Online parts store yay or nay?

[mach1stang]

Hey guys,
I have a question for some of you. I have recently thought about starting an online parts store, I am homeschooled so I think it could work out great for me. I need the extra money (I’m a hot rodder… no need for words) I don’t know how stuff like works with some companies but I don’t have the room to hold stock is this a normal requirement? Basically I could use a basic run down as to how other guys do this so I can see if this is something I should think about doing.

Any help is greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Kody

[LateNight72]

Not trying to be a smartass, but if you are being homeschooled, you're likely 16/17? If so, I'd recommend focusing on school. Running a business is a huge time consumer, and it will affect your schooling. If you really need a job, get an after school job at McDonald's or Sports Authority or something.

I'm a college student (now only Part-Time) and am trying to start a business. I haven't even made any product yet, and I spend my entire day running around like a chicken with my head cut off.

My $0.02

[Iamtheonlyreal1]

There seem to be alot of online parts suppliers right now. Some are very reputable, but alot dont even answer their phones..ha ha. I would think that most people would prefer to talk with someone with knowledge, and that takes time. Do your searches and look how many Part Time online parts dealers there are out there already.

I agree with Latenight.. You should consider your resources and time. Dealing in parts takes alot of time and effort, so it shouldnt be split with anything else. In the last year and a half I have also been dedicated trying to design, produce,and promote. It is not very easy, and it is very time consuming. I had to quit my regular job sometime ago, to allow the for necessary dedicated time.

[BonzoHansen]

What they said. it cannot be just online. you have to answer the phone, etc...

[b-man]

Good luck competing with the big boys like Rock Auto.

They do a ton of online business and buy in such huge volume that they can't be beat on price.

They don't necessarily stock much of what they sell, but they know how to connect with their suppliers and deliver product.

Good luck.

[mach1stang]

Well with the homeshooling I only have three more credits and I am done and off to a tech school.
I know it would not be easy but I am not looking at becoming the next jegs or anything like that just a little somthing on the side to make some extra cash to put towards tools and equipment for my shop.

[LateNight72]

Here's something to ponder:


What are you going to bring to the table that would make potential customers purchase from you, instead of say a place like Jegs/Summit?

[BonzoHansen]

Well with the homeshooling I only have three more credits and I am done and off to a tech school.
I know it would not be easy but I am not looking at becoming the next jegs or anything like that just a little somthing on the side to make some extra cash to put towards tools and equipment for my shop.

IMO go out and get a starter level job in the field you are looking to train for. That might pay much more in the long run.

[ADaughen]

Here's something to ponder:


What are you going to bring to the table that would make potential customers purchase from you, instead of say a place like Jegs/Summit?


+1

It is called a business plan. That is where dreams meet reality, and hopefully reality smiles on you.


IMHO, don't bother with an online parts store. Finish up your high school. Work part time at a shop to gain some experience and cash and just enjoy your final year as a kid.

[joemac]

I have a couple of thoughts on this after trying it and not really getting off the ground. It will take one thing to get you started, capital. You need to have quite a bit of cash on hand for things like building websites, some manufacturers charge you to set up an account, biz licenses, insurance. The biggest thing is advertising. Figure to make an honest go at it you need to be in EVERY car mag out there that you pertain to. This is major cash. A business plan is your friend. You need to start talking to people about it and get some allies. Stay away from people that tell you, you are stupid or it is a waste of time and money. If you believe in it go for it. I do recommend going into business for yourself, most people could do a lot better for themselves, just remember it is a lifestyle and not just a job the buck stops with you. Check out your local SCORE chapter, they can offer some good advice.

On a side note, there are good opportunities out there that don't cost a lot and are easy to get started and you have a large corporate manufacturer standing behind you to sell their products. I am an AMSOIL Dealer and the support is great and I don't do too bad either. If you would like some free info on the opportunity, PM me and I will send it to you. It would be a good opportunity to get your feet wet, get some real world experience and you can work on it as little or as much as you want and it will be there for you.

[shelby987]

I say listen to JoeMac......today we have become a "quick, now, immediate satisfaction society" if you don't have 20 hrs. a day to dedicate to a gig like that.....don't bother....try selling stuff in just the classifieds section either here or on craigslist.....if you can't send pics, answer questions, and then deliver the product the next day......you fall short on expectations......one unhappy customer can do a pretty good job of taking down a companies reputation if they set their mind to it......lets not even get into the required capitol to get it off the ground.....I say this as I have spent the day just trying to post some online classifieds.....its taken my entire day, and I have little to show for it.....the real world is right around the corner, enjoy being home schooled and not having to pay for food, elec. the roof over your head, and ins.......the sooner you have money.....the sooner you spend it and wish you had more of it...

[joemac]

I say listen to JoeMac......today we have become a "quick, now, immediate satisfaction society" if you don't have 20 hrs. a day to dedicate to a gig like that.....don't bother....try selling stuff in just the classifieds section either here or on craigslist.....if you can't send pics, answer questions, and then deliver the product the next day......you fall short on expectations......one unhappy customer can do a pretty good job of taking down a companies reputation if they set their mind to it......lets not even get into the required capitol to get it off the ground.....I say this as I have spent the day just trying to post some online classifieds.....its taken my entire day, and I have little to show for it.....the real world is right around the corner, enjoy being home schooled and not having to pay for food, elec. the roof over your head, and ins.......the sooner you have money.....the sooner you spend it and wish you had more of it...

I have heard the statistic that a happy client will tell MAYBE 1 person about their good experience with you. Whereas a dissatisfied client will tell AT LEAST 10 people about their poor experience. A customer centric business philosophy is a must in today's uber competitive world

[TT302Z28]

joemac is right...BeCool pissed me off years ago at a trade show when they dismissed my comments about their electric fan bracket walking back and forth scratching the top of the radiator and I stopped everyone I meet from buying their products.

It is not how well you handle a customer at the time of sale and eveything is fine, it's how well you handle the customer when the sale is completed and something is wrong.

[joemac]

See, that is why I would rather make a customer happy and loose a few dollars satisfying them, whatever the case may be rather than loose thousands because of lost business. Which one is really smarter?

[joemac]

So, did you make a decision yet?

[LateNight72]

So, did you make a decision yet?
I don't necessarily think this is an overnight decision...

[joemac]

I don't necessarily think this is an overnight decision...

It won't happen overnight no, but a business owner needs to learn how to make quick decisions, that is one of the benefits of a small business the ability to make quick decisions on your feet to adjust to market conditions or in this case whether to do more research. The business may take months to become operational.

He could also respond that he is going to think about it some more but he is leaning a certain way and that would have answered my post.

[SLAMDIMPALA]

The other problem you are going to incounter is that alot of vendors,warehouses,distributors,dont want to extend you anything. The reason being is you dont have a brick/morter building. You can sit home and cut prices while the local parts store has all the overhead that you dont. I dont want to discourage you in anyway but this is food for thought. It costs alot of money for start up because most of the vendors have a first minimum order or a buy in. Hopr this helps in some way.