Hey Everyone, First time posting here. I'm in the process of opening a hydroponic store in my area and I need some feedback from you guys. Here's the question "Why do you buy products from the hydroponic store you are currently using?" So I am a grower too and I like to go to stores that are in areas with low traffic, prices in my area are all the same and I have to buy stuff online because these places aren't big enough to stock everything I need. Any feedback will be seriously appreciated, Thanks Everyone.
Opening a Hydroponic and Garden Supply store
- Thread starter MMXN
- Start date
Aeroknow
Well-Known Member
It's all about deals, and them keeping in stock what I use. Oh, and don't store pallets of dirt or soil outdoor where they get rained on. Nothing pisses me off more.
My current shop gives me 20% off most stuff, or I don't shop there.
A really cool Idea, is from a shoo I use to frequent: they used smart cards, and for every certain amount you spend there, the more discount you get. Win/win for all
Anyways, just a couple things
a mongo frog
Well-Known Member
The hydro store i go to now is great. They don't try to up sell or feed you any bull shit. Biggest thing to remember is usually the growers know more then you do. They can't stand when the owner/worker tells them what the rep said this product will do.
Ya I get what you are saying Mongo Frog, thanks for the reply. Do either of you have any issues with going to a hydro store on a main road. I drive my wifes car to these stores to stay more low key because I have business signs on my truck and don't want people to see me there. I am considering opening in a location that has minimal traffic because of this issue, does anyone else care about things like this?
a senile fungus
Well-Known Member
My local hydro shop is literally a warehouse with a storefront. Very discreet. That's last of the reason I like it.
The other one I used to frequent was near a main intersection. A coworker once remarked that they saw me leaving the store. I didn't like that at all.
farmasensist
Well-Known Member
I went to a hydro store and it was right behind where the county keeps all their police cars. I thought that was weird but i didnt let it bother me. I havent gone back because its an hour away and the prices were really high. I buy everything off amazon now, maybe you could sell stuff online too and get some extra business.
Last week, i really needed some ph up and amazon was showing 4-6 weeks for delivery on it so i found a store closer to me but they closed at six and i work until 6:30. I'll probably try to go there on a weekend when im not busy. Good luck withyour store.
Last week, i really needed some ph up and amazon was showing 4-6 weeks for delivery on it so i found a store closer to me but they closed at six and i work until 6:30. I'll probably try to go there on a weekend when im not busy. Good luck withyour store.
ttystikk
Well-Known Member
I've graduated from hydro store training wheels to commercial greenhouse operations and systems. The problem with hydro stores is the painfully obvious markup on everything. Nutrients are the worst offenders.
In the final analysis, what's the difference between a 'hydro store' and a 'garden supply and nursery'? Not that much, and that's the issue.
One specializes in outdoors, the other inside. So why are the prices for the same things so wildly different? Profit margin on the crop being grown... but since that's in danger due to that pesky legalization business, the hydro store business model needs to change to reflect the times and changing market.
I don't have answers for you, just some tough questions I'd want good answers for BEFORE I go plunking my money down on a 'hydro store'.
I shop at Wal-Mart, Home dePot, my local hardware store, farm n ranch supply houses and commercial greenhouse suppliers. The rest I design, engineer and build myself.
Fluff Up
Well-Known Member
My local always rounds down on there prices any where from 5% - 20% and that's from €10 - €200 purchases, with a great show room, about 8x tents of different systems from soil to waterfall, environmental controllers and a chill out area with lots of magazines like high times with catalogues for different vendors
An online store is essential you're storing all that stuff, you may as well sell it. If you can tie your inventory system to your website all the better, people like to know if it's in stock before they haul ass. Maybe some discount codes for members of certain forums *cough* *cough*
I always thought late opening on Thursday or something would be handy for people working or nocturnal.
Personally I'd love a cheap delivery service from my grow shop they use a courier who charge by the Kg which is useless when buying soil.
As said above bundles and deals will attract new customers who will keep coming back, You may not be able to compete with amazon prices but you can sure as hell beat there service.
Best of luck with the business, let us know how it goes
An online store is essential you're storing all that stuff, you may as well sell it. If you can tie your inventory system to your website all the better, people like to know if it's in stock before they haul ass. Maybe some discount codes for members of certain forums *cough* *cough*
I always thought late opening on Thursday or something would be handy for people working or nocturnal.
Personally I'd love a cheap delivery service from my grow shop they use a courier who charge by the Kg which is useless when buying soil.
As said above bundles and deals will attract new customers who will keep coming back, You may not be able to compete with amazon prices but you can sure as hell beat there service.
Best of luck with the business, let us know how it goes
hi
if you could pm me your store me and a friend have some contacts and ideas regarding growing products, you may come in handy in the future for our company
it'll be in the future though so no promises
pm me
Ps .... Im in personally conversation with the owner of growth technology ( clonex gel etc etc )
no promises though
Red1966
Well-Known Member
Minimal traffic means minimal sales.
Red1966
Well-Known Member
Some products I need RIGHT NOW and can't wait a week for someone to ship it, like bulbs. Some products are very expensive to ship, like flood tables, etc. Some products I want to actually look at it before purchase, like hoods, etc. I have found many products sold online are of inferior quality. I like having experienced people to give advice, tho many hydro store salesmen know nothing at all.
do you own a shop buddy ?
Red1966
Well-Known Member
No.
chuck estevez
Well-Known Member
they know how to push crap out the store.lol