The segment of people I am going to be discussing today are those who attempt to sell their parking spots. I interviewed 3 people that I believe fall into this segment. The first person I interviewed was a member of a Fraternity which sells their parking spots for UF game days. The second person I interview is a college aged male someone who lives at an off campus apartment. The third person I interviewed is another college aged male who lives at an off campus apartment, but this one being a mile from campus. I will summarize the interviews in the below paragraphs:
From all three interviews, it is clear that the main time in which people sell their parking spots is for UF football games. Basketball games typically do not attract the amount of people which would require the use of off campus parking. As far as need awareness goes, that places our main need of my service to be on UF football game days (where UF is playing at home). This happens approximately 6-7 times per season. This opportunity is something that is seasonal, which may put an issue on the opportunity as a whole. I did not realize that there really are only a few home games per season.
2 of the participants say that when the time comes for a football game, they stand outside with signs that say parking available for $x. They rely on people driving by and seeing their signs, and choosing to park there as opposed to looking all over campus for any cheaper or closer alternatives. One of the interviewers said that they go online onto Facebook and try to post their available parking. Sometimes travelling fans will stop at the same places for each game, according to the Fraternity house member.
Throughout all of these interviews, it is clear that many people have found different methods in which to advertise their parking. 2 of the interviewees say that they physically advertise, while 1 of the interviewees say that they post on Facebook, since nobody really drives by their house on accident (it is relatively far from campus). Overall, it is clear that this segment of people is in need of one location where all parking can be posted online, so that the proper traffic is directed to each location.
From all three interviews, it is clear that the main time in which people sell their parking spots is for UF football games. Basketball games typically do not attract the amount of people which would require the use of off campus parking. As far as need awareness goes, that places our main need of my service to be on UF football game days (where UF is playing at home). This happens approximately 6-7 times per season. This opportunity is something that is seasonal, which may put an issue on the opportunity as a whole. I did not realize that there really are only a few home games per season.
2 of the participants say that when the time comes for a football game, they stand outside with signs that say parking available for $x. They rely on people driving by and seeing their signs, and choosing to park there as opposed to looking all over campus for any cheaper or closer alternatives. One of the interviewers said that they go online onto Facebook and try to post their available parking. Sometimes travelling fans will stop at the same places for each game, according to the Fraternity house member.
Throughout all of these interviews, it is clear that many people have found different methods in which to advertise their parking. 2 of the interviewees say that they physically advertise, while 1 of the interviewees say that they post on Facebook, since nobody really drives by their house on accident (it is relatively far from campus). Overall, it is clear that this segment of people is in need of one location where all parking can be posted online, so that the proper traffic is directed to each location.
I also focused on interviewing sellers of my own service as well. I think that you should definitely focus on getting word out and news to sellers who might be living further off campus because they would be quicker to advertising online as opposed to the people who had in person and get a consistent parking customer. Another factor that you may want to incorporate would be assessing traffic and how it is more intense closer to campus and how that works.
ReplyDeleteThis could be a great idea as an app. You could have people put their spot locations and for how much and how much time. It could really help with the horrible parking situation at University of Florida. My friend has an apartment parking spot two blocks from the business school so when she takes her car out it could be very useful to others while she makes extra money.
ReplyDeleteSchuyler, I think that this service would work best in the form of a mobile app. As I have stated in previous comments, my only concern with this would be cannibalistic price gouging. People who use the app that has all the lots listed will look purely for the cheapest parking possible. Therefore, lots will compete with each-other to offer the lowest price to attract the most traffic. I am not positive that this would be the guaranteed result of the app's creation, but I think it is definitely a major concern. However, your interviews have definitely shown that a need exists for the creation of a gameday parking lot ad space.
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