Selling Christmas trees, anyone ever done it?

FatVonD

I'm being made redundant at the beginning of December and am wondering if selling Christmas trees might see me through December.

Has anyone ever done it and how did it work out?

My 10 minute business plan is:

Initial costs
Rent, I've only thought of doing this today so haven't looked into it yet but say £200 for the 2 mid December weeks?
PLI £15?
Netting machine hire plus nets £100
10 x Stands £110 (may be cheaper elsewhere)

Recurring costs
20 x 6/7ft trees £300
Delivery £75

Total £800

If I sold the trees at 3x cost price (so £45) that would give a net profit of £100 on the initial 20 trees then £525 net profit on the next 20 trees and any therefter.

Does this idea have legs or should I stay home and put my feet up instead?

whitewing

Where are you going to get your trees from? That is the most crucial thing, and I wonder of there will actually be suppliers with excess.

A lot of people I know who have real trees go along and select it from the plantation (or whatever it is called) so there is no middle man.

Others get from garden centres that they use throughout the year so loyalty plays a part.

We live more rurally though.

Savvy_Sue

Obviously you'd need to research your area, here we have several options and some are run by the local Scouts so might get loyal support.

I'd also say that last time we had a real tree at work, we paid £5 extra for collection and disposal afterwards, AND they delivered and put it up for us too, but that was a larger tree. Domestic trees can be left out for the bin men but just getting it out through the door is a bit of a nightmare.

lincroft1710

What will you be renting? A shop, store, land? There could be further expenses, rates, water, electric. Will you rely on passing trade?

Errata

I would guess that christmas tree growers either sell the trees themselves or signed a contract months ago with someone else to sell them.

FatVonD

Thanks all.

The wholesalers have 3 outlets but not in my area. In previous years there has been someone selling them from a pub car park plus an empty shop in my medium-sized town. I was thinking of asking at a drive in hand car wash place (ex car showroom) which has a disused hut that's on a major road into the much bigger town but I think I've already decided it's not a good idea.

Thanks though, all, for your input. One of these days one of my schemes will come off!

Atidi

FatVonD wrote: »

I'm being made redundant at the beginning of December and am wondering if selling Christmas trees might see me through December.

Has anyone ever done it and how did it work out?

My 10 minute business plan is:

Initial costs
Rent, I've only thought of doing this today so haven't looked into it yet but say £200 for the 2 mid December weeks?
PLI £15?
Netting machine hire plus nets £100
10 x Stands £110 (may be cheaper elsewhere)

Recurring costs
20 x 6/7ft trees £300
Delivery £75

Total £800

If I sold the trees at 3x cost price (so £45) that would give a net profit of £100 on the initial 20 trees then £525 net profit on the next 20 trees and any therefter.

Does this idea have legs or should I stay home and put my feet up instead?

As a business idea, it sounds a bit seasonal to me

£45 a tree? :eek:
Yes I expect you will earn a packet IF you can sell at this price

But most sellers charge around £10-£15 for a nice cut tree around here ... and you can usually pick one up for a fiver or less as Christmas rapidly approaches.

After Christmas, you will have to pay for the disposal of any unsold stock.

meanbean

They go for £40+ here (urban) at the start of December. We buy early on the basis of getting as much value for money out of the tree as possible! You could always use those wood bases that are offcuts from trunks. A local MOT garage turns its forecourt into a tree selling zone.

[Deleted User]

Sounds like a great idea! But hard work to get it to work... I even considered it for a moment lol

InsideInsurance

Netting machine? Every place I've ever been to just has a giant funnel that they pass the tree through to net it.

Atidi

meanbean wrote: »

They go for £40+ here (urban) at the start of December. ...

A quick google indicates even Asda were originally charging only £25 for a tree between 5' and 7' last year.

... then they reduced them to just £12.50 in the week or so before Christmas.

http://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/half-price-real-christmas-trees-park-royal-asda-london-1411195