Hacker News Reader

I have fond memories of the mail order oddities that were in the back of comic books as a kid. Sea Monkeys, mini hot air balloons, electric motors, and so on. Companies like Edmund Scientific. Patiently waited "4 to 6 weeks" many times.

View on HN

Indeed. My first real swing at self-employment was thanks to an ad in either Boy's Life or some comic book encouraging kids to sell greeting cards door-to-door. I sent off for the kit (which I believe was free), waited impatiently, and happily received my sales kit. I then went all over town doing the door-to-door schtick. I believe I was in third grade at the time and learned a LOT about sales, customer support, product fulfillment, and the importance of customer retention. Over time I had other jobs and interests that brought my door-to-door operations to a halt but even when I was in high school I had certain customers acquired during that 3rd grade summer that would contact me to make sure I stopped by for their yearly orders.

I sent away for a Submarine (plans, and most parts) when I was six, seven, or eight.

I waited by that mailbox for weeks. My mom finally told me I was robbed of $4.75.

It was a learning experience. I still think about the person who set out to dupe kids.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com