authors: Bryon bryon@fryer.io state: pre-discussion labels: business, product, affiliate, email

buylater.email – An Email Based Delayed Gratification Shopping System

Summary

buylater.email is a minimalist, privacy-first email service that delays gratification by letting users schedule product reminder emails for a future date. Users submit a link and their email address, and we send them a timed reminder with affiliate and add-to-cart links, no passwords, no upsells, no tracking.

The service is monetized purely via affiliate commissions and designed to be transparent, consumer-centric, and willpower-enhancing.

Motivation

Modern e-commerce is designed to encourage impulse buying. Many people struggle with overconsumption, addictive habits, or simply want to buy less and buy better. Tools that claim to support intentional spending are often tied to tracking, upsells, or hidden agendas. We want to offer a clean, honest alternative.

We believe there is power in not buying now. We want to create a simple, no-nonsense, repeatable behavior: “Email this to me next month and if I still want it, I’ll buy it.”

By restoring friction to the buying process, we help people make purchases on their own terms.

Goals

• Let users submit any product URL and schedule a future email reminder.
• Embed affiliate links and add-to-cart links in the email.
• Operate on a minimal infrastructure with minimal user data retention.
• Reach profitability at a minimal scale (1,000 users/month).
• Stay focused on simplicity: no passwords, no app, no fluff.

Non-Goals

• We will not track user behavior outside of what is strictly necessary.
• We will not up-sell or advertise to our users.
• We will not sell user data to a third-party.

Detailed Proposal

User Flow

1. User visits buylater.email.
2. User pastes a product link and enters their email.
3. User selects a delay time (e.g., “3 days,” “2 weeks,” or “custom date”).
4. A confirmation email is sent (to validate ownership and prevent spam).
5. After confirmation, the service schedules a scheduled email to be sent after the specified delay.
6. The final email includes:
   • The original product title and image (fetched at submission).
   • Affiliate-tagged product link.
   • Optional “Add to Cart” link for convenience.

Monetization

• Affiliate program:
  • Every link in the final email uses a hardcoded affiliate tag.
  • If a user purchases within the session, a small commission is earned.
• No upsells, ads, or user data sales.

UX Philosophy

• Extremely lightweight and fast.
• No signups or logins.
• Accessible and mobile-friendly.
• Encourages mindful spending by intentionally not helping users buy faster.

Alternatives Considered

Risks & Mitigation