Thought I'd announce this here first. We signed a lease today to open our first storefront. It won't be big and it won't be fancy but it will be open and available for walk in customers shortly after 10/15/04. The new phones go in 10/18/04.
Congratulations George, you will have to post photos here for us to view. I guess there is no real change for us online guys . It's a little far for me to come over and browse. Do you mind me asking why you have taken the overhead costs of a store front? I would have thought the online business had less costs hence a better prospect????
Paul: Logical question. First: There are certain manufacturers and distributors that will not sell to e-tailers. We have been buying their products from other dealers (at retail) and second tier distributors and selling them as "Loss-Leaders". While it's nice for our customers it's not the way to make a buck. When we get setup with these lines we will be able to buy certain product lines directly this way. As a result we will be in a more competitive position. We will then be able to price those lines in accordance with our business plan and our selling price for those lines will go down. second: Our inventory has grown to a level that we have run out of space and have not been able to efficiently manage inventory and orders. By having a space where EVERYTHING can be displayed, we can order more efficiently, control cash flow more effectively and fill orders more quickly. Third: We have been amazed by how many modelers have asked to come to our store as they were visiting Albuquerque on business. Fourth: It turns out that there are many more N modelers in the area than those who participate in our N-Trak club. Delivering to them has become a major time eater. Maybe we were wrong and there will be enough to support the shop especially since our pricing will remain the same or get better.
George, That makes a lot of sense it is amazing how some manufacturers will not directly sell to e-tailers but I guess they are trying to preserve there bread and butter of the past. I wish you all the luck in your endeavours but by going on your online store this is certainly headed for success. I will still be buying online as you know and I appreciate your efforts for us overseas modellers.
HeyHeyHeyHeyHeyHeyHeyHeyHey! Whoa! What's the address? You know I'll be there five minutes early on opening day! Hey, unlike my post the other day that Albuquerque has problems because it is halfway to other places like Denver, Phoenix and Dallas, this makes our city a destination! Congrats, George and Debra. It's a big step, and I wish you success.
Hmmm, we've been tossing around the idea of buying some NM property at some point. This puts the icing on the cake! Good luck with the new storefront! I'll be checking in next time I'm over that way.
George - Debra - the very best of luck in your NEW STORE. Next time I visit the Ghost Ranch I'll stop by - most likely next year on my way back from Sturgis - me and my biker gang will take you and Deb to dinner. Toots
Address will be 3010 & 3010a Altez NE 87111. JUST barely north of Candelaria, East of Moon & West of Eubank. I can walk to work! The exercise will do me good.
Oh man, I drive down Eubank every time I go to Sandia NL. Whoopie! There's one bad thing, though. We New Mexicans have to pay the 6.0125 (or so, depends on where you are, could be 6.0375) percent state sales tax. I guess it offsets the shipping charges?
Congratulations George and Deb, Maybe we can get Pete to take photos of the opening day festivities. Now I have some place to visit if I ever make it back to New Mexico. Hey, if your guys opening is anything like the Apple Store openings, you'll have folks lined up around the block waiting to get in (I waited for almost 2 hours for Apple's North Michigan Ave store opening a year ago.)
Adding my congrats, with chagrin. It was just last week when I called to ask if you had a place I could visit when in NM on business and you said an emphatic NO! I will be back twice by Nov 15th, since I made the next cut for that project I was looking at up in Las Vegas, NM. Of course, I only buy souvenirs on my trips if I actually win the job, but I will be sure to stop by. How far from I-25?
A big thumbs up to my #1 Dealer. I wish you the best of luck and hope this will further your legitimacy in the eyes of others in the industry. You offer a great source to all N-scalers and we all appreciate that. Keep up the good work!
BONUS!!!!! Congrats George and Deb, best of luck on your new venture! No biggie if it's not big or fancy. That just means you would have to pay more for it, and so would we!!! I hope I can come to Abq on business soon..... If not, I'll still be supporting your business from my keyboard and pocketbook!
Congrats and Good Luck George and Deb. You might have to buy some furniture for your house now that all the train goodies will have a place of their own. Please don't lose the personal touch as it's an important reason a lot of us keep ringing your phone and (or) sending you emails to place those orders! Hopefully I can swing out there to see you or maybe a train show half way. Brian
