surplus question

[alxone]

so after a spending my adult life working for someone else i have decided to open/start my own business buying/selling/trading military surplus and collectibles .Im gonna start small , gun shows and such . So the question is what kind of surplus and collectibles the fine folks of CoAr15 would like to see at my table??? more gear type stuff , or more collectible type stuff .

so far its mostly ammo cans , gas masks , medals , challenge coins , a few vintage comics , and things of that nature .
im really hoping to have everything together by aprils gun show.
so please give me honest suggestions .
just to add a slight note , im gonna steer clear of clothing items as i have found the most regular folks would rather have china's knock off duds , guess they are trying to save a buck (silly them ) .
anyway thanks for the input in advance

[alxone]

oh forgot to add if anyone has some cool surplus or military collectibles just collecting dust , hit me up (pm me ) and im sure we can make a trade for something you do want .
thanks again

[theGinsue]

Keep in mind that most folks equate "surplus" items to "inexpensive" items. Anything I suggest would need to be leaning towards the inexpensive. Such as, if a say "knives/bayonets", we're not talking about $75+ items, I think you'd have a better time selling the up to $35 (maybe $50) knives and bayonets.


Just some ideas I have:
Packs, bags/duffles, entrenching tools, fire starting/heating items, sleeping bags, lighting equipment like flashlights and lanterns.

[alxone]

well i do hope to keep prices low , no i will no sell a 1.00 patch for 7.00 and any bayonet that cost me more than 20 bucks i dont want it as ill never be able to offer it at a reasonable price .
already have a hand full of entrenching tools with cases , canteens with pouches , but the sleeping systems are a bit on the high priced side , if i can find a deal sure , but i cant sell a sleeping bag for 100.00 bucks and walking away feeling like a gave a good deal .
anyone who has delt with me knows i want to make sure bothe parties are getting a fair deal .
after going to gun and military shows and seeing the prices , i think ill do fine as long as i can get stuff cheep so i can pass on the savings
thanks for the input for sure , by the way when you say heating items do you mean mre heaters and that kind of thing or more like hot hands ????

[theGinsue]

MRE heaters as well as the little pocket stoves that are very portable, simply to use, etc.

[JohnTRourke]

Ok
here's the problem
In retail (esp in the wal mart nation we have today)

price is everything. if it's the same stuff that everyone has, then price is the only consideration for people. (easily 90%+ of the population, and gun people are just as guilty or more)

so, you make your profit when you buy, because the price is set by the market.
Unless you are buying in big quantities to get a good discount, your price is going to be too high.

Imagine people coming to your store, whipping out their phone, going online to check the price of whatever you have. (and remember, shipping is always hidden, so nobody takes that into account)

You have to do something different.
Everyone has cheap POS knives from china for $10
One guy has made in america knives for $150

yeah, he probably sells 1 for every 10 the other guy sells, but he makes more money.
You have to make people come to you for specific stuff they can't get anywhere else.

JMHO as a small businessman.

BTW, retail sucks.

[alxone]

Ok
here's the problem
In retail (esp in the wal mart nation we have today)

price is everything. if it's the same stuff that everyone has, then price is the only consideration for people. (easily 90%+ of the population, and gun people are just as guilty or more)

so, you make your profit when you buy, because the price is set by the market.
Unless you are buying in big quantities to get a good discount, your price is going to be too high.

Imagine people coming to your store, whipping out their phone, going online to check the price of whatever you have. (and remember, shipping is always hidden, so nobody takes that into account)

You have to do something different.
Everyone has cheap POS knives from china for $10
One guy has made in america knives for $150

yeah, he probably sells 1 for every 10 the other guy sells, but he makes more money.
You have to make people come to you for specific stuff they can't get anywhere else.

JMHO as a small businessman.

BTW, retail sucks.

ill keep that in mind , the things im really after and have some of all ready you defiantly cant get at walmart , unless they start selling bazookas , howitzer items , powder kegs , grenades , ect , lol , but just the same i do see what you mean .
yes im sure retail sucks , but after 24 years of swinging a hammer and beating the crap out of my body working out side ,my own retail set up sounds just fine to me.

thank you very much for you input , i had totally over looked that whole fancy cell phone thing

[trlcavscout]

AT4's?

[alxone]

AT4's?

funny you should mention that , picking up one today , yet another non walmart item , lol , if you know where to get more let me know !!!!

[BPTactical]

JohnTRourke makes some very good points.
Who would your target demographic be?
I think you would be wise to carry both low dollar and higher dollar items.
Serious collectors/survivalist types don't mind paying a premium for quality items. The wannabes want the cheap stuff.
Cater to both.
There is always a market for good surplus.
Good luck with it!