Jimothey Posted January 17, 2018 Author Share Posted January 17, 2018 (edited) 1 hour ago, Skol303 said: Don't mean to sound like a jerk, but there might be good economic reason why there are no music shops in your area (i.e. insufficient demand for one). I say this as someone who's run a small business for 15+ years; though admittedly nothing to do with musical instruments... I wish! That’s not being a jerk it’s a valid question, There was a music shop that mostly sold pianos but also sold guitars. Amps etc but the fella who owned it was in his 80’s and sadly passed away and he had no family to take it over so it closed The nearest music shop now is in Rhyl which is 16 miles away from me but it only is open between 3-6pm so most people don’t bother using it and travels to either Liverpool or Chester which are about an 1-1 1/2 hours away so there might be the market for one but I don’t know for sure!?! Everything is so spread out in North Wales so you have to travel at least 30mins to go anywhere anyway I have also run my own business for 15+ years (furniture making and carpentry) mostly Kitchen Fitting for the past 5 years and my body is falling apart now (knackered knees, hips and back) so I’m looking to change my focus that isn’t as stressful on my body I really want to become a luthier but that’s probably even harder to make money from!?! Edited January 17, 2018 by Jimothey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_c2 Posted January 17, 2018 Share Posted January 17, 2018 How far away from Back Alley Music in Mold are you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimothey Posted January 17, 2018 Author Share Posted January 17, 2018 1 minute ago, paul_c2 said: How far away from Back Alley Music in Mold are you? About 15/20 miles I’m in Denbigh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dad3353 Posted January 17, 2018 Share Posted January 17, 2018 (edited) 19 minutes ago, Jimothey said: ...that’s probably even harder to make money from!?! Not an expert in the field (although our eldest is starting to make his own instruments...), but I'd say there's more potential in luthering than in a commerce, if you're any good with wood and stuff. There's a commercial aspect, of course, but I know what I'd be looking at in your situation. Disclaimer: When we bought our ruin cottage, I started up a TV shop in the nearby town, as the previous bloke had retired. I held on for three years, and folded it before racking up debts I couldn't honour; luckily enough we like potatoes, as that's all we could afford for nearly a decade. No-one has opened one since to fill the 'gap'. The 'market' shifted away from the local source to the box shifters. Lesson learned. Edited January 17, 2018 by Dad3353 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicko Posted January 19, 2018 Share Posted January 19, 2018 On 17/01/2018 at 18:46, Jimothey said: That’s not being a jerk it’s a valid question, There was a music shop that mostly sold pianos but also sold guitars. Amps etc but the fella who owned it was in his 80’s and sadly passed away and he had no family to take it over so it closed The nearest music shop now is in Rhyl which is 16 miles away from me but it only is open between 3-6pm so most people don’t bother using it and travels to either Liverpool or Chester which are about an 1-1 1/2 hours away so there might be the market for one but I don’t know for sure!?! Everything is so spread out in North Wales so you have to travel at least 30mins to go anywhere anyway I have also run my own business for 15+ years (furniture making and carpentry) mostly Kitchen Fitting for the past 5 years and my body is falling apart now (knackered knees, hips and back) so I’m looking to change my focus that isn’t as stressful on my body I really want to become a luthier but that’s probably even harder to make money from!?! I honestly don't see how a start up business can compete online because you need to compete not only on price but also on delivery so with minimal stock your online sales will not keep you afloatso I guess the first question you need to ask is whether there is sufficient business in your neck of the woods to sustain a walk in retail business. As you say, things are few and far between, and that includes customers. If you can't drag in those people who ae closer to Liverpool and Chester with your shop's USP, then it may be that no business opporunity exists. Can you secure the services of a decent luthier for repairs and set up to generate a loyal customer base? Cann you get an excliusive retail deal with some of the specialist guitar makers in your area - I believe there are some, or exclusive UK distribution rights to the brand which isn't represented yet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimothey Posted January 19, 2018 Author Share Posted January 19, 2018 Thanks everyone for your feedback and advice as much as it would be great to open a music store I think that it’s not a viable option as most people have said I wouldn’t be able to compete with big store online or bricks and mortar shop So it back to the drawing board to see what else I can come up with???....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpondonBassed Posted January 19, 2018 Share Posted January 19, 2018 52 minutes ago, Jimothey said: Thanks everyone for your feedback and advice as much as it would be great to open a music store I think that it’s not a viable option as most people have said I wouldn’t be able to compete with big store online or bricks and mortar shop So it back to the drawing board to see what else I can come up with???....... Aw. It's always a pity when an idea doesn't pan out. At least you looked at it. Maybe you could open a national counselling and therapy centre for owners of music shop businesses that have gone bust? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikel Posted January 19, 2018 Share Posted January 19, 2018 I always PREFER to buy from a shop, but not always possible. With any instrument or amp I have to try before I buy as they are mostly unique, even the mass produced. The problem is pile it high and sell it cheap internet based retailers. High street shops cant be expected to compete on price so they have to offer experience, know how, information, something special like one off instruments, tuition, friendly service. Being local is a big plus, but you cant be local to everyone. Doh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikel Posted January 19, 2018 Share Posted January 19, 2018 On 1/17/2018 at 19:06, Dad3353 said: Not an expert in the field (although our eldest is starting to make his own instruments...), but I'd say there's more potential in luthering than in a commerce, if you're any good with wood and stuff. There's a commercial aspect, of course, but I know what I'd be looking at in your situation. Disclaimer: When we bought our ruin cottage, I started up a TV shop in the nearby town, as the previous bloke had retired. I held on for three years, and folded it before racking up debts I couldn't honour; luckily enough we like potatoes, as that's all we could afford for nearly a decade. No-one has opened one since to fill the 'gap'. The 'market' shifted away from the local source to the box shifters. Lesson learned. I know, its a great shame. Back in the day I toured our local music shops drooling at the shiny Gibsons, Fenders, Marshall's and Orange amps. One day I took down an SG, loved it so much I signed my life away on HP to own it. I have been tempted a few times over the years by instruments I was not even looking for, but thats what browsing a music shop can do. Even after 50 odd years of visiting music shops I still get a feeling of excitement when I open the shop door. Never get that logging onto a website. (Oo er missus) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mykesbass Posted January 19, 2018 Share Posted January 19, 2018 (edited) 2 hours ago, Jimothey said: Thanks everyone for your feedback and advice as much as it would be great to open a music store I think that it’s not a viable option as most people have said I wouldn’t be able to compete with big store online or bricks and mortar shop So it back to the drawing board to see what else I can come up with???....... Luthier. Builds and repairs, plus a little spares business may work. Edited January 19, 2018 by Mykesbass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EliasMooseblaster Posted January 19, 2018 Share Posted January 19, 2018 4 minutes ago, Mykesbass said: Luthier. Builds and repairs, plus a little spares business may work. There's a lot to be said for this approach, as it's one thing the online shops can't really compete with! I do know a guy who had a workshop in Deptford and made most of his living doing setups, repairs and mods for people. In between this work, he made the most beautiful acoustic guitars - don't know how many he sold, but at nearly two grand a piece, he probably didn't need to shift them too regularly! Last I heard, he'd moved to Wiltshire, and business is still brisk. (If it takes off, there's nothing to stop you building up a stock of other companies' instruments and developing more of a regular shop onto the business, of course...) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazzmanb Posted January 19, 2018 Share Posted January 19, 2018 I know its more me ,but i do my homework online and buy online,not into small talk and as they say "everythings cheaper on the internet" Even with stuff like my recent bareface cabs it was emails,same if i'm pricing deals,emails Probably goes back to starting out playing and going in local shop with the owner and his mates in their little clique The small shop thing can work,we have one in Sunderland,the only shop in the city but he won't be retiring to Spain anythime soon.He's very knowledgeable and clearly has contacts for stock away from gumtree/ebay etc and i think thats what keeps him open Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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