Vent: My 3D printing side hustle tanked because I didn't check demand first

I bought a printer to make custom phone cases, thinking it would be quick cash. After a month, I only sold two and spent way more on filament than I made. It's sitting in my closet now gathering dust. Please test your idea with friends or online before buying gear!

4 comments

4 Comments

ryanc711mo ago

Saw a friend pour money into a laser engraver for personalized coasters. He thought everyone would want them, but barely got any orders. Honestly, he ended up with a garage full of sample coasters and no buyers. Tbh, it's so common to jump in without checking if people actually want the stuff. Now he tells everyone to run a poll online or something first.

burns.joseph1mo agoMost Upvoted

My neighbor bought a 3D printer for custom phone cases. He made a bunch of samples, but no one in our town was interested. Now he uses it mostly for printing little toys for his kids.

craig.viola1mo ago

Yeah exactly, my cousin did almost the same thing as burns.joseph's neighbor but with embroidered hats. She bought this fancy machine after making like, five cute designs for family, and then realized nobody wanted to pay her prices. Now it just sits in her spare room collecting dust.

the_mark1mo ago

But online polls don't really tell you if people will actually spend money. I mean, everyone says they'd buy something cool but then never does. Maybe it's better to try selling a few first before buying the whole machine.