It can be so frustrating to lose your valuables in the gap between your car seats. You’re just minding your business, driving, and then something drops from your hand and disappears into the “black hole,” never to return!
Drop Stop inventors Marc Newburger and Jeffrey Simon pitch the Sharks on their solution for keeping things out of the “Carmuda Triangle,” that little gap between a car seat and the center console. Marc was inspired to invent the Drop Stop when he nearly wrecked his car after reaching for his cell phone, which had fallen into that gap as he was driving. He nearly killed a pedestrian and came within inches of smashing his car into a metal pole.
After that nearly fatal experience, Marc and his friend Jeffrey started brainstorming. They tried a bunch of different solutions to plug that gap, but they didn’t come up with anything until Marc had an epiphany. He stuffed an automotive sponge into an old sock, cut a few slits in it (for the seatbelt receptacle), and tested it in his car; the Drop Stop was born! After a few years of developing the prototype, Team Drop Stop shot an infomercial and decided to swim with the Sharks.
About Drop Stop
| Category | Details |
| Founder (Plural if multiple) | Marc Newburger and Jeffrey Simon |
| Product Type | Device to prevent items from falling between car seats and center console |
| Funding (Pre-Shark Tank) | Self-Funded |
| Investment Asked | $300,000 |
| Equity Offered | 15% |
What Happened on the Shark Tank Episode?
Marc Newburger and Jeffrey Simon presented a very compelling pitch. The entrepreneurs vividly explained the struggle of losing items to the dark hole of car seats. They had car seats arranged on the stage, where they demonstrated a real-life scenario.
They asked the Sharks, ‘Who has a two-year-old French fry stuck between the seats?’ and ‘Who hasn’t struggled to get on their knees to retrieve something that just fell in between the seats?’ Then, the entrepreneurs presented their product, designed to save the day.
After telling the tale of the inspiration behind their product, Mark asked them how much money their business could make. The entrepreneurs revealed they had sold over 250,000 units. Kevin, eager to know the value of those sales in dollars, interrogated them. In response, the founders proudly shared that their total sales amounted to $1.3 million!
Shark Lori was interested to know the mode of selling the product. The guys explained that they sell through their website and catalogs. Apart from that, they have appeared on 42 shows on QVC.
Mark asked about the selling price and manufacturing cost. The entrepreneur pair told him that the cost of making a set of two is $4, and they sell it for $19.99.
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What Makes Drop Stop Unique?
The product Drop Stop is designed to keep small items from falling into the dark pit between the car seat and the center console. It fits in most cars. It has a built-in slot for the seatbelt buckle to keep it securely in place.
The quality of the material allows it to stay put for a long time. Even if you move your seat backward or forward, Drop Stop moves with it.
To find out more about the business, read related posts about Drop Stop on Shark Tank Blog. Check out The Carmuda Triangle. to learn more about Marc and Jeffrey.
Did Drop Stop Get a Deal on Shark Tank?
Even with the big sales numbers, Robert wasn’t a true believer in Drop Stop, so he was out. Daymond liked the numbers, but he followed Robert out. Mark liked the product and thanked the guys for the sample, but he didn’t think he could add value, so he was out.
Mr. Wonderful offered $300K for a $2 per unit royalty. Lori jumped in and offered $300K for 20% and said she would make Marc and Jeffrey millionaires. Mr. Wonderful countered with $300K for a $1 royalty, but Lori turned up the heat. She had the guys visualizing sailing around Martha’s Vineyard as she handed them a check for a million bucks. The guys liked her vision and accepted.
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What Happened to Drop Stop After Shark Tank?
In an update interview with Shark Tank Blog, Marc and Jeffrey revealed they did close to half a million dollars in sales following the show. They aired on The View and did another $120K in sales. As of last summer, they were plowing all profits back into the business. They were scheduled for an update segment in episode 511 of season 5 and were one of season four’s Shark Tank success stories!
Since its original appearance, Drop Stop has become the number one selling automotive accessory on Amazon. The product is available in Bed Bath & Beyond, Walmart, Target, Staples, and more. Sales are approaching $10 million and show no signs of slowing down.
Drop Stop gets a long update in Beyond the Tank episode 104. Read about more of their progress.
In yet another update segment, Drop Stop appears in season nine, episode 913. In the update, they reveal they have $24 million in total sales. They’re also the number one selling automotive accessories on Amazon. As of July 2024, the company is still in business, generating $5 million in annual revenue and over $40 million in lifetime sales.
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Where Can You Buy It?
Keep your items from falling with Drop Stop, available for purchase on their official website. Start your drives with added safety and convenience. Avoid the frustration of lost items between car seats by ordering Drop Stop from Amazon.
For more company information, visit the website. You can also find regular updates on their social media channels.
Quick Summary
- Marc Newburger and Jeffrey Simon introduced Drop Stop, a device to prevent items from falling into the gap between car seats and the center console, on Shark Tank.
- The inventors were inspired by Marc’s near-fatal car accident caused by reaching for a fallen item.
- Lori Greiner invested $300,000 for 20% equity, promising to make Marc and Jeffrey millionaires.
Thank you for inventing the Drop Stop. My father, just this week, dropped his keys in between the console and seat. He just purchased a car with a push button start and is trying to figure out what to do with the keys. We were on our knees in the car for a few minutes trying to find the keys. I am interested in purchasing this product for them.