Members Wellhungarian Posted July 5, 2007 Members Share Posted July 5, 2007 Hey you gave me an idea. Now don't laugh! How about a store that sells the typical stuff, clothes and everything...the lighter stuff you know...heads, sticks, accessories...BUT.... at the back or the store, how about a showroom like they used to do at the old cars shows...with the kits set up on a revolving small 6'x'6' platform with some special lighting and maybe a backdrop scene like "In Concert". Like an Vistalite set, with Zeppelin in the background or a Slingerland or Remo aquamarine with the Buddy Rich Big Band in the background. Make them real untouchable show pieces behind the ropes ans everything. They would be for sale, but at a premium. But you get people into the store by the "show" and not necessarily the gear... You can set it up in decades and contact some vintage people who are trying to sell their stuff, and tell them they now have a prestigous location and venue to show off their stuff "live" They could help with the setup costs, you get the drawing power and everybody wins cause it's "New, Fresh" and believe it or not...straight out of the history books...it's novel... it's catchy...and there isn't another place like it around. It just takes the vision... Aw...I new you'd laugh...just remember "no one ever lost money by underestimating the intelligence of the American public...P.T. Barnum Consignment is a good niche.Maybe you could get George Lucas or Steven Speilberg to develop a hologram of Buddy or Bonham actually playing the tune your hearing. Kinda like the Elvis concerts with Elvis on the big screen but better. Then you could charge admission and after the show the people will have to walk through the shirt shop(a la Disney). Or better yet have kits set up and make drum buying an impulse sale! Daddy, Daddy I want a drum set! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Carminemw Posted July 5, 2007 Members Share Posted July 5, 2007 Consignment is a good niche. Maybe you could get George Lucas or Steven Speilberg to develop a hologram of Buddy or Bonham actually playing the tune your hearing. Kinda like the Elvis concerts with Elvis on the big screen but better. Then you could charge admission and after the show the people will have to walk through the shirt shop(a la Disney). Or better yet have kits set up and make drum buying an impulse sale! Daddy, Daddy I want a drum set! And just how much did Disney loose by doing it this way...hhhmmmmmmm? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mparsons Posted July 5, 2007 Members Share Posted July 5, 2007 You'd have to get a hologram of the drums instead of the real things too, or else the cymbals won't move Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Carminemw Posted July 5, 2007 Members Share Posted July 5, 2007 You'd have to get a hologram of the drums instead of the real things too, or else the cymbals won't move details details details...these are logistical issues. Think of the overall...the whole enchilada...the big picture. As I always say...if you wanna be a trendsetter, ya gotta take chances sometimes... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members faileddrummer Posted July 6, 2007 Members Share Posted July 6, 2007 You'd have to get a hologram of the drums instead of the real things too, or else the cymbals won't move You OBVIOUSLY haven't been to the Orlando, Fl Ripley's Believe It Or Not museum. You use air compressors for all the moving. They did the whole Ripley hologram in a real room. Then, they used air compressors to make the book open and flip pages, and to make the globe spin, and all that good stuff! You CAN do it . But, I say, just have the sets set up. Yeah, you'll always have people bangin' on 'em, but, you'll also bring out the real musicians who can try out what they're looking for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Carminemw Posted July 6, 2007 Members Share Posted July 6, 2007 Oh...these shouldn't be played. I was talking like the old "car show" genre...with roped off stages and glistening lights. A real production to suit each kit. Then if a purchase was in order, that person would be accompanied behind the ropes to the "drivers seat" for a quick spin. From there, they'd be escorted back outside the roped area...formal, fun...museumlike... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members CrashC Posted July 6, 2007 Members Share Posted July 6, 2007 Granted, I'm ridiculously inexperienced gear-wise, but here's my experience so far that may help you in your business strategy. With drums, heads, hardware, etc. that are pretty standardized, I wouldn't have a problem ordering online if there's a significant cost savings. With guitars, where you really need to try out multiple copies of the same model to find the right one, I probably wouldn't order it online. So far, I've been able to find exactly what I wanted locally at equal or lesser prices than MF.com or any of the other major online stores. I bought my set at a local mom and pop shop as they had the Rydeen's I'd decided on and the owner kept coming over to throw in more free stuff. It got to a point where I couldn't say no... his price out the door got down to equal or even a little lower than MF.com. The sales guy also offered to have me bring in one of my toms when it's time to buy some better heads and he will show me how to seat/tune it properly. Went back the next day for another cymbal stand but they didn't have the model I wanted, so I went to Guitar Center on the 4th during their sale. I overheard a sales guy about my age (mid 20's) quietly talking to a younger sales guy about the need to build up a client base to succeed long term... that 90% of customers do a lot of research online so you better know your {censored} and better not lie to them, etc. I immediately went over to him and the guy spent an hour and a half with me on one of the busiest days of the year for him, but he's got a repeat customer for as long as he works there. It was me who had to leave and he offered to have me call in and schedule an "appointment" to sit down with him and have him show me the differences between heads, cymbals, hardware, etc. That kind of thing is exactly why he's going to make a lot of money off me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members twosticks Posted July 8, 2007 Members Share Posted July 8, 2007 Wow so many great ideas that I was going to say but others have made the point better than I could. Where I'm from, OKla. City, they used to have a few drum only shops that I would always by from because: They carried the true basics that any drummer needed: Cymbal felt washers, Remo, Evans AND Aquarian heads plus all the sticks. All different types of pedals and stands. The multi clamps and racks. They had in stock the stuff I knew I wanted, like the sticks I liked plus they had all kinds of other stuff to try out. The drum tuning dials, the gig rugs, cowbells and all the blocks, tambos, electronic and triggers..... You don't have to have the way odd stuff, just a big selection of things like sticks, heads, pedals, cymbals, thrones where people can actually try out the stuff they only see a pic of on line or the other guys can order. THis is where I think it might be tough becasue you have to carry so much inventory month to month. Is way easier for me to buy when I have the thing in my hand and see that it works and what I've been looking for vs. not sure from the pic on line. Yes on giving lessons and clinics. PLus a big amen on the cosignment shop. I sold my first set that way and got way more than I could have gotten on my own. Makes a very nice drumming circle in that way as well. Someone wants to sell their first set and some newbie is looking for a first set and can't afford a new set with cymbals just yet, plus you make some money off of it since you are a drum shop. I would also push having a web site so guys like us here could buy from ya and help out. The mom and pops are having a hard enough time let alone a just drums store. CrashC makes a great post about what it takes. Having a store full of guys like the salepeople that Crash has meet is what it will truly take to make your shop take off or die. I will never forget the gal who listened to me about a new head for my snare and helped me tune it up. She made that snare sound awesome to me. yes, also have a drink machine and restrooms nearby. I have left many a drum shop simply because I'm straving or thristy or needed a pee break with only employee bathrooms. Also, let all that want sign up for a mailing list and mail those guys when you're having sales! Is what got me in the store for an after hours sale and helped me buy a rack. (they mailed special coupons to people on the mailing list) Good Luck and hope this helps! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members d0gb0y Posted July 18, 2007 Members Share Posted July 18, 2007 TimeKeep, I worked for GC for several years at several locations and various levels of management. If you're going to compete in Phoenix, obviously your service is important, but be rational about your inventory. I watched a local dealer go out of business real fast when I moved a new GC into town because he thought he could compete with us on Fender guitars and wouldn't adapt. Big mistake. Likewise, we had a great relationship with another local retailer who carried G&L, Peavey (when GC didn't have them as well), and Rickenbacker. He did great! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members JaymeK Posted July 19, 2007 Members Share Posted July 19, 2007 I LOVE my local drum-only shop: http://www.buffalodrumoutlet.com I always go there first for all of my gear. They provide much better service than GC or the other local music shops. Ever since Paul, the owner of Buffalo Drum Outlet, fixed my bass drum for free one day (I had a gig that night), he had a loyal customer for life. Their prices are also very competitive, and their selection is actually superior to our local GC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members thelegacy Posted July 20, 2007 Members Share Posted July 20, 2007 i have a guitar center and a 5 star drum shop both within 7 minutes of my house- talk about lucky- the 5 star drum shop is a little bit pricier- not by much, theyre very competitive and the service there is fantastic and the guys are so cool and not selling to you for commission like the guys at guitar center. when i started to play i went to guitar center, but later on i got more and more loyal to this shop, by the way they also offer drum lessons, which helps influences all the guys in there and makes them want to shop there. If you dont want to teach yourself, find some good guys in your area that want to teach. i think it is a fantastic idea but it may take you a while to gain the respect of everyone that comes there and if you treat them well, theyll treat you well. just my two cents. by the way i plan to open a drum store and teach lessons when i grow up, its my dream Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Guerrilla Radio Posted July 20, 2007 Members Share Posted July 20, 2007 My advice: please have a bargain bin of sticks. I love those things. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted July 20, 2007 Share Posted July 20, 2007 I hear ya. I wish theyd get one around here somewhere. I live in Brandon. Hell, id be a bit happier if they put a GC here. Up in columbus, where im from, there was a really cool drum store. Had really great prices, sometimes beat online prices. New drum shop in Brandon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members theDan Posted July 20, 2007 Members Share Posted July 20, 2007 I'd check it out. You might want to see if you can become part of the 5 Star Shops. The 5 star shop in SLC has better prices than GC. They also offer backline rentals. +1 Seriously, if you can become a five star drumshop you should have no problem keeping competitive prices against other stores. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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