How difficult it is to open a camera shop?

[boroangel]

Hi everyone...

Was just having random tots about it today...how difficult it is to open a camera shop in Singapore? Well...personally I think it must be tough, else we would see so many shops springing up....question is...what are the issues?

Is it capital? If so, how much capital would one need?
Is it cos of getting a license to sell?
Are there problems getting the manufacturers to grant the approval to sell their cameras?

I would appreciate all feedback...I did entertain tots of it...

 

[antacid]

not difficult to open a camera shop. keeping it running is a different story

 

[luna_sea83]

From my POV, I guess reputation counts alot, if you actually notice more of the recommanded camera shops have been around for a long time.

 

[dreaming]

suppose it's to securing a credit term with the supplier. as the company is new, they may not give the company 30days credit term, hence your main concern could be cash flow. next, rental and salary will kicks in. any mistake made here, could be the serious blow to the startup..

 

[diver-hloc]

not difficult to open a camera shop. keeping it running is a different story

The ANSWER that answered the question best of all..... :thumbsup:

 

[kiwi2]

May not be easy. But then again, I don't think it's any more difficult than running other kinds of businesses?

I mean, even people from China can have the capital and "gungho-ness" to start up a shop (OP) here. Why not Singaporeans?

Not sure why there isn't anyone else who contemplate doing this. Maybe it's the convenience we get already from the established shops here. We are photographers who are more interested in shooting than running a business.

But I'd love to see a group or someone local, singaporean perhaps, who is honest, financial very stable, educated, and formerly or presently a photographer himself/herself opening another camera business here. We lack a large shop with competitive, honest pricing, and at the same time, you get good photography advice without any bias, whether you are a newbie or experienced.

 

[forward]

Even with the blessings of sufficient capital investment in
the business you should look deeply and carefully into the
availability of well trained professional front line sales people,
long term pricing policy, relationship with suppliers,
retail servicing expertise and the ability to provide first class
customers care just for a start.

Would you tell me more on the other areas of difficulty besides
the ones you had mentioned?
:think:

 

[2evans]

Think most of the reputable shops business is repeat business. (especially now with the economy) The casual shopper is not really their clientelle, so how would you differentiate yourself over all the existing reputable shops?

 

[catchlights]

you need many many sincere customers to keep your camera shops on going, but just take a few types of customers will make you think you are in the wrong trade...

for example.....
people want to buy virgin camera, (camera have nobody touch before)
people want to test all the cameras you have before buying,
people bring torchlight/computer to check lenses before buying,
people keep coming back to change lenses for (so call) front and back focusing issue
people like to come and ask price for "song song"
people come and ask for "student" price

so on and so forth.......

 

[R1szuan]

To open up a camera shop when the market is already a tight one..

Is really a challenge

However do take note that
it is captial base intensive.
Who are you target audience?
Masses or Niche market?
Do remember that the costing of your products will varies.. So unless you knoe someone from inside the trade you may get wholesale price for some common hot items.


Remember in this industry where there is always strong and fierce competion you will be surprised that the supplier and wholesalers work like MAFIA kinda of organisation.

I used to work as a in those types of shops that sell electronics item. Not only just Camera.


Anyway all the best i wish you luck in your dream! Live it

 

[night86mare]

people come and ask for "student" price

does it work?

i try to be a student for so many years, but the uncles always never give discount

 

[limwhow]

does it work?

i try to be a student for so many years, but the uncles always never give discount

Student price? Never ever worked for me.
I'm an uncle myself. The salesperson he is even younger than me. Haha...
No choice lor, just pay up lor...

 

[hamustar]

does it work?

i try to be a student for so many years, but the uncles always never give discount

For you, and other male students, i think you need to try aunties :bsmilie:

 

[NeTHaCk]

i always wanted a camera shop in the east. there's a shop in tampines1 that sells some lens and body but the pricing not that attractive.

a dedicated camera shop in the east like pasir ris or tampines or bedok would be great!

whats the issue of camera shops

1) pricing
2)counter staff. the staff ,must be good lah..
i came actross a reputable shop and when i provided the quote someone said on the phone the sales lady laughs and said"you believe ah. no such thing. out of stock". sheesh.
3)handle the load of people trying, exchanging lenses

wht catchlights said mostly is true

 

[ninelives]

the question should be :

How do you maintain it ?

There are so many camera shops out there. How do you make yours stay?

 

[forward]

the question should be :

How do you maintain it ?

There are so many camera shops out there. How do you make yours stay?

Have it not occur to you that if the business is not
profit oriented, it is very easy to maintain it and make
it stay.

Just put in money to run it the way you want it, otherwise
you will be like all businessmen getting headaches
because whatever they do must be profit oriented.

To make profit, you sure will hire staff who asked for
lesser salary and willing to work extra longer hours,
buy goods with cheaper price, spent less on furnishing
and so on. In the end, the business is just like, you
put garbage in, so garbage out.

 

[forward]

you need many many sincere customers to keep your camera shops on going, but just take a few types of customers will make you think you are in the wrong trade...

for example.....
people want to buy virgin camera, (camera have nobody touch before)
people want to test all the cameras you have before buying,
people bring torchlight/computer to check lenses before buying,
people keep coming back to change lenses for (so call) front and back focusing issue
people like to come and ask price for "song song"
people come and ask for "student" price

so on and so forth.......

The more I have the above mentioned customers,
the more I have a chance to challenge myself to serve
them better and to make them my future loyal customers.

Only business people who wants a fast buck and to
make sure time spent is not wasteful to the above
mentioned customers will think twice before opening
a retail shop.

In any retail business, it is how well you you make
the customer to experience and be satisfied with the
service you provide. To me, there is no such thing as
a difficult customer.

 

[contaxable]

does it work?

i try to be a student for so many years, but the uncles always never give discount

Try a pong pong cheerleader outfit. the hungry uncles will go so low to grab your deal. :bsmilie:

 

[diver-hloc]

Try a pong pong cheerleader outfit. the hungry uncles will go so low to grab your deal. :bsmilie:

night86mare in pong pong cheerleader outfit !!! :bigeyes:

You sure ppl still wants to come ???? :sweat:

 

[catchlights]

night86mare in pong pong cheerleader outfit !!! :bigeyes:

You sure ppl still wants to come ???? :sweat:

why can leh?

Sion can be in pink bikini, why can't night86mare in cheerleader outfit??