davethebike
New Member
Hi Everyone
first time on here so please be gentle.
Don't know where to start so here goes...i am giving up my successful sales career of 20 years to take over a local bike shop in Devon thats been around for 18 months selling only second hand bikes (doing quite well due to the huge student population in the city) and the odd new one. two reasons for this choice, 1) time for a change and 2) hopefully a better quality of life going forward and my own business.
Don't really have much experience of bikes at all but at 40 years old i figured its still never too late to learn or for a career change, i currently drive 240 miles a day just to get back and forwards to work, its a well paid job but cant do it forever so going to put all my current energy and passion in a different direction.
i suppose im just looking for any advice or possible things not to do! the shop position is in a fantastic spot, on a main road junction at traffic lights with out front parking and a bus stop and less than a mile from the City centre with about 3/4 other established shops in the area but we are talking about a large city, so doesn't really get any better for a prime location shop is about 1000 square foot with plenty of other space on top of this for storage and a workshop etc.
I have spoken to some bike suppliers with a few quite keen to supply us, i.e. Scott, Claud Butler, Viking and possibly a few others. a bit nervous but up for the challenge. shop has a very knowledgable mechanic who i will be keeping and will look to get my 21 son involved in all aspects of the business. just after any ideas on what bikes are popular, best sizes to keep in stock, do i really need bikes that cost thousands of pounds to start with as or are the lower value bikes a constant turnover (i.e. what is best price range to keep for a varied range for all) etc etc. any accessories that are not worth bothering with and what are a must? i know some stuff will be trial and error and its horses for courses and all that but would appreciate any valuable advice so i get it right.
look forward to hearing back from anyone with a similar experience of setting up a shop from scratch.
regards
Dave
first time on here so please be gentle.
Don't know where to start so here goes...i am giving up my successful sales career of 20 years to take over a local bike shop in Devon thats been around for 18 months selling only second hand bikes (doing quite well due to the huge student population in the city) and the odd new one. two reasons for this choice, 1) time for a change and 2) hopefully a better quality of life going forward and my own business.
Don't really have much experience of bikes at all but at 40 years old i figured its still never too late to learn or for a career change, i currently drive 240 miles a day just to get back and forwards to work, its a well paid job but cant do it forever so going to put all my current energy and passion in a different direction.
i suppose im just looking for any advice or possible things not to do! the shop position is in a fantastic spot, on a main road junction at traffic lights with out front parking and a bus stop and less than a mile from the City centre with about 3/4 other established shops in the area but we are talking about a large city, so doesn't really get any better for a prime location shop is about 1000 square foot with plenty of other space on top of this for storage and a workshop etc.
I have spoken to some bike suppliers with a few quite keen to supply us, i.e. Scott, Claud Butler, Viking and possibly a few others. a bit nervous but up for the challenge. shop has a very knowledgable mechanic who i will be keeping and will look to get my 21 son involved in all aspects of the business. just after any ideas on what bikes are popular, best sizes to keep in stock, do i really need bikes that cost thousands of pounds to start with as or are the lower value bikes a constant turnover (i.e. what is best price range to keep for a varied range for all) etc etc. any accessories that are not worth bothering with and what are a must? i know some stuff will be trial and error and its horses for courses and all that but would appreciate any valuable advice so i get it right.
look forward to hearing back from anyone with a similar experience of setting up a shop from scratch.
regards
Dave