Customer Reviews

Stand Alone, Inventor!

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I have been a practicing Industrial Designer / Product Designer for over 30 years with a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Design. I have been a member of the Industrial Design Society of America (IDSA) in good standing since 1977. I have owned a successful design firm in Silicon Valley since 1982 and have been granted over 14 utilitarian and design patents and have won several design awards. When one of my clients loaned me a copy of Robert G. Merrick's book "Stand Alone Inventor" I looked at it, shrugged, and put it down, thinking to myself, "another do-it-yourself book". A few days later I had occasion to open it, mostly out of curiosity. I was amazed!! Mr. Merrick had put into his book tips and methodologies; insights and resources that had taken me over 30 years of trial error to learn. Some of these tips I even gained a new insight in - specifically on Royalties and the USPTO Disclosure Document Program. This is an excellent book as it guides the inventor through the entire process from idea refinement to product development and then through the ways of protecting an invention by NDA and DDP and the patent process on to the manufacturing, merchandising, advertising ending finally in sales and distribution. The "Stand Alone Inventor" is truly a must have book not only for all inventors but also for all professionals in the field of product marketing, industrial design and product development. I very highly recommend adding "Stand Alone Inventor" to one's library. I went out immediately and bought my own copy!!

What a great book! This book is not your regular how-to-this and how-to-that book. There is no technical stufff here either. This is all about how a little inventor can make it big by following some simple steps. The narration was so good that you almost feel that the author is sitting next to you telling all his little secrets of how he did it. It is more inspiring than anything else... and that's what I need. I have other patent books for every thing else.But this one is a gem of all. I wish author had all of his successfull stories filled in the book. The resourses at the end of the book itself justifies the cost.

I bought this book hoping to learn additional techniques to help me with patent development and marketing strategies. I was looking for creative methods that would aid in building a strong company around a good idea. However, what I got was about 45 total reading minutes of "How to be like me". The book is mainly concerned with what Merrick has done to make money selling little gimmicks. If you are trying to sell something that can fit into someones pocket this book might give you some encouragment. (Not technique). If you are trying to invent and market something with company building potential read another book. A personal note: I bought this book primarily because it had a foreward by the director of the US patent office. That impressed me, but I found two problems with it. First, the book spends only a couple of paragraphs even discussing patents, Second, it seemed like the director didn't even agree with Merrick's stand. I will never buy a book again based on the author of the foreword.

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.

I purchased "The Stand Alone Inventor" several months ago, it was invaluable as a reference. I purchased it as a novice inventor... I am now in the process of shopping my "patent pending" invention to several interested manufacturers.

I have started on my next invention which I am confident will be a winner - thanks to this book. I have read several "Do It Yourself" type books for inventors... this is definitely one of the best by far.

Highly recommended!

This practical and insightful book from experienced veteran Robert Merrick, delivers exactly what it promises and more! A brisk, enjoyable read full of valuable lessons, resources, ideas, entertaining anecdotes, and real-world wisdom that will help save you from making costly mistakes and greatly improve your probability of success. I have a handful of other books on inventing, but I would easily trade them all for this one! I only wish I had found this book earlier. A MUST READ for anyone interested in inventing, marketing and selling their own products! With this book, you CAN be a stand alone inventor, without feeling quite so "alone" on the journey. Thank you, Mr. Merrick!

I started my own company earlier this year and have since been manufacturing and marketing my invention (...). I just found "Stand Alone, Inventor!" last week, and I truly wish I'd found it a year ago. As someone who has first-hand experience (although somewhat limited) trying to take an idea to product to market, I cannot stress enough how useful this book is to anyone interested in becoming an entrepreneur.

My product happens to be an office product and promotional product, which is directly applicable to many of the examples Mr. Merrick provides, but his insight would also be useful for any consumer product in the retail industry.

I must admit that I haven't even finished the book yet because I'm too busy implementing some of the recommendations the author makes (making some important contacts/counseling and modifying my catalog sheet). I've already spotted some mistakes I've made in my plan, as well as some areas that I'm doing pretty well in.

If you want to maximize your chances of successfully taking your idea to market, this book is a MUST-HAVE.

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

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.

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!