One-stop hobby-shop u wish to see in Sg

[LoneWolf]

My thinking is a combination of large variety of comics, anime and toys as a one-stop shop will be good :prayer: Haven't seem any in spore but seen it in HK and Tw...

[Hades]

Comics connection lor.. :laugh:

The rental fees here kills u... I've already thought of this very long ago which is my dream to open this last time... So u keen to open 1 and starts this trench? Employed me, I'll definitely works for u. I'll fired my boss and jump across to u... :laugh: :supz:

[Hades]

Oh yah, I'll like to see alot of book shelves with lots of space for u to wander around in the shops. Many sofa and comfortable cushions and seats for u to enjoy reading the comics through rental etc...

[LoneWolf]

Boss, CC not exactly, their toys majority are Bootleg in my opinion, so still cannot consider 3-in-1.

Wah your requirement so strict and high standards $100k also not enough, where got $$ :shooting:

[kazuki]

Jus: Manga is the tricky part lor. Coz confirm it will take up majority of the spaces in the shop liaoz. Imagine if u are to bring in the popular titles. :shock: Its very scary to even imagine lor. Do it like what u are doing now lor. Bring in the titles when there are requests from customers lor. Thats quite budget proof liaoz. 8-)
Toys and animes are less space "eating" lor. I suggest for Animes DVDs. So far the animes market in sg is still quite small though we have a lot of anime fans ard lor. One thing is the lousy subbing/pic qualities by our dear distributors lor. And i believe that only DVD can show the true visual effect, wont settle for a vcd. :shooting:

[LoneWolf]

But anime DVDs from what i know is illegal leh, no license one, those ppl selling are taking risk ah :cry:

[kazuki]

hmm... My guess was correct. :-$
I was still wondering why some shops are able to bring them in leh.
Jus: Not sure if u ever heard of this. SAF 8th core value. :evil:
But there are some legal ones also, to what i know lah.

[Hades]

Boss, CC not exactly, their toys majority are Bootleg in my opinion, so still cannot consider 3-in-1.

Wah your requirement so strict and high standards $100k also not enough, where got $$ :shooting:

U already said that what u wish to c mar in local...So just points them out lor :laugh:

[Hades]

hmm... My guess was correct. :-$
I was still wondering why some shops are able to bring them in leh.
Jus: Not sure if u ever heard of this. SAF 8th core value. :evil:
But there are some legal ones also, to what i know lah.


the 8th value is "do but dun get caught" :D

But anime DVDs from what i know is illegal leh, no license one, those ppl selling are taking risk ah

Somemore, do u really thinks that for local anime fans will get those JP imported origin DVDs?? I'll say NO after they knew the price is not cheap. Just for a normal movie/OVA will cost u over $100 for it. And u expects them to get long series like naruto, OP, bleach etc...?? Well, u may pre-ordered for them but dun display out lor...

[LoneWolf]

Who have anime DVD lobang i interested :shooting:

[Hades]

Jap origin or those HK illegal that u said earlier??

[rookiyong]

There is a guy selling Anime DVD on Yahoo auctions. Gets his goods from TW but he didn't mention original anot, but from the price, it should be. Just that without the stamp from our Censorship board, its still illigal :|

[rookiyong]

Ok, comics shop is my target so I will have more things to say :laugh:

1. I don't want English comics to come in. Nothing against them, but I just want Chinese comics to get the recognition it deserves, not mix around.

2. Sg once had a comics shop working like a cafe. I will opt out of it, can't imagine those precious comic getting coffee stains :D

3. Toys is a must, and must have collections like La Tendo, big enough to show you are in serious biz.

4. Anime wise, the local versions are saturating the market since the law took effect. Some shops have tons of collections and posters. But getting imports would compliment better.

5. Games. Somehow ppl who read comics like to play console games, so should have a section for it.

6. Most important, the owners must be very knowledgeable in their stuff, not hire attendants who introduce weak stuff to customers.

CC used to have alot of comics, but now sad to say, they try to combine some comics with bootleg toys with a few anime, a few games, some cards, some sweets, some Idol pics and zabalang things. |-) ITs a good chain, but the target has changed.

[LoneWolf]

Ok, comics shop is my target so I will have more things to say :laugh:

1. I don't want English comics to come in. Nothing against them, but I just want Chinese comics to get the recognition it deserves, not mix around.

2. Sg once had a comics shop working like a cafe. I will opt out of it, can't imagine those precious comic getting coffee stains :D

3. Toys is a must, and must have collections like La Tendo, big enough to show you are in serious biz.

4. Anime wise, the local versions are saturating the market since the law took effect. Some shops have tons of collections and posters. But getting imports would compliment better.

5. Games. Somehow ppl who read comics like to play console games, so should have a section for it.

6. Most important, the owners must be very knowledgeable in their stuff, not hire attendants who introduce weak stuff to customers.

CC used to have alot of comics, but now sad to say, they try to combine some comics with bootleg toys with a few anime, a few games, some cards, some sweets, some Idol pics and zabalang things. |-) ITs a good chain, but the target has changed.

I fully agreed with you, when CC is at bukit Timah 15 years ago, its 100% comics. I'm their largest customer that time. I even have dinners with the boss sometimes, now all contacts are gone and they did change alot. By the way, i'm not getting from them now.. :shooting:

[rookiyong]

Yup, that time still called Comics Paradise if correct , every week they would put up every single new HK issues on the shopfront. Their base is good, but the shop is "off topic", and the shop attendants are not good in their stuff.

*Oh, this is not flaming, just personal views.*

[LoneWolf]

Comics Paradise is the name. I used to be good term with the bosses....but the lady boss withdraw and i no more support them after i go oversea :rock:

[Hades]

esp when they added in the gst, this makes me stop getting comics from them :(

[meow]

so who is setting up this shop?
me can go & help FOC, juz give me discount on the comic & toy can liao :rock:

[Hades]

welcome to this forum raven7

Well, this is just a discussion only :D

[LoneWolf]

Really wish to set up a multi-hobby shop but my last portion of saving kena burn in stock that collaspe past 2 days :cry:

[Hades]

I thinks u really need to cut down on collecting comics liao as well as toys.

[LoneWolf]

Now my heart very pain......all happened in jsut 2 days, $4.4k gone :cry:

[Hades]

haiz... better stopped touching on stocks liao in future...

[LoneWolf]

Why why always me kena :cry:, 天啊啊 :(

[Hades]

I rather u spend the $4.4k on the hobbbies..

Pls repeats "I swear that I'll never touch stocks in future again" 100 times

Lucky that u loses yr own savings. If yr wife bought together with u, than really jia liat sia

[LoneWolf]

Will really do what u said :cry:

[Hades]

失財事小, learns from the mistake and stop touching stocks in future.

U thinks playing with stocks easy to earns profits meh? If that so, there will be no poor family or beggars in Singapore long agao liao

[LoneWolf]

失財事小, learns from the mistake and stop touching stocks in future.

U thinks playing with stocks easy to earns profits meh? If that so, there will be no poor family or beggars in Singapore long agao liao

Wha u made Sifu liao :cry:

[Fire]

wellll........i know i'm a bit late to join in this topic...but since it's here...so i oso kepo kepo a bit lah since my target oso to open a comic shop....
after reading all the mesasge u guys posted... i fully agreed tat sg don hv a proper comic shop tat satisfy all of us...compare to hk or tw
i think its not tat easy / cheap oso lah to open an ideal / dream shop...like wat we hv in mind
i used to support comic connection oso....but after i compare prices of their comic with tenchi...i opt for the second one since its cheaper...though not much but still cheaper loh...(coz i no money, so every cent oso important mah :laugh: )

jusgod...like others always say...小财不出，大财不进mah...so lets start all over again loh
never too late to have a good start [-X

rookiyong....so when is ur planning for the comic shop starting? are u saving for it now? jizzzz....if u really started it in sg...i think all of us in comicspolitan will turn up and help u man!! :supz:

[rookiyong]

It is never too late to be here, in fact we are barely 2weeks old. But thanks to our very supporting Mods aiming to make Chinese comics prosper that it is quite active :)

Possibility of jusgod going for such a such is higher since he has the experience and knowledge. I didn't take notice of tenchi before until recently saw its AMK store. Its the closest I saw to our discussion here.

I have not 'tested' on their knowledge before, but their chain is sure going big. What do you think of their service, biz model since you are with them?

Saw that there is even a franchise plan :o

[kazuki]

I went to this Tenchi AMK once to get my Evangelion vol9 with the Rei fig. This is like the last place ard i can find this limited edition bk with the gd price lor. I called in and asked for reservation. The staff was polite and offered to keep it for me 3 days. :prayer:
Their branch in Yishun also not bad. But that gal attitude abit :x I rem the gal in the AMK branch is prettier looking also. :D
But never visit those small branches like in Tiong Bahru Plaza, cannot make it wan lor. The manga they have for sale has very little varieties. I think i have more bks than them lor. Their main emphasis there seems to be manga rental and game rentals.

[Fire]

It is never too late to be here, in fact we are barely 2weeks old. But thanks to our very supporting Mods aiming to make Chinese comics prosper that it is quite active :)

Possibility of jusgod going for such a such is higher since he has the experience and knowledge. I didn't take notice of tenchi before until recently saw its AMK store. Its the closest I saw to our discussion here.

I have not 'tested' on their knowledge before, but their chain is sure going big. What do you think of their service, biz model since you are with them?

Saw that there is even a franchise plan :o

yup...true...they r going big now compare to 4 years ago when i started with them...they were just 2 branches in toa payoh & yishun. now they hv like around 10 or 12 outlets. and they r quite established now a days, even hv a franchise plan for interested ppl out there...
knowledge wise...hhmmmm...pretty good in chinese comics, games...not bad...toys...limited as their focus seems not mainly on toys...but they r bringing in more and more toys these days...
i think it's a good start with them if we hv the money to invest in comic shop, the franchise idea is a good learning/ kick off point for ppl who dont hv experience yet target to start one... :dance:
their service is quite good also...the bosses are quite young...it was a family biz when i knew them several years ago...but now...i dunno...seldom saw the bosses around...heard that they often oversea to source for new stuff like toys...

[rookiyong]

They should be happy bosses to be able to do all these things :rock:

[Fire]

ya i suppose :supz: making money sure happy loh =))

[LoneWolf]

Not all are succeesful story lor, from what i know, there are >50 smaller comics shop open and close since 2000 :red: I myself is one of them. Very difficult to survive frankly if you are just peanuts :cry:

[Fire]

tru oso lah...biz is always difficult...if not everyone become boss loh...who want to work for ppl..rite? :shooting:
nvr mind lah....gather more experience and strike back...can try out franchise...not a bad idea...at lease got guideline to follow... 8-)

[LoneWolf]

The pain of Franchise no one knows, the xxx comics shop franchise i know of 1 guy losing 80k...... :cry:

[Fire]

The pain of Franchise no one knows, the xxx comics shop franchise i know of 1 guy losing 80k...... :cry:
wah so horrible ah :shock: the poor guy sure cry like mad ah :cry:
if i loose 80k,i'll jump down from suntec tower oh :cry:
think back, not all franchise working out...only those proven one can trust like the Mx Dxxxxx...but again...must pay for it lah...its all bout $$$$ [-X

[rookiyong]

Yes, there have been cases of older ppl who are not familiar with an industry but throw in their life savings for a franchise and finally everything gone. :cry:

[does not represent comicspolitan] Mc is very good not bcos of the food, they are actually selling the location and the system. Now the same thing that came to SG donkey years ago is happening to China. In fact the founder is clear that he is doing real estate and not hamburger :| [/]

For a comics / hobby shop, I dun know how long you will take to get back your investment and be on profit if a franchise is taken. My take is, not possible, the margin is too low. At least if I fail, its bcos my biz fail, I dun want to fail bcos of the franchise cost. For me to say is very easy, but should be like jusgod, take action, fail, stand up again :supz:

[LoneWolf]

Totally agree with you :)

Yes, there have been cases of older ppl who are not familiar with an industry but throw in their life savings for a franchise and finally everything gone. :cry:

[does not represent comicspolitan] Mc is very good not bcos of the food, they are actually selling the location and the system. Now the same thing that came to SG donkey years ago is happening to China. In fact the founder is clear that he is doing real estate and not hamburger :| [/]

For a comics / hobby shop, I dun know how long you will take to get back your investment and be on profit if a franchise is taken. My take is, not possible, the margin is too low. At least if I fail, its bcos my biz fail, I dun want to fail bcos of the franchise cost. For me to say is very easy, but should be like jusgod, take action, fail, stand up again :supz:

[Fire]

Totally agree with you :)

Yes, there have been cases of older ppl who are not familiar with an industry but throw in their life savings for a franchise and finally everything gone. :cry:

[does not represent comicspolitan] Mc is very good not bcos of the food, they are actually selling the location and the system. Now the same thing that came to SG donkey years ago is happening to China. In fact the founder is clear that he is doing real estate and not hamburger :| [/]

For a comics / hobby shop, I dun know how long you will take to get back your investment and be on profit if a franchise is taken. My take is, not possible, the margin is too low. At least if I fail, its bcos my biz fail, I dun want to fail bcos of the franchise cost. For me to say is very easy, but should be like jusgod, take action, fail, stand up again :supz:

me oso agree....but i think there should more ways to boost up biz for hobby shop...many of the shop here only 守业 ther should be many more ways to do biz for hobby shop... 求新求变... difficult, but more lot of hardwork loh...

[LoneWolf]

Ok, just rejuvenate this thread, now 2nd stage of planning. The concept is to cover Collectible Toys, Comics as main. Consoles,PC games and Anime as support.

Concept: Settled
Funding/Capital: Settled

Now i need to find a place a town area that is reasonable accessible to most ppl. Must be >500sqfeet in order to accomodate the concept. Not prime building space(rental rocket high.....)

Any suggestions in mind?:thinking: Thanks in advance for any suggestions. Please don't not go off-topic:topic:

[Dio]

VivoCity @Harbourfront?
New gigantic mall but dunno the rental cost.

[bryando88]

lonewolf,

saw this thread, must say I salute you to follow your dreams, cause I would want to do the same one day if can.

You planning when to launch? ever thot abt the upcoming Vivo City? or next year the Ang Mo Kio central shopping mall? Personally dont suggest town area as the rental kills......ever thot abt doing it online as well? This way you can market to overseas as well.....Another way is to tie up with some established 'shops', this way you are covered by them as well.....

[LoneWolf]

VivoCity @Harbourfront?
New gigantic mall but dunno the rental cost.

Vivocity rental sure too exp, at least >$8 i guess. Above $6Sqft will not be consider.....

[LoneWolf]

lonewolf,

saw this thread, must say I salute you to follow your dreams, cause I would want to do the same one day if can.

You planning when to launch? ever thot abt the upcoming Vivo City? or next year the Ang Mo Kio central shopping mall? Personally dont suggest town area as the rental kills......ever thot abt doing it online as well? This way you can market to overseas as well.....Another way is to tie up with some established 'shops', this way you are covered by them as well.....

Bro, Ang Mo Kio central shopping mall is going to be exp as well....

Your various suggestions i tried. Now focusing on finding an ideal place. The reason for getting a lower end place is not to be killed by rental. A lot of business newbies make this mistake......

In fact, i have 2 places in mind but just gathering more suggestions :) Thanks

[Koo]

I fully agreed with you, when CC is at bukit Timah 15 years ago, its 100% comics. I'm their largest customer that time. I even have dinners with the boss sometimes:

Sry, damm late then join this thread.

Wah boss, that time I'm still at primary school at the nearby Pei Wah Primary school. I want like primary 2-3 only then. hahaha.

[Koo]

Who have anime DVD lobang i interested :shooting:

My "orginial" DVD lobang gone laio as Tenchi HQ do not sell them since the end of year 2004(customers)unless you know your relations is a retailer. Members use to have 10-15% off the normal price for those DVDs. The Tenchi really suffer a loss doing this business as they change business plans, products supplier, etc.

[Koo]

I have not 'tested' on their knowledge before, but their chain is sure going big. What do you think of their service, biz model since you are with them?

Saw that there is even a franchise plan :o


For HH business wannabes info, Tenchi franchise is dammm expensive at S$30,000 currently dun know it is 1 time payment or for 1 year only. Not wonder the Jurong east branch a few KM away my hoouse collapse a few months ago. Tenchi still have trouble finding people who are good in the comic sector as workers and business partners.

[alfred_62]

Bro, Ang Mo Kio central shopping mall is going to be exp as well....

Your various suggestions i tried. Now focusing on finding an ideal place. The reason for getting a lower end place is not to be killed by rental. A lot of business newbies make this mistake......

In fact, i have 2 places in mind but just gathering more suggestions :) Thanks
don't go amk!

over there, the tenchi comics started a price war to force CC to close. How?
they sold normal dongli comics at $5 until everyone buy from them.

this made CC to close and the now they revert back to normal pricing of 5.75.

[Dio]

don't go amk!

over there, the tenchi comics started a price war to force CC to close. How?
they sold normal dongli comics at $5 until everyone buy from them.

this made CC to close and the now they revert back to normal pricing of 5.75.

All tenchi sells TL comics that CY prints at $5.
But it's true that amk is too 'crowded' for anothe comic+game shop.:(

[Koo]

About tenchi and CC price war over comic especially the taiwan ones/Tong Li (NT$ 80-85>) Tenchi spolit the market but is suffering the effects as CY(Singapore) comics are price around the same price and they had to cut down or even at some outlets stop the sale of CY comics. After "shooting its own foot" Tenchi has stop this S$5 price for its Tong Li comics and admend some broken ties with CY due to the "war".

[Stunner24]

For HH business wannabes info, Tenchi franchise is dammm expensive at S$30,000 currently dun know it is 1 time payment or for 1 year only. Not wonder the Jurong east branch a few KM away my hoouse collapse a few months ago. Tenchi still have trouble finding people who are good in the comic sector as workers and business partners.

Hi Koo,

As you have mentioned that Tenchi does their franchises. That would mean pple who's interested in Tenchi's business would pay Tenchi to do reno for them and supply them with comics to sell and rental.

Though the branches are under Tenchi's name, but they belong to small little bosses who pays Tenchi for their franchises. So it's not Tenchi's having trouble finding people. It's actually these people finding Tenchi instead ;)

I dun think Tenchi plays a part in finding location for these small bosses. Most likely, these small bosses are the ones deciding their location, then pay monies to Tenchi to help them to set up everything.

So when these branches collapse, the main reason I can think of is due to high rental & human traffic flow? And Tenchi will not be the one suffering from the loss, it's actually these small bosses' losses as monies actually comes out from their pocket ;)

So when Tenchi changes their business plans, not only they suffer, the bosses of these small branches suffers as well :(

[Stunner24]

don't go amk!

over there, the tenchi comics started a price war to force CC to close. How?
they sold normal dongli comics at $5 until everyone buy from them.

this made CC to close and the now they revert back to normal pricing of 5.75.

Agreed, AMK's rental is super high.