Posted: 8/26/2007 6:54:51 PM EDT
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Looking for some info on how to get started. We just purchased a store front and would like to start up a Military Surplus store. I have been in the Firearm business since 1994. We do not have a surplus store in our area. We are a county of 25,000 plus. Does anyone have a Surplus store that could give me some advise and help me get started. I will need to find venders. |
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I would think these guys would be your friends. Where you at in West by-God? If you're close I'll stop by when you get up and running. |
Actually for new dealers I strongly suggest they not do much, if any, buying from government liquidation. Most of the lots are too large and too generalized to be of much use when initially stocking a store, and you will soon find yourself with tons of stuff you can't move. In fact, over buying from government liquidation is the single biggest reason I see for new shops failing. |
Interesting. So where does most of the initial stock come from? Dealers who buy and sort gov auctions? |
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Former business owner / part-time Internet business owner here: A good start would be for you to set up a wholesale account with Blue Ridge Knives and similar vendors that require only small orders ($100 or more). All you need is a copy of your business license. If you do not have a business license yet, but want to set up accounts with vendors - I would recommend getting a Wholesaler's Dropshipping business license in your state. These types of licenses are free (intended for internet sellers) and can typically be gotten instantly on the Internet at your state's .gov site. Also, you can upgrade later to a full business license - but this free option will allow you to become a wholesaler without alot of expense initially. Also, check out the wholesale lots on eBay & Half.com in different categories. I have seen a pallet of BDUs sell for $20.00, 6 dozen DCU boonies hats sell for $48.00, unissued 3L USGI DCU Camelbaks sell for $8.00 a pop, and a box of 50 AK-47 bayonets sell for around $60.00. I land some pretty good deals there for my part-time internet business. Funny thing is that I am able to turn right around and sell what I buy on eBay at a profit on eBay.  Good luck with your business. |
Typically, yes if you are doing it right. Large wholesalers and small dealers who specialize in wholesaling to others. That lot of 500 small rain parkas for $375 may seem like a helluva deal, but 3 years later when you still have 425 of them and that storage space is both occupied and costing you $$$ every day they won't seem like such a great idea. |
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Oh. man. There's a publication, it's like..national association of retail and surplus merchandisers? Something like that Help me out here Garand_shooter...anyway, it has ads for all the really big wholesale surplus dealers, like Goldmans? in NY, Sturm in Georgia, CORP in California. Also lots of wholesalers of other stuff, too. DAMN IT! I just can't remember the name........ |
ANSOM Its a start, but going off it alone will break ya. |
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Yeah, that's it! You the man. Yes, but it's a good place to get exposure to the business. He needs ANSOM, the CORP, STURM, and maybe a few other catalogs, and some experience. mrassII, I'll IM you things to think about tomorrow. I used to be a surplus dealer too. |
CORP went under several years ago....man I got some good deals in the last days! |
We could not let the store front we purchased just slip by at the price it was going for. Sometimes you have to jump on a deal and figure out what to do with it later. It was a bank auction as the owner could not make the mortgage payments. SO we bought it. |
I am in Elkins WV, |