What do you sell out of your store front shop

PCX

PCX

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In this particular thread, I am only interested in what business owners who own a store front sell out of their shop. I am interested in what makes a good profit and what you sell to get people in the door, even if it does not make much of a profit on the item itself.

I would also like to know the best place to get these items.

Thanks.
 
Last edited:
We are an authorized agent for a regional pre-paid cellular company, -- that brings us about 100 - 150 people a month in the store, we sell about 20 - 30 new activations a month and average about $80/profit ea. We also recently started dealing in used cell phones - buying/selling/trading --- they are taking off, we are the only company in a quad county area to do it, and we don't even advertise it other than in-store and on CL. Those we basically markup 100% (i.e. buy at $30 sell for $60) so those are nice, and they bring people in the door.
We stock and sell the following:
Computers (3 - 5 laptops/netbooks)
Accessories/Components (Keyboards, Mice, cables, routers, switches, cards, fans, power supply's some motherboards, CPU's, Ram, HDD's, cases, LCD's, and lots more).
We also carry printers, touch screen POS systems, datacom parts, and network racks and misc. used stuff (Printers, racks, screens, computers, etc etc).
What we sell the most of:
Cell Phones (Profit about $8,000 Month)
Computer repair: $2,000/month profit (Needs to go up - new store is still getting finished, increasing rapidly)
Computer parts sales: $900/month Profit
Graphic design/Printing $1,500 profit
computer sales $1,200/profit (Refurbed laptops are best - sell for $385 - we make about $120 - 150)
Otherwise lots of odds and ends.

The cell phones get people in the door - but it works both ways - people come for the phones, and bring thier computers in to get em fixed, and bring their computers and buy phones -- and lots of people come in for our doorbusting prices on business cards. ($40 for 1,000 double sided color double UV Coated).
 
I am curious about the phones. In my area, prepaid phone services, typically attract the wrong people: wellfare leaches, crack heads, people with no money in general. I know this because I used to sell phones for Alltel before they were sold out to Verizon. My main concern, is that I obviously do not want to attract the wrong type of customers, especially since I am hoping to turn these cell phone customers into computer repair customers. That and I do not want the head ache that also comes with dealing with the wrong type of customers.

So what are your experience with this?
 
SprinterTech-WI said:
We are an authorized agent for a regional pre-paid cellular company, -- that brings us about 100 - 150 people a month in the store, we sell about 20 - 30 new activations a month and average about $80/profit ea. We also recently started dealing in used cell phones - buying/selling/trading --- they are taking off, we are the only company in a quad county area to do it, and we don't even advertise it other than in-store and on CL. Those we basically markup 100% (i.e. buy at $30 sell for $60) so those are nice, and they bring people in the door.
We stock and sell the following:
Computers (3 - 5 laptops/netbooks)
Accessories/Components (Keyboards, Mice, cables, routers, switches, cards, fans, power supply's some motherboards, CPU's, Ram, HDD's, cases, LCD's, and lots more).
We also carry printers, touch screen POS systems, datacom parts, and network racks and misc. used stuff (Printers, racks, screens, computers, etc etc).
What we sell the most of:
Cell Phones (Profit about $8,000 Month)
Computer repair: $2,000/month profit (Needs to go up - new store is still getting finished, increasing rapidly)
Computer parts sales: $900/month Profit
Graphic design/Printing $1,500 profit
computer sales $1,200/profit (Refurbed laptops are best - sell for $385 - we make about $120 - 150)
Otherwise lots of odds and ends.

The cell phones get people in the door - but it works both ways - people come for the phones, and bring thier computers in to get em fixed, and bring their computers and buy phones -- and lots of people come in for our doorbusting prices on business cards. ($40 for 1,000 double sided color double UV Coated).
Click to expand...

Wouldn't you say that you're more of a cell phone store that fixes computers? I'm all for generating extra revenue, but it's a pain to feel like you're running two businesses. I know in my experience I fix all of the computers and my wife is an authorized dealer for Verizon Wireless. We thought it would be pretty easy to cross-pollinate our customers but in fact it seems like we're running two separate businesses. We are looking for this to be the last year she sells VZW products so she can join me in building the repair side.

As for the OP, what we have learned is that even if we get out of the cell phone business, we'd still sell some of the more popular phone accessories (micro USB car chargers, iPhone cases, etc) as they sell through quickly.
 
Richmond, I sell a lot of chargers, would you say that car chargers sell better than regular wall chargers?
 
PCX said:
I am curious about the phones. In my area, prepaid phone services, typically attract the wrong people: wellfare leaches, crack heads, people with no money in general. I know this because I used to sell phones for Alltel before they were sold out to Verizon. My main concern, is that I obviously do not want to attract the wrong type of customers, especially since I am hoping to turn these cell phone customers into computer repair customers. That and I do not want the head ache that also comes with dealing with the wrong type of customers.

So what are your experience with this?
Click to expand...

We do get lots of low-income folks, but lots of working class too.... we sell a lot of used and refurbished computers to these people - so it's no problem for us..... I'll sell to anyone who wants to buy (We have a cctv system ;) ) but plenty of people now adays even in the middle income bracket like to save money so our plans bring in just about everyone.
Honestly I sometimes have more issues with the "higher-class" folks as they seem to think that we owe them something.... maybe it's just the ones around here... not sure lol

Anyways - we get a large variety of folks so I have no complaints so far
 
It may be just my market, but its also something worth exploring. Thanks for your input. If any one else has any input on prepaid cell phone sales, please let me know.
 
RichmondTech said:
Wouldn't you say that you're more of a cell phone store that fixes computers? I'm all for generating extra revenue, but it's a pain to feel like you're running two businesses. I know in my experience I fix all of the computers and my wife is an authorized dealer for Verizon Wireless. We thought it would be pretty easy to cross-pollinate our customers but in fact it seems like we're running two separate businesses. We are looking for this to be the last year she sells VZW products so she can join me in building the repair side.

As for the OP, what we have learned is that even if we get out of the cell phone business, we'd still sell some of the more popular phone accessories (micro USB car chargers, iPhone cases, etc) as they sell through quickly.
Click to expand...

No, because our onsite is way bigger in repair - commercial printer repair is at about 20 calls a week, cabling is about 5 - 10 calls, plus lots of commercial/residential onsite work..... the store is only about 40% of the business if even that. I like to diversify, and the cellular end is 10' of the store the other 40' is computer related -- and now that we have a new store, I think the repairs will go up substantially! esp. with some new marketing campaigns.
And for us the customers cross over very well
 
SprinterTech-WI said:
We are an authorized agent for a regional pre-paid cellular company, -- that brings us about 100 - 150 people a month in the store, we sell about 20 - 30 new activations a month and average about $80/profit ea. We also recently started dealing in used cell phones - buying/selling/trading --- they are taking off, we are the only company in a quad county area to do it, and we don't even advertise it other than in-store and on CL. Those we basically markup 100% (i.e. buy at $30 sell for $60) so those are nice, and they bring people in the door.
We stock and sell the following:
Computers (3 - 5 laptops/netbooks)
Accessories/Components (Keyboards, Mice, cables, routers, switches, cards, fans, power supply's some motherboards, CPU's, Ram, HDD's, cases, LCD's, and lots more).
We also carry printers, touch screen POS systems, datacom parts, and network racks and misc. used stuff (Printers, racks, screens, computers, etc etc).
What we sell the most of:
Cell Phones (Profit about $8,000 Month)
Computer repair: $2,000/month profit (Needs to go up - new store is still getting finished, increasing rapidly)
Computer parts sales: $900/month Profit
Graphic design/Printing $1,500 profit
computer sales $1,200/profit (Refurbed laptops are best - sell for $385 - we make about $120 - 150)
Otherwise lots of odds and ends.

The cell phones get people in the door - but it works both ways - people come for the phones, and bring thier computers in to get em fixed, and bring their computers and buy phones -- and lots of people come in for our doorbusting prices on business cards. ($40 for 1,000 double sided color double UV Coated).
Click to expand...

Hmmm... Something I've been thinking on for a bit. If I might ask, how does one get into the prepaid cell business? Do you find Wal-Mart et al to be much competition? Thanks in advance.

Rick
 
red12049 said:
Hmmm... Something I've been thinking on for a bit. If I might ask, how does one get into the prepaid cell business? Do you find Wal-Mart et al to be much competition? Thanks in advance.

Rick
Click to expand...

Not at all for us - we carry a company that does not sell in any other stores - there is one other agent - a UPS Shipping store (not your ideal cell agent IMO) the next closest is 40 miles away - so we get 70+% of the customers that are in this area - they have tv, radio and billboard spots plus some others.... we haven't started carrying the same ones walmart does - if we did then I'm not sure - but we only carry the one carrier (plus used phones).
I'm looking forward to getting our signage out - as it's lacking terribly right now - but once it's done we should be golden!

We were contacted by the rep - they were looking for more locations.... it's working out relatively well.
 
SprinterTech-WI said:
Not at all for us - we carry a company that does not sell in any other stores - there is one other agent - a UPS Shipping store (not your ideal cell agent IMO) the next closest is 40 miles away - so we get 70+% of the customers that are in this area - they have tv, radio and billboard spots plus some others.... we haven't started carrying the same ones walmart does - if we did then I'm not sure - but we only carry the one carrier (plus used phones).
I'm looking forward to getting our signage out - as it's lacking terribly right now - but once it's done we should be golden!

We were contacted by the rep - they were looking for more locations.... it's working out relatively well.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the quick response. Appreciate it.

Rick
 
SprinterTech,

I am adding pre-paid cell phone services to my computer shop which I have been running for 2+ years. We are doing fairly well on the computer service and want additional income by reselling cell phones and services. I have already contatcted and signed an agreement with a local carrier to become an authorized dealer for Simple Mobile, Red Pocket, Boost Mobile and T-Mobile in Florida. I would like to know what phones I should keep in my inventory without spending lots of money. I have no idea what phones are the top sellers. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

CRRA Tech
 
our biggest sellers in my shop are blank media, ink, paper and cases etc. We make good margins on them and customers come back every few days for them!
 
tarik said:
our biggest sellers in my shop are blank media, ink, paper and cases etc. We make good margins on them and customers come back every few days for them!
Click to expand...

A local shop here sells the crap out of ink, Where do you get it if you want to be a re-seller?

I also would love to know where to get the paper as a re-seller?
 
CRRA TECH said:
SprinterTech,

I am adding pre-paid cell phone services to my computer shop which I have been running for 2+ years. We are doing fairly well on the computer service and want additional income by reselling cell phones and services. I have already contatcted and signed an agreement with a local carrier to become an authorized dealer for Simple Mobile, Red Pocket, Boost Mobile and T-Mobile in Florida. I would like to know what phones I should keep in my inventory without spending lots of money. I have no idea what phones are the top sellers. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

CRRA Tech
Click to expand...
Well I would say here it's more of a price deal.... we sell for a no contract prepaid carrier so the phone is bought upfront, take a look here to see our current inventory....
http://sprintertech.us/index.php?route=product/category&path=61_125_126
I would say the standard flip phone (Alcatel 665 in our case) sells very well, so does the ~$200 Androids (LG Optimus line), and our Galaxy S is also selling quite nicely..... we have on average about 25 different phones in stock... oh and the LG-GR500..... plus for us the Motorola Milestone x1 and x2 are big sellers.
 
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