Retail Shop Front Vs Workshop/unit

[Handstitched]

G'Day , Not sure where to post this..... or how to explain this.........

Anyway, I wish to purchase  equine  related stock from an Australian  wholesaler, with the view of expanding my business  a bit into other areas due to an opportunity that has arisen in my town, just like the horse rug repair opportunity  that has been quite good for me  over the last 5-6 or 7 years or so. However,  despite the fact I have a registered   & approved business  in WA ,  ' X'  equine wholesaler won't sell to me all because I don't have a " retail shop front " . 

Just to give you a heads up, all the  retail shops  in   my little town ( Central Wheatbelt Western Australia )   are over 100 years old, in various states of repair......*cough* ....disrepair ,  not worth the rent and  the expense of any investment , painting, shop fittings etc.   as they came  to this  > ..<  close to being condemned and demolished one year. Some are still vacant , and some  small businesses  do occupy some of the shop spaces including a bakery.  How they still remain operating  ....and remain standing beggars belief .  I haven't explained this bit to the wholesaler ...yet, I need to get some info/ facts first before I do.  They are not breaching any Australian  retail laws ( that I know of) and this " retail shop front only"  nonsense is  not stated in any of their policies etc.  I just find them restrictive, and perhaps even discriminatory due to the physical  make-up of my business, and I have contacted the appropriate  retail governing peeps  for advice, just waiting for a reply.

What is the difference between operating  a business from a " shop / shop front"  in the street and a workshop /unit/ home based business ? Its the same transactions B to B , same retail  trade, same clientele ,that know me well btw , good rapport etc.   just a few K's out of town. I won't be impinging  on anyone,  I would be the only one selling ' X " products , no competitors in town....or the next , other than on-line. 

So, how do I get around this ?  Has anyone  else come across this " retail shop front only " policy ?  If so, how did you deal with it ?

I have also found another  potential  Australian equine wholesaler in the meantime.

Thanks, HS 

 

[bikermutt07]

I would approach the the other wholesaler. 

[Rockoboy]

In the past I was dealing with a wholesaler, who insisted on only dealing with shopfront businesses (unless you were buying a heap and he liked you), so I feel your pain.

Unfortunately, as far as I know, any wholesaler can sell to you or not, as the mood takes him, provided he is not discriminating on race, religion, gender, age etc etc etc.

Hell of a way to do business IMHO, but some people are crazy or have other motivations besides "a customer is a customer".

[immiketoo]

Retail spaces are money pits.  If it were me, I would ask for guaranteed revenue for displaying their product in my retail space since they have a requirement.  You should too

 

[Handstitched]

G'Day and thank you for your input. 

I've  been in contact with  a ' Small Business' helper , I'll be returning his call tomorrow ( 24/4)  to get some advice.

@bikermutt07  that will be my second option if this one doesn't ' play ball'' , just that  this one will sell me ' manufacturers '  supplies , like threads, hardware etc. go figure ?   They can sell me all that stuff, but not equine stock? Strange. Something I forgot to mention in my earlier post.

@Rockoboy   I can fully understand the ol'  wholesale  ' minimum purchase' ,  policy which is common, but a " must have a retail shop front"  policy ?   

@immiketoo yes, I agree, they are money pits. I've been in this little  town for many years  and I've seen so many businesses come and go .Even when they don't make any sales, the rent and o/heads  still have to be paid.The only businesses that survive in the main street are the " essential services " , like,  post office/newsagent, bank ( we only  the have one bank )  the 2  pubs, and the supermarket.   And yes, the pubs are an essential service .  

The only other business that does well, is the bakery, only because their meat pies are yummy.  This has nothing to with my little issue  , I know  

HS 

Edited April 23, 2018 by Handstitched

[immiketoo]

Mmmmm...meat pies.  And beer.

 

[Handstitched]

13 minutes ago, immiketoo said:

Mmmmm...meat pies.  And beer.

They're a staple   ' down under ' . The curry  meat pies are nice on a cold morning. Most people have cereal ...boring.

HS

[bikermutt07]

So, when you say equine stock, are you referring to shell cordovan? It's almost impossible for an individual to get horween cordovan here in the states.

[chrisash]

In the UK we can get around some shop rates by using industrial buildings and have a trade counter with display area

Some very old fashioned companies thing the small one man bands are going to only sell on the EBay and Amazon and lower the price and therefore effect their own sales

I would imagine a photo of your main street and  highlight the sales do not justify the shop, but if successful, then that would be the next option and a promise not to sell online may possible open the door

[Handstitched]

G'Day ,

@bikermutt07 Equine stock,  as in  equestrian  stable..... stuff, grooming stuff , tack, rugs  etc.  

@chrisash I guess I could do some ...er *cough*  cut and pasting of some " shop front"   pics with some equestrian  stock and send that to the wholesaler? Mmmmmm....nah , that wouldn't work  

I got a call from a small business dude, I just need to return his call and get some advice.

HS