Please complete my music shop questionnaire

[Matt8810]

Hi there,

 

I am starting up an online pro audio shop in the near future. To undergo initial market research I have constructed a questionnaire which I would like people to complete. For the people who complete the survey a 10% discount will be applied to their first order once the business starts up.

 

To take part, please click on the link provided: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/MTKN8NF

 

I would appreciate it if as many people as possible could undergo the survey.

 

Many thanks,

 

Matt

[TonyMitchell]

I've completed the survey for you Matt, but having done so am not sure that you will deduce anything useful from it, nor am I certain that the Blue Room membership is your target customer.

 

You ask where people currently buy equipment, listing for example "HTFR" which is a retail outlet for DJs, which I'd imagine few if any people on here would use, yet you haven't mentioned any of the popular UK distributors on that list, which is where most people on here will be shopping.

[Simon Lewis]

Matt,

 

I had a look but didn't complete. Firstly, although my various e-mails addresses are "known" in cyberspace, I'm not keen to give contact details out without some understanding of what it will be used for. Secondly, whereas entrepreneurial activity is to be applauded, I'd be interested in knowing the business rationale for "another" online sales outlet. Might you care to discuss your USP or what you feel is lacking in the existing provision?

As someone who does still buy some gear, price is obviously a driving factor, but it is by no means the only one.

 

Curious!

 

Simon

[handyandi]

Personal details first also put me off filling it in. You don't need these to get my opinions! To be honest we don't know who you are!

[themadhippy]

whats peoples problems with suypplying an email adress,it dont have to be a real one,me@here.com first name me last name here phone 01234 567890 gets me in most places,o and the post code of the local cematery usual works if needed

[Simon Lewis]

whats peoples problems with suypplying an email adress,it dont have to be a real one

 

Well, I started with that, but then if I didn't already 'own' equipment, it wouldn't let me proceed from page 2. I gave up at that point.

 

I probably do own a few bits and pieces, but I object to questionnaires telling me what to do ;-)

 

Simon

[lightsource]

Just completed it, but as I only purchase from trade suppliers then it was totally pointless,

 

To be honest Matt8810, I think you're speaking more to your Competitors, rather than potential customers, on this site.

[Matt8810]

Thank you for all your comments and questionnaire results.

 

I relise that this is probbably not the best site for finding customers to complete the survey. I have been trying to get people from various jobs of the music industry to complete the form so that the results are not biast.

 

The idea of collecting some basic contact details would enable me to apply a 10% discount to their first order.

 

Matt

[Pete McCrea]

I think there's a slight crossover in language here. By Pro Audio, I mean ££££'s per speaker, not 'Pro Speaker by Dave', and I think that would be the same for many of the guys here. Most of us are already buying from distributors/direct already, so hopefully are getting the best prices.

 

There will some guys on here that do buy from the likes of Thomann etc, so you'll have to have a USP that differentiates you from these people, as they already have the market stitched up on price, and delivery.

[paulears]

I think that for many of us, as Pete says, we're getting the best or close to the best deals already - but these prices generally are for our own consumption as items for hire stock or our own use. The price I pay for some regular items is ok for me to use, but not for me to re-sell. Shure is a good example - to get stock you can sell for the prices the big names sell for, you need to invest in very big stock quantities. If you buy anything nowadays for re-sale, then they want you to put serious money up front. The price I can buy Shure mics fom is a bit cheaper than the retailers, but not that much - not worth buying to sell, ok buying to use. Frankly, 10% discount for first orders will cost you a lot, because there isn't a mark-up of 10% on popular items if you wish to be competitive. Look at the price of an SM58 in the local music shop? None of us would consider paying that much. 10% discount would still be more than we can buy them from.

 

To a large degree, we're business users, not consumers in the traditional sense. Have you tried music forums? Musicians are worth tapping up for this kind of offer, rather than us.

P

[OllieH]

Completed but bears little relevance to his forum, and the consumer practices of its users.

[Matt8810]

From reading the comments I relise that the majority of members on this forum have their own businesses and therefore the questionnaire is not really relevant as you have selected distributors in which you purchase from. I have the survey posted on a number of other music forums in which I hope to find my target audience, consumers with an interest in pro audio equipment.

 

The shop in which I am looking to start up will be selling only single items to consumers such as music students, dj's and artists for their own personal use. I am currently looking at products for the site which will be manufactured by other brands but have the same quality which I can other to the public at competitive prices.

 

I appreciate any comments that are left on this thread regarding my business idea.

 

Matt

[paulears]

Matt - this is a totally different slant now. If you are looking at sourcing similar products then this changes the entire focus of your outlet. I think we're trying to explain that making money from selling audio kit is VERY difficult. Look at the No. 1 audio magazine - Sound on Sound. Look at the advertisers they have - big multipage ads from Thomann, and the UK dealers who have to try and match these prices. There is no way in the world you can compete with them. Sourcing your own kit gives you an edge because, like SE Microphones - they have a little niche all of their own. I sold some of my imported microphones to a person who does the audiophile mods on mics - notably the popular upgrade to the Oktavas, and he told me they are obviously made by the very same people that make the SEs - but that doesn't give you an edge, because you probably won't be able to afford to advertise in SOS, so getting your products actually out there, without a big range is so tough. It's a great idea to try to sell audio gear, but realistically, where can you source it from to be able to make any money? The net is so simple now that if you are £5 more expensive, people won't buy. Mail order wise - it's down to price and how high you come in Googles rankings.

[lightsource]

I would totally agree with Paul here, If you want to sell to Music Students, then give up now before you fail, If you're not trying to sell Instruments, then most students (or Graduates) would be looking to work for existing companies, rather than start their own business in the Industry.

 

Those who do, will easily (or quickly) learn that it's better to deal with a Manufacturer / Distributor, rather than a 3rd party reseller.

 

Do your homework....as with any business, have you done any costings, worked out the expenses, a business plan?

 

Edited to remove a duplicate.