Hey guys, i really appreciate all the input!, the one we were going for was kind of expensive, but it turns out theres one a two minute walk from my house thats very affordable, even if its not uses as a shop and just as a work place just now, we would obviously like walk ins though, we also have part time jobs between the three of us and we aren't looking to make any money from it for now we just want it to be successful,
im going to see this shop tomorrow but from the window it seems to be an not bad size in the front at least, my worry is still that the front will be empty and the back will be full of tools, does anyone know where i could at least get empty component boxes to put on display?
or any ideas you guys have to pad out the front shop
we have looked into grants etc but we can't get them because were keeping our part time jobs for now to pay for this then we will phase them out
Sorry Haktar, forgive me for saying this, but I feel as if I have to.
It sounds like and forgive me if im wrong with this assumption, that between the 3 of you, you've decided, that you think you know about computers, and decided to start a business between you.
a) The 3 of you have part time jobs - Possibly no savings to back you up.
b) To open a retail outlet, you would require at least 3 months overheads in your bank account, to start you off. Do you have this amount of spare money?
c), have you even got a bank account yet?, as this will take a couple of weeks to set up.
d) From the questions you have asked regarding VAT etc, in previous threads it sounds like you have little or no business sense.
e) In order to be compulsary vat registered, you require a turnover of approx £68,000 pa. This equates to £5666 pr month, or £1307 pr week or £186 pr day, each and every day. Do you honestly think you will turnover this amount of money right away?
f) Most retail outlets, require either and or a deposit of at least 3 months rent up front. From the last post, you mentioned rent being £300 a month, so call it £900 in total.
g) The remaining overheads, you forgot about in an earlier post in this thread. Ave £1000 pr month. Are you 100% sure, you can achieve that amount of turnover, plus your expenditure on parts from day 1?
h) All 3 of you are going to keep your part time jobs, then phase them out?
When will the shop be open, who will be running it on a day to day basis?
i) Have you thought about the costings of setting up the said retail shop?, inc fixtures and fittings, workbenches cabling, networking etc.. This alone could cost a couple of thousand.
j) You have asked about "what is the best and most importantly the cheapest way to install a legit windows for a customer?"
This type of question, a tech should know, and not need to ask about on forums.
k) i just phoned the customer and she said the computer asked her to burn a recovery disc when she bought it, ive never heard of that before so im gonna pick it up and see what she has.
Again a tech should know what a recovery disc is.
l) Have you thought about who your suppliers are going to be?, have you enquired as to trade accounts
m) Business insurance - Do you have a definitive quote on this, public liability, professional indemnity, and stock loss?
I'm sorry, but I could go on. I'm all for people learning, and trying to start off on their own, but these ideas, and the questions raised, make me feel as if your just starting up in IT, and have little or no knowledge of what is actually required.
With the 3 of you, in part time jobs, why don't you all take stock, sit back chill, and relax for a moment and think.. Do we have a loyal, and large customer base we can start off from?
If not, how are we going to get one up and running fast.
Advertising - If your thinking of the Yellow Pages, then im afraid you may be too late for this years book, as it will possibly be in print by now. There fore it will be at least 10-12 months before joe bloggs really knows your out there. How else are you going to get your name out there?
Have you not thought about starting small, working from home for the time being, to get your customer base, get your name out there, as starting from scratch in a retail outlet, will be damned hard. Especially in the current economic market.
Have you heard of Business Link?, (Not sure where you are in the UK), but most if not all cities have one.) Google them, make an appt, and go through a business plan with them; and see what they say about everything.
Don't run before you can walk.
Like I said, I don't mean to put you down, it just sounds like you need to be level headed about this, and not thinking, oh cool lets open a shop up.. There are dire consequences should it not pan out.
Sorry if this post is harsh, but I stand by every word. Even if it means I get shot down in flames.. I feel like it needed to be said. Apologies for the really long reply everyone..
