advice starting motorhome shop

[ellie66]

im thinking of starting a shop selling motorhomes so if anyone has any advice or blogs on starting and running a business.

 

[Odd-no-more]

Hi
what we want is for dealers to be honest, and give a something that looks like good service.

 

[Phill D]

If you have never been involved in the Motorhome business or any other businesses there is a huge amount of homework that you need to do.

Not least where the capital to buy a stock of motorhomes is going to come from.
Good luck, hope you get where you want to go with it.

 

[DumfriesDik]

This can not be a real person/question, can it?

Speak with you bank business manager
Ask your local business enterprise

Best of luck if it is for real.

 

[68c]

You say "motorhome shop", do you mean a shop selling motorhome accesories or more of a dealership selling complete motorhomes. Will you sell new or used vans. Are you going to concentrate on the smaller VW camper style vans?

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[Figaro]

I think a bit of background information would be useful.
Do you have any experience of the trade, are you already in business, do you have a source for used motorhomes or do you plan to just buy from auctions. Experience of repairs and preparing for market would probably be essential ?
What geographic area are you in.

 

[nicholsong]

im thinking of starting a shop selling motorhomes so if anyone has any advice or blogs on starting and running a business.

Hello.

First bit of advice, motorhomes are not sold through 'shops', but though 'dealers' who normally have a dealership from one or more motorhome manufacturer(s). This takes time to set up and one is unlikely to get appointed as a dealer with no track record in the business, if not having sold as a salesman employed by an established dealer.

There are dealers who sell only secondhand motorhomes, but they are at the bottom end of the market. Do you like swimming with sharks?

Maybe you meant a shop selling motorhome accessories? Most are attached to dealers but there are some that sell accessories but also to the caravan and outdoor leisure market in general.

Let us know what you really mean.

Also your background in business and sales.

 

[chrisandbev]

where are you thinking of starting

 

[EuroTrotters]

We are all a PIA don’t bother

 

[tacr2man]

Going by your initial enquiry I would reassess your chosen career path , sorry for the blunt advice given with the best intentions

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[ellie66]

This can not be a real person/question, can it?

Speak with you bank business manager
Ask your local business enterprise

Best of luck if it is for real.

i have done both of those things i just felt it was best to discuss with my key demographic if they had any information someone who doesn't know anything about motorhomes would miss

 

[ellie66]

where are you thinking of starting

west Yorkshire

 

[ellie66]

Hello.

First bit of advice, motorhomes are not sold through 'shops', but though 'dealers' who normally have a dealership from one or more motorhome manufacturer(s). This takes time to set up and one is unlikely to get appointed as a dealer with no track record in the business, if not having sold as a salesman employed by an established dealer.

There are dealers who sell only secondhand motorhomes, but they are at the bottom end of the market. Do you like swimming with sharks?

Maybe you meant a shop selling motorhome accessories? Most are attached to dealers but there are some that sell accessories but also to the caravan and outdoor leisure market in general.

Let us know what you really mean.

Also your background in business and sales.

it will have some new motorhomes but mainly accessories and if it does well i will expand to more motorhomes and maybe second-hand depending on if my customers would be interested in that

 

[gpat]

Its an ambitious project. Not many start from scratch these days. Saying that though there is not much competition in West Yorkshire is there so the potential is huge.

Like others have said it very difficult to get second hand motorhomes as everyone is desperate for them. Unless you have millions to invest you are going to have to grow it organically.

Leeds is probably the best bet as there is nothing out that way. The only decent size place I can think of is Lowdhams in Huddersfield.

 

[Phill D]

The first thing you need to do if you want the opinions of members of this forum is to join. You are restricted to 5 posts which you have already used.

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[PebblesJnr]

Also in West Yorks, would try and support a local business for spares etc but you are up against traders on Amazon/Ebay so I think you would struggle on price against these giants

 

[RowleyBirkinQC]

it will have some new motorhomes but mainly accessories and if it does well i will expand to more motorhomes and maybe second-hand depending on if my customers would be interested in that

Is it easy to get a franchise to sell new vans when you are new to the industry? Will you also be offering workshop & warranty services if doing so?

 

[Miggs]

if they had any information someone who doesn't know anything about motorhomes would miss

Bit of a worrying admission!

 

[David and Sally]

Good luck. It was a good idea to ask here as this is the biggest collection of motorhome expertise in the world.

You need to pay your fees and all this info will be at your fingertips..

 

[The Wino]

You say you're going to sell new have you negiciated terms with a manufacturer?. Are you talking motorhomes or campervans or both?

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[maison]

One major consideration……

I, and I would guess most members on here, would not consider buying a new motorhome from any dealer who did not have a good back-up workshop for warranty repairs.

As you admit that you know little about motorhomes have you considered…

A. Suitable premises for sales and repairs.

B. Where you will find workshop personnel with experience.

 

[iceburnmarko]

Hello everyone, first a little hi-jack of the post. I saw within the conversation something about he used his 5 post limit and need to join? I join recently to help group when saw advise of signing Tesco mobile for EU roaming but that advise is now bad from 16th June (and to forewarn ppl when contract expires don't do a pointless upgrade like my friend wife just did with three!). Also I am thinking once all of post office scandal crap is behind me (one of 555) I am really thinking of getting motorhome and kit out to just unwind from whole crap life for last 20 years ... So if I need to join something can someone please send me a link,thanks.

To the original poster, firstly understand why you join forum for your business market research. But at the same time (obviously do not know your whole history like have you run other businesses before.) I will assume u think by some news articles , TV programmes etc. Think motorhome might be a good idea.

I honestly think now for you be bad time to do it for following reasons

1. You know nothing about motorhomes which is important factor
2. As some above pointed out huge barriers to get into it
3. With living crisis we going into and recession coming round the corner, I think many here will agree many will think twice before spending £££ on motorhomes and than running costs.
4. What your USP, is I myself got idea for "add-on" to existing business and friend who motorhome geek, will help integrate said add-on to motorhome. That important cause see point 1.

 

[Revolvor]

... So if I need to join something can someone please send me a link,thanks.

Click on your avatar.

Select Subscription from the options.
Currently £20 per year.

You will then have unlimited posts, be able to Private Message other members and have access to all the excellent Resources.

 

[wiljoy]

After over 58 years self employed my answer to ellie66 is very simple.
If you need to ask that question on a forum don't go into business. I assume you have carried out much research as to finance, premises, future business plan with costings etc etc. If all your searches are positive then go for it.

 

[Mikey RV]

Got money to start a motorhome business but no money to join a motorhome forum.

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[MisterB]

Also I am thinking once all of post office scandal crap is behind me (one of 555)

I hope things work out for you (all)

It really was a scandal how you were all treated and the massive impact it had on you all, your families and friends. I can't even begin to imagine what you all went through and no amount of financial compensation will ever be enough.

Best wishes for the future.

 

[The Dudess]

I was cogitating the other day about whether a pre-loved motorhome accessories business would be a viable proposition. May have thought a bit more seriously about it had I been younger and husband had been healthier. Opinions?

 

[David and Sally]

Op has not joined so I guess all the advice he/she needed has been given. Or the advice is so crap the op hasn’t bothered us any more.

 

[Podney]

I can think of better ways of making money with a new business…..motor homes would be on my “ steer well clear of” list.

 

[The Wino]

I was cogitating the other about whether a pre-loved motorhome accessories business would be a viable proposition. May have thought a bit more seriously about it had I been younger and husband had been healthier. Opinions?

I think the ideal way to do that would be on the internet. Whether it would work or not is a difficult question there are probably several people who might like to dispose of accessories they bought and never needed easily but whether there would be enough margin to make a profit after allowing for difficult to shift stock would be a different matter as the resale price would have to be a fair bit lower than new to attract customers

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