Throwing around the idea again..Opening a game store

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Throwing around the idea again..Opening a game store
Tweet Topic Started: Feb 12 2012, 06:10 PM (3,383 Views)
austinmackert	Feb 28 2012, 07:35 PM Post #51
Level 4 Posts: 386 Group: Members Member #2,870 Joined: Oct 13, 2010	SteveNeville Feb 28 2012, 05:55 PM Diesel_Dan Feb 28 2012, 05:50 PM appletsauce Feb 12 2012, 08:18 PM Why not just sell online and skip all that old country brick and mortar stuff? Bingo. Online...in terms of? Amazon, eBay, a dedicated website, etc. They take out a lot in fees these days, but it seems like some people are living comfortable enough by going for these full-time. One thing I might recommend if he does go for the brick 'n mortar thing, is to at least sell some things via eBay or Amazon on the side as part of his business. Might help bring in a little bit of extra money to fund the real deal. Could potentially help in staying afloat in the first year, as I hear that's the hardest part. Also, to the comment regarding $10,000 insurance or health benefits for employees, I also feel that's generous. I've worked for an independent store and got nothing in benefits. Likewise, with places like GameStop (at least when I worked there), you get no benefits in these terms either unless you are an assistant manager (key holders might be eligible as well). This should be a non-issue for an independent store, except for maybe a manager or two who will likely make more money than the average lackey that will be helping out part-time. Edited by austinmackert, Feb 28 2012, 09:30 PM.
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Soulless	Feb 28 2012, 09:16 PM Post #52
I killed Abeloth. Posts: 450 Group: Members Member #4,243 Joined: Sep 6, 2011	CarsAndGames Feb 28 2012, 06:51 PM On the question of just making it a direct online store. Many of you don't realize there isn't ONE place in a 40 mile radius, that holds A.) Game tournaments. ( MAJOR MONEY TO BE HAD THERE) B.) Arcade Coin-Op recent machines that ALWAYS work and aren't $1.25 per play C.) A place for people to hold LAN's D.)GOOD Retro Gaming store I think it's a good idea for all that you listed. I've thought of doing the same thing here. The only drawback is it's a small community. BUT, I think it might work for me because I know so many people that would support it. The only thing I'll add is that make sure you lease a small space. Lease's are a bitch and too many owners think that getting their price is better than getting SOME money for the space instead of it being vacant for another year. Edited by Soulless, Feb 28 2012, 09:17 PM.
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sdcpro	Feb 29 2012, 04:30 AM Post #53
Level 9 Posts: 2,243 Group: Members Member #1,460 Joined: Dec 21, 2009	CarsAndGames Feb 28 2012, 06:51 PM On the question of just making it a direct online store. Many of you don't realize there isn't ONE place in a 40 mile radius, that holds A.) Game tournaments. ( MAJOR MONEY TO BE HAD THERE) B.) Arcade Coin-Op recent machines that ALWAYS work and aren't $1.25 per play C.) A place for people to hold LAN's D.)GOOD Retro Gaming store I'm not sure how there's much money to be made in tournaments. The entry fee is usually small and you have to give away a prize. Unless you hold a tournament with 30+ people, you won't make much. You'll have to have lots of regulars and regular tournaments for it to really bring in any real money. They are also a big pain to organize and hold. Arcade Coin-ops I don't see pulling in too much money in a retail store these days. They look like mostly decoration. If you're going to make it a full arcade, I can see some appeal if you have a large market of people but throwing one or two in a store really won't bring in anything. I don't see any coin-op machines that are over $.25 where I am unless it's something like Dave & Buster's. I've never seen a LAN center take off in terms of money making. I think most people who LAN party, have a dedicated area for it as it is. I can't imagine many people coming in and paying to have a LAN going unless you make it completely affordable, such as $30 for like 4 hours, 8 stations filled and letting them make all the noise they want to make. That's hard to do in a retail situation. It can all work out if you have a dedicated consumer base but you'll have to be extremely involved in finding tons of people to come in. Advertisement will be a full time job.



RatchetAndClank	Feb 29 2012, 10:00 AM Post #54
Apprentice of Mark Nutt Posts: 346 Group: Members Member #3,689 Joined: Apr 8, 2011	I hope to open my own game store someday. I would probably start out at a flea market. Good luck to you!



MidiPour	Feb 29 2012, 11:45 AM Post #55
Power of Sardines Posts: 3,000 Group: Founding Members Member #17 Joined: Jan 27, 2009 Currently Playing with Pete's hedgehog! :3	CarsAndGames Feb 12 2012, 08:48 PM Landscape Design and Architecture. I helped design all the Steak and Shakes in South Florida, Do all the tree trimming for the Autozones around here. I do all of the Florida Turnpike maintenance. I maintain the entire city of Ft Lauderdale...etc etc Isn't that 5 years beating your heading to pass your classes/graduate in college going down the drain? Not that you should continue with the degree you graduated in, I know you probably feel like you're not reaping the fruits of your labor with the extended hours of work and modest pay. Edited by MidiPour, Feb 29 2012, 11:47 AM.



Jesusthe3dgame	Feb 29 2012, 12:36 PM Post #56
Level 4 Posts: 424 Group: Members Member #3,788 Joined: Apr 26, 2011	If you're really interested in doing it, though, PM me.
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CarsAndGames	Feb 29 2012, 06:50 PM Post #57
Level 4 Posts: 456 Group: Members Member #4,712 Joined: Jan 28, 2012	MidiPour Feb 29 2012, 11:45 AM Isn't that 5 years beating your heading to pass your classes/graduate in college going down the drain? Not that you should continue with the degree you graduated in, I know you probably feel like you're not reaping the fruits of your labor with the extended hours of work and modest pay. I'm a high school drop out sir....I knew at a young age I would be a business owner. And I make a bit more than modest pay. In the last 6 months I've bought a house and 2 cars haha



EuropeanGamer	Feb 29 2012, 07:19 PM Post #58
Level 5 Posts: 727 Group: Members Member #1,111 Joined: Aug 6, 2009	CarsAndGames Feb 29 2012, 06:50 PM MidiPour Feb 29 2012, 11:45 AM Isn't that 5 years beating your heading to pass your classes/graduate in college going down the drain? Not that you should continue with the degree you graduated in, I know you probably feel like you're not reaping the fruits of your labor with the extended hours of work and modest pay. I'm a high school drop out sir....I knew at a young age I would be a business owner. And I make a bit more than modest pay. In the last 6 months I've bought a house and 2 cars haha Wait run this through me again your a high school drop-out but your a archetict something just doesnt add up , here in scotland that is practically impossible by so many leaps and bounds , why would america be so diffrent to allow this. I call bullshit Edited by EuropeanGamer, Feb 29 2012, 07:20 PM.



MidiPour	Feb 29 2012, 07:20 PM Post #59
Power of Sardines Posts: 3,000 Group: Founding Members Member #17 Joined: Jan 27, 2009 Currently Playing with Pete's hedgehog! :3	CarsAndGames Feb 29 2012, 06:50 PM MidiPour Feb 29 2012, 11:45 AM Isn't that 5 years beating your heading to pass your classes/graduate in college going down the drain? Not that you should continue with the degree you graduated in, I know you probably feel like you're not reaping the fruits of your labor with the extended hours of work and modest pay. I'm a high school drop out sir....I knew at a young age I would be a business owner. And I make a bit more than modest pay. In the last 6 months I've bought a house and 2 cars haha Well, relative to other degrees, and with the cost of tuition, the pay is modest. Actually, how did you land the job?



Jesusthe3dgame	Feb 29 2012, 07:51 PM Post #60
Level 4 Posts: 424 Group: Members Member #3,788 Joined: Apr 26, 2011	MidiPour Feb 29 2012, 07:20 PM CarsAndGames Feb 29 2012, 06:50 PM MidiPour Feb 29 2012, 11:45 AM Isn't that 5 years beating your heading to pass your classes/graduate in college going down the drain? Not that you should continue with the degree you graduated in, I know you probably feel like you're not reaping the fruits of your labor with the extended hours of work and modest pay. I'm a high school drop out sir....I knew at a young age I would be a business owner. And I make a bit more than modest pay. In the last 6 months I've bought a house and 2 cars haha Well, relative to other degrees, and with the cost of tuition, the pay is modest. Actually, how did you land the job? He's an architect? I thought he ran a landscaping business? I know a few high school dropouts that run semi-successful landscaping businesses. In terms of being a traditional Architect, it's true in America as well Europeangamer, you definitely need a degree for that position.
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MidiPour	Feb 29 2012, 10:42 PM Post #61
Power of Sardines Posts: 3,000 Group: Founding Members Member #17 Joined: Jan 27, 2009 Currently Playing with Pete's hedgehog! :3	SteveNeville Feb 29 2012, 07:51 PM MidiPour Feb 29 2012, 07:20 PM CarsAndGames Feb 29 2012, 06:50 PM MidiPour Feb 29 2012, 11:45 AM Isn't that 5 years beating your heading to pass your classes/graduate in college going down the drain? Not that you should continue with the degree you graduated in, I know you probably feel like you're not reaping the fruits of your labor with the extended hours of work and modest pay. I'm a high school drop out sir....I knew at a young age I would be a business owner. And I make a bit more than modest pay. In the last 6 months I've bought a house and 2 cars haha Well, relative to other degrees, and with the cost of tuition, the pay is modest. Actually, how did you land the job? He's an architect? I thought he ran a landscaping business? I know a few high school dropouts that run semi-successful landscaping businesses. In terms of being a traditional Architect, it's true in America as well Europeangamer, you definitely need a degree for that position. Well, how I understood from the Architecture profession, Architecture is a field that opens up to many specific careers. For instance, you could focus on glass and steel architecture, be an interior architect, a visual renderer, urban planner, landscape designer, etc. All of these fields are derivatives of Architecture, making all of them equally tough to land a job in, considering how competitive the field is. I've read alot of articles saying how salaries are low because of the low the demand is and how many people in the profession have a hard time finding work. Then again, I'm not an architect, I've only done years of research, so I'm not shedding first hand experience in the profession. I was just interested for a while, but the profession doesn't suit me and my gaming habits, it would actually probably strip me of it entirely. And I personally don't like that, even if designing for someone else might be satisfying, the consequences outweighs that satisfaction. Edited by MidiPour, Feb 29 2012, 10:45 PM.



CarsAndGames	Mar 1 2012, 04:47 PM Post #62
Level 4 Posts: 456 Group: Members Member #4,712 Joined: Jan 28, 2012	SteveNeville Feb 29 2012, 07:51 PM I thought he ran a landscaping business? I know a few high school dropouts that run semi-successful landscaping businesses. In terms of being a traditional Architect, it's true in America as well Europeangamer, you definitely need a degree for that position. Correct. I help draw up plans, the business DOES architecture. But I'm not the architect myself my boss is, I do more of the design, maintenance, installation...etc etc I over look everything in the field. Edited by CarsAndGames, Mar 1 2012, 04:52 PM.



kuroi	Mar 2 2012, 01:04 AM Post #63
Welcome To Warp Zone! Posts: 517 Group: Founding Members Member #141 Joined: Jan 27, 2009	I've been kicking the idea around for years now. I've slowly built up a double's collection of decent/great stock by buying lots on Craigslist. My father is in real estate, and a unit that they've had for a while now is still vacant. He wants to fill it and it's in a great part of town. The kicker is that he can get me in it for $500/month (on a month to month basis) @ 1800 sq/ft. I'm just having problems coming up with the initial improvements/renovation money and I refuse to take out a loan. I'd like to open a store and run it by myself 6 days a week. I'm just not sure it's viable in this economic climate. I want to do it right, and I want to do it legit. I've been buying and selling games for years, and it's sustained itself thus far. However, I haven't focused at ALL on newer games, and I think that's where my plan is lacking. I'm also not 100% confident in my ability to have fluid cash for trade-ins (for the moment, since I'm still transferring money). If anything, I just want to work for myself, have a self sustaining business that pays for my gas and health insurance. Beyond that, I'm still willing to work a 2nd job and attend school. Edited by kuroi, Mar 2 2012, 01:08 AM.
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sdcpro	Mar 2 2012, 02:24 AM Post #64
Level 9 Posts: 2,243 Group: Members Member #1,460 Joined: Dec 21, 2009	kuroi Mar 2 2012, 01:04 AM I've been kicking the idea around for years now. I've slowly built up a double's collection of decent/great stock by buying lots on Craigslist. My father is in real estate, and a unit that they've had for a while now is still vacant. He wants to fill it and it's in a great part of town. The kicker is that he can get me in it for $500/month (on a month to month basis) @ 1800 sq/ft. I'm just having problems coming up with the initial improvements/renovation money and I refuse to take out a loan. I'd like to open a store and run it by myself 6 days a week. I'm just not sure it's viable in this economic climate. I want to do it right, and I want to do it legit. I've been buying and selling games for years, and it's sustained itself thus far. However, I haven't focused at ALL on newer games, and I think that's where my plan is lacking. I'm also not 100% confident in my ability to have fluid cash for trade-ins (for the moment, since I'm still transferring money). If anything, I just want to work for myself, have a self sustaining business that pays for my gas and health insurance. Beyond that, I'm still willing to work a 2nd job and attend school. $500 a month is excellent for a store front. The square footage is enough for open a game store as well. The biggest issue with owning any store is the overhead costs, which consist of water, electric, insurance/security system, and rent. Water and insurance/security won't cost you much at all. Electric would probably be around $250-350 a month and with rent being so cheap, you shouldn't have to generate more than $1,000 a month to break even, which is pretty easy to do. Most business's have to pay rent somewhere between $2,000-3,000 minimum for a storefront which is where most of the problems lie. Coupled with employee's wages, those are your 2 biggest expenses. It sounds like you can keep the retro side of a store open easily. Regarding current gen, I'm not sure specific how you would fill your shelf except to maybe continue craigslist until you get more established. I would suggest learning how to repair consoles legitimately or hiring someone who can and have a repair shop in the back. Honestly, at $500 a month for rent I'd almost want to open a store myself. The opening/renovation costs will set you back, however if you "know a guy" who can get you a good deal kinda thing, you should still be able to get in on a cheaper end. I'd research your area, especially if your dad is in real estate, he probably knows some friends who can construct the interior of a shop for a good deal.



kuroi	Mar 2 2012, 02:36 AM Post #65
Welcome To Warp Zone! Posts: 517 Group: Founding Members Member #141 Joined: Jan 27, 2009	My best friend's dad is a carpenter by trade, but he's horribly slow. I'd probably do all the work myself, as I have 4+ years stage building experience and 4+ years of working for a small business doing all their handiwork (on top of all my regular duties). Really and truly, the only thing holding me back is myself. even if my operating costs are $1000/month for rent and utilities, that's only about $33/day to break even. I'm going to do some heavy number crunching the next couple of days to see if I can realize this dream. I think it'd be fun. Edit: Oh yeah, and the other places nearby are $1800/month for the same square footage. It really doesn't seem like that bad of a deal to me. Edit 2: That is to say, I'm not taking this as lightly as my posts seem to say. I just feel that I can be a little more free with my idea here. Edited by kuroi, Mar 2 2012, 05:20 AM.
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CarsAndGames	Mar 19 2012, 07:54 AM Post #66
Level 4 Posts: 456 Group: Members Member #4,712 Joined: Jan 28, 2012	Well.. I woke up at 6:30am today, went to the office. And quit my job. I think it's time to begin



RatchetAndClank	Mar 19 2012, 08:02 AM Post #67
Apprentice of Mark Nutt Posts: 346 Group: Members Member #3,689 Joined: Apr 8, 2011	CarsAndGames Mar 19 2012, 07:54 AM Well.. I woke up at 6:30am today, went to the office. And quit my job. I think it's time to begin Shit just got real



CarsAndGames	Mar 19 2012, 08:03 AM Post #68
Level 4 Posts: 456 Group: Members Member #4,712 Joined: Jan 28, 2012	Lol yup. I worked 84 hours last week, boss decided no over time, no benefits, no nothing. Fuck it.. It's time to build my own future



DEADSY	Mar 19 2012, 08:37 AM Post #69
New User Posts: 12 Group: Members Member #4,860 Joined: Mar 12, 2012	hell, if it doesnt work out for you, i reckon you have a good future writing fantasy books.



CarsAndGames	Mar 19 2012, 09:10 AM Post #70
Level 4 Posts: 456 Group: Members Member #4,712 Joined: Jan 28, 2012	It'll be a picture book



stickdude2320	Mar 21 2012, 03:00 PM Post #71
Level 4 Posts: 310 Group: Members Member #4,794 Joined: Feb 25, 2012	Good luck dude, hope it works out
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kuroi	Mar 25 2012, 05:28 PM Post #72
Welcome To Warp Zone! Posts: 517 Group: Founding Members Member #141 Joined: Jan 27, 2009	CarsAndGames Mar 19 2012, 08:03 AM Lol yup. I worked 84 hours last week, boss decided no over time, no benefits, no nothing. Fuck it.. It's time to build my own future If you have that documented, you need to present it to the local/state labor board. You will get compensation for anything you can document, and possibly more in damages as well. Anything that's undocumented still has a chance to be awarded. You did the work, and he profited from it. Don't let it slide, because he's just going to do it to the next poor sap that works for him.
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CarsAndGames	Mar 25 2012, 05:31 PM Post #73
Level 4 Posts: 456 Group: Members Member #4,712 Joined: Jan 28, 2012	kuroi Mar 25 2012, 05:28 PM If you have that documented, you need to present it to the local/state labor board. You will get compensation for anything you can document, and possibly more in damages as well. Anything that's undocumented still has a chance to be awarded. You did the work, and he profited from it. Don't let it slide, because he's just going to do it to the next poor sap that works for him. Oh no, it's been a long week going through it. I've been presenting my case, and next week I think the " shit storm" will start. He thought giving me $90 when I quit would be good. Uhh no. I think 560 hours at $45 an hour is what he owes me. I don't think he will like having to write a $25,000 check.



kuroi	Mar 25 2012, 06:37 PM Post #74
Welcome To Warp Zone! Posts: 517 Group: Founding Members Member #141 Joined: Jan 27, 2009	Good luck with your plans to open a store, and it looks like we're both doing the same thing! I'm having floor plans for the retail space brought over tomorrow (we've been working out other details since the last update). If I can have everything work out I may have a lease in my hands in about a week. How are your plans coming along? Are you planning on opening up shop in West Palm Beach (I think that's where you said you are from)? What's your progress like so far?
	Kuroi's Video Game Collection \| Warp Pipe Dreams \| Kuroi's Youtube Channel \| Watch Me Live on Twitch.TV


CarsAndGames	Mar 25 2012, 06:45 PM Post #75
Level 4 Posts: 456 Group: Members Member #4,712 Joined: Jan 28, 2012	kuroi Mar 25 2012, 06:37 PM Good luck with your plans to open a store, and it looks like we're both doing the same thing! I'm having floor plans for the retail space brought over tomorrow (we've been working out other details since the last update). If I can have everything work out I may have a lease in my hands in about a week. How are your plans coming along? Are you planning on opening up shop in West Palm Beach (I think that's where you said you are from)? What's your progress like so far? Progress is good. I have marketing out there already. I have a couple things setup for a grand opening. I have a manager already set up to work whenever. Wholesale license is in the works. Many other things haha



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