Anyone owns or runs a petrol station ?

Vardan 89 · Apr 7, 2019

I hope someone on here can help me. I am looking for someone who owns or runs a petrol station with an attached shop.

I have a tarpaulin business and I am planning to sell them through petrol station forecourts.

Just to test the market ( and whether petrol station is the right place ) I am willing to send little stock to the petrol station. You do not have to pay for the stock. At this stage, it will be like "Sell or Return basis" and will have to pay only when the stock sells at your station.

This way I will get to know if my product has any demand and accordingly there will be an opportunity to add 1 more profitable item to your shop.

Please read my another thread to get a better idea about what I am after

https://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/threads/how-to-find-customers-for-my-tarpaulins.397148/

Please feel free to PM me or drop an email to [email protected]

Cheers
Darsh

obscure · Apr 7, 2019

Do you not have any petrol stations within reasonable driving distance of where you are? Why don't you ask them.

Vardan 89 · Apr 7, 2019

Obscure , thank you for your reply.

I wish I had

. I am in India now.

To avoid repeating the same content , I requested to visit my other thread where I had given a bit of background.

Mark T Jones · Apr 7, 2019

Whilst I know fully what tarpaulin is - it doesn’t resonate as a product I’m likely to buy on impulse and -other than fuel - most petrol station purchases are impulse

My first thought is to turn your tarpaulins into a defined item (eg bi Yale covers) - which might be as little as adding some eyelets and including bungee straps. That will make it far more interesting to the average petrol station visitor.

Vardan 89 · Apr 7, 2019

Thanks a lot Mark. Helpful comment!

I am glad that I am getting all types of helpful comments from the UKBF members.

fisicx · Apr 7, 2019

Petrol stations get their stock from distribution centres. It’s all centrally controlled.

It’s not the petrol Stations you need to talk to it’s the buyers. And you need to be in the UK with you own warehouse if you even want get an appointment.

So forget this idea and stick with eBay. But make sure you sell from a uk address. I’m not going to wait 5 days for you to deliver from India when I can get it delivered next day from the UK.

Vardan 89 · Apr 7, 2019

Thanks Fisicx.
Yes I totally understand and agree to your point.

Yes, for eBay , shipping from a UK fulfillment centre is the plan so hopefully that would not be a much problem however it's the volume and the profit margin after all the eBay and PayPal fees seems a challenge and if it will make all the efforts worthwhile?

Can I send you a PM please? Need your advise regarding a website?

fisicx · Apr 7, 2019

If you want.

As the manufacturer you should be able to sell far cheaper than anyone else. I got a tarpaulin a week ago (sewn plastic with eyelets) and the seller sells thousands of the things. So volume should be an issue.

Vardan 89 · Apr 7, 2019

Yes, it will be difficult to survive on a single product on eBay and hence I guess it is important to target other marketing channels too.

Mark T Jones · Apr 7, 2019

@fisicx isn't entirely correct.

There are many different variations on petrol station ownership including independent, small chain, franchise to national-multinational chain. Each will have their own purchasing process.

AllUpHere · Apr 7, 2019

Ebay is a race to the bottom. There are so many ways to differentiate your offering, you just need to do the research.

BusterBloodvessel · Apr 7, 2019

I have experience selling to huge petrol station chains in Scandinavia and in talking to potential customers in the UK.

Petrol stations in the UK are not seen as a "shopping" destination for automotive or outdoor equipment like they are in other countries. They are seen as a "desperate" option when your engine warning light has come on and you need some, wiper blade has snapped off during ice and snow, or your washer fluid has run out on a dusty dirty day etc. and nowhere else is open. That's why they sell (usually) a low cost product at a ridiculously high price.

Nobody is going to think "I need a tarpaulin....I'll go and get one from the petrol station". They'll go to B&Q, and if it's shut, they'll wait until tomorrow.

Also petrol stations are focused less & less on product & servicing now and more on food & coffee to go - not just Costa or Starbucks machines but look how many have Greggs, Subway, Wild Bean Cafe etc built into them. They could use up a relatively huge area stocking your tarpaulins and sell one a week...or they can site any of the above and be selling £3 coffees (with huge markup) to every other customer.

It's the wrong outlet for your product I'm afraid.

Mr D · Apr 7, 2019

AllUpHere said:
Ebay is a race to the bottom. There are so many ways to differentiate your offering, you just need to do the research.

Ebay is a race to the bottom only if that is what you want. Not everyone races, not every seller even plays the game.

Who can tell a business owner what price they should sell at?

AllUpHere · Apr 7, 2019

Mr D said:
Ebay is a race to the bottom only if that is what you want. Not everyone races, not every seller even plays the game.

Who can tell a business owner what price they should sell at?

I think the OP actually manufactures the product. He has the opportunity to build a proper business. He doesn't need to compete with back bedroom setups who are playing at having a business.

Vardan 89 · Apr 7, 2019

Mark T Jones said:
@fisicx isn't entirely correct.

There are many different variations on petrol station ownership including independent, small chain, franchise to national-multinational chain. Each will have their own purchasing process.

Thanks for sharing these information. May be I need to put on more efforts to research on various types of ownership and a way to contact their purchase team. I am sure it may not be as easy as it sounds but worth a try!

If anyone has any contact with the purchase team , I would be grateful if they share the details.

Vardan 89 · Apr 7, 2019

BusterBloodvessel said:
I have experience selling to huge petrol station chains in Scandinavia and in talking to potential customers in the UK.

Petrol stations in the.........

It's the wrong outlet for your product I'm afraid.

Many thanks for taking the time to write here for me! Your valuable comments noted.
From what you mentioned, I totally understand how UK consumers' buying habit differs to that of Scandinavian countries.
But to be honest, one part me still thinks it worth a try with petrol stations.

Nice to hear about your experience. Do you think with your type of experience you can help me launch my product ?

Vardan 89 · Apr 7, 2019

AllUpHere said:
I think the OP actually manufactures the product. He has the opportunity to build a proper business. He doesn't need to compete with back bedroom setups who are playing at having a business.

Apologies if I haven't been very clear. Of the three types of tarpaulins, I manufacture just 1 of the types ( HDPE woven tarpaulin - the blue ones) however for the remaining 2 I work closely with the manufacturers for whom I am acting as an institutional distributor in India.

And the tarpaulin which I plan to launch first is the one that I don't manufacture but I am confident of the price point at which I can get from the manufacture but until it actually reach the shelves and get the response from the customer, it's difficult to comment anything.

I too feel with the right kind of support, there is an opportunity to build a proper business

Mr D · Apr 7, 2019

AllUpHere said:
I think the OP actually manufactures the product. He has the opportunity to build a proper business. He doesn't need to compete with back bedroom setups who are playing at having a business.

If only more business people decided not to compete with the back bedroom setups playing at having a business....

Mr D · Apr 7, 2019

Vardan 89 said:
Apologies if I haven't been very clear. Of the three types of tarpaulins, I manufacture just 1 of the types ( HDPE woven tarpaulin - the blue ones) however for the remaining 2 I work closely with the manufacturers for whom I am acting as an institutional distributor in India.

And the tarpaulin which I plan to launch first is the one that I don't manufacture but I am confident of the price point at which I can get from the manufacture but until it actually reach the shelves and get the response from the customer, it's difficult to comment anything.

I too feel with the right kind of support, there is an opportunity to build a proper business

Is your tarpaulin suitable for market traders?
For roof or siding of a stall.

Some traders travel with a stall, set up on a field or pavement, run for the day then take down.
New starters buy the roof / siding somewhere. May be worth looking for where and try getting your product in there.

BusterBloodvessel · Apr 8, 2019

Vardan 89 said:
Many thanks for taking the time to write here for me! Your valuable comments noted.
From what you mentioned, I totally understand how UK consumers' buying habit differs to that of Scandinavian countries.
But to be honest, one part me still thinks it worth a try with petrol stations.

Nice to hear about your experience. Do you think with your type of experience you can help me launch my product ?

Unfortunately not, because my experience tells me it will not be successful in petrol stations.

If you believe otherwise then I wish you luck.

OMGVape · Apr 8, 2019

Have you thought about advertising on Alibaba, Wish.com etc?

Awinner2 · Apr 8, 2019

Having run a 2M PA turnover petrol station I agree with others that tarpaulins are not a product that fits into their product listing portfolios. Much more the camping shop sheds, DIY outlets etc. However, the big UK chains buy directly from global factories and like all businesses, are very hard to get listed into.

Vardan 89 · Apr 14, 2019

Mr D said:
Is your tarpaulin suitable for market traders?
For roof or siding of a stall.

Some traders travel with a stall, set up on a field or pavement, run for the day then take down.
New starters buy the roof / siding somewhere. May be worth looking for where and try getting your product in there.

Hello D, apologies for the late reply as I was away on a short break.

Can you please kindly send a picture of the type of tarpaulin for market traders you are talking about?

I do below 3 types of tarpaulins

1) HDPE woven Tarpaulin - the most commonly blue type of available. I do in various thickness.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Tarpauli...hash=item287aac26fa:m:mwK9dfy5nrHS8DzkBTQJfXQ

2) Multilayered Cross Laminated Tarpaulin

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Yuzet-Cl...hash=item440fcd7188:m:mWXcXUyeRckZy_5aSr83IRA

3) PVC coated tarpaulins

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Extra-He...hash=item25a90778f9:m:mHt_5lH81g3HLXFpT31Cj_g

I am planning to first start with the 2) above.

Vardan 89 · Apr 14, 2019

BusterBloodvessel said:
Unfortunately not, because my experience tells me it will not be successful in petrol stations.

If you believe otherwise then I wish you luck.

Mate, I totally believe you and from what you and all others are saying I will surely have to explore other channels too!

I would be grateful if anyone can guide me a starting point for this.

Do you guys think Commission only sales people can help me on this?

Vardan 89 · Apr 14, 2019

Awinner2 said:
Having run a 2M PA turnover petrol station I agree with others that tarpaulins are not a product that fits into their product listing portfolios. Much more the camping shop sheds, DIY outlets etc. However, the big UK chains buy directly from global factories and like all businesses, are very hard to get listed into.

Thanks a lot for taking time to reply and share your experience. Rightly said, the big chains buy directly from global factories and hence my target customers are those

1) Wholesalers who buy from importers and who can't afford to import big LCL quantities.

and if possible

2) Shops who buy off the wholesaler

Now my next challenge is to look for such type of businesses. All suggestions welcome.

Thanks

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Anyone owns or runs a petrol station ?