What happens when I sell the phone? Can you take the tags off? Or am I obligated to use the service if someone sends it back (as the new owner)? Also what happens if in the time that I lost the item, I've replaced it. Then do you keep my phone? Sell it?
I think the data that is stored on phones will still make them a target. A better reference would be stolen laptops... I wonder how much they get stolen nowadays. (The TSA seems to have tons of them left a check points, so who knows what that means. http://www.americanownews.com/story/22046003/12000-laptops-l...)
This is a great breakdown of the different markets that exist. I think it can even help in calculating "back of the envelope" numbers, because you know you need to, "drop some zeros" a lot of the time. Pricing is kinda glossed over. But isn't Freemuim disrupting some of the 'Age old formulas'?
getting a MVP up and out, means that you don't have all of the bells and whistles. So it's a good idea to not do the things on your list, until you have a few people asking for the product. Or you can set up a wishlist, checklist that you have people check off. So they can tell that you are looking for future upgrades. You just would like for their input in the direction to go.
I say when you're starting, do as much as you would like to do. If you feel yourself gravitating towards one project more. Then focus on that more (meaning, be able to drop a project that doesn't interest you any more. Don't feel obligated to follow through with it.)
At the beginning I feel it's more important to figure out what you like and what's working more for you. (Kinda like dating.)
However once you figure that out. It's time to buckle down and go for the win. It's much harder to execute than to talk about. But I'm sure you can do it.
I'm not sure if this site is going to make it in its current state.
I feel that your focus is on the Technologist (not sure why it's capitalized throughout the site?) and not the person who needs help.
To this point:
1. The intro video is mainly about setting up an account as a technologist, and not how to use it when you're in need of help
2. There's just a zipcode search box. Non-technologist who have problems cannot often explain or understand their problem, which is why walking into Best Buy with your computer and dumping it on some kid, saying, "fix this," is so appealing. Having to find the "right" person with no pointers is gonna be hard (or a crapshoot at best.)
3. No physical mid-point. Where do you meet, do you invite a stranger over (I guess the same could be said for calling a plumber to fix a toliet...) or do you meet at their place, a coffee shop, etc. I guess a little blurb on best practices to meet up with the technologist would help.
I feel as a non-techie a fair amount of hand-holding should happen, so they feel as comfortable as walking into a large chain and asking, "So, my computer is broke. Can you fix it?"
And finally what about Craigslist. Is there any compelling reason why I should not go there? (As a person looking for help... as they break down to a city-wide area, which often is good enough)