22 replies to this topic

[Dolts]

As some of you know, i am looking into the possibility of starting my own mini shop in the MK area, as we are currently lacking one!
I need some help with the research from the people who will be most important to the success of the shop, ie you guys!

Can you help me out by simply saying what it is you look for in a good mini shop, what you expect to see as you walk in etc, and what sort of products should be in stock and what should we be ably to order in?

Any help would be much appreciated.
Gareth

[Jimmyarm]

Basic service parts a must, a good supplier that you can get parts from in 2 - 3 days if out of stock, selection of performance parts and a decent website for mail order.

Oh and employ staff that know something about minis ! Always remeber the adage about paying peanuts and getting monkeys. Good customer service will make people come back again and again even if you have to charge a little more than the competition.

[biggav]

A) open on saturdays and sundays when most mini work gets done.
B) be as close to my house as possible. (witney in oxfordshire so you would be closest i think)

sell similar stuff to minisport/spares/speed.

Stock all critical parts which would prevent a car from being legal and roadworthy.

You should be able to get everything else next day anyway.

Mini only parking spaces.... and My other cars a mini spaces for when our mini's are broken and we bring alternative transport.

[Dolts]

I'm looking at it being a more performance orientated shop, much like minisport/speed etc. but will offer standard parts such as brakes etc and servicing parts, i just need to find out who supplies people like minisport with their standard parts!

[Jimmyarm]

See if you can find out who makes the parts and contact them direct

[Dolts]

I have been in contact with a lot of maufacturers for performance parts of various sorts such as cobra seats, KAD, TRS etc, but no standard manufacturers

[biggav]

British motor heritage for panels?
Aren't there parts wholesalers who distribute to motor factors and garages? speak to any motor factors (on the sly) they have catalogues of parts from wholesalers who you would need to contact and get an account going.

[Dolts]

Bugger, BMH require you to have been trading for a minimum of 3 years, and meet loads of other criteria!

[Jimmyarm]

Still worth getting on the blower to them

[Dolts]

i sent them an email before i read that on the site! doh! so i'll await a reply and see what it says

[biggav]

there are other panel manufactures...... why not try them all

[Dolts]

Just heard back fron bmh, all they did was send a link to the page about the criteria, thats them ou the window! lol who makes good non genuine panels?

[Jimmyarm]

When doing stuff like that, always phone them up. Makes you sound serious for a start and talking to someone is always going to achieve better results than emailing them....

edit: sorry that sounds a bit condecending ! meant to be a handy hint !

Edited by Jimmyarm, 03 August 2006 - 03:56 PM.

[biggav]

Money talks but Bull$hit walks i say... get em on the phone, tell them you have been restoring cars for 5 or 6 years as a sideline but are now going into full business with it.... I'm trying to think of the panel companies name... i got a panels, flitch panels, floor panels and they were all perfect from ebay too... and cheap.

[Dolts]

I think im gonna have to brush up on my mini knowledge too, as at first i think it'll be me on my own and i aint been into minis too long, im just fed up of the lack of shops and suppliers in my area, so i want to do summut about it!