Hey guys howzit? Looking for a little guidance on how I should go about approaching different small surf shops when trying to get some boards in their shops. What is the proper way of going about doing this? Not looking to have them carry an entire line right away, just want them to carry a few boards at least. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Do it the old fashion way. Build high quality boards, stand behind your work, create a demand for your boards. Easy.
I completely understand what your saying AI and I have been gaining a higher demand over this summer, yet it would be nice to get a few in some shops as I know it will take a lot before I have a shop coming to me. There has to be a polite approach that shapers use to at least get their foot in the door.
Small shops always like to look fully stocked ! Offer them a few boards to add to showroom for a few weeks - if they sell, they take a cut and you get the rest ! If not, pull them out slowly to give illusion of a “moving stock line” and try a few more later or elsewhere.Ask shop what they reckon would sell best.Check back in regularily, but be aware surf shops have little (if any) insurance.If they get rolled, guess who’s last in line for a payout ? Good luck OrieN.
The problem with YOU stocking their shelves is, they have no vested interest in moving product that they have no money tied up in, sales are more by luck, sanded finish boards get returned looking like crap and have to be re-cleaned or re-acrylic’d, gloss and polish boards wind up scratched or worse. Even in the biz’ for 40 years, I find I have to suck hind tit to get into a new shop, but once my boards are on the floor (and not on consignment) the customers do the real selling. Most shop employees don’t know crap about quality, design or history and reputation of a particular product.
“Most shop employees don’t know crap about quality, design or history and reputation of a particular product” I’ll second that!!! the reason I got into shaping in the first place. that said, you gotta think about what the saleskid is going to recommend. probably what he and his buddies ride which is usually what has the biggest advert budget. the most knowledgeable salesperson I have encountered was a female about 12 yrs younger than me. she even steered me away from a line of boards due to breakage problems. she knew her shit better than any of the many salesguys in the shop…kudos. anywho, good luck.
When I came out of retirement to give it a shot again I started out building boards with the shops own logo on em.This kind of helped to push them to sell the sticks.If you are starting out it helps.My friend "Harry Balzac"AKA"Tuna"who posts on this site hung around my place for a while and he is doing pretty well for a small builder.The shops front the material money which is a big help.Just be honest and when you make a mistake be sure to point it out and rectify it somehow.Be humble…have fun. R.B.
At one time I was thinking of putting a couple of boards on consignment in a shop. Shape a few stock boards, then see how they do. Havent done it yet but that might be one way to go.
I shape for a local shop and try to keep a couple of “stock” boards in the shop. But what I’ve found is once your name is out there and people like your boards they start to find you on thier own and try to bypass the shop for a better price. I try to sell though the shop as much as I can to avoid having to deal with people who think because you’re small time you should give your boards away. I get a lot of “custom” orders though the shop, which is fine with me. This all started by selling my own personal expermental boards used at this shop. By doing this I could make a board, surf it a few times to see how it worked then off it for enough money to build another. After a few used boards moved out the shops door the owner asked me to make a few boards with his logo. I’m strictly small time, this is not my primary income, but it gives me a chance to make boards which I love to do. Every board I make I learn something and the boards just keep getting better. If you can hookup with a pro for a few boards your learning curve will take a big leap forward (Thanks Cleanlines!). As a second income its not bad!
cleanlines – Tuesday, 8 July 2003, at 7:41 p.m.When I came out of retirement to give it a shot again I started out building boards with the shops own logo on em.This kind of helped to push them to sell the sticks.If you are starting out it helps.My friend "Harry Balzac"AKA"Tuna"who posts on this site hung around my place for a while and he is doing pretty well for a small builder.The shops front the material money which is a big help.Just be honest and when you make a mistake be sure to point it out and rectify it somehow.Be humble…have fun. R.B. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------Cleanlines for Mayor! your the man!
Its kind of funny that someone of my age would get back into board building (56 years old) but I had to do it.I restore antique furniture for a living and when I got the board building thing going I totally obsessed on it almost to the verge of bankruptcy.I have closed down the board deal but it still eats at me.Whats inspiring is all of the younger guys that have factories (mainly Florida) who invited me in and were still interested in some of the older techniques,I showed em some licks and vise versa.I guess the point I am trying to make is that its kinda like a brotherhood in some ways,once you are in its a lifetime deal.I hate to ramble but this is kind of funny…I didn’t know squat about air brushing and I was doing a guest shot in a big Melbourne factory.They had an incredible air brush artist that worked behind closed doors,the other guys in the factory said he would never show me squat.Well…I did it the American way…I bribed him…200 bucks got me every trick in his book. R.B.
i am willing to pay shapers, glassers, sanders for their time. i want to learn from the pro’s and am not too sure on how to do it. i always ask this question but usually come up empty handed. any board companies on the east coast need some help?? i could send you my work. i’m on a mission and won;t stop
Okay that’s a horrible faux name but hey, check out the link below. It may be just what you’re looking for. Surfore http://www.boardsportjobs.com/jobdetails.cfm?jid=35&cfid=1059743&cftoken=35374691
Teddy,where are you located??I have a friend in North Fla. that may be seeking someone who is willing to make sacrifices and work hard.Hell I slept in Jim Phillips’ boiler room and worked for nothing but meals just learn shaping.I was also on a mission. R.B.
i live outside of philadelphia. the coast is about an hour away…i have a huge desire and motivation to make surfboards. this is what someone has planned for me to do my whole life. i am able to make a beautiful board. i have nothing but pure stoke, simply put. i need to watch some diff. glassers and shapers at work to pick up the trade. my preference is to pay them for their time instead of working for them. i can’t make a move right now, i have a good deal on a workspace. if anyone has some friends in the bus. i would appreciate a #. i’m not looking to steal anyone’s job.
Teddy I may be up around your area on business (antique auctions).If you have a decent place to work I may be able to help you out (no…I don’t want any money).My computer is down and I am on a friends so I don’t do email but you can call me at 912 234 1759 if you like.I used to help Tom Sterne via phone calls all the time…he would have a squeegee in one hand and a phone in the other.It was a hoot and I made a friend. R.B.
i have a good place to work. shoot me an e-mail or put up a post if you are ever near new jersey or philly. i would greatly appreciate your input and your knowledge. thank you for considering
Teddy, Cleanlines: If you guys get together I would like to sit in also,if it is alright and I can schedule it. Thanks; Frank
As for me I’m open for it.Pennsylvania is kinda like the “Surf Expo” of the antique furniture auction world…mostly in the fall.Thats when I plan on being around there. R.B.