B2B Photocopier Sales

WHU

I've been looking into this for a while now and thought I'd put it to the board for opinions etc.
I have spoken to someone I know and have found a way of becoming a reseller for a photocopier manufacturer selling on to businesses. The shortime benefit of this is it is supply only all servicing is done direct from them, so no service engineer to employ, longterm I plan to expand to include servicing etc.
Short term I would run the company and do some selling and hopefully employ a couple of trainee sales people on a commision only plus expenses basis again long term this would be re evaluated.
My question/worries are is it too early for this type of venture, are there enough new/old companies now starting to look for equipment, I know there are a large number of people as individuals or groups looking to go out on their own, any thoughts?

DubTony

WHU wrote: »

I've been looking into this for a while now and thought I'd put it to the board for opinions etc.
I have spoken to someone I know and have found a way of becoming a reseller for a photocopier manufacturer selling on to businesses. The shortime benefit of this is it is supply only all servicing is done direct from them, so no service engineer to employ, longterm I plan to expand to include servicing etc.
Short term I would run the company and do some selling and hopefully employ a couple of trainee sales people on a commision only plus expenses basis again long term this would be re evaluated.
My question/worries are is it too early for this type of venture, are there enough new/old companies now starting to look for equipment, I know there are a large number of people as individuals or groups looking to go out on their own, any thoughts?

There are a bunch of photocopier re-sellers in the market. Tough to get a break in here I would imagine, and it's pretty cut-throat.

delllat

as tony said its gonna be tough

unless you have some sort of edge or something that sets you apart from the rest

photocopiers are sold everywhere thesedays from viking to argos to tescos etc and i doubt you could compete with the buying power of some of the major players

in a recession most will buy a photocopier by price tag,its not like a designer fashion item which can command its own price no matter what

you would have to concentrate on some value added aspect of the business like better service,delivery,free maintanance or something

how much are u selling then for anyway ?i might take one off u if theyre decent

Trump

WHU wrote: »

I've been looking into this for a while now and thought I'd put it to the board for opinions etc.
I have spoken to someone I know and have found a way of becoming a reseller for a photocopier manufacturer selling on to businesses. The shortime benefit of this is it is supply only all servicing is done direct from them, so no service engineer to employ, longterm I plan to expand to include servicing etc.
Short term I would run the company and do some selling and hopefully employ a couple of trainee sales people on a commision only plus expenses basis again long term this would be re evaluated.
My question/worries are is it too early for this type of venture, are there enough new/old companies now starting to look for equipment, I know there are a large number of people as individuals or groups looking to go out on their own, any thoughts?

Well there will be plenty of old ones knocking about with all the companies closing down.Have you done this type of selling before..?

Photocopier sales is the toughest sales job out there ,sales staff have a high turnover in this industry as it is so competitive.Some people just dont have what it takes. It is dog eat dog and survival of the fittest out there. I can speak from 5 successful years sales experience in this field.

There is lots of cold calling and lots of walking.You have to be highly organised and prepared to follow up on every single lead large or small. My advice work for a company first and get the training.Or if you want to get a taste walk up to merrion square someday start knocking on a few office doors looking for people interested in buying/changing their photocopier.This little project will give you a snapshot into what life is going to be like and what you need to even get past the front door.

If after this you do decide to go ahead.Get a good deal on your base price.Also try and get the company to split the service revenue with you. Get some sort of cut, this is where the money is made too as each copy that is made the company pay a cost to you i.e service costs,this may excude or include toner.Lots of money here and why the company said to you that they will take care of the servicing for you,something to think about here !!

Photocopiers these days are also mutifunctional devices that can be connected to a computer metwork and used as network printers so a bit of It knowledge is required .

As I said earlier do a few random calls into various offices and see the reaction.

Best of luck.

WHU

Thank you for your input lads, certainly I've still got plenty to think about