Mpeckham22
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- MA/NC
Yes if I remember right its in stow? I believe I bought a few things from you before... We will definitely keep in touch with each other.
Thanks for all this great input everybody
staring a shop..
- Thread starter Mpeckham22
- Start date
Yes if I remember right its in stow? I believe I bought a few things from you before... We will definitely keep in touch with each other.
Thanks for all this great input everybody
DunkinDeezNutz
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Boston, MA
Oh yea you bought the MTRs from my red 2door. Keep in touch mang!
Mpeckham22
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- MA/NC
I actually balded one so I decided to grab some humvee tires and wheels and upgrade steering and everything. I pick it up on leave for Christmas!
This will come off negatively, so I apologize in advance...
1. Make sure you have deep pockets, or at least a LARGE initial investment. Doing business in the northeast, especially Massachusetts, is full of ridiculous amounts of expense and red tape. As with starting any business, don't expect to make any money for a couple of years.
2. Overhead will kill you.
3. Do you have any real-world practical mechanical or fabrication experience? Welding, setting up diffs, designing suspension? Do you own any tools? Certificates, diplomas, and education are one thing...years of experience and a reputation will get you farther in the long run. And even that won't ensure success. (Look at Domenic's Auto and Jeep as a prime example. People ****ing LOVED that guy, everybody got there stuff worked on by him, he had an excellent reputation, and he still went out of business.)
4. There is no money in parts, unless you are selling A LOT of parts.
5. Ditto on this community being cheap ****s. Every DIY'er or know-it-all thinks he can do it better or cheaper than you.
6. Be willing and able to work ALL the time.
Do I sound bitter? I have first hand knowlege of opening an off-road shop in New England. I also have first hand knowlege of having to close an off-road shop in New England...why? See 2 and 6 above. It sounds awesome in theory...it is most assuredly not.
1. Make sure you have deep pockets, or at least a LARGE initial investment. Doing business in the northeast, especially Massachusetts, is full of ridiculous amounts of expense and red tape. As with starting any business, don't expect to make any money for a couple of years.
2. Overhead will kill you.
3. Do you have any real-world practical mechanical or fabrication experience? Welding, setting up diffs, designing suspension? Do you own any tools? Certificates, diplomas, and education are one thing...years of experience and a reputation will get you farther in the long run. And even that won't ensure success. (Look at Domenic's Auto and Jeep as a prime example. People ****ing LOVED that guy, everybody got there stuff worked on by him, he had an excellent reputation, and he still went out of business.)
4. There is no money in parts, unless you are selling A LOT of parts.
5. Ditto on this community being cheap ****s. Every DIY'er or know-it-all thinks he can do it better or cheaper than you.
6. Be willing and able to work ALL the time.
Do I sound bitter? I have first hand knowlege of opening an off-road shop in New England. I also have first hand knowlege of having to close an off-road shop in New England...why? See 2 and 6 above. It sounds awesome in theory...it is most assuredly not.
Mpeckham22
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- MA/NC
A lot of my fears right there, all of this is helpful in deciding how I will progress. Thank you
MrSimon
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Downingtown, PA
I said it earlier, but in light of some recent posts (excellent advice by the way), its worth repeating ....
.... spending a few years working for an established and successful shop will give you a TON of experience and knowledge that you can then use to start your own shop. It will also give you time to save money, build a reputation, establish a network of contacts, get a feel for what things/services sell well and what doesn't.
.... spending a few years working for an established and successful shop will give you a TON of experience and knowledge that you can then use to start your own shop. It will also give you time to save money, build a reputation, establish a network of contacts, get a feel for what things/services sell well and what doesn't.
HRKBackwoods
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- MA
Bro you Know i have your back 110%
mcguyver_xj
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Grandby, MA
only problem i foresee with this idea is you have competition right in holyoke (Endangered Species Offroad) though not favored by me or my group of jeepers they do a good share of business my advice is visit that shop and dont do what they do so much wasted space and inventory and terrible location...
i went to school for mechanics have worked in two shops and do side work on jeeps and cars, a good friend of mine is currently in school for mechanics and welding fabrication and has current jobs in those fields, and another buddy is going for business, i am hoping to be a part of their plan to do an offroad shop down south somewhere
i went to school for mechanics have worked in two shops and do side work on jeeps and cars, a good friend of mine is currently in school for mechanics and welding fabrication and has current jobs in those fields, and another buddy is going for business, i am hoping to be a part of their plan to do an offroad shop down south somewhere
billyjp2
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Indian Orchard MA
Todd used to have a building in Wilbraham, but the place in Holyoke is a screaming deal for the amount of space they have.
mcguyver_xj
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Grandby, MA
yeah but he wastes so much space he could easily have 2-3 more lifts or an alignment rack but no he gets backed up cause theres no room he sends all his tire business to a goodyear
Similar threads
