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Hi folks, Martin here,

I have finally got all the wheels in motion for the new gamestore based in NW England. I have invested a LOT of cash into this and have launched a kickstarter campaign to deepen my stock levels and also to give something back to the community out there.

Please take a look at the campaign and if you can spare even just £1/$1 then it all helps. There are thousands of users on here and if even a small porion donated a small amount then the stretch goals would be hit in no time.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/wargames/wargames-a-new-store-that-does-what-all-stores-sho

Please also let me know if you have any constructive feedback or ideas

Thanks

Martin

Glad to hear you got this up and running, I recall you mentioning it a while back. Money is a bit too tight to back at the moment, but I wish you the best of luck and will certainly check out the website when it's up! Maybe I'll even get to the store one day!

Cheers buddy and no probs on the money front. If you get any chance and don't mind I would appreciate you sharing it anywhere possible.

Will supply links to the webstore when up and running in Aug/Sept and hopefully get you instore at some point

Basically I have the building secured, the website is ready to go and the shop fit, money and staff are in place but I need as much stock as I can get to make this work for both me and you guys, and my money just does not stretch that far.

I hate to say this squire, but if you didn't budget for a decent level of actual stock to put in the store, you're somewhat missing the point of having one.....

I have budgeted for £25k in stock the kickstarter just lets me have a deeper level of stock and also the knowledge of the store is out in the public where it needs to be. The moneywill be used for many things in the store and stock is just part of it.

I appreciate your comment tho

I'm originally from Formby, a small town about 8 miles away from your proposed new store. I wish you all the best and I'll be sure to pop in whenever I visit the area.

 McManiak wrote:


I appreciate your comment tho

Apologies if it came across as somewhat sarcastic, I've just seen too many people thinking they could open a gamestore on a shoestring, and several more on here specifically trying to run Kickstarters in order to get the finance to open their stores (instead of doing what every other business does, and drawing up a business plan and taking out a loan).

If this is just a form of supplementary advertising/a way to push club membership, fair enough. I'm not really of the opinion that sort of thing is quite what Kickstarter is for, but I don't run KS, so there's no need whatsoever for you to pay any attention to me on that front. If however, you're depending on this finance in order to fill your shelves, you might want to start drawing up back up plans fast, because most responses I've seen to Kickstarters like this one have been indifferent at best, and downright hostile at worst.

 LuciusAR wrote:
I'm originally from Formby, a small town about 8 miles away from your proposed new store. I wish you all the best and I'll be sure to pop in whenever I visit the area.

I look forward to seeign you instore. don't forget to help out in the kickstarter if at all possible. Even £1 makes a difference. £10 gets you an extra 5% off your first order and the chance of winning one of at least 5 £75 pound vouchers

Martin


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 Ketara wrote:

 McManiak wrote:


I appreciate your comment tho

Apologies if it came across as somewhat sarcastic, I've just seen too many people thinking they could open a gamestore on a shoestring, and several more on here specifically trying to run Kickstarters in order to get the finance to open their stores (instead of doing what every other business does, and drawing up a business plan and taking out a loan).


If this is just a form of supplementary advertising/a way to push club membership, fair enough. I'm not really of the opinion that sort of thing is quite what Kickstarter is for, but I don't run KS, so there's no need whatsoever for you to pay any attention to me on that front. If however, you're depending on this finance in order to fill your shelves, you might want to start drawing up back up plans fast, because most responses I've seen to Kickstarters like this one have been indifferent at best, and downright hostile at worst.

Not a problem at all mate, I genuinely appreciate any feedback. As I said I have invested a lot (£50,000 in personal and loan) into the store but to get the deeper levels of stock and fund the terrain for the boards I could do with another £5k or even more to hot stretch goals and get the tournament rooms open earlier etc.

I know the store kickstarters are normally quite dire and hope (as did all the people before me) that mine is different enough. I figured with my subscribers on YouTube and people on here, Face book, twitter etc that if everyone gave a pound or 2 then the target could be met and surpassed. I know if I went round with a charity bucket people would happily throw a quid in but asking people to do it online seems a bit more of a struggle.

It is all about getting people to see that there is a return in it for them at the right pledge and it definat;ey is not a bad thing having another store in the northwest

If you are running a KS to bulk up on rare or exotic stock, then ask yourself why you need this stock to begin with.

Not to be a tool, but amatuers worry about sales while real business people worry about profits. If non-core doesn't sell well, simply offer it on order and don't waste the money on bulking out the stock. Then you can provide it "just-in time" style.

Also: What ketara said. If you need money for stock, go to your local Small Business Admin/Incubator/Chamber of Commerce and get some local connections/mentors/investors.

With all that said, good luck to you and I am glad you are thinking of it as a business first. I can see why you want $$$ from KS because who doesn;t want free $$$! Beside profit, the next key to business is to get other people to risk their $$$ instead of you risking your $$$.

OK guys there is 5 days left and I am only £1k short of the target. Can I rely on some of you guys to help me out (plus reap the benefits too obv)

£1+ is greatly appreciated
£10+ get you an extra 5% off your first purchase (discounts will be 10-15% already) plus entry into a raffle where 1 person for every £1000 pledged wins a £75 voucher
£50+ gets you a years membership which is normally £100 (£1.92 per week) PLUS 3 x 10% discounts
£100+ gets 2 years membership and 10 x 10% discounts
£250+ gets you lifetime membership plus 2 years of extra 10% discounts
£500 gets you the same as the £250 PLUS accomodation in Southport and the chance to be 1 of the first 5 people to have a 'challenge Martin' batrep recorded for Youtube
£1000+ get you COST PRICE hobby products for 2 FULL years. That is off anything I sell or can stock so if you need anything then you only pay what I pay

Membership gives you unlimited FREE play on the tables and discount on an events and tournaments, PLUS 1 member each month wins a £50 store voucher (online use too)

So c'mon guys let me some support from dakka...

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/wargames/wargames-a-new-store-that-does-what-all-stores-sho

Martin

DONT OVERINVEST IN STOCK.

It's Ok for a gaming shop to start with a small supply of stock, gamers will forgive. Gamers will want to support and ask you to order in.

Stock in this order:

Magic the Gathering
Boardgames - check BGG and Dice tower for recommendations
Pathfinder
D&D 5th

Don't stock

Miniatures, but get them in for anyone who asks.

Things to do:

1. Host games

2. Demo boardgames

3. Having gaming tables, for miniatures and boardgame play.

4. Turn it into a gaming cafe if you can (later).


Things not to do:

1. Allow all your tables to be taken up by card games players.

2. Allow credit of any kind.

3. Allow computer use except for GMing.

Appreciate the advice there buddy. Ive got to stock minis tho as i am primarilay a wargame store and will have a strong online presence too so stock has to be in for people to buy. I agree about credit, computers and tables tho and will have a large chillout area fit ccg, rog and boardgames whilst there will be tables for warhammer, warmachine bolt action and such plus lots of demo tables. The place really is huge...