/biz/ - Business & Finance

May as well just buy blockbuster stock op...

$700 for a fucking shop lot for a month? THAT'S SO FUCKING CHEAP WHAT THE FUCK

How big of a store are you looking to set up? Do you know how you're gonna get books to sell?

>>944692
I would also have those.

And I'm thinking that, to begin, I would buy used books for cheap and sell cheap just to build a client base and then move into the not used /new book stock later

>>944696
Yeah.. That's the price but its not for a very big place and not "in your face" place. That's why I would have to work hard to get the word out because the are a couple of great unique clothing stores that are out of the avenues full of shops that are very well known.

So to begin I would get used books for a very small price and sell it cheap but still have a decent markup.

To buy them cheap I've been thinking about the options
Advertise on facebook groups that i want to buy
Advertise on Craigslist equivalent.

More ideas?

I think this is a bad idea. You should start a soap and candle shop instead and make the soap and candles.

>>944716
Why is this a bad idea? Please elaborate

>>944716
Soap and candle shop is too boring and i know people from my city don't value that enough to go to a specific shop to buy them.

Something to think about: just because the bookshops in your area have a lot of people, that doesn't mean that they are doing well.

People generally hang around bookshops without buying anything.

Instead, spend an afternoon there and monitor how many purchases happen there. Then base your decision on that.

>>944717
like 722 said. It's dangerous because you have a narrow customer base, you're competing with online stores and you aren't really offering anything notable enough to draw loyalty from some other place. loyalty could take years to produce and you have to stay afloat until then. if you're not competing with chains you might have a chance. I would try to bump into one of the owners of these shops and find out how the business is going. Commenting on how busy the store is might be a start.

>>944719
Bookstores are far less boring.

Does your downtown have a soap or candleshop? Standing out is crucial.

The margins are much better since you can produce them yourselves, plus there's an artisanal factor that makes it more sellable, and as you grow you can hire people to make the shit for you.

>>944733 and 722 both of you have good points. I'll hang around in the coming days and observe that and talk with them to see how it's going.

About the online book stores its very true but I think I do have an advantage because of costs of shipping and could offer a good atmosphere. I also have experience with web design and development and I could make it an online book shop as well just don't know enough about how to advertise it and so... But that's a good idea too.

>>944736
I just feel like candle and soap shops don't appeal here. There's one at the mall but I don't know anything about it perhaps there is a market that I'm missing completely. But my thing are books. That's what I'm looking to set up.

>>944783
It's my life goal OP. Would love to open a bookshop too.
Selling rare old books.

>>944681
you'll better have all the newest and hottest books available. like nytimes beset seller list updated every week etc. selling old cheap crap you are doomed.

>>944785
What do you think of the replies of this thread? Did it make you sad? LOL I'm realistic and I acknowledge that it is difficult business but it is my dream and I believe that it would work if I'm passionate. And its not like I'm gonna sell best sellers. I just want to have a bit of everything. What are you doing to make it happen?

>>944789
It's evident that none of us have much experience with running a bookstore. I'd be surprised if many had experience running a retail store at all. You should find a better source for information on this. Retail is always pretty risky though and you have to be more pragmatic than idealistic because your leaving customers won't be sad about your hurt feelings if you don't offer what they want.

>>944800
Yeah I gathered that much. Thank you all for your consideration.

For any purposes I have a facebook page regarding literature and translations with over 3k likes and its one year old. Its growing a lot. Every week the page gets about 10 likes and I post translations with, sometimes, more than 3 months a part but it still keeps getting likes. I could use that to advertise an online used/cheap books store. Right? It's a way for me to try to compete with the big chains.

Just because stores are busy or even selling a lot does not mean they're profitable. When I was interning at a small CPA a few years back I did the taxes for a popular used book shop in my city. I don't remember the revenue or cost breakdown, but I do remember the owner was only clearing netting about 50k a year.

I have no idea how you're going to open the store with $5000. After first month's rent, cost of furnishing the store, cost of setting up a POS system, and cost of incorporating you're going to be pretty short on cash to actually buy inventory.