Posted by cornfarmer on January 26, 2008 at 17:58:43 from (205.188.117.74):
In Reply to: New farm store posted by rrlund on January 25, 2008 at 11:32:18:
Some advice from someone who has been doing pretty much just what you described for about the last 10 years-Keep yor day job, and don't borrow any money, cause you won't make much. It can be fun, but also a lot of headaches. First, people expect regular, consistent hours. Then they expect you to be available 24/7 365 when they need something "because they know you so well". Then they will want credit-bill at the end of the month, with 30 days to pay. Suppliers want paid net 30, or for small retailers COD if they will sell to you at all. Initial orders with any supplier willing to discount to you will be fairly large, and you will invariably order what people don't want. Anything people want will need will have to be ordered, but they won't wait. Big farmers won't buy from you because your parts are not OEM, the restorers won't buy from you because your parts are not "historically correct", and the rest won't buy because they can get it cheaper 40 miles down the road or you rented a farm they wanted 20 years ago. Your feed will always be short dated and need discounted, and god forbid you should be out of any feed at any time. If the 45 year old horse dies after eating your feed, you will be sued. Insurance is expensive. Mechanics aren't cheap, good ones are taken, and nobody anywhere wants to work. The seed you sell will be wrong for the weather that year, and the one your competitor sells will be right, and your forklift won't start when the seed truck arrives. People suck up free stuff and will freely point out everything wrong with your operation. Your store must be handicapped accessible, employees need workmans comp insurance, your posters have to be correct, and OSHA will show up after someone gets hurt, and the EPA wants to see proof of how you disposed of your used motor oil. But just think-you will be your own boss. (BTW-I used to manage for TSC about 20 years ago)
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