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Could the Midlands Do with an Airsoft Shop

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Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,200 ✭✭✭J.D.R


    I'm not sure about the midlands but if you have a look here (not trying to plug the site, just using it as a reference) you can see where a few sites are needed. I think there is enough shope in Ireland at the moment, but the could be a few more Skirmish Sites, just not in Leinster.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,397 ✭✭✭MerryDespot


    Jaysus - I checked this post when Stone started it ok, go away for a few hours and suddenly it's eaten the internet! Good analysis though Doc. And far point to make Trev - as those of us who've made the trip to MAC know it's not exactly a short spin down the road, so naturally the same applies for you guys when you want to spin out this way for kit.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 23,137 ✭✭✭✭TheDoc


    J.D.R wrote: »
    I'm not sure about the midlands but if you have a look here (not trying to plug the site, just using it as a reference) you can see where a few sites are needed. I think there is enough shope in Ireland at the moment, but the could be a few more Skirmish Sites, just not in Leinster.

    But see the problem is, ( what I see when I read into the airsoft industry)

    Is business popping up where
    A) They are not needed and have not enough demand to support them
    B) Trying to muscle in on a large cluster, trying to cut a living.

    Although there is obvious gaps in the map, is there demand for sites or shops in that region?

    Like I said before there is a lack of statistical data available to be able to make educated decisions.

    But if we look at that map ( which is a nice tool btw)
    How do we know a site is needed in say Sligo? Tralee? Donegal?

    And we dont get that from two lads from Tralee coming on saying " a shop would be animal in tralee" we need to know if its sustainable.

    The likes of puding and paul H can give some good input here. When you look at the map, those guys are out on their own.

    Now Cork is a big county with a big population. The guys run a shop and a site. Are they bursting at the seems? Is there too much demand for supply? Could they open a second site or shop? Why havnt other gone down and opened a shop in Cork, why havnt others opened sites?

    I guess the answer is to what I stated above, the barriers to entry, the guys have a strong foothold there, but I'd guess also that there isnt the demand for another one, even though its a huge county. ( guesstimates dont know any statistics )


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,404 ✭✭✭ricka


    Jaysus - I checked this post when Stone started it ok, go away for a few hours and suddenly it's eaten the internet! Good analysis though Doc. And far point to make Trev - as those of us who've made the trip to MAC know it's not exactly a short spin down the road, so naturally the same applies for you guys when you want to spin out this way for kit.
    Yeah have to agree with that.I left the shop at 11.30 and just back now.
    Wow! Best thread i've read in a long time.Tnks Trevor:)
    Some real incitful clever stuff from Doc and Puding.
    This is exactly what Boards is all about!
    I do however want to argue a couple of points but i'll leave it till i get home


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,397 ✭✭✭MerryDespot


    Doc, I guess this sort of ties into the whole 'promoting airsoft' thing. I love this sport and wish I'd know about it sooner (first aeg/skirmish last August) - and if I hadn't seen a short piece on the news about it (positive promo - not Joe Duffy 'An Airsoft Gun Made My House Explode and Killed Elvis' piece) I'd still be none the wiser - a potential airsoft junkie blissful in my ignorance (and probably less broke too!).

    In my eyes the market does not yet exist for huge expansion of retailers outside of the areas already cornered. The market is bound by the fact that this sport, for better or worse, is largely fringe/underground. To me every MW2 or Battlefield player IS a potential airsofter. But that's just opinion, nothing based on stats/facts. In my case I was the first of my mates to stumble upon airsoft, which led to me introducing my brother in law, his mates and I've my best mate signed up for a skirmish in the near future (I think he's dubious, as I was at first - one skirmish and I know he'll be hooked).

    Expansion goes hand in hand with promotion - and I believe we've thrashed that out to death on another thread.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,829 ✭✭✭Stone.cold


    Between the bum cheeks. :D
    On topic:
    Stone.cold has the club considered setting up it's own store?
    Even for just the basics.
    it is something i have taught about, but what i was more looking towards was a store that everyone & their dog (not saying dogs should be allowed play - lets get that clear) can enter, one example i have there was a guy this time last year i had dealings with he was so into getting started so i gave him directions to shops in dublin, problem was he worked in galway & this was before Eirsoft opened shop down there, so any way he happened to wonder in to a store purchased a pistol got completely rode on the price and quality not to mention the shop keepers attitude & that was it he walked away and now doesnt play, had he walked into one of the stores in dublin my bet is he would be still playin today likewise if a store existed in this neck of the woods he would have been sorted, its all well and good saying yeah but its only down the N4 for someone without a car, taking a bus up to get your new pistol is not all its cracked up to be, and again im sayin if there was a market down here its an option


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,404 ✭✭✭ricka


    First thing to do when opening a shop is to do everything Doc has said in his previous posts.Well, thats what all the text books tell us.However ,do you reckon most small business startups do?
    Rarely, in my experience if ever and even when they do it still wouldnt stop them going ahead anyway.
    If i had a penny for every relative at some party or get together who insists it would be a great idea to set up a coffee shop here or a clothes shop there.......... well you know the rest!
    I dont see Airsoft any diferent to this, you just replace the bored housewife who likes good coffee and Prada with a guy whos always had an interest in guns.
    Most small businesses are started with little preparation and usually out of a personal interest in the item they intend to sell.
    I wont knock that, as its a good a reason as any to get into a business your passionate about.
    So what i would say is Trevor, its only a matter of time before someone opens near you weather its viable or not!
    The part where i see things differently from previous posters is that i still believe most of you are looking at the airsoft business as reliant on sites and gamers.This in my opinion is not the case.
    I have a retail outlet literally in the middle of nowhere behind a petrol station between Ballitore and Moone in Kildare which has been established for just over two years.
    I work there myself and i promise you 90% of our sales are to rural dwellers within a twenty mile radius.That shop survives from word of mouth and Macieks customer service skills.
    Boards,gamers,sites all have no relevance to the money that shop continues to turn over.If you notice we never post about the Kildare shop or push it in any way on Boards.
    Most of our customers are thirty and forty somethings who just want to have a bit of fun at home.Maybe their bored, want to treat themselves or just always liked guns.Whatever the reason, they'll probably only use it a couple of times and then throw it there.
    So is it possible to make a living as a small airsoft operator in the North West or midlands? I would say yes.A modest living.
    I dont base this opinion purely on my own shop as i deal with many small shop owners around the country and some have and are selling a lot of airsoft.
    Most of these guys will be gone when the RIF license comes into force and therefore i think there are areas of Ireland which could maintain a small airsoft business.
    The absolute key is selling to the general population and not looking for gamers business.It will come as you get established.
    The set up money and cash flow is the real problem and yes i have to admit if i had 50K to start a new business it would not be in Airsoft.
    I remember sitting with another retailer and coming to a figure of 250K to set up a new Airsoft business properly.A pretty serious amount of money.
    But if you start with a couple of grand can you get big?
    No, I really dont think so but you can do something you enjoy and maybe make a living!!
    Doesnt really seem worth the risk does it,but I know I'll still get a call next week from somebody wanting to start their own airsoft business.
    Who am i to argue with that!!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 655 ✭✭✭tudenham10


    A very interesting perspective on the business I have to admit!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,968 ✭✭✭TNTQ


    Charlie here...personal opinion to follow...

    There's scope in this market, I think for niche companies. We all know the leviathans of the market, they do what they do and more power to them.

    Please dont think i'm treating your thread as advertising STONE.COLD but there's always room for the plucky underdog. We focus on the semi-serious to serious gamers and to be honest, i'd rather we sell 2 high-end AEGs than 10 clone AEGs. But thats just us. The majority of our turnover comes from high-end stuff, upgrades and modifcations.

    I think what i'm trying to say is that if someone is motivated (and not by money ;)) and they are smart with their offering then they can make a reasonable living with a well run airsoft shop.

    Whats needed is balls of steel, an understanding Bank Manager (if they even exist), sound research and a love of the game.

    If your plan is to throw a couple of grand into stock, sell it, get more, sell it and eventually take down the big 3 - dont be naive, do a few things really well and build up your customer base, treat them right and word of mouth will do the rest.

    By the way...dont expect to be paying yourself more than minimum wage either :)


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 7 Sergeant_Sloane


    i dunno if some 1 else posted this but theres a shop in athlone

    midland tactical supplys


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