Business Idea
03-11-2012, 12:39 PM
#11
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: SC
Posts: 1,909
I have a LQS and two big box fabric stores not too far from me, and I still prefer to shop the internet. I can get what I need in a reasonable length of time, don't have to spend my gas to go and get it, can shop all the sales in the country, and the list goes on and on. Sure, you give up "petting" the fabric until you get it in your hands, but the other conveniences make up for that. And, in fact, I have shopped from so many stores online that I am mostly familiar with the quality of goods they offer before I buy. So the truck idea would be an idea...but there's a whole lot more to setting up a "store" than just that. And by no means am I trying to discourage you, just giving you a little heads up...
...good luck with whatever you decide!
...good luck with whatever you decide!
03-11-2012, 12:54 PM
#13
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: metro Portland, OR
Posts: 2,286
I was going to try that once and get a "toy hauler". I needed a place to live but didn't want to give up my fabric, etc. I used to haul fabric in my van to different churches to have sales for their mission projects.
03-11-2012, 02:54 PM
#16
Power Poster
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 17,726
Ditto to all the above, particularly for the need for investigating the local bylaws and how they apply to this business idea.
As for a "truck" ... if I were to be a customer, I might be more intrigued if it were a well-stocked RV, where I could go inside to shop. The consumer would have more of an assurance that the goods had been handled with care (ie farmer's markets are often outside and in the rain!) And from your vantage, there'd be minimal set-up/take-down between stops.
Can you carry enough inventory to be of "value" to the consumers? I understand your interest to fill the distance to an LQS problem, though if you can't compete with your inventory and pricing, the customer might be more likely to go the extra distance. I know that I often drive by one LQS, knowing that the other one, just a little further has a larger variety awaiting me.
Do your business plan and see what your start up would be, and then if the potential $ale$ are going to reap a profit? or be a deficit? Good LucK!!
As for a "truck" ... if I were to be a customer, I might be more intrigued if it were a well-stocked RV, where I could go inside to shop. The consumer would have more of an assurance that the goods had been handled with care (ie farmer's markets are often outside and in the rain!) And from your vantage, there'd be minimal set-up/take-down between stops.
Can you carry enough inventory to be of "value" to the consumers? I understand your interest to fill the distance to an LQS problem, though if you can't compete with your inventory and pricing, the customer might be more likely to go the extra distance. I know that I often drive by one LQS, knowing that the other one, just a little further has a larger variety awaiting me.
Do your business plan and see what your start up would be, and then if the potential $ale$ are going to reap a profit? or be a deficit? Good LucK!!
03-11-2012, 03:12 PM
#19
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Fox Valley Wisconsin
Posts: 1,920
There was/still is? a quilt bus that did just this. Maybe you could do some research on that and go from there. It sounds like a good idea...but lots to think about. Parking in one place and having people come to you sounds a lot easier than doing a lot of traveling.
03-11-2012, 03:23 PM
#20
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: dallas tx.
Posts: 5,172
You would have to have an awful lot of different fabrics on hand to sell to the public. Look at quilt shops, how much they have and have to go "on sale" to get rid of it if it isn't liked. How long can you hold on to it for turnover, and if they didn't like it the first time will they come and look again? I sure wouldn't do it. Just my opinion. Just a bolt of Muslin is 80 or 90 dollars.
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