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Thinking about opening an Model Shop

Hi to you all.

We currently have a craft shop in Ipswich Suffolk and have some spare shop space. I am close to making it a Plastic Model Aircraft specialist shop. I am looking for a bit of feedback about some aspects so if you have any opinions please post them here or to me directly at snipped-for-privacy@scrapboxnow.co.uk.

  1. We are going to stock 1/48 and 1/72 scales only - with Hannants 50 miles up the road, we can source anything else very quickly.
  2. We plan to stock around 7 - 800 kits in total. We have calculated the total number of kits available from the manufacturers we are planning to stock and strangely, although there is a lot less 1/48 kits, the total list price of the 1/48 is almost the same as the total price for 1/72. Keeping this ratio, we would end up with 35% 1/48 to
65% 1/72.
  1. We are planning to stock Lifecolor acrylics and Xtracolor enamels with a few basic colours in Humbrol.
  2. We shall be stocking SAM, SAMI and Model Aircraft Monthly plus a small range of books.
  3. We shall be offering an internet based shop with a small discount on the shop price plus free delivery - within mainland UK.
  4. We shall be stocking a selection of old, out of production kits at a variety of prices
  5. We shall be making a speciality of RN FAA models and hoping to build a comprehensive range of kits representing the FAA since 1945 including many kits currently out of production and hard to get - along with decals and etched parts where appropriate.
  6. Because Hannants is relatively close we will be offering the whole of Hannants catalogue on a 2/3 day delivery option.

If you have any general comments about the above I would be pleased to hear them. However, I am specifically interested in the following:

  1. Your opinions on the mix of 1/48 and 1/72 - does 35/65 seem right for the UK. Personally, I model 1/48 so may be making the mistake of having to much for that - or maybe not.
  2. Comments on the paint selection - personally, I get on very well with Lifecolor and know that they have a great range of accurate colours and have been hard to get for the last few years. I have a souce so getting them is not an issue. I find that Xtracrylix pots are difficult to pour and you can't see what is left in the bottle - plus the quantity of each that I have to buy is double that of lifecolor. What about enamels? I don't use them so I need some advice here.
  3. Any other thoughts (oh boy will that open up something - grin).

David

Reply to
David Pennington
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David Pennington wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@4ax.com:

I can't advise you on the business end of the issue but I can give you this. I lived in Ipswich from 88-92 (Bentwaters). Got married during that time to a girl who lived there all her life. I can say for certain that Ipswich sure could use a plastic model shop! And I think you should do well with it.

TF

Reply to
TForward

[1-4 snipped]

If you get that one sorted then you'll do better than Modelzone in Croydon as a mate works there - or did do after they read this!

He and I could see a healthy future in this some time ago but at least that branch is not getting involved with that service in any serious way and because they are now inside a big shopping complex as opposed to having a front door, having relocated, they're finding their dreams of grandeur slipping away. The Internet would have been a good way to help with this problem.

[snipped]

Reply to
Richard Brooks

Well the one that is here really specialises in RC and plastic is a bit of an also ran. BTW, I live in a village called Tuddenham St Martin a little way south of Woodbridge and in the pub here they still talk about the great days when Bentwaters was up and running. irs a business park now :-(

I am currently building an A-10 for a friend of mine in the US who lives 2 miles from Bradley Field in CT. I am doing it up as a CT ANG. My next one will be a Bentwaters one - just to think about what I missed by not living here then.

Thanks for the support

Reply to
davidpen

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