How to become a bicycle dealer?

Question

How to become a bicycle dealer?

Answer 1

One of the most important things you will need to do is a market survey to find if a shop is even feasible in your area. IE...too many shops to compete with. If the market is fairly open, then contact manufacturers you are interested in to see if you are able to get a dealership. Some brands have territorial boundaries. In other words, they have guaranteed areas that they will not place a dealer in. For example a shop is 10 miles from your propsed store and they have a 20 mile exclusivity agreement with an existing dealer

Answer 2

Like any business, find a location and most importantly set up a business plan.  Many communities have resources to assist with this part, such as SCORE.  The location is important b/c bicycle vendors and major parts distributors will not deal unless you have an established brick and mortar location.

Once you have that it's just a matter of contacting different vendors, anywhere from bicycles, parts warehouses and specific parts vendors as well.  There will be applications and contracts, and the dreaded minimum order amounts.

You will also need to find some good employees.

Well that's a start.  Good luck.

Answer 3

buy an established shop, or start your own business. to start your own, I'd suggest the following:

1. take a couple of business management classes at a local college.

2. develop your business plan.

3. write-up a pro forma.

4. get a lease on the spot you want to set-up shop, appropriate retail, municiple and state retail tax licensing.

5. start contacting manufacturers.

6. get stocked up.

7. open your doors to the public.

8. don't expect to get rich quick!

in the early steps, you should visit other bike shops and talk to the owners about how they got in the biz. they'll be honest about the pros and cons, the pitfalls they've experienced, etc. the smart ones understand, competition is good for business!

also, somewhere along  the way, you need to figure out how you'll finance this whole deal! good luck!