New TF Store

thecypher0 · 07-24-2008, 04:18 PM

Do you guys think a new store similar to Transformerland and Fortmax.com would be successful or do you think it would be killed off by eBay and existing sites? Would the community be embracing of another place to shop for US items (vintage-current) and possibly foreign items after a while?

Kingplay · 07-24-2008, 04:26 PM

too vague, need more detail.

like what the new store has to offer etc

thecypher0 · 07-24-2008, 04:37 PM

It's going to offer G1-Current stuff (parts, bots, MIB, MISB items). An area for a wants list, as well as the ability to trade or sell your stuff. Grading scale, so that you can understand how it's graded and what drops the grades on the figures. Probably a google backed search engine for the product catalog (not 100% sure on that, but there will be search function built into the inventory system), as well as a way to sort by what line the figure/parts are from and possibly some more granularity beyond that. It's going to be a very similar concept to Transformerland's site. Let me know if you have other information you'd like

ErechOveraker · 07-24-2008, 04:49 PM

If you can be competitive price-wise against those places, then it'd have a shot. But if it's just going to be another with the same prices, might be hard to get customers to switch over.

macabremouse · 07-24-2008, 11:21 PM

How much return are you looking to make from your store? If you're going to rely on it for your sole income you're really going to have to invest in advertising and any other tools to give your site exposure against competitors. I put together a webstore with Zen Cart as a hobby and am happy with the extra coin it brings in without any really advertising. It's just enough to pay for itself and keep my toy addiction, er, collection, alive. Really your success depends on home much you put into it.

Personally, I would avoid a search engine built on Google. If it doesn't crawl your site completely, and it won't, search results will have gaping holes. Also, in terms of finding products via search, Google will return exact matches (that have been crawled) as well as items whose names are similar to a degree, but usually undesired. Try www.tfu.info to see what I mean. Google's search works for a broad data set like the internet but is a bit weak when applied to a lone webstore. Your own database, maybe with a naive implementation of something called "stemming" would be better.

iluvu_superion · 07-25-2008, 12:49 AM

what you really should do is offer something that none of these other stores offer. I don't know what it is, but it's important if you want ur business and the website to survive. Do you feel the need to fill a certain void in the current market? Just some questions you should think about.

Rhask · 07-25-2008, 05:29 AM

I would say that chances are low. Many of the bigger stores are well established, and sudden surges of business is what can really kill a smaller company (even good employees that suddenly have to work doubles or 12's back to back will mess up without meaning to). The bigger chains like BBTS have perks like not charging till shipping date for pre-orders and pile of loot, the former a small store can not afford to do, the latter a small store can easily do. If you can truly differentiate yourself or find a niche you have a chance.

Shipping prices are getting higher again as well, still lower than what FedEx would charge in the mid 90's (for expedited or rushed shipping atleast). Flat rate shipping is also very bad. I would suggest speaking to the major shipping company of your convience to discuss discounted rates. Bax Global = awesome for palleted shipping (very cheap and quick), but mostly midwest, FedEx = good for national and international shipping, UPS = so/so for both but cheaper. Local delivery chains charge up the ass so don't consider them for anything (surprising most are very profitable, would hate to drive for a place that makes you drive all around a state in a day to make last minute crap possible).

sunlink · 07-25-2008, 08:30 AM

To echo macabremouse, I think it all depends on what you want to get out of it. If it's your main source of income you may have a hard time with the established competition on the newer stuff. There aren't that many G1 dealers out there so if your inventory and prices are good then you might be able to do OK.

Now if you're just in it as a hobby or extra income then it all comes down to how much are you willing to put into it as your spare time permits verses the costs of running it.