Online Shop

[Wellington 33 & 76]

dear all

I am thinking about opening a figure model shop online , I have a question for everyone: what would you has the customer look for in a on line shop

 

[Aveleira]

Figures, paints, brushes, modelling tools... eventually books....all at Good (low) Prices

Pedro

 

[captnenglish]

In a nutshell, a decent selection and competative pricing.

 

[housecarl]

In a nutshell, a decent selection and competative pricing.

And reasonable shipping.
Carl.

 

[Oldironsides]

Hi

What I look for in an online shop is a 'Wow factor'. I am looking for fantastic models I cannot easily obtain elsewhere and/or are offered at a very competitive price. They need to be well presented with good quality photos and reviews.

Excellent customer service is a must and communication is the key. Your business will live or die on that alone.

Best wishes on your new venture.

 

[captnenglish]

And reasonable shipping.
Carl.

that too

 

[bagelman1952]

Shipping costs for me is right at the top of the list. Looking at some figures yesterday and the cost of shipping was one and a half times the cost of the figure. As there are no figure shops here I rely on mail order so visual impressions on a site mean a lot to me.

 

[marco55]

All of the above.
Mark

 

[engeee]

Live inventory status. I enjoy knowing you really, actually have what I'm ordering in stock.

 

[Dan Morton]

I'd suggest that you go to Red Lancers site and adapt to your needs. I honestly think the lay-out and content is about right in every respect. Sure, I know the owner, Chuck Robinson. But a lot of people do and I'm not in business with him.

By contrast, I find the Squadron online site nice, but too complicated.

All the best,
Dan

 

[Mike S.]

I agree COMPLETELY. The Red Lancer is one of the absolute top five online hobby shops in business, figure modeling or otherwise. For those of us Stateside, it is THE place to go IMO.

 

[Piotrec]

I have done some deals with Chuck from Red Lancers, but I would never say that his website is a top one. His service might be. The website works fast, but the design is very outdated. I do not like the search engine.

Personally I think that the online shop should be as close as possible to the Spruebrothers store. Real time inventory, option for preorders with better prices, most of my orders where shipped the same day when placed before 3PM. Relatively cheap shipping. Great contact over the phone or email. Very large assortiment regarding armour and plane modelling. The only thing they do not have is just figures, which I regret.

 

[MCPWilk]

The Historex Agents site is pretty good as well.

Good luck,

Mike

 

[bigtodd]

I have done some deals with Chuck from Red Lancers, but I would never say that his website is a top one. His service might be. The website works fast, but the design is very outdated. I do not like the search engine.

Personally I think that the online shop should be as close as possible to the Spruebrothers store. Real time inventory, option for preorders with better prices, most of my orders where shipped the same day when placed before 3PM. Relatively cheap shipping. Great contact over the phone or email. Very large assortiment regarding armour and plane modelling. The only thing they do not have is just figures, which I regret.

DITTO !!!!!!

 

[Tubby-Nuts-REMOVED]

Again!, all of the above!.. Although with the addition, of a 'No quibble', return policy, in the case of a 'Duff-Cast'. ........

 

[Tubby-Nuts-REMOVED]

Mike, have you tried to return a piece to Historex??

 

[billyturnip]

Mike, have you tried to return a piece to Historex??

Lol, I have, by mistake they sent me this
http://www.historexagents.com/shop/hxsearchresults.php?SearchData=roman+bridge&x=0&y=0

instead of a couple of these,
http://www.historexagents.com/shop/hxproductdetail.php?ProductCode=BA

Didn't have a problem exchanging them at all.

Roger.

 

[Tubby-Nuts-REMOVED]

Roger,.... Maybe my experience was a one off!.. so,. yes!.. given the volume of traffic they have, its unfair of me to say that! . .... Still 'Grumble at their postage costs. .. me , Ebeneezer!

 

[Don]

I hope you know if you fancy opening a shop, that you have very strong online competition that over the years have built a very good reputation.
SK Miniatures
El Greco
Red Lancer
to name but a few. Check out their websites and see if you can compete, if you can't then why waste your time?
Not trying to knock your idea just pointing out the facts.

Don

 

[Babelfish]

Bear in mind also that if you're running an online business, you'll probably have little to no time left for painting your own figures!

- Steve