Entrepreneurs - John Jackson
John Jackson
EDH Washing Line
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From the Den
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dragonsden/media/emp/playlists/entrepreneurs/johnjackson.xml
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Red Button
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/playlist/p008z6bs
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Roadtests
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/playlist/p008z7cd
| Name | John Jackson |
| Pitching | EDH Washing Line |
| Investment Required | £80,000 |
| Equity Offered | 25% |
| Brief Description | A motorised rotary washing line. |
John in the Den
John Jackson hasn't come into the Den to be left to hang out to dry and the dapper 72-year-old makes an immediate impression on the Dragons when, not without a little difficulty, he unveils his motorised rotary washing line.
The Dragons initially seem impressed by the low figures John quotes for power usage and the possibility of converting the invention to solar power. At the moment, John is buying the components off the shelf: he thinks an investment will help him reduce the manufacturing costs.
Peter is unimpressed
When it comes to demonstrating the invention, the Dragons watch in mild bemusement as John's rotary washing line slowly rotates.
Peter Jones is first to question John about how he came up with his idea. The Dragons are enchanted by John's candour as he explains how he invented the device for his late wife and, in the midst of grief over her death, was persuaded to bring it to market.
Duncan Bannatyne wants to know if the business will make a return. John is certain the demand is there: soon after his product ended up on an inventions website, his wife became annoyed by endless phone calls from people asking to buy one.
James Caan gets specific about price, asking how much John can reduce manufacturing costs and how much profit he thinks he can make. John is uncertain about the costs and profit margin. The numbers don't add up for James: he is out.
Deborah Meaden thinks John's product is solving a problem that doesn't exist, and doing it too expensively. She is out. Theo Paphitis is next to identify a problem: installation. Could most consumers lay a concrete block by themselves? In answer to his own question Theo declares himself out, and Duncan follows suit.
With four Dragons down, only Peter remains. Unlike the other Dragons, Peter likes the idea - but he still doesn't think it's suitable for investment. Instead, he suggests that John give his patent to an existing washing line manufacturer in exchange for future royalties.
John may have won over the Dragons with his charm and good manners, but head rules heart in the Den, and he leaves with no investment.
The deal done in the Den:
No investment.
Last updated: 21 July 2010
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Comments
I've missed this episode but will watch the repeat, I had this same idea maybe 2/3 years ago and was totally laughed at. At least I now know i'm not alone in my thoughts. ;)
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Regarding the motorised rotary washing line, I could not understand why none of the Dragons asked whether it could withstand high winds and what happens to the motor if it rains. If it had had a waterproof cover which would cover the washing when it rains, I would have thought it was an excellent idea. How many people have gone to work after hanging out the washing and come home to find it soaking wet? All that seems to be on the market is a cover to put on the line when it is folded up. I have never seen a cover which would completely cover the washing line, like an umbrella, when it was in use. If such an item were available I would be very interested in buying one or is this a gap in the market?
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i thought this was a great idea as britain is at the moment and has been for a while with all the bad weather we have, i think this product would look great in my spare bedroom and be an asset to myself as a clothes line or maiden just doesnt do the job ie dry your clothes in hal an hour. i would buy one of these and think it was underestimated as it seems beter than a tumble dryer and would only take half the time, if the cost was right i would buy.
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i thought this was a great idea as britain is at the moment and has been for a while with all the bad weather we have, i think this product would look great in my spare bedroom and be an asset to myself as a clothes line or maiden just doesnt do the job ie dry your clothes in half an hour. i would buy one of these and think it was underestimated as it seems beter than a tumble dryer and would only take half the time, if the cost was right i would buy.
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I've seen the show yesterday for the first time on a business trip. The arrogance was astounding. Clearly none of them had ever had to deal with hanging up laundry. It is a viable idea, I am pretty sure I've seen one in skymalls catalouge a while back and a similar product is available for purchase at amazon.de right now:
Note the high price! And the comments before are right on the mark, the right comparison is not a regular clothes line, but a tumble dryer.
Use the patent you have for the UK and make some money.
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I think the washing line is a great idea and indeed I would like to purchase one. It would be useful to have a link on his profile so that I could buy one as I can't find them online and no address. Although the presentation was a bit quirky, I think it was worth investing in - perhaps none of the dragons have to hang up their washing?
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Bottom Line - this product will sell - it makes sense, it will work indoors and if you using a good fabric softener and are not adverse to a little extra humidity, it will make your home smell wonderful and you wont stop getting comments about how nice your home smells - for a man, that is a feather in my cap.
I stopped drying clothes outside 10 years ago.
I GUARANTEE this product would sell on my website.
Go John - you are an inspiration for anyone with a brain.
And lets not forget, the Dragons were impressed by you, they just have to be very picky about what they take on for a whole host of reasons.
And, most importantly - its TV, it has to entertain the masses of dead beats who get a kick out of seeing people ripped to pieces.
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I actually said to my husband years ago -"Invent a rotary airer that circulates without any wind"
Obviously Deborah does not have to hang the washing out. I don't use a tumble drier because of issues regarding space / cost / global and enviromental issues.He based his pitch on a value line of £9 whereas an average rotary airer costs more like £60 so proportionately the cost would not be that much more
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The idea is excellent. However a few modifications required to overcome Dragons criticisms. The motor should be sold separate to the rotary line. Make the motor slender and able to secure in existing hole and then the rotary line slides into motor and is gripped for rotation by motor. This way existing rotary line owners are potential customers and costs dramatically reduced. It may prove necessary to shorten rotary line height by shortening shaft.
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Our dryer is a pole which acts as an axle for the arms of the dryer. If the arms can be driven by solar power, why not put a cap on the pole attached to the arms. On top of the cap a solar panel, beneath the cap (and inside the pole) fix a small motor. This would have a drive wheel which would act against the inside of the pole. Should work... and no-one has to lay concrete. Might even be possible to mount the motor on existing dryers. No royalties required - just put a seagull on the label!
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I would be interested
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I think this is great i would buy one. I think the drageons were wrong when they said no one would use it. Wish there was a website for it.
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GREAT ITEM
HOW CAN I GET ONE
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The obvious reduction in carbon emissions from using a twirling, rotating clothes line over a tumble drier were also missed completely. I want one to reduce my carbon footprint. On a still day this could reduce the drying time down to a couple of hours meaning it can be used on days when there might be showers.
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Reduces carbon footprint over tumble drying. Reduces drying time over a clothes line extending the 'drying season' in the UK. I want one and I want other people to use them.
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where can i buy one of these rotary lines
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I would have liked some details about how effective it really is. Does it really make washing dry much faster at that speed? And how effective is it when run by solar power? If it needed to be connected to an outdoor power supply, surely it would have to be constantly plugged in and unplugged again, as otherwise the cable would get in the way of the lawnmower?
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what a sweat man !!!!
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I was just inventing this myself in my overactive head and thought I better see if someone else had done so! Of course I am not that clever...but my idea was for it to be solar powered if possible, and to aggitate so many turns one way then the other. My washing is hanging on the line now doing nothing..if it dries it will be hard..It would be lovely to be able to take in washing softened by the wind and smelling of fresh air as well as dry. The problem with the Dragons is that often they are too far removed from the everyday irritations and frustrations of people, and I would be very happy to offer my services in this regard. :-)
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