Opening an R/C shop

[filmmaker]

Hey I am looking to open an R/C shop with multiple tracks suited for Monster Jam and freestyle racing, along with ST racing and street cars... If you all were to build the most awesome facility what would you build or like to see. There is no limit to what you post here on what you would like to see or build...

[crzydrivr]

good employees

[filmmaker]

Lol....... Ok....

[Hylton32]

I'd like to see it in Maryland.

[bigdog5332]

sweet i got 2 revos a jato and a old t-maxx to run

[filmmaker]

Ideas, what would you all like to see at this track-facility??

[MadDog986]

if you really have to ask what people want... you are in the wrong business. Any hubby shop owner should know where the market is and what is in demand. Period.

[bmoney]

if you really have to ask what people want... you are in the wrong business. Any hubby shop owner should know where the market is and what is in demand. Period.

He is not a hobby shop owner he is looking to open one and any good hobby shop owner would listen to the input of his costumers.

[leroycool1]

ya hubby shop owners should know
/\/\
just had to do that because i know i would do the same thing

[filmmaker]

if you really have to ask what people want... you are in the wrong business. Any hubby shop owner should know where the market is and what is in demand. Period.

Who the heck is this????? Any great buisness owner knows to ask their customers what they want if that owner wants to be successful...
Thats just plain rude....

[filmmaker]

OK... Rule #1 at my track ... Rude people will be asked to leave....

[Over_revO]

Like my hobby shop, everyday is different, saturday drift, monday 1/18 offroad etc... like that you wont drift with monster truck in the middle of the track. (i mean indoor track)

[RC Mechanic]

LOL. I like rule #1. . If you are looking at making multiple tracks and holding races i would suggest and on road track, an off road oval, a regualr off road track.

BUt heres a good idea. Make a good offroad bashing area open to the public. I mean with random jumps, loose dirt areas, and all that good stuff. Have some really big jumps too so when people brake their trucks, they walk into your hobby shop to get the new parts. I haven't heard of any hobby shops that do the but a dedicated bashing area would be kool

[mossman]

I think a key to a good business (even hobby shop) is being organized. My LHS is great, but it can be 15 minutes for them to find a part, even if they know they have it. Come up with a good way organize the 1000's of parts we need to keep these things running.

Good displays would be key. All the RC's are in boxes on the shelf at my LHS, I think you would sell more if you had at least 2 or 3 versions of each category out on display, for example, MT's: have a T-Maxx, Savage and MGT on display. Have a Revo and some of its competitors on display (sorry, can't think of any!). Have some Truggies, Stadium trucks, buggies, road cars, etc. I go to the LHS just to look around, chances are, if there is something cool to look at, I will come back. If you get me in the store on a regular basis, chances are, I will buy something on some of the visits. You have to keep the displays fresh though, keep them in rotation. Just like a website, it can get stale and no one will just come in and look around.

As for the rest of the facilities, I think having an area where you can put on a training class for newb's would be great. Offer it as a free 2 hour class on a weekend if you buy a new RC over a given amount, or offer it as pay class if you didn't buy the RC from the shop. This could be a dirt area with some small jumps or obstacles, as well as a paved area for road stuff.

Putting on shows, or exhibitions on the weekends would be a good idea. Maybe put out a mailer and tell everyone that you are putting on a freestyle show and raffle something off.

The key is to get people into your store, once they are in the store, let your displays and service make the sale.

Good luck.

mossman

[filmmaker]

LOL. I like rule #1. . If you are looking at making multiple tracks and holding races i would suggest and on road track, an off road oval, a regualr off road track.

BUt heres a good idea. Make a good offroad bashing area open to the public. I mean with random jumps, loose dirt areas, and all that good stuff. Have some really big jumps too so when people brake their trucks, they walk into your hobby shop to get the new parts. I haven't heard of any hobby shops that do the but a dedicated bashing area would be kool

Ok like a bashing area that is open on non race days?? is this what you mean?

[filmmaker]

I'm lovin this, you all are giving great Ideas.. well except for the one....LOL

[I know pi!]

dude I promise if you open it I will buy stuff there (and quit complaining the jato's better than the GT2 ) I'd ask here about brands/products, I honestly wish there was a hobby shop in broomfield, but I understand that might not be an option, I'd try to find a big parking lot for people to drive RC's on

[filmmaker]

dude I promise if you open it I will buy stuff there (and quit complaining the jato's better than the GT2 ) I'd ask here about brands/products, I honestly wish there was a hobby shop in broomfield, but I understand that might not be an option, I'd try to find a big parking lot for people to drive RC's on

Hey bro whats up? shhhh about the GT2 thing This facility will have a big parking lot for you and half the city to park, cuz I will have paved tracks so you speed loves with your Jatos can let them rip. Thinking 200' straights..
and huge dirt tracks outside, and I will have big indoor tracks as well...

[Porsche]

Lol....... Ok....

Why is it funny? Do you have any idea how frustrating it is to deal with employees that don't have a clue what they're doing? Good employees will attract the customers, and keep them coming back. One bad experience and you've lost the customer.

[jato4life2]

dude. if you have enough space make like a frikin football field.
Half just like bashing space. And then the other half is a bunch of lanes for all those speed demonds. Oh yea. You should have people with radar guns that post fastest speeds in your shop.
You should split it like a hot dog. Long styles. 300' of straight away for those speed deamonds should be more than enough if you ask me. If not that sucks.

Gotta remember though if you want all of this thats a lot of space. A LOT.

[filmmaker]

Why is it funny? Do you have any idea how frustrating it is to deal with employees that don't have a clue what they're doing? Good employees will attract the customers, and keep them coming back. One bad experience and you've lost the customer.

chill man... did you just wake up of something... everyone knows great customer service brings you back... Customer Service will be my main goal..
WOW..........

[filmmaker]

OK... Rule #1 at my track ... Rude people will be asked to leave....

Just wanted to list Rule #1 again...

[filmmaker]

dude. if you have enough space make like a frikin football field.
Half just like bashing space. And then the other half is a bunch of lanes for all those speed demonds. Oh yea. You should have people with radar guns that post fastest speeds in your shop.
You should split it like a hot dog. Long styles. 300' of straight away for those speed deamonds should be more than enough if you ask me. If not that sucks.

Gotta remember though if you want all of this thats a lot of space. A LOT.

Radar Guns, how awesome. No more bragin of how fast your truck is if your not going to let us radar it.... and post the fastest speeds, Great Idea... and a foorball field is way to small for what I'm thinking... Think BIG and I mean BIG...
Man this is soooo cool, I'm getting lots of cool Ideas... Keep em comming

[Ragamuffin]

Hope you have all your ducks in a row finances-wise.

The monthly rent on the place, employee salary, insurance, overhead, inventory writeoff and slippage, medical insurance, city and county permits and licenses, and all that stupid stuff the dealer has to charge for in order to, uhhh, how do I put this delicately? Make enough money that they actually have to pay taxes on it.

[FP Racing]

good employees

I know you've addressed this issue, but it's so important that I wanted to point it out again. All too often I've seen this overlooked. I've got two LHS in my area. The first one has such baaad employees, that I never go there anymore, period. If the 2nd hobby shop doesn't have what I need, I'll just order it online and wait for it. If the 2nd hobby shop closed, then I'd just order all my stuff online.

It was ironic, but I hadn't been in there for over a year, when my brother in-law asked me to stop in and check for a motor (the 12 turn Titan, he want to try it on his old rustler). So, I pull it, just for him. I ask the guy behind the counter for it, he tells me they're all out of that motor.

Since I can see the motor from behind the counter (two of them) I point to the wall: "Isn't that it?"

The employee "No, that's the 650 sized motor for the Emaxx."

Me: "Can you pull it down, it looks like a 550 sized motor to me."

So the employee pulls the motor down, and sure enough, it's a 550, 12T Titan

Employee: "Oh wow, it is a 550 motor, but that's still for the Emaxx"

Me: "What??"

Employee: "Yeah, the new rustlers come with the 23 turn Titans. The Emaxx uses the more powerful 12 turn."

At this point I've just had it, and politly say "It's fine, I'll take this motor."

Employee: "But this is for the Emaxx."

Me: "Look, are you going to sell this motor or not?"
So I finally buy the motor and leave, never to return.


Fred

[RC Mechanic]

Ok like a bashing area that is open on non race days?? is this what you mean?

Yeah. Thats what i mean.

[BlueMan]

A Moster Jam style track for MT's..... complete with crushed cars and a scale RV!!!

[filmmaker]

A Moster Jam style track for MT's..... complete with crushed cars and a scale RV!!!

Yes like a real scaled version that we all see on speed ch. I think it would be awesome...

[filmmaker]

Hope you have all your ducks in a row finances-wise.

The monthly rent on the place, employee salary, insurance, overhead, inventory writeoff and slippage, medical insurance, city and county permits and licenses, and all that stupid stuff the dealer has to charge for in order to, uhhh, how do I put this delicately? Make enough money that they actually have to pay taxes on it.

I will not have rent because I will own the land, and in a prime area in Colorado... And the rest is all part of owning a buisness.... and as far as making money this is not my main priority... my focus will be my customers, I want them to have a great time at this Facility.... money comes later....

[filmmaker]

Thanks All For The Ideas...
Keep Them Comming....

[BlueMan]

Have you considered selling online as well?

[RCOVERBOARD]

1. Employees who KNOW what they are talking about, not just guessing.
2. Good customer service.
3. Structured races, certain days for certain types of cars.
4. Have a frequency check system!!!
5. Make it fun.

[filmmaker]

Have you considered selling online as well?

No I have not thought of this, good Idea....

[papaweely]

inexpensive 'bash' or race track time
hill climb
rock crawl
baja track (maybe use sawdust or something to keep truck clean)
oval track
drag race track
free style track
full service and parts
rentals(?)
how about a sandy beach for runnin' with paddle tires!
jump station to see how high and/or far you can get

[Maxx-Damage]

Win the lotto before u put this into action. That would be a good idea.

Find a good location, with either good neighbors or no neighbors. For stock keep a full stock of t-maxx, revo, and some other trucks that are popular in the area. If u only sell traxxas the shop might fail, due to more people havin other rc's. thats all i got.

[DuaneGlass]

I would start with the tracks and have nominal fees for people to practice and run. Then start some sanctioned events. When you get the locals coming in to race, then start offering partnership and jobs if they want them. Then you can get your empoyees, some partners with an interest, and the ideas of the local R/Cers. While building that portion look at the physical shop and what products and services do you want to offer, like maintenance, repairs, tuning, etc..

[backyardbashers]

Indoor Nitro Track, not the typical Electric that everyone and their brother has. More catering to the Nitro crowd!!!!

[filmmaker]

Win the lotto before u put this into action. That would be a good idea.

Find a good location, with either good neighbors or no neighbors. For stock keep a full stock of t-maxx, revo, and some other trucks that are popular in the area. If u only sell traxxas the shop might fail, due to more people havin other rc's. thats all i got.

I posted before that the land will me owned by me... and money is no object at this Facility, the sky is the limit... The showroom will be bigger than most LHS that I've seen... and I will have access to all brands.... I agree I would fall on my face for new car and truck sales if I only sold one brand...
I will also sell dragsters, and rock crawlers, and ....

[filmmaker]

I would start with the tracks and have nominal fees for people to practice and run. Then start some sanctioned events. When you get the locals coming in to race, then start offering partnership and jobs if they want them. Then you can get your empoyees, some partners with an interest, and the ideas of the local R/Cers. While building that portion look at the physical shop and what products and services do you want to offer, like maintenance, repairs, tuning, etc..

Everything will be built at once, when money is no object you can build everything at once... Thats why you all are important to me, to help decide what is offered at this track... What Ideas I think are the best, win, and will be built into the Facility...

[filmmaker]

Indoor Nitro Track, not the typical Electric that everyone and their brother has. More catering to the Nitro crowd!!!!

I am totally with you on this one
I am thinking of ways to have nitro indoors, racing year round, no matter the weather..... I hope to have atleast 150' x 100' dirt and the same for onroad cars as well...