warehouse

jamesy08

Hi all,maybe someone might have an idea,I rent a large warehouse,6 miles from a large city,where I design,manufacture,deliver and install range of timber playground equipment,and i also have a outside showarea,my only problem,is that its out the country,on secondry road,and no passing traffic,anyone any idea how i can overcome this,i have a website,location map,ive put adverts in the local papers,flyers,I think I need to find somewhere,where I could put in some units,and let the person work on sales commission,or something similiar,ive gone to a few garden centres,but they are afraid,cause of insurance,would appreciate any info thanks

Is your website in good nick? Is it easy to find on google? I would think not just from doing a search. I went to google to typed in playground equipment and didn't come across a link that made timber equipment. I then went to type in "timber playground equipment" and could only find numerous other ads that you have placed up on gumtree and irelands search directory.

I think you should work on getting this website organised properly so that it can be found when searching. Look into google adwords (but don't do it yourself until you learn about it) and try get that element sorted.

You say that you design and manufacture goods? So why are you trying to deal with the public? Would you not be better off selling directly to businesses? What's the main advantages over timber playground stuff and steel? You need to look at what seperates you from the other guys selling playground equipment (your stuff is timber - can you highlight the advantages your timber equipment has and gives your consumers over standard steel playground equipment?)

Have you tried contacting the likes of Woodies and other big DIY stores? I imagine this is how you would start to make swift progress. How many units can you produce and make to keep up with these guys if you are successful? I imagine the demand for playground equipment probably starts (I'm assuming?) to rise as the dark weather moves away and summer fast approaches - so from about February onwards ? Have you tried displaying your stuff at trade shows etc?

You need to think about who can use your equipment and then contact them.

jamesy08

Hi,Thanks for the reply,Yes,ive tried Woodies,and other stores,but,trying to get a reply,proves nigh impossible,ive driven to 1 garden centre 5 times,but,the manager is always out,I leave brochures,contact name etc,call back on phone,but,sorry,hes at a meeeting,a few garden centres said they were worried about insurance,if a child falls off etc,I agree with you about the website,I need to get a professional to set up adwords system,i dont know how to do it,the timber equipment is much much cheaper than steel,we actually completely hand-stain all our units before delivery,I can build 2 towers,1 ton each,interlinked via 10ft cross-over bridge,10ft swingbeams,monkeybars,swings,slides,picnic table/benchs underneath,for less than 15k,delivered and installed,including vat,(have pictures),i agree with you also about searching for the public side of things,ill try the large stores again,they might talk to me now,seeing as things are on a sllowdown.
I appreciate your advice.thanks

Hopefully someone else here can give you additional advice. Maybe someone can tell you how to go about contacting the top guys to get your products in store. Best of luck.

madmik

contact creches,early learning centres, small private schools and the local city councils



id say they would be more likely to spend 15,000 on a playground than a private house

15 grand is a lot to spend on a kids toy although some people might not have any problems with it

VO

Ever try any networking groups ie BNI . They can work out very well as you ask your fellow members to get you introductions to their contacts who might be able to help you. BNI works on a "givers Gain" philosophy whereby you give referrals and get referrals back. Lots of groups throughout the country and well worth a visit to see if it is for you

http://www.bni.eu/ireland/

sm.org

VO wrote: »

Ever try any networking groups ie BNI . They can work out very well as you ask your fellow members to get you introductions to their contacts who might be able to help you. BNI works on a "givers Gain" philosophy whereby you give referrals and get referrals back. Lots of groups throughout the country and well worth a visit to see if it is for you

http://www.bni.eu/ireland/

Found my local chapter very hit or miss. Have heard some positives though but not for me.