After establishing an innovative new product in the commercial shipping business, ThermaFreeze is bringing its ice-pack cooling sheets to the flea market arena. “This is a new marketing channel that we are developing,” says ThermaFreeze managing partner Richard Bolton. “We have been selling at flea markets to test for viability and make sure it is something a vendor can expect to make some money on. We’re finding that that is the case — it sells pretty damn well!”
A layered ThermaFreeze sheet starts with a plastic film on one side and a non-woven fabric on the other. Between the layers are pockets of lightweight gel. The spacing between the gel pockets gives the sheets flexibility, and they can be cut into smaller sheets. To use the sheet, wet it and freeze it. Once frozen, sheet stays colder and lasts longer than traditional ice-pack products.
The company has an informational Web site at thermafreeze.com, as well as a flea market and swap meet vendor site at tfdealer.com. According to Bolton, the wholesale pricing and the suggested retail pricing is designed to maximize profits. “The item is priced to double your money,” he says.
ThermaFreeze also offers a starter kit for $249.99, which includes 200 large sheets, polybags, insert sheets, and two sales and marketing DVDs. Dealers can cut up and sell the sheets howsoever they like. “We’ve come up with packaging configuration that gives the vendor some leeway in how he wants to market it. He can make whatever configuration he wants: five in one, three in another, or he can sell by the sheet.”
Bolten says that a swap meet is the perfect place to pitch his impulse product. “A flea market booth costs $10, and a table costs $10. The cost of entry is low, the margins are high, and the product is new and compelling,” he says. “For example, it is good for recreational cooling purposes, like tailgating. And we’ve priced it in a range that anyone can afford.”
For more information, e-mail ThermaFreeze at info@tfdealer.com or call (732) 759-0161.
Photo credits, with thanks: ThermaFreeze.