Buying a surfshop?

solosurfer · July 13, 2009, 9:08pm

Yes, that little book Doc and I wrote awhile back has been reprinted on a few websites that deal in start ups.

spence · July 13, 2009, 10:54pm

Be very careful of biting the hand that feeds you.

Signed,

A former surfshop owner

surfding · July 13, 2009, 11:03pm

If you classify people as kooks then I would forget owning a surf shop. The Kook will sense your local vibe and shy away!

The shop owners that service the week-end warriors usually surives,

Remember Pride comes before a Fall!

deanbonkovich · July 14, 2009, 12:57am

Link please!

surfinggreen · July 14, 2009, 1:10am

http://asbmag.com/searches

this is an industry mag in australia that contains many great articles on surf retail. the articles cover everything from negotiating leases to calculating foot traffic to teaching your staff sales techniques. they have just archived all of their articles since they started 5 yrs ago so it would be a good place to start some research about surf retail.

i agree that you need to consider long and hard before you buy a business. its a commitment that is not easy to get out of if things go bad, especially with leases. look for alternative sources of income. some have mentioned ding repair, online sales is another, but only works if you do it properly. workshops and classes generate income and also loyal customers.

deanbonkovich · July 14, 2009, 1:19am

$1:

Cool, Do it!!!

Then you can give us all the bro deals!

Here’s the benefits of owning your own shop:

You can buy inventory…that you own!! No returns to the manufacturer, you buy it, you own it…Fantastic!! when it doesn’t sell, or you picked the wrong line of clothing for the fall season, you can mark it down and sell it real cheap…Just like TJ Maxx!!

You get to hire punks that don’t know shit about life, work ethic, or surfing for that matter…but think they do. Combine that with the young kid attitude and there fantastic ability to steal you blind when you turn your back, and your living the dream man…living the dream!

You get to work long hours. And the best sales hours are when everybody else of off work, i.e., Sat, Sun, evenings etc. and don’t forget about the holidays, especially Christmas eve.Fantastic!! Plus being the bossman, you get to be there everyday…all day! If you are too skinny, just think about all the opportunity to add that “fighting weight” back on! Walking across the parking lot to go hit the Popeyes Fried Chicken for a fast lunch of solid grease…But remember the fast lunch part or section 2 (see above) will hit you in the the cash register, or wetsuits will walk out the back door.

if you wanted to be single, or remain single then this is the perfect job because if you want to go on a date or see your wife and kids…refer back to section 3. Nothing makes a woman happier than having a absent man around the house.

Maybe after 3-5 years you’ll have someone that you can trust to become your shop manager, just to have them leave for college or some far off exotic surf spot on 2 days notice. usually happens around the holidays…surfers get warm water sick and need to travel to warm locations around November 30th.

Stay away from the surf industry. One of the most widely respected surf shops in San Diego is Mitch’s Surf Shop. Mitch is there everyday. Mitch likes to go fishing & sometimes surfing on his days off…Mitch hasn’t been fishing or surfing all year.

I think you summed it up just perfectly RH. I also think that most people that buy into surf shops do it expecting it to supplement their “lifestyle”. Otherwise known as spending all day surfing. Well anyone can phone an accountant and get a loan to buy a shop, it’s one of the most skilless things there is. Top it off with numbers being just that and you pretty much have the global recession.

You’ve heard the stats. 90% down for most surf shops. How the fuck do you even stay in business let alone make a profit on that? Here are several questions and pointers you should consider before burning yourself.

Are you selling something that consumer a (a being for asswipe) can buy at the local shopping mall for 10% less. Otherwise known as Billabong and Quiksilver.
Are you just copying the competition? If you are you’re just reminding people of them.
(A small pointer for you). Would you advertise say surf wear on say your local surf report website? Dumb move if you are as people tend to go to that site to check the surf, not to buy clothes. Clothes are usually sold in shopping malls, and last time I checked, there’s no money in surfboards. At least at the moment.
Wholesale is replacing retail left, right and centre. It’s called online shopping.

Hope some of this information is useful to you. Despite what I have said, some people defy all the odds and pull it off anyway. Most people just think they can do it better anyhow…

solosurfer · July 14, 2009, 2:01am

http://www2.swaylocks.com/node/1015112

deanbonkovich · July 14, 2009, 4:31am

Thanks very much for that!

belchfire1 · July 30, 2009, 8:12pm

Thanks for all the info. I'm still in talks to try and get this shop. Does anyone know what the industry standard is for profit margins? I know there low but does anyone have solid #'s? Is a 35% average margin before operating costs, too much to expect? Thanks again for everyones input. Belch

solosurfer · July 31, 2009, 3:11am

If you get a dime more than keystone ( doubling your cost ) you will be lucky. Then subtract the sales items, give away promotions and deals you think you will not give to good surfers but do. Keystone is average for a surfshop on the mark up. The actual margin is much lower at the end of the month will end up being much lower. It’s all about cash flow, which is what you will be living off of. When it slows down or stops, your going to begin panting really hard until it starts again.