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4 Answers

1. Hi Gary,
   
   Potentially it sounds like your product may help solve this problem. However, how many of the people who don't remember to switch off their straighteners will remember to put them in the docking station? And how many of those injuries to children were caused after straighteners had been switched off and were in the process of cooling down? Or simply because the user hadn't put them down in a safe place?
   
   What has your own market research indicated?
   
   Pricing will also be another issue - how much are potential customers prepared to pay for peace of mind?
   
   And what will stop the straightener manufacturers from simply giving 'free' docking stations away with their straighteners?
   
   Just a few initial thoughts!
   
   Lee
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   Answered by Lee Longstaff, August 2008   -  Contact this person
2. Thanks Lee all very good points. We hope to market our docking station for under 15 quid. The process of using the straighteners will encourage the user to place the straighteners back in the docking station because this resets the timer again to ten minutes. If they dont use it the straighteners will switch off.
   Research has shown that straighteners can take up to 40 minutes to cool down properly after use (able to touch). We are trying to encourage users to style off the floor back on to the dresser. The units will be designed around many themes eg Valentines/heart etc. So hopefully pleasing to the eye.
   If the straightener manufacturers decided to give free docking stations away this would be great, as we have highlighted a problem that they are trying to rectify. Even better as I own the patent and they would need to licence from our company.
   I think our market maybe towards the parents or partners who constantly find these common household items switched on within the bedroom and have to switch them off.
   Thanks for your very constructive points.
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   Answered by Gary Burns, August 2008   -  Contact this person (Edited on 2008-08-15 20:45:02)
3. Hi Gary,
   
   It's probably worth bearing in mind that many manufacturers are now making hair straighteners with built-in timers for auto shut off, and some are providing docking stations / holders (minus the timer element). Also, when I was in Focus DIY over the weekend I noticed they were selling a masterplug timer, "ideal for hair straighteners".
   
   Of course, that's not to say there's no position in the market for your product! Obviously pitching the benefits will be vital to your marketing.
   
   Lee
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   Answered by Lee Longstaff, August 2008   -  Contact this person
4. Hi Lee, yes areas we have researched. GHDs with sleep mode. If sitting on the floor or dresser the arms of the straighteners are open. It has been researched at Birmingham University that most units take up to 40 minutes to cool down(able to touch). This is when users become complacent and children are getting burned
   
   Current provision for holders/KODO/BABYLISS are plastic with suckers on the bottom. Through 18 months of research I have still to meet someone who has this unit. They are just not pleasing to the eye and not very practical.
   
   Our design company asked one of their wifes to show how she straightens her hair. He found she rested her straighteners on a shoe box within the Wardrope, full of clothes.
   Thank you again for your comments
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   Answered by Gary Burns, August 2008   -  Contact this person