Wonwings diary-Getting it right-Setting up a Model Shop-Part 2
'A well stocked Model shop is a joy to behold'
Lets talk about your stock and things you should know-
It is one thing to stock up a shop from floor to ceiling with stock,but another thing to maintain that stock ? there is nothing worse than shelves depleted with stock being moved along to make it look more,the old saying 'Stack it high,sell it cheap' is certainly one way to deal with turnover,however there can be few small businesses who have the resources or buying power to do this,availability is the best guideline here,ask yourself this question ? how many times have you tried to get hold of something and finally found it elsewhere and made a purchase ? there you have the answer,no stock means no sales,even keeping one in stock of that expensive item means an instant sale,simply because you have made it available having taken the time and trouble to do so.It really annoys me to go into a shop,selling expensive sophisticated items and when you ask for an adaptor or spare fitting they do not keep it ! this would make me immediately suspicious as to future back up with an item that could be easily out of action because of the non availabilty of that item,this actually happened recently to a friend who purchased an electric helicopter at Christmas,he is still waiting for a set of rotor blades,my policy used to be for one expensive kit,I order two spares for each item liable to go wrong or wear out,the more complex then more spares are needed.Whist a lot of this sort of thing will come with experience common sense should prevail as well,mark my words the best and quickest way to looses customers is because you do not have any spares back up in place,or worse still just because it is a small part with no mark up you are not going to bother,well be warned because neither is your customer going to bother in future either ! If you look at all successful businesses you will see a pattern start to emerge,number one is specialising in a particular subject,we have within seven miles of here an electrical retailer,the building is ramshackle,however go inside and you will see row upon row of choice items,every type of bulb that has been made,every single light fitting in still-ages,the place is a proverbial alladins cave,despite its size the company employ nine people behind the counter,there is always a steady flow of people in and out all day long,why ? simply because they have all the stock that is needed and people know that even if they travel twenty miles plus they will get what they want without a wasted journey or excuses that the retailer does not have any stock.
Now lets talk about stock control,question again? what is the most important thing that any warehouseman or stock controller should do ? well he/she should never allow any single item to be out of stock at any given time,instead of running seven kits down to one at the last minute,stock should be ordered when the level reaches at least three,quickly keeping an eye open and ordering well in time.
My own particular shop had a large stock of balsa wood,I used to pride myself on keeping stock levels of wood healthy,this would entail a monthly day off trip to Cambridge to fill my car with balsa wood,then return and work in the evening to get it labeled up ready for the next days customers,you have to work like mad in any business venture to maintain interest and service,couple this with a nice friendly smile,time for your customers and you are on the right road to success,however do not think that it will happen overnight,you need to work hard at it things for years sometimes before you will break even,there are so many variables in any trade that time takes to sort things out.
It is one of the most important aspects, both not only from your own point of view but more importantly the customers,ignore it at your peril.
Next time we will discuss how to make things easier for your customers, and a few pointers on how to be a better trader.
