Good day to all,

Michael, I think most of us on here are in the trades because we have always been in the trades. If you think real estate is a tough profession nowadays, double the frustration for construction. If I was looking to start a new business I think I would open a Dairy Queen

as much as I dislike the cruise ship industry, I am working on a way to extract $ from every person that steps off in the port of Homer.

What state are you located. This might be a real challenge moving from the real estate market to the construction industry.

The chances of you opening a wholesale distributor and actually getting better pricing than the guy down the street is going to be tough.

Posted By David Gerard on 05 Jun 2011 12:15 PM
as much as I dislike the cruise ship industry, I am working on a way to extract $ from every person that steps off in the port of Homer.

David,

Whats your idea if I may ask?

I knew a guy that figured out how to do that in Ocho Rios, Jamacia .....unfortunately he was a pickpocket / ganja salesman who stood on the pier where the cruiseship passengers disembarked!

actualy I am teaching my daughter how to do it    She makes very nice jewlery and has been making some really nice cards to display them on.  Also she is making some special cutting boards.  We figure the folks on the cruise ship want to buy nice hande made items from this artzy town we live in.  My great friend has a coffee shop in a cute little log cabin close to where the passengers get on and off.  I go down to this place now and then and play for tips and vacant stares.

sorry to derail this thread although it does follow what Norm said.   Just changing with the times using the skills we already have.

I have a contact that has a business model/product line that may be of interest to you. He can introduce you to product sourcing and special stone products that can give you an edge on the competition on product offering, you maintain margins and can be priced competitive. If you choose to go retail, Couple this with the services I provide and you can shore up the sales pipeline quickly. If you would like to know more PM me.

State NY, NYC area.

What about a retailer of exotic marble and granite I only want the high end market.

LOL Dairy Queen, very funny they cant last In the NYC area.

I thought I would get some great advice from this web page? Instead I got a bunch of people who are making fun or trying to discourage me,


So retailer or wholesaler ? I would like to see the why' and why nots of opening each.

Keep in mind, most of us are fabricators and the distributors of marble and granite are going to keep quite, because they don't want another reseller in their market.

The Dairy Queen remark was a way of saying it is not a good idea at this time to get into the granite supply business. The building market is way down and you will find stiff competition.

Companies are going out of business in our industry. not getting into it. With your background I think this will be a tough endeavor. Not saying you shouldn't do if it you really believe, but this will not be easy.

"So retailer or wholesaler ? I would like to see the why' and why nots of opening each"

I am a Local Online Granite Marketer and I work with fabricators and small to medium size retail shops all over the US that are seeing the stress of the changing counter top market. Everyone's story is pretty much the same. Contractors and new construction channels dried up, Kitchen Shops can't stay competitive because too many cooks in the kitchen. The box stores are dropping prices to stay competitive and pinching the the fabricator on margins.

You might be-able to do a high end channel but you'd better already have the connections with that crowd because even the rich are not paying for the experience anymore, they will pay for quality and experience.

I would say retail and start by partnering with a couple good fabricators/installers that will give you good rates and service. You make the money on the sales and good project management / customer service...

Today's market is a volume game. Good fabricators are loosing jobs over a couple bucks /sf. If you are going retail start with the sales and partner for fab and install. I know how to combat this but it requires a business owner that can see the forest through the trees to be successful. BTW, one of my clients was in real estate and is now owner, lead sales and estimator for his company.. http://www.granite-dallas.com

If you are going to go wholesale make sure you have a connection to get stone cheaper and faster than everyone else, oh and piles of cash...

Great reply thank you for sharing your insite.

Posted By Michael UES on 06 Jun 2011 11:15 AM
I thought I would get some great advice from this web page? Instead I got a bunch of people who are making fun or trying to discourage me,


So retailer or wholesaler ? I would like to see the why' and why nots of opening each.

Milke,

As a newcomer to the site, you really have not made many friends.

I am a consultant in the indusrty and make between 80-300 dollars per hour dependiong upon client. I have 10 patents in decorative surfacing with 2 more in application.


Let me give you some FREE  advice,since I have decades of experience dealing with distributors of decorative surfacing.  Since you have ZERO experience in decorative surfacing, If you dont have a bankers hand, or Donald trumps hand, or a major maunfacturers hand  stuffed up your butt and manipulating your mouth and every action, forget about it!

You have minimal chance for success.

My advice is stick with what you know!

Stop beating around the bush, Lenny.

Michael:

Don't do this.   I am not saying this because I fear another competitor.   I saying this only because I know how hard you have worked for your capital and I would hate to see you - or anyone for that matter - lose it.   And you will - lose it that is - if you try and become a distributor of solid surface, granite, or marble.

Couple of points to consider:

1) It takes million of dollars to get started in such a manner that could possibly yield you returns that would justify taking the plunge into this business.    If you start it on a smaller scale, you will have zero buying power (meaning you will pay too much or not be able to access certain products) or not even be able to buy product at all.

2) If you are buying any of the aforementioned products, you have to have the credibility (and cash) before you are going to get any manufacturer or granite supplier to sell you goods.     And if you can scrap up the cash but have no clue what you are doing, you will get taken to the cleaners by the manufacturers.     Either you will pay so much that you will not be able to be competitive or you will end up with poor quantity (and unsellable) material.   Either way you lose. 

3)  Assuming you get buy sufficient quantities of good quantity material at the right price, you know have to figure out how to reach your potential customers cost effectively.   You have to overcome their skepticism, fears, etc.    And if you are lucky enough to secure an order from them, now you have to deliver.   You have to know how to store, pick, pack, stage, ship, invoice, collect money, manage inventory, etc.   While many think this is easy, few do it well  (because it's not easy).  

I could keep going, but I hope this gives you some things to think about.

Sincerely,

Robert Butts
CEO
US Surface Warehouse

Very well said Robert.

I am launching a specialty Tile Shop/distributor in NY this month. This client will be importing a specific Tile... One stone one size.. can you believe it...I like a challenge but this is crazy... I will keep you posted.

Let us know, could be real interesting. Hope he's successful.