Feedback appreciated

Snake · 28-07-2006

Hi Guys 'n' Gals,

After much frustration trying to find 1/24th scale car accessories here in the UK, I have decided to start my own business importing custom styling parts for both cars and vans and selling them via an on-line shop, things such as wheels, rear wings, body kits & decals.

Start up funds are somewhat limited, so I really need to hit on the right products from the off in order for the company to grow.
I would like to know your views on a couple of things. First of all, do you think this shop would be of use to you? Secondly, what sort of styling products or indeed other things, other that what I have already mentioned above would you like to be able to access easily within the UK?

Snake · 01-08-2006

I can't believe that this post has had 24 views & no replies!

Does everyone build their kits strait out of the box?

**Bunkerbarge** · 01-08-2006

Snake as we are a scale models forum and not specifically a model car forum it is not surprising that you haven't had an immediate response.

It is never easy when someone looking at setting up a new business, who is naturally full of enthusiasm, gets a bit deflated by a lack of response from a potential audience. People already have thier current suppliers and need time to see what alternatives may have to offer. It is also fair to say that a great number of suppliers come and go as they realise that the trade is not as bouyant as they thought it was going to be and isn't going to be the thriving business that they hoped for.

I would send a PM to Squiffythewombat, who has only recently started up his own business, and who I am sure will be able to prepare you for some of the dissapointments that you are certainly going to encounter as you try to do the same. We also have other members who have run many businesses over the years who I am sure would be happy to offer any advice regarding this.

Those members who are in the model car fraternity I am sure will have had a look and perhaps they are answering your first question by not saying much. Take care that you are not looking for the answer that you want rather than what potential customers think.

Anyway welcome to the forum!

**GEEDUBBYA** · 01-08-2006

Howdy Snake,

Ok, now I am not int the UK, but in the USA. And since I wont be stopping by your new shop anytime soon, let me, as an "outsider looking in" make some observations.
First, I am not sure if this will be an actual physical store in a shop somewhere or an internet store, but either way this should apply.

Will you offer an internet website which customers can order from?

Will you offer shipping (whether the customer pays shipping or you do, either way is fine).

Will you offer the service of special ordering parts and/or kits for your customers?

Will you put out an email, newsletter, or catalog to your clients/prospective customers showing new products?

Customer service....will you be able to take returns. (one tip here: I have found thru personal experience if there is a problem with a model, you can contact the manufacturer and usually they try to make things right, so get the contact info on your suppliers/manufacturers.)

Now I know you are just starting out, but most of the above things mentioned are things alot of customers will expect.

These are just a few things to think about. I hope maybe there are things that you havent considered, but I hope even more that they all are things YOU HAVE considered.

I hope this helped in some way,

Greg

**wonwinglo** · 01-08-2006

Snake,I do not want to sound negative on this but I think you really must give it a lot more thought than you have,for start off you say that the product must be right in the first place in order to achieve success,sorry but it just does not work that way,only wish that it did,you are intending to import specialised parts for a relatively small aftermarket,you had best do a lot more market research first before spending a penny of your hard earned cash.
There have been many brave attempts at imports into the UK,sadly most have failed because the importer did not take into account the resale prices,customs and excise problems and the costs of advertising your products,sorry to sound so blunt but I would rather you learn the facts now rather than later.
Just in case you are thinking who is this guy ? well having been there in the model retail market place I can tell you that it is tough.
You may care to read my advice on setting up a business and what it entails,warts and all,you will find it in Wonwings diary under setting up a model business,I hope that you find it enlightening.

Snake · 01-08-2006

Hi Bunkerbarge,

I understand what your saying, tbh if it fails I'm not that bothered as I already run a successful website design business.

Geedubbya,
Yes to all of the above except a physical shop.
This business will be a mail order company run from home in order to keep prices as low as possible. Obviously I want to make a profit, but I'm not in the habit of ripping people off.

To that end, and because it is going to be a second side-line business, I'm not intending to be outlaying a fortune on stock initially, which is why I was looking for some feedback as to what would be popular & what would not. I know what I like (Etched parts & wheels) but that's not everyone's cup of tea.

Any stock I'm not physically holding, that is advertised on the website, will be able to be ordered.

Once I have a few more suppliers sorted out and a few other details, I will give you guys more information & a sneak preview of the website.

Snake · 01-08-2006

I was posting the same time as you were wonwinglo, and the post above really covers what you have said above.

As a secondry micro-business failure would not bother me that much.

**GEEDUBBYA** · 01-08-2006

Howdy again Snake,

One other thing..... You might try finding an importer there in the UK that already has an established business and have him as a supplier...not your only supplier, but one of them, you are going to need alot of suppliers.
You might call or visit some local hobby shops and ask about where they get there models and accessories, there may be a wholesale warehouse in the UK you were not previously aware of.
And like I mentioned earlier, get the contact information from the manufacturers, inquire with them as to who/whom are, in their opinion, good sources to buy your material/models wholesale, they would know who the trusted, established purchasers of their products are.

again, I hope this helps some, have a good day,

Greg

rjwood_uk · 01-08-2006

snake quick question....is this for r/c cars of static display models?

Snake · 02-08-2006

Hi Geedub,

First off, where I live there are only 3 model shops, 1 specialises in die-cast 1 specialises in R/C but they do some mainstream kits, Tamiya etc.. and the 3rd only does die-cast and 1/25th scale American kits. None of them do any after market parts, and there's not a lot available on-line in the UK that does either. There are a couple of on-line shops that do bits & pieces, but it's very sketchy.

I'm not really doing car kits as such, it's more the accessories such as wheels, etched parts, carbon-fibre decals, that sort of thing. It's a market that is not really catered for in the UK.

I'll be importing directly from people like Aoshima, Scale Motorsport and M.R. Model. I don't know if any of you are familiar with their products or not?

RJ,
It will be solely for 1/24th Scale static kit form models.

Although I touched on it slightly in my original post, I didn't really make it clear that these parts that I will be selling are solely for 1/24th Scale, although things like wheels & decals can be used on 1/25th as well.

It really is going to be a 'Specialist shop' which I do realise has a small market.