Setting up a drop shop business

gerry10002000

I would greatly apprecicate any advice/information on the following.
Ive been repairing computers now for over 20 years from my own home.But now im am considering approaching several other businesses to ask them would they be interested in using their premises as a DROP OFF STORE for my computer repair business. If they agree to this i would then place a small advert outside each of their stores advertising computer repair. The store owner would then act as an "agent" and would sell our services at a reduced cost to normal computer repair shops. I would then collect all compters that day/eveening and return them to the shop or the users home. The owner of the premises would of course receive a very good commisssion on each serviced computer. The owner would aslo make it clear to any customers that he/she does not repair the computers and his premises is only used as a DROP OFF STORE.Is there anything which would prevent me from doing this straight away i.e licensing and insurance of the business which i intend to approach and use as drop off stores. Thank you to anyone with any advice.

paddyrg

In outline it sounds like a very good plan TBH. I assume you're all insured up and have some professional indemnity. I would take the plan to a lawyer and get a good clear agreement drawn up - one between you and the agent and a different one between you and the end customer, outlining what you're liable for and not liable for.

Last thing a shop wants to risk is their good name being let down by poor work/whatever so get those agreements in place.

googler

If I were a business owner that you're targeting, I'd be reluctant for the following reasons;

1 - having to find space in my premises for your kit.
2 - having to (possibly) fit my opening and closing times around your rounds to pick up and drop off computers

I get a slice of commission, fair enough, but is that worth the extra work of liaising with you, accounting for the commission, etc?

What do you get out of this? A bit of extra advertising in places you wouldn't normally be, and a whole lot of extra running around town, with the associated petrol and wear 'n' tear. Extra accounting for the commission you pay to business owners. Extra work drawing up the agreements.

Also, from the public's point of view, they won't be able to talk to anyone in the store about what's wrong with the computer, so they see the sign on the street, walk in, ask the business owner, who says 'Can't tell you anything, guv", and the public walks out again, having been shunned at their first point of contact with your business.

Wouldn't it be more productive just to spend the time and money on more advertising for yourself?

Kayalana99

googler wrote: »

1 - having to find space in my premises for your kit.
2 - having to (possibly) fit my opening and closing times around your rounds to pick up and drop off computers

Some people really do pick problems out of thin air.

1. How hard is it really to store a laptop or harddrive for a few hours?
2. No - He would pick it up before closing time. You could even counter solve this non existing problem by putting on the advert if the shop was open till 5pm, that any computers/laptops dropped off after 4pm will not be collected till following day.


I say go for it, you don't get paid unless they get paid - so no risk invovled/costs. You have nothing to lose :-)

Personally the only problem I can see is the business owner needs to trust you as if he takes a laptop/computer off someone and you don't bring it back its him thats got to deal with the customer!!

piglet25

Good point, what if thecomputer is dropped in the shop for example? Its a good idea but you need to consider everything before going ahead

geordie_joe

Kayalana99 wrote: »

Some people really do pick problems out of thin air.

And others just don't think at all.

Kayalana99 wrote: »

1. How hard is it really to store a laptop or harddrive for a few hours?

Who said it would be a laptop or a hard drive, it could be a full size computer.

Kayalana99 wrote: »

2. No - He would pick it up before closing time. You could even counter solve this non existing problem by putting on the advert if the shop was open till 5pm, that any computers/laptops dropped off after 4pm will not be collected till following day.

Lots of shops have signs saying things like "No money kept on the premises at night" to deter burglars. They may not like having an advert next to it basically saying "there may be some very nice laptops tho"!

They may have insurance based on there just being fruit and veg in the shop at night, then suddenly have to make a claim that includes a variety of IT equipment that doesn't belong to them. I'm sure the insurance company will love that.

forgotmyname

Kayalana99... sorry but your thinking is blinkered. Lots of reasons where it has the potential to go wrong.

Laptop or hard drive? What about computer towers and large monitors?
I have a large server tower for my PC. I built it when i used to overclock computers and run water cooling systems.

What if he cannot pick it up before closing time? What if the customer claims to have dropped off something different to what the OP actually collects?

What if the shop gets flooded or something happens to the customers goods? Will the insurance cover it?


Then for the shop keeper, What is the OP is ill and doesnt collect the computer within a reasonable time?

What if the OP does a poor job or the customer blames them for causing other damage?

There are lots of pitfalls and you need to have an answer or solution for any incident that may occur.

motorguy

googler wrote: »

If I were a business owner that you're targeting, I'd be reluctant for the following reasons;

1 - having to find space in my premises for your kit.
2 - having to (possibly) fit my opening and closing times around your rounds to pick up and drop off computers

I get a slice of commission, fair enough, but is that worth the extra work of liaising with you, accounting for the commission, etc?

What do you get out of this? A bit of extra advertising in places you wouldn't normally be, and a whole lot of extra running around town, with the associated petrol and wear 'n' tear. Extra accounting for the commission you pay to business owners. Extra work drawing up the agreements.

Also, from the public's point of view, they won't be able to talk to anyone in the store about what's wrong with the computer, so they see the sign on the street, walk in, ask the business owner, who says 'Can't tell you anything, guv", and the public walks out again, having been shunned at their first point of contact with your business.

Wouldn't it be more productive just to spend the time and money on more advertising for yourself?

I agree with this totally. It would be like taking a car to a cornershop and leaving it there for a mechanic - whom you never see - to pick it up and service it and drop it back.

Repairs are about trust and confidence and i dont think this gives any of this, and it certainly doesnt give any option for upselling of peripherals, new mice, keyboard, new screen, memory upgrade, new computer / laptop, backup solution, etc, etc.

Also the shop wont give a monkeys about whats left in so they wont check what leads / PSU / etc have been left. You then get into a 'he said / she said' whereby the customer says they left a psu with the laptop, but you didnt get one from the shop, or a monitor lead, etc, etc.

I'd be advertising and offering a 'free pickup and collection', 'no fix no fee' approach (which i'm sure the O/P is already doing). I dont see this adding any value.