Subscriptions and Facebook

[seo888]

I am looking to set up a business next year. The business will be a second hand shop which will specialise in something (not decided what yet). It will also be consignment stuff as well.

I have done a number of businesses and I expect a business to be making a profit after 3 months if I have invested money into it. I think this is achievable with good planning. Obviously, I will actually have reserves of cash for much longer.

Anyway, to achieve this for the business above I will need to set up a customer data base. I probably need to get potential customers to subscribe to my business and use the power of Facebook as well. Does anyone have any other ideas for people to subscribe?

They will be subscribing FREE to a consignment business. Basically, they can bring their selected items to my store where I will try and sell it for them for a percentage of the sale price. When they join they also get a discount on any items they buy.

I have a full business plan but to much to put in a post.

What I am looking for is any other ideas to build up a customer data base? I do not really want to start building it to far in advance of the store opening as people may lose interest. 1 month before store opening people will be able to bring they items ready for the store opening then 1 week before opening we start to stock the shelves.

I think now just opening a store and sticking a few flyers out, having a website and few adverts is not going to work. You need to use the power of the internet to build up a customer base. I think if you offer the right service then people will be interested.

BTW, the stock will be of high standard not total crap.

Any other constructive feedback welcome.

 

[Parthelan]

Why would I give you something to sell for me, and pay you a commission, when I can put them on ebay and sell them directly from home? I know ebay and paypal fees have to be paid, but what's the difference between that and yours - bearing in mind I can sell my stuff directly from home, and not have to get the stuff to you? Plus, if you have a store and no internet presence, less people will see my stuff. If you have an internet presence, whats the difference between that and ebay... who have a global audience?

 

[MASSEY]

I would of thought you would have to go to them. The reason a lot of people do this is because they hope to achieve a better sale price than they would on their own.

 

[seo888]

Why would I give you something to sell for me, and pay you a commission, when I can put them on ebay and sell them directly from home? I know ebay and paypal fees have to be paid, but what's the difference between that and yours - bearing in mind I can sell my stuff directly from home, and not have to get the stuff to you? Plus, if you have a store and no internet presence, less people will see my stuff. If you have an internet presence, whats the difference between that and ebay... who have a global audience?

Hi Parthelan,

Thanks for your feedback.

A few points.

1. I am looking at a specialised market which do not always do well on ebay.

2. Not everyone has the time to sit at a computer, take pictures of loads of items, pack them and whatever else and send them off. Do you not need to take the parcel to the post office?

3. Not everyone can be bothered to go on Ebay, in reality it is lot of hassle. If you had a hundred items to sell it would take time to put on Ebay but you can just drop them off at our store or we can even pop around to the persons home. Much quicker and easier and less hassle.

4. Who said I would not have internet presence and a global audience for that matter. Nothing is stopping me from selling online too. My username suggests I know something about internet presence.

Our items will be of high standard so the chances are our customers will get better prices.

Some people still go to shops, not everyone does everything online at least not yet.

 

[Parthelan]

Hi Parthelan,

Thanks for your feedback.

A few points.

1. I am looking at a specialised market which do not always do well on ebay.

2. Not everyone has the time to sit at a computer, take pictures of loads of items, pack them and whatever else and send them off. Do you not need to take the parcel to the post office?

3. Not everyone can be bothered to go on Ebay, in reality it is lot of hassle. If you had a hundred items to sell it would take time to put on Ebay but you can just drop them off at our store or we can even pop around to the persons home. Much quicker and easier and less hassle.

4. Who said I would not have internet presence and a global audience for that matter. Nothing is stopping me from selling online too. My username suggests I know something about internet presence.

Our items will be of high standard so the chances are our customers will get better prices.

Some people still go to shops, not everyone does everything online at least not yet.

Good reply

Thanks