I want to start my own video game online store. Anyone have suggestions/advice/help?

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  • countryboy
    Growing pains
    • Sep 2003
    • 52837

    #16
    Re: I want to start my own video game online store. Anyone have suggestions/advice/he

    Originally posted by ExtremeGamer
    Like Cusefan above, I toyed with this idea about 5-6 years ago. I had an investor and a parenty company to lend me the name and business model. Basically was going to rely on rentals of games and used copies. Even back then, GS, BB, Amazon, Target, Walmart already owned the new copies so you had to have a niche.

    The deeper I got and the closer I got to it becoming a reality two things crept in, one being my fear of failure and what it would mean to my family and the other became clear that I just didn't think I could do it. Those are both on me, and if you have the confidence where I lacked, I'd say go for it. But I can tell you, not trying to put fear in it, but I've seen many of these come and go. Even the parent company I was dealing with went under 18 months after I started my interest into it.
    Trust me I've thought about both of these. Starting this up would mean using a huge chunk of my investments which I was saving so that I could retire early and other reasons (not for discussion on OS due to politics).


    My wife has told me to go for it. I'm not really afraid of personally failing as I believe that I could do it, but these types of stores are a dime a dozen these days and trying to get a marketshare would difficult.

    I don't want to go "all in" and then for no fault of our own, just not grab enough of the marketshare to be a success.

    I truly appreciate the feedback from everyone and please keep them coming.
    I can't shave with my eyes closed, meaning each day I have to look at myself in the mirror and respect who I see.

    I miss the old days of Operation Sports :(


    Louisville Cardinals/St.Louis Cardinals

    Comment

    • kehlis
      Moderator
      • Jul 2008
      • 27738

      #17
      Re: I want to start my own video game online store. Anyone have suggestions/advice/he

      Originally posted by countryboy
      I truly appreciate the feedback from everyone and please keep them coming.
      Just make sure that when you do it you eliminate the need for there to ever be a when and where thread on os

      Comment

      • redsox4evur
        Hall Of Fame
        • Jul 2013
        • 18169

        #18
        Re: I want to start my own video game online store. Anyone have suggestions/advice/he

        Also CB you serious about that 20% you brought up earlier?
        Follow me on Twitter

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        • countryboy
          Growing pains
          • Sep 2003
          • 52837

          #19
          Re: I want to start my own video game online store. Anyone have suggestions/advice/he

          Originally posted by redsox4evur
          Also CB you serious about that 20% you brought up earlier?


          Well, I would like to help OS out but I would have to see how financially feasible that would be should this thing get off the ground.

          If I can I will.
          I can't shave with my eyes closed, meaning each day I have to look at myself in the mirror and respect who I see.

          I miss the old days of Operation Sports :(


          Louisville Cardinals/St.Louis Cardinals

          Comment

          • countryboy
            Growing pains
            • Sep 2003
            • 52837

            #20
            Re: I want to start my own video game online store. Anyone have suggestions/advice/he

            Originally posted by kehlis
            Just make sure that when you do it you eliminate the need for there to ever be a when and where thread on os
            Oh most definitely!

            There will of course be stipulations.
            I can't shave with my eyes closed, meaning each day I have to look at myself in the mirror and respect who I see.

            I miss the old days of Operation Sports :(


            Louisville Cardinals/St.Louis Cardinals

            Comment

            • Cusefan
              Earlwolfx on XBL
              • Oct 2003
              • 9820

              #21
              Re: I want to start my own video game online store. Anyone have suggestions/advice/he

              I forgot to mention one thing in my post: if you do decide to follow through with your dream, I will be a loyal customer.
              My dog's butt smells like cookies

              Comment

              • countryboy
                Growing pains
                • Sep 2003
                • 52837

                #22
                Re: I want to start my own video game online store. Anyone have suggestions/advice/he

                Originally posted by Cusefan
                I forgot to mention one thing in my post: if you do decide to follow through with your dream, I will be a loyal customer.
                I'm going to follow it. How far I go, has yet to be seen.

                I have made some contacts and waiting on some responses.

                Lets see how this goes.
                I can't shave with my eyes closed, meaning each day I have to look at myself in the mirror and respect who I see.

                I miss the old days of Operation Sports :(


                Louisville Cardinals/St.Louis Cardinals

                Comment

                • countryboy
                  Growing pains
                  • Sep 2003
                  • 52837

                  #23
                  Re: I want to start my own video game online store. Anyone have suggestions/advice/he

                  Well....nothing is concrete yet and I'm still mulling the decision, but I have made a few contacts and have been riding around looking at commercial property for rent/sale.

                  Not sure how this will go but I'm 98% sure that I'm going to make a run at it.
                  I can't shave with my eyes closed, meaning each day I have to look at myself in the mirror and respect who I see.

                  I miss the old days of Operation Sports :(


                  Louisville Cardinals/St.Louis Cardinals

                  Comment

                  • SuperBowlNachos
                    All Star
                    • Jul 2004
                    • 10218

                    #24
                    Re: I want to start my own video game online store. Anyone have suggestions/advice/he

                    I would think you would find it really hard to compete with the big boys. Especially Best Buy and their games club. Games can essentially be $38 brand new.

                    Comment

                    • countryboy
                      Growing pains
                      • Sep 2003
                      • 52837

                      #25
                      Re: I want to start my own video game online store. Anyone have suggestions/advice/he

                      Originally posted by SuperBowlNachos
                      I would think you would find it really hard to compete with the big boys. Especially Best Buy and their games club. Games can essentially be $38 brand new.
                      Yeah, i've given that thought. I'll have to find something to attract customers away from them and to me. Maybe I'll give 25% off new titles for my gamers club.
                      I can't shave with my eyes closed, meaning each day I have to look at myself in the mirror and respect who I see.

                      I miss the old days of Operation Sports :(


                      Louisville Cardinals/St.Louis Cardinals

                      Comment

                      • baseballsim
                        MVP
                        • Jun 2009
                        • 1279

                        #26
                        Re: I want to start my own video game online store. Anyone have suggestions/advice/he

                        You could also sign up for Amazon Associates and sell their products through your affiliate ID. I'm sure the competition for video games is pretty high but maybe there are other products that you could add.

                        There's a few forums out there where folks will share their Amazon methods. Generally, these methods involve writing product reviews (and/or info posts) via blog format and then trying to draw traffic to those blog posts.

                        Another thing about Amazon Associates that I enjoy is to find out how some of the top affiliates are drawing traffic in the same niche that I'm interested in. You can more or less copy what they are doing or at least add to their ideas. One drawback, though, is that you might become pretty overwhelmed - especially with those authority sites.

                        If you are more interested in drop-shipping I'm sure you could still use some of the same methods folks use for Amazon.
                        Ballpark Dimensions

                        Comment

                        • countryboy
                          Growing pains
                          • Sep 2003
                          • 52837

                          #27
                          Re: I want to start my own video game online store. Anyone have suggestions/advice/he

                          Originally posted by baseballsim
                          You could also sign up for Amazon Associates and sell their products through your affiliate ID. I'm sure the competition for video games is pretty high but maybe there are other products that you could add.

                          There's a few forums out there where folks will share their Amazon methods. Generally, these methods involve writing product reviews (and/or info posts) via blog format and then trying to draw traffic to those blog posts.

                          Another thing about Amazon Associates that I enjoy is to find out how some of the top affiliates are drawing traffic in the same niche that I'm interested in. You can more or less copy what they are doing or at least add to their ideas. One drawback, though, is that you might become pretty overwhelmed - especially with those authority sites.

                          If you are more interested in drop-shipping I'm sure you could still use some of the same methods folks use for Amazon.
                          Thanks for the advice!


                          ---

                          I have found a location for a business that I can afford if I take the plunge. I'm trying to stir up discussions with distributors but thus far not much luck (getting cold shoulder)
                          I can't shave with my eyes closed, meaning each day I have to look at myself in the mirror and respect who I see.

                          I miss the old days of Operation Sports :(


                          Louisville Cardinals/St.Louis Cardinals

                          Comment

                          • Bullit
                            Bacon is Better
                            • Aug 2009
                            • 5004

                            #28
                            Re: I want to start my own video game online store. Anyone have suggestions/advice/he

                            Originally posted by countryboy
                            Thanks for the advice!


                            ---

                            I have found a location for a business that I can afford if I take the plunge. I'm trying to stir up discussions with distributors but thus far not much luck (getting cold shoulder)
                            If you dont mind my asking, who are you trying to talk with. I actually might be able to help get your foot in the door. My best friend and I own/run a comic book store and we sell a few video games for regular customers. I have some contacts with Alliance and Gameworld plus Vast for Nintendo products.

                            There is also a company called Bre which might be a great start for you. They actually have a store opening package for new business. It contains four or five consoles, 300/400 games for about $3k.
                            In Loving memory of my "Cricket" 1/2/96 - 11/19/2012

                            My heart and soul hurt for your lost presence in my life.

                            Comment

                            • countryboy
                              Growing pains
                              • Sep 2003
                              • 52837

                              #29
                              Re: I want to start my own video game online store. Anyone have suggestions/advice/he

                              Originally posted by Bullit
                              If you dont mind my asking, who are you trying to talk with. I actually might be able to help get your foot in the door. My best friend and I own/run a comic book store and we sell a few video games for regular customers. I have some contacts with Alliance and Gameworld plus Vast for Nintendo products.

                              There is also a company called Bre which might be a great start for you. They actually have a store opening package for new business. It contains four or five consoles, 300/400 games for about $3k.
                              I was speaking with folks around the local area.

                              I would be interested in getting contacts for the places that you know. I appreciate the help!
                              I can't shave with my eyes closed, meaning each day I have to look at myself in the mirror and respect who I see.

                              I miss the old days of Operation Sports :(


                              Louisville Cardinals/St.Louis Cardinals

                              Comment

                              • Bullit
                                Bacon is Better
                                • Aug 2009
                                • 5004

                                #30
                                Re: I want to start my own video game online store. Anyone have suggestions/advice/he

                                Originally posted by countryboy
                                I was speaking with folks around the local area.

                                I would be interested in getting contacts for the places that you know. I appreciate the help!
                                No worries. I am going into the store today. I will get all the info I can for you.

                                Definitely check out Bre though. They seem to be the best for a starting company.

                                http://www.bresoftware.com/ Then go to the Wholesale section.
                                In Loving memory of my "Cricket" 1/2/96 - 11/19/2012

                                My heart and soul hurt for your lost presence in my life.

                                Comment

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