Do i need to wear Holden shirt at auto shops now ? - Page 4

fiery · 01-11-2005, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The MaDDeSTMaN

If I was good enough at business planning and market research, and was sure I could get the required investment money to get it off the ground and be able to keep the business going until it starts to make a profit (I know enough to know it often takes a minimum of at least 6 months before any real profit is made when you take into account startup costs), I'd get started on it myself...

If you were only in this neck of the woods, I could fill your head with the business planning and market research side of things... Seriously!!!

fiery · 01-11-2005, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PirtekGirl76

Um - heres an idea - if we all sold our cars we could afford to do this

maybe some of you this could be true...
but
a) I would never ever sell my baby
b) it isnt really worth that much anyway

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The MaDDeSTMaN · 01-11-2005, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fiery

The maddestman... the problem in this area is you have Supercheap, Autobarn, Repco and diddly squat else really (Im talking price wise too).... so a little (well not so little) store would do great business, which then can lead to awesome stores in every state........

Yes, but they are known, established businesses that are pretty much household names that are already running a profit, and so it could be rather difficult to compete with them seeing as any new business would unknown by the general public, and making the general public know about a new business costs money, potentially quite a lot.

phoon · 01-11-2005, 10:12 PM

Maddest, you shouldnt expect to see a Return on Investment for at least 2 years. You would need to build that factor into your business plan. By the way there are investment companies that invest in Start ups, they are known as Venture capitalists or commonly known as business angels. They normally require more ROI than a bank, but they give as well as start up capital, sound business advice for the first few years of operation to ensure their investment is being looked after. One such company is Mezzanine Investments if you want to go on a search engine and look them up.

fiery · 01-11-2005, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The MaDDeSTMaN

Yes, but they are known, established businesses that are pretty much household names that are already running a profit, and so it could be rather difficult to compete with them seeing as any new business would unknown by the general public, and making the general public know about a new business costs money, potentially quite a lot.

I know what you are saying... but..... How many people are here on this forum? The marketplace would entail all members talking to other people and so on so forth.......
There are car events (free advertising in one way) etc that would boost the name, which boosts the business...

Look in honesty, I could really waffle on about the whys and hows and dotting i and crossing ts.......
Did businessplanning as a subject last year..... its not as hard as anyone thinks... but yes you are right that I would take a bit to be seeing profit...but until profit, you really only need skeleton staff (like ME

: - sorry just had to pop that in)....

Ok I will jump off soapbox now and live this thread alone

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The MaDDeSTMaN · 01-11-2005, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phoon

Maddest, you shouldnt expect to see a Return on Investment for at least 2 years. You would need to build that factor into your business plan. By the way there are investment companies that invest in Start ups, they are known as Venture capitalists or commonly known as business angels. They normally require more ROI than a bank, but they give as well as start up capital, sound business advice for the first few years of operation to ensure their investment is being looked after. One such company is Mezzanine Investments if you want to go on a search engine and look them up.

Yeah, I said 6 months minimum, but that would be a best case senario really, I have looked into this sort of thing before in the past, and I think I've still got some of the business planning documents I wrote stored on my computer, I just have my doubts about competing with the big existing stores (or even some of the smaller ones), particularly when I think one of the biggest issues would be getting the word out to potential customers and getting them to check out the store for themselves.

vegabass · 01-11-2005, 10:27 PM

I get looked after at my local Autobarn, they know I refer business to them and as i have a part time car audio business they will do there best in makeing sure i get what i need and fast.

they own WRX's and Stu has a nice red SS ute (ill wash my mouth out later)
they show genuine interest in my projects.

I know i could buy the same part cheaper elsewhere but they also have cheaper prices on some items.
Im happy to pay a little extra for the warm welcome when i walk in the door and 90% of the time they will give me 5meters of cable for the price of 3.

It wouldnt hurt to have another friendly place to go to for my 3.5m of cable and nick nacks

vegabass · 01-11-2005, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The MaDDeSTMaN

Yeah, I said 6 months minimum, but that would be a best case senario really, I have looked into this sort of thing before in the past, and I think I've still got some of the business planning documents I wrote stored on my computer, I just have my doubts about competing with the big existing stores (or even some of the smaller ones), particularly when I think one of the biggest issues would be getting the word out to potential customers and getting them to check out the store for themselves.

Good Marketing. Open with a *Bang* Carnival style and a sausage sizzle is always a goodie

The MaDDeSTMaN · 01-11-2005, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fiery

I know what you are saying... but..... How many people are here on this forum? The marketplace would entail all members talking to other people and so on so forth.......
There are car events (free advertising in one way) etc that would boost the name, which boosts the business...

Look in honesty, I could really waffle on about the whys and hows and dotting i and crossing ts.......
Did businessplanning as a subject last year..... its not as hard as anyone thinks... but yes you are right that I would take a bit to be seeing profit...but until profit, you really only need skeleton staff (like ME

: - sorry just had to pop that in)....

Ok I will jump off soapbox now and live this thread alone

:

True, isn't that called 'viral marketing', an awful name for an interesting concept, that is people telling people, who tell people...

The other issue that comes to my mind is that I wouldn't want to be in direct competition with any site sponsors here, not during start-up, nor in the future. Unless it was possible to combine resources and knowledge, sort of a "you scratch my back, and I'll scratch yours" sort of deal.

It's POSSIBLY a viable idea, however much research and planning would be required, and it would still be risky. However, if it got off the ground and did well, it would be well worth it...

*wanders off thinking*

phoon · 01-11-2005, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The MaDDeSTMaN

Yeah, I said 6 months minimum, but that would be a best case senario really, I have looked into this sort of thing before in the past, and I think I've still got some of the business planning documents I wrote stored on my computer, I just have my doubts about competing with the big existing stores (or even some of the smaller ones), particularly when I think one of the biggest issues would be getting the word out to potential customers and getting them to check out the store for themselves.

Best form of defence, is attack. Find the biggest a#se Supercheap store you can find, and open up right next door. Not down the street, but right next door. Make sure your signage on your building is Bigger and Brighter than theres, and there you have it. Instant customers. Anyone going to there store, will certainly check out yours to compare. Once they are in, the hard bits done, smother them with service, knowledge and good product. That is your marketing plan taken care of. Do you get it, let your competition pay for your marketing.

geckoGT · 01-11-2005, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PirtekGirl76

Um - heres an idea - if we all sold our cars we could afford to do this

But if I sold the Gecko I wouldn't need auto accessories, sorry the gecko stays!

fiery · 01-11-2005, 10:34 PM

The Maddestman
that is my point exactly......
Start planning your businessplan, start researching (survey people first),
speak to this (and other) forum sponsors to see if they would jump on board...
Its a great idea, and I know I have thought etc about this before, for the reasons I have stated a few times in this thread.......

The only problem with it I can see (and please dont take this the wrong way) you are in Vic (correct?) so, how would that help the members that are here being vocal (or not) in Qld (unless you want to move here ;)

)

geckoGT · 01-11-2005, 10:35 PM

[QUOTE=The MaDDeSTMaN]True, isn't that called 'viral marketing', an awful name for an interesting concept, that is people telling people, who tell people...

QUOTE]
Also by far the most effective form of advertising, the spoken word.

vegabass · 01-11-2005, 10:36 PM

Business is easier in the flesh but with video confrencing and the wonders of the internet, Plane tickets being cheap as chips, its not hard to do business over long distances

fiery · 01-11-2005, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vegabass

Business is easier in the flesh but with video confrencing and the wonders of the internet, Plane tickets being cheap as chips, its not hard to do business over long distances

well see that is still a problem for me.....Im a demanding b*tch and like to actually touch things before buying (dont be rude any of you either).....
I have bought off the net etc but I loveeeeeeeeee to browse an auto shop (just wish there was one that was halfway decent -I do miss the ones I used to shop at when in SA)

geckoGT · 01-11-2005, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phoon

Best form of defence, is attack. Find the biggest a#se Supercheap store you can find, and open up right next door. Not down the street, but right next door. Make sure your signage on your building is Bigger and Brighter than theres, and there you have it. Instant customers. Anyone going to there store, will certainly check out yours to compare. Once they are in, the hard bits done, smother them with service, knowledge and good product. That is your marketing plan taken care of. Do you get it, let your competition pay for your marketing.

The problem is that store would sell their items for next to nothing, a price that a fledgling store can not compete with. Because they have large capital they can cover it. Better to sneak up on them and take them out when you have capital behind you, don't pick on the big guys until you have some firepower.

Penelope Pitstop · 01-11-2005, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geckoxr8

But if I sold the Gecko I wouldn't need auto accessories, sorry the gecko stays!

Your just not a team player Lynton.

phoon · 01-11-2005, 10:43 PM

I think Ive created a monster.

geckoGT · 01-11-2005, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PirtekGirl76

Your just not a team player Lynton.

If you sell your soon to be three cars we will have a pretty good start!

fiery · 01-11-2005, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geckoxr8

If you sell your soon to be three cars we will have a pretty good start!

Oh I know, we sell Pirtekgirls soon to be 3 and sell Mr Phoons already 3 and all done...... shop ready to be opened

: :hihi:

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phoon · 01-11-2005, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geckoxr8

The problem is that store would sell their items for next to nothing, a price that a fledgling store can not compete with. Because they have large capital they can cover it. Better to sneak up on them and take them out when you have capital behind you, don't pick on the big guys until you have some firepower.

They may have large capital, but you forget grasshopper, they have even larger overheads. If theres one thing for sure that Ive learned in business, service service and service. You are not after all there business, that will never happen, 20% of one large supercheap stores turnover with healthy margins would be nice to start with.

DOC · 01-11-2005, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phoon

I think Ive created a monster.

Not being rude but from what i read you want to start an auto accesory store yes, good product , service and price

fiery · 01-11-2005, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DOC

Not being rude but from what i read you want to start an auto accerory store yes, good product , service and price

your not being rude by asking that but Im gathering there is a point about to be made !!!!!!!!! Would I be right??

phoon · 01-11-2005, 10:53 PM

oh no, here we go again

phoon · 01-11-2005, 10:55 PM

by the way, who's the cad and bounder that hijacked this thread and turned it into a new store, I cant remember

vegabass · 01-11-2005, 10:57 PM

Im stepping away slowly and hideing behind my car that needs a gromet for the firewall for the amp kit.

fiery · 01-11-2005, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phoon

by the way, who's the cad and bounder that hijacked this thread and turned it into a new store, I cant remember

that would have been........... ummmm......... wellllllllll.............
--------->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> whoever is over that way I think

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fiery · 01-11-2005, 11:06 PM

Im not sure where that was going???????

DOC is the detailing products king sooooo

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nope I will stop there

DOC · 01-11-2005, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fiery

your not being rude by asking that but Im gathering there is a point about to be made !!!!!!!!! Would I be right??

No point, but interested as looking at doing similar.

geckoGT · 01-11-2005, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DOC

No point, but interested as looking at doing similar.

so now I see a partnership going interstate