometimes even within brands) is different."
Zappos (who Amazon owns) does show whether shoes fit true to size or whether to size up. Is this really that much better?
Zappos (who Amazon owns) does show whether shoes fit true to size or whether to size up. Is this really that much better?
This data seems to be based on reviews, and reviewers are typically morons that know nothing about shoes. I order by size, ignoring the reviews, and I've only had one pair of shoes from Zappos not fit well.
I saw these guys present at SuperConf.net and what a fantastic idea backed by "patent pending" 3d imaging. Amazing stuff and someone is going to grab them quick for an easy 30 to 50 million.
I'm good friends with the ShoeFitr dudes, they're good guys. They have some serious tech, high reliability web stuff, and they even put up with it being in .NET!
The problem is that the different dimensions to the products dont actually exist. Getting those measurements would come at a great cost. The question is would it be cheaper than shipping returns?
Another question- China has industrialized- the next step is dealing in information. When will the suppliers realize they are losing out on a lot of money by not doing the photography and measurement at the factory?
Cool idea to go along side would be an iPad app, which allows you to compare your actual foot to inside of the shoe. From the bottom, from the side, etc. Would also work for gloves.
EDIT: Hell, you even show it on a regular LCD screen. Or allow the user to print it out to compare.
EDIT: Hell, you even show it on a regular LCD screen. Or allow the user to print it out to compare.
I imagine the problem is that shoes are real things with 3 dimensions, and feet change shape when they're compressed... neither of which are addressed by a printout (sure a printout is better than nothing, but if it's not predictive enough it's not worth the trouble).
If a device could model what kind of shoe you should wear based on an interactive iPad foot print, that would be amazing tech.
If a device could model what kind of shoe you should wear based on an interactive iPad foot print, that would be amazing tech.
Cool! A German retail site offers something in the same direction:
http://www.mirapodo.de/groessen-kompass
I've been working on a similar concept for dress shoes.
http://sizeadvisors.com/
http://www.mirapodo.de/groessen-kompass
I've been working on a similar concept for dress shoes.
http://sizeadvisors.com/
Wow the German site asks you to measure your foot with a paper, pencil and a ruler. Although ShoeFitr must already have your shoe in their database, the huge win is there's nothing asked of the user besides what shoe they already like and you can find it from brand name and colors.
Correct. I didn't say it's better.
But it's possible to solve the other use case. 3D-foot-scanners are already out there for shoemakers, so taking measurements could become easier in the future.
But it's possible to solve the other use case. 3D-foot-scanners are already out there for shoemakers, so taking measurements could become easier in the future.
You can check out their pitch at the Launch conference last Thursday here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRRSdvlWd4E&feature=playe...
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Amazon acquired Zappos and created endless. This would certainly fit that part of their business strategy.
Genius idea! I always take a stab at sizing online (I think men's foot sizes are more flexible than women's), but I still don't know if I'm a 10, a 10.5, or an 11!
This reminds me of boo.com. The bubble must be about to burst. Again.
how is this like boo.com ? boo raised 200Million in capital if i recall correctly. shoefitr raised $125k + the $25k in prizes they won at superconf.
And they are actually making money on a scalable business.
Honestly, I would just like to get 3 sizes with each shipment, try them all on, and pick the best... but without having to advance them 3x the cost of a pair of shoes.
I don't find returning to be a big deal. You put the shoes back in the box they came in, print a label, and drop it off at the post office. Still easier than going to a store, and once you know your size for a given brand, you don't have to do this anymore.
I've also found that shoe sizes don't really vary all that much, in my experience. I wear size 11EE boots, 11EE running shoes, 11EE sneakers, and 11EE dress shoes. I think the problem that a lot of people have is that they order standard-width shoes even though they don't have standard-width feet. Then the fit comes down to how tight the laces are, etc.
But I digress. Zappos will probably not go out of business if they don't buy this company.
I don't find returning to be a big deal. You put the shoes back in the box they came in, print a label, and drop it off at the post office. Still easier than going to a store, and once you know your size for a given brand, you don't have to do this anymore.
I've also found that shoe sizes don't really vary all that much, in my experience. I wear size 11EE boots, 11EE running shoes, 11EE sneakers, and 11EE dress shoes. I think the problem that a lot of people have is that they order standard-width shoes even though they don't have standard-width feet. Then the fit comes down to how tight the laces are, etc.
But I digress. Zappos will probably not go out of business if they don't buy this company.
Brands don't have consistent sizes at all. You should watch their pitch from the Launch Conference because they explain this problem.
Good brands tell you which last they use for the specific pair of shoes, so you'll know how they'll fit in advance. New Balance does this, anyway.
A year ago I wrote up some notes for an idea that has elements of this. Funny enough, I sent it to Google and Amazon. I don't know why I bothered. I just wanted to tell someone, I suppose. I did not have a blog then... well I barely have one now. Also, The plan was not exactly something I could do on my own.
The idea was called Travel Packs. You're going to travel? Send your itinerary to Google and it will decide what you need/want to go into your luggage. Google will do all of this by using your itinerary, profile, body dimensions, weather, etc... The Travel Pack will then magically appear at your destination. When your done with your trip, just leave it behind.
Great things about this:
1) You no longer have to pack or bring luggage with you when traveling. 2) Companies have a new way to target consumers. Imagine all of the companies who will compete to have their products placed in these packs. 3) Consumers get to try out new things without having to buy them. How about letting consumers purchase items from the Travel Pack at discounts.
To make this work, the clothes will have to fit. To do that we probably need 3D scans, although that may not be necessary for first iterations. Google has shown the initiative to map the world, why not drive around and start mapping the people. Just think of what you could do with these data! Of course many people would be uncomfortable with these scans and discussion probably needs to happen about who would own these data.
Anyway, I was once pretty stoked about this. Now I don't really care. But I think it's something that someone will do. Actually, I think there is already a company trying to make a go at pre-packaged luggage though I don't know how intelligent it is.
The idea was called Travel Packs. You're going to travel? Send your itinerary to Google and it will decide what you need/want to go into your luggage. Google will do all of this by using your itinerary, profile, body dimensions, weather, etc... The Travel Pack will then magically appear at your destination. When your done with your trip, just leave it behind.
Great things about this:
1) You no longer have to pack or bring luggage with you when traveling. 2) Companies have a new way to target consumers. Imagine all of the companies who will compete to have their products placed in these packs. 3) Consumers get to try out new things without having to buy them. How about letting consumers purchase items from the Travel Pack at discounts.
To make this work, the clothes will have to fit. To do that we probably need 3D scans, although that may not be necessary for first iterations. Google has shown the initiative to map the world, why not drive around and start mapping the people. Just think of what you could do with these data! Of course many people would be uncomfortable with these scans and discussion probably needs to happen about who would own these data.
Anyway, I was once pretty stoked about this. Now I don't really care. But I think it's something that someone will do. Actually, I think there is already a company trying to make a go at pre-packaged luggage though I don't know how intelligent it is.
Lesson to learn here: an idea is just an idea. It's all about execution.
I also had the idea, I'm sure Jeff Bezos has had the idea, Tony Hsieh, Nike execs...
Point is these guys delivered. The single greatest lesson any entrepreneur can learn.
I also had the idea, I'm sure Jeff Bezos has had the idea, Tony Hsieh, Nike execs...
Point is these guys delivered. The single greatest lesson any entrepreneur can learn.
http://www.amazon.com/Careers-University-Recruiting/b/ref=gw...
Search for: 133938 (reference code)
> "Amazon.com is looking for a Women's Shoe Fit Model to try on our shoe selection and provide fit feedback to help our customers make the best purchasing decisions. The perfect Cinderella must have the perfect Size 8..."