Rating: 
Summary: The Entire Process--Start to Finish!
Review: As an aspiring inventor and patent holder I found Robert's book very valuable--in fact I don't even know of another book that covers the invention process the way "Stand Alone, Inventor" does from start to finish. Robert not only tells you about his own experiences in successfully bringing products to market, but also those of other inventors and what worked for them. You learn about some of the keys successful products have as well as prototyping, protecting, licensing, promoting, pricing, marketing, distributing, and retailing your product--and much more. The author also guides the reader to stay clear of certain pitfalls and mistakes an aspiring inventor might make. There is also a 44 page resource section at the end of the book!
Rating:
Summary: The Entire Process--Start to Finish!
Review: As an aspiring inventor and patent holder I found Robert's book very valuable--in fact I don't even know of another book that covers the invention process the way "Stand Alone, Inventor" does from start to finish. Robert not only tells you about his own experiences in successfully bringing products to market, but also those of other inventors and what worked for them. You learn about some of the keys successful products have as well as prototyping, protecting, licensing, promoting, pricing, marketing, distributing, and retailing your product--and much more. The author also guides the reader to stay clear of certain pitfalls and mistakes an aspiring inventor might make. There is also a 44 page resource section at the end of the book!
Rating:
Summary: Dog Ear
Review: I could not put this book down when I got it. I read the whole book in one evening!! This book answered my questions completely. I know now I can manufacture and market my invention completely with confidence in knowing I have the vital key information I needed , Thx Mr. Merrick!!
Rating:
Summary: This book is Excellent
Review: I have a background of inventing and running a business. I am now retired, after manufacturing and selling a louver roof system. I did it the hard way and borrowed money against my house, my bank manager and I were on intimate terms and a few times I thought I was a goner. Although the product was sound I made a number of bad judgments.I have now sold my business and tinker in the back shed with new ideas and run a newsletter for our local Inventors Association. I am convinced that had I read Bobs book, which unfortunately had not been written 20 years ago, my groping in the dark for guidance would have been far less painful. Bob speaks about starting small, financing it yourself and creeping up on the market. There are plenty of people willing to take your money and promise you the world; I met a few of them. Bob suggests taking control of the situation and spending the minimum for the greatest return. He talks of evaluating, patenting, financing, and finally marketing and distributing your product, pointing to a number of resources that can help you at no cost or at least offering value for money. I live in South Australia so a number of resources were of limited value, but did give valuable guidance in what to look for here in Australia. Even with the additional cost of freight and currency exchange, Bobs commonsense approach will save me heaps in mistakes I won't make in my new product launch. The book is entertaining, inspirational and very easy to read. Wherever you are from, Commonsense is Commonsense.
Rating:
Summary: A Must for a Novice Inventor
Review: I have bought this book few years ago and I still refer to it even today. I have several other inventing books but this one is the one I have used to develop my own invention, "BuckleBabies". Following one of the ten rules from the book certainly helped me to launch our product to the market. I practically used the example forms from the book in the manufacturing phase of our product. I highly recommend this book for any novice inventor who needs inspiration. The resource section at the end of the book itself is worth the price!Believe me.
Rating:
Summary: A Must for a Novice Inventor
Review: I have bought this book few years ago and I still refer to it even today. I have several other inventing books but this one is the one I have used to develop my own invention, "BuckleBabies". Following one of the ten rules from the book certainly helped me to launch our product to the market. I practically used the example forms from the book in the manufacturing phase of our product. I highly recommend this book for any novice inventor who needs inspiration. The resource section at the end of the book itself is worth the price!Believe me.
Rating: 
Summary: A very helpful book
Review: Packed with info that would have taken me years to obtain without this book. An extremely positive outlook for inventors. It motivated me to go after my dream.
Rating:
Summary: Great Book !!!!
Review: Personally I believe licensing your invention is the best way to go. However,if you decide to manufacture and sell your invention yourself......this is absolutley the best book I've ever read. Bob's book explains just how to do it. Bob has spoken to my inventors assoiciation ......InventorsAlliance.org.......he has a strait forward style and doesn't hold back on all the critial information you need to know. I highly recomend this book if you decide to manufacture and sell your invention. Andrew Krauss
Rating:
Summary: How to invent with all the details spelled out.
Review: Robert Merrick's book "Stand Alone, Inventor" is an excellent book for the person wanting to start out with small inventions. Merrick shows how to get out products without millions of dollars in financing and a staff of engineers to develope your idea. If you want to start out small and grow as you go, this book is an excellent guide to follow. It is not intended for the large system developer. The author goes into detail on how to get your product patent protected, produced, and how to do test marketing. He then discusses packaging the product, and some of the different types of marketing and sales schemes that are available. There is lots of detailed information including sample forms that can be used in your business. He also includes a large resource section at the end of the book. Merrick has not described just one product, but talked about the pitfalls and successes of many of his and others inventions. He has been very successful over the years with his business. If you were to follow many of the ideas he talks about, you to should be able to come up a winner and avoid many of the typical pitfalls that new inventors face.
Rating:
Summary: Good book - recommended
Review: The author illustrates how truly mundane products can generate substantial returns if they are marketed vigorously. Merrick makes a career out of the most uninteresting products: military salary slide rules, transparent calendars for wrist watches, and his big kahoona, a rolodex style business card punch. Merrick gets into the details of each invention covering every step from product conception, prototyping, protecting, packaging, and marketing. It's a good read with lots of solid invention information.
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