Opening a model shop

[redddragon]

Hi all ,its inevitable that I'm gonna be made redundant soon and was thinking maybe doing something with models but dont really know where to start, does any one know of any whole sale suppliers, its just an idea at the moment coz the old saying is find something that you enjoy doing and you'll never have to do a days work in your life

[beetlebanger]

fair play to you mate.if only we all could do something like that..think you need to capture a certain market tho. i noticed how many people are after certain body shells for cars that no one hads the intention to do.i sent kamtec an email bout 6mths ago about certain 1/10 lexan bodies and no reply.asking for everyones feed back is the rite way to go mate . see what people really want . if its what they really want then they dont mind paying a few quid more , since theyve been after a certain thing for ages. just my pennies worth mate .good luck !

[DCM71]

One word of advice, DIVERSITY, unless you are well known and a good price, specialst hobby shops die quickly.

For RC Car and other bits

www.hobbyco.co.uk

www.cmldistribution.co.uk

www.helgerracing.com

There is Mirage to, that should get you started on RC Car stuff.

Other things, make sure you are online and selling online, eBay is a good way of ditching old stock.  Most if not ALL distributors will only give you an account if you have a shop, or a premesis with a shop window.

Be involved in some way with the local model clubs, like a membership discount, or attending club meetings with enticing goodies and spares.

[redddragon]

I was planning the online route, much less hassle and fewer overheads, no lease to deal with etc etc . I'm floundering a bit really and just thought it was something to consider, but thanks for the advice

[minijosh]

Will it be a UK shop?

[Bigwheels_inc]

i would do the 3 way split ! Go for rc, trains and maybe slot cars like a smaller version of beaties but online basicly cover all your bases and do loads of home work and see what sells best

maybe promote it by having video footage on download sites like kazza etc with the company logo and email address

if your going to go for it its going to be a lot of hard work and sometimes it can turn your intrests from a hobby into a chore (working with them all week you may not want to look at your favorate car at the weekends) so make sure its something you realy want to do

Pete