I am starting up a business making mirrors (with designs on 'em). How do I go about asking local shops if they will sell 'em for me and is that a good idea anyway?
2006-08-31 21:53:56 · 6 answers · asked by stress-'ead 3 in Local Businesses ➔ United Kingdom ➔ Manchester
Think about the money first. To start with, work out how much each mirror costs in time, materials, effort etc.
For example- say each mirror costs you 50p to make. You'll then need to think how much these should retail at. Obviously because you know how much time and effort goes in, you'll probably over-value them. Find out some other people's opinion.
What deal are you going to do with the shop. Are they going to buy them off you at £1 each and sell them at whatever they want? Or are you going to let them have the products, sell them, then they give you the cash when sold.
Think about who these are aimed at. For example, try doing a few with a gothic theme (spider crawling across the mirror etc) and take a few examples down to a shop selling gothic clothes and accessories. Maybe there's a novelty shop, or a few gift shops where you live. You'll have to think about who you're selling for before you make your designs.
Approach the shops and take some examples. Don't approach large chain stores- just single retail outlets. Have figures in mind, before you go. Bear in mind that they have to meet certain standards, e.g the paint doesn't wear off. Otherwise, the shop will get annoyed with returns and you'll both lose out.
If you need any more help then email me.
2006-08-31 23:58:59 · answer #1 · answered by Crystal 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Make an inexpensive but stylish display unit. Then go to each shop, and tell them that they do not have to buy them, but that you will let them have a display unit free of charge. Then each week, you visit the shops, and replace each mirror that they have sold. The shop then pays you for each sold one. The benefit to the shop is that they can make a profit with no outlay. If you make up a story about your mirrors, like they were created by Snow White after her experience with the witch, or something like that, but so that the story is witty and funny, and have a place on the display holder to store copies of the story, so that people can pick it up and read it, then you will find that it will help sales.
Good luck
2006-08-31 22:08:42 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good on you for trying.
The best way to offer your goods is on a sale-or-return basis, where you give them to the shop for free and agree a percentage of the sale price to give to the shop in return for display space. This way it costs nothing for the shop to stock them and you can collect your money or unsold stock at any time.
You're probably better off looking more toward small independently owned shops, rather than 'chain' stores, as owner-shopkeepers can decide for themselves whereas shop managers may be restricted by stock control policies.
Hope this helps.
2006-08-31 22:18:54 · answer #3 · answered by le_coupe 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go to the shop (be sure it fits in their concept) and offer it. Know what you want for them and what price they should go for.
They either go for it or not. Have at least 10 so they can see what kind of product you offer and leave some as a...let's see what happens idea.
Good luck.
2006-08-31 22:02:00 · answer #4 · answered by Puppy Zwolle 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Send me them, Ive got a warehouse, cash and carry, ill take them and try to sell them, but my commission would only be 7% inc VAT.. ? agree ???
2006-09-01 21:40:27 · answer #5 · answered by tariq k 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Give them as a sale or return scheme where they only pay you when they have sold them.
2006-08-31 22:01:10 · answer #6 · answered by SEAN S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋