Does anyone own/run a 2nd hand shop

Debt_Free_Chick

COOLTRIKERCHICK wrote: »

dfc are you on the shabby chic forum?

ooo ..... please tell :j :j

I don't know about that - can you post a link please, either here or by PM?

Thanks :T

melmar_2

Thanks cooltrikerchick will get oh to look into it,

could i have some info on shabby chic forum as well please:cool:

thank for ideas dfc:T

tazical

Also don't forget that if you rent a shop you'll most likely be tied into a tenancy contract- this may be up to 15 years, like ours. Some may be only for 2 years or so, so make sure you know what you're getting yourself into. The shop across the road from us wanted to move out but still had to pay rent until they found someone to take over the lease- no one wanted it so in the end the woman's husband had to quit his offices and move his accountancy firm into his wife's shop premises just because they couldn't afford to keep paying rent for an empty building!

Also, in regards to insurance, you'll also need public liability insurance if you're running a premises where any member of the public could have an accident. Also, employer's liability insurance if you have any staff. Add to that phone costs, internet costs, electricity, rubbish removal, rising minimum wages, possible rising rents per year, council tax, water rates, shopfitting supplies, vehicle fuel, MOT and repair costs, van insurance, road tax, accountancy fees, contents and stock insurance....

Quite honestly, I think most small shopkeepers are struggling in the current climate, not only in overhead costs but also in government red tape and sheer stress. I'm probably going to be closing my own electrical shop in a couple of years- the income is fine but we're definitely in a Rude Britannia society and sadly retail gets the brunt of the people who want something for nothing. I suspect that will be especially true in the second hand furniture market where people will want things as cheap as possible.

Unless you're selling antiques and have a ready market for them, I would strongly advise against opening a shop in the current economic climate. To give you an idea, I live in a fairly small town and 8 shops that I know of have closed in the last 4 months.

Sorry to be a doomsayer, but best to be prepared!

melmar_2

thanks Tazical, you are no doomsayer i am glad of all info across the board you make some very valid points,keep them coming more the better thank you,
it is opening our eyes to something that oh thought would be pretty straight forward:T