Ideal Guitar Shop!?

[guitarzone]

Hi Guys - some advice & pointers please!

Expanding my internet guitar business to include a showroom, about 2 miles out of Halifax (off the beaten track, so no passing trade). Gonna have Open days, special invite days etc..

The idea is to have 2 20' square soundproofed band rehearsal rooms, a small 1:1 teaching, practice room, a chill out area /coffee bar (with maybe Internet access) and the rest would be a guitar showroom.

So - let me know what do you think of
1. the concept
2. would you travel out of your way to a guitar showroom, or prefer high street shop?
3. What are the key things you want from a guitar shop?

Any feedback, positive or negative would be most welcome. I want to maintain the legendary ( :) ) Guitarzone personal service & price and take on the the faceless corporate might that is becoming the guitar retailing industry!!!
Quick, Nurse, more sedative......................


Thanks in advance... Chris

[Stempy]

1.Sounds like a spiffing idea. I can't say that I would make a special journey from down here in the deep south to visit though.

2.I think if you give a good service people will happily travel an extra couple of miles out of town as long as they know you are there. Staying out of the high street helps keep the prices competetive too.

3.Competent staff who know what they are on about and don't try to bullshit their way into your wallet and a good stock of strings.

[Rick]

you need passing trade, its very very important.
otherwise you will spend loads advertising in yellow pages for the smallest advert is 400 quid.

when you get a shop you will be able to deal with better suppliers, nothing wrong with the stuff you sell now, but for some reason people still want to buy standard fender strats etc.

I agree with stempy about the staff thing, i know you have that sorted and that you could sell a fiver for a tenner.

the best advice i could give, having had several shops is not to try and cater for everybody because you loose money by spending forever trying to source stuff then end up bunging a fiver on the buy price to be competitive.

[snavecire]

It sounds a fantastic concept, BUT there's the rub specialist shops are going the way of the dodo, people today are basicaly idle and will purchase on the internet, why? becouse they can, the choice cannot be competed with, prices are lower, and they do not have to drag the kids 150 miles in a cramped car, your clientel would be hardened guitarists who will probably have there favourite suppliers who they have dealt with for years, so I wish you all the best in this venture but remain very sceptical about its chances for sucsesss

[Stew]

I would agree with Eric that the web is the way most will purchase now. It may be worthwhile concentrating on this to see if there are ways to increase hits on the website and hopefully as a result increase sales.

Wish you all the best with this venture

Stew

[Highway Star]

Well, I for one would generally use a shop to purchase a guitar. You need to see and feel what you are buying so, if you do open, I for one will visit (although in reality, not on a regular basis). Accessories (strings mainly) however will remain as internet purchases for me because I know what I'm getting in advance (and yes it will be 9's next time!).
Good Luck
Farl
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[guitarzone]

Thanks for comments so far.

Still looking to grow the internet side but looking for another outlet, which if combined with other things will take some of the financial burden. I have massive stock levels which need turning over. For things like Maverick guitars and to some extent Godin, where quality for price is amazing, then a chance to try is a big advantage.

Aiming to keep prices the same as my internet business, so the 2 go hand in hand. Maybe being naive? Lack/poor quality of service is a problem which I have addressed via website & hopefully would do retail wise.

Keep the comments flowing! :)