In a message dated 3/15/99 9:45:46 PM !!!First Boot!!!, Bdshull@AOL.COM writes: << List, I have followed with interest the discussion about retail sales. I have been in the piano service business for about 20 years full time (started working with pianos in high school in 1971, and became RPT in 1984), and have an interest in exploring retail sales. I have been discussing starting a retail sales/service business with someone in the area who has a background in retail sales. Several of you on this list run retail operations and are also technicians. I am very interested in what advice you might give for someone considering starting up such a business. Bill Shull U of Redlands, La Sierra University Loma Linda, CA >> Bill: Some advice that might help. 1. Start small. Rent a small 250 square foot store on a side street, buy a few used pianos and start selling them (If you have a nice room in your hose, you can use that. 2. Be sure there is room for another dealer in your area. You don't want to compete with a very successful dealership. 3. Don't give up your day job. Your tuning business is your bread and butter. There have been many times over the past 5 years that the tuning and repair business paid the rent on the store. 4. Find someone you can trust to be in the store while you are out tuning. Even if it is part time, I discovered that most people don't want to set up an appointment to buy a piano. This person can also do your paper work, schedule your appointments, and keep things in order while you are out there making money. Hope this helps Willem Blees
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