Bike shop stock

[MikeMondahl]

Hi guys I’m a 24 year old entrepreneur that has a huge passion for cycling and wants to start a bike shop, where would be the best place to get stock (ie tubes, chain links, etc ) would it be best to import through wiggle or chain Reaction Cycles?

[BaGearA]

uhm no buy throught the local distrubutors 

 

otherwise you'll pay retail and vat and then have to try to resell that stock 

 

 

 

...my advice DON'T start A bikeshop in this country

[Grease_Monkey]

Hi guys I’m a 24 year old entrepreneur that has a huge passion for cycling and wants to start a bike shop, where would be the best place to get stock (ie tubes, chain links, etc ) would it be best to import through wiggle or chain Reaction Cycles?

Local distributors. But good luck.... minimum stock levels you have to order initially requires quite a bit of cash, and you have to order from multiple distributors to have good range.

 

You also have to have a propper workshop for lots of the guys to even consider you.

 

Obviously don't wanna be a downer. I went through this exercise about 2 years ago. Starting a bike shop in SA is not easy - doable for sure - but you need big capital to start off with - if you have that - go for it.

 

Would be happy to chat with you about some of the pitfalls to avoid and right people/distributors to get in contact with.

 

PM me if you want to chat some time.

[PhilipV]

Actually, I'd totally suggest starting a bike shop.

But like starting any business you need to do some proper homework first.

Draw up an on depths business plan first.

Like any SME, the success of a bike shop depends on it's owner. And only that.

[Prince Albert Cycles]

HI Mike . Like you I am passionate about cycling and bicycles and started my bicycle shop at 69 years old . I derive huge satisfaction from it so I can recommend doing it .

But : there are many pitfalls and temptations out there and school fees are expensive . I have 2 suggestions for you ; your question as to where to buy from suggests that you have little or no experience in the industry , so go and work in a bike ship or two for a few years , and secondly , avoid debt are far as possible .

Good luck

[Tri-Cycles]

HI Mike . Like you I am passionate about cycling and bicycles and started my bicycle shop at 69 years old . I derive huge satisfaction from it so I can recommend doing it .

But : there are many pitfalls and temptations out there and school fees are expensive . I have 2 suggestions for you ; your question as to where to buy from suggests that you have little or no experience in the industry , so go and work in a bike ship or two for a few years , and secondly , avoid debt are far as possible .

Good luck

 

Good advice

 

If you don't know anything about the cycling retail industry (or the retail industry in general by the look of it) then go and learn about it before even thinking of going at it alone. The mistakes are too expensive to not invest some time first - as you would for any career.

 

My "business" would be a very bad example to follow as I do it purely for fun and have no ambition to make any money from it.

[MikeMondahl]

Hi all

 

I really do appreciate the positive advice!

For now i plan on doing it as a weekend type job and will be doing it as a mobile type bike shop, as for the business plan I have already completed one.

 

Yes I agree that due to my lack of experience in the industry it would be best if I could work for my LBS for a while, however I have my current job that I need to do during the week. So for now I plan on only doing this on the weekends.

 

I plan to get a small caravan that I can retrofit a bike shop/service Centre into and visit the busy areas on weekends and even the races.

 

As some of you have mentioned I don’t have experience in the industry for example where to get spares from and what I should keep as stock as I won’t be a full bike shop more a emergency service Centre

 

Thanks again for all advice

[Me rida my bicycle]

Your idea of the caravan mobile workshop sounds good but it I would first contact local trail to find out if you would be allowed and if so what the cost would be same with races. I have heard of someone who comes to you picks up your bike services it and brings it back and seems to be doing good.

Most important I would say would be your service, you have to be/offer something that makes people wanting to use you it's not always about the price.

[Shebeen]

Hi all

 

I really do appreciate the positive advice!

For now i plan on doing it as a weekend type job and will be doing it as a mobile type bike shop, as for the business plan I have already completed one.

 

Yes I agree that due to my lack of experience in the industry it would be best if I could work for my LBS for a while, however I have my current job that I need to do during the week. So for now I plan on only doing this on the weekends.

 

I plan to get a small caravan that I can retrofit a bike shop/service Centre into and visit the busy areas on weekends and even the races.

 

As some of you have mentioned I don’t have experience in the industry for example where to get spares from and what I should keep as stock as I won’t be a full bike shop more a emergency service Centre

 

Thanks again for all advice

That is a unique offering, maybe next time mention that upfront as it is a different scenario a std LBS.

 

I would look at partnering with an existing shop, and be their mobile store/workshop. Requires making relationships

[Grease_Monkey]

Your idea sounds brilliant to be honest. Something unique that I think can do very well if you do it right.

 

Make sure whoever is going to be turning wrenches knows what they are doing and has some experience.

 

Something that should maybe be mentioned - there are 2 primary reasons everyone is saying go through local distributors:

 

1. Price - importing through chain reaction or wiggle will see you pay end user pricing - and you will have to pay VAT and shipping, which means there is little room for profit for you.

2. Warranty - if you warranty a product you have to go through the distributor in the country you bought the product in. So warrantying something in the UK is expensive because of shipping. Since CRC is a bike shop the assumption is that you are the end user, and that means the warranty only applies to you - your customer is essentially buying your stock 2nd hand and therefore the warrantu does not apply to them. Going through the local distributor means your customers will have a warranty that you can easily honour....

[MikeMondahl]

Your idea sounds brilliant to be honest. Something unique that I think can do very well if you do it right.

 

Make sure whoever is going to be turning wrenches knows what they are doing and has some experience.

 

Something that should maybe be mentioned - there are 2 primary reasons everyone is saying go through local distributors:

 

1. Price - importing through chain reaction or wiggle will see you pay end user pricing - and you will have to pay VAT and shipping, which means there is little room for profit for you.

2. Warranty - if you warranty a product you have to go through the distributor in the country you bought the product in. So warrantying something in the UK is expensive because of shipping. Since CRC is a bike shop the assumption is that you are the end user, and that means the warranty only applies to you - your customer is essentially buying your stock 2nd hand and therefore the warrantu does not apply to them. Going through the local distributor means your customers will have a warranty that you can easily honour....

Thanks for the confidence

 

Ja I actually intend for this to be a two guy show with my swaar and myself doing the bike work.

 

We are going on bike service courses with torque zone academy, they have an official course where at the end you are given an international accreditation. I’m hoping this will further give our customers confidence that we know what we are doing. As for spares you make a very good point and after chatting to a few guys you apparently need to make huge orders to get the manufacturing company to support you . ???? anyway this is not my full time job so I figure for now it’s still worth the risk as I’m young and can always pick myself up again if this fails.

[Patchelicious]

This is a great idea, and you seemed have your head screwed on more than most of the people who you are asking advice from. Keep using that brain and you will be ok.

[MikeMondahl]

Thanks guys but I am still looking for a place I can get my spares from ( your welcome to pitch in any ideas as to what emergency spares you think are nessesary or you have needed before)

[CAAD4]

Mobile has been attempted before. Not sure if it worked, but being unique and offering a good, high quality, reliable service in today's busy world, is what certain people are looking for. Good luck.

[Grease_Monkey]

Thanks guys but I am still looking for a place I can get my spares from ( your welcome to pitch in any ideas as to what emergency spares you think are nessesary or you have needed before)

If I am not mistaken there was actually someone selling their mobile workshop on the hub a few weeks back. Just check it out as buying that business may come with distributor accounts too...

[Kranswurm]

Mobile has been attempted before. Not sure if it worked, but being unique and offering a good, high quality, reliable service in today's busy world, is what certain people are looking for. Good luck.

My son worked for a number of bike shops, including our own, and used to man a mobile service and repair station at events.

I suggest the OP gets his Cytech qualification.All three levels and then starts at a bike shop.My son did and its a fantastic course.

He will then learn from the bottom up which will teach him the ropes.