Re: "Box" Shop and Shelf Space -What's Your Views?
 

Mine is 6 months cause i chose the 6 months contract (will get a slightly cheaper rate of rental, but not significant). You can also choose to take 1 year. 4 months is the minimum.

Did make a little bit of profit.

Have you been paid for your first month yet or is this the first month?

Re: "Box" Shop and Shelf Space -What's Your Views?
 

Oh, I didn't know about the 6 mths or 1 yr thing. Do you have to pay the 6 mths rental in full? They only told me abt the 4 mths promotion package and I have to pay the rental in full. I shld go for those shop that required me to pay monthly. I only just started few days ago to test out selling my items. I m doing sales last time in my job (many yrs ago) but everyday also have sales...now my items are not moving inside the box, so became v concerned, I think i might need to source items again and replace with other things :( Good to hear you are making profit.

Re: "Box" Shop and Shelf Space -What's Your Views?
 

Sinergy, I am not sure if you know this bcos I just knew about this after reading the terms and condition. Boxpreneur have to inform the operation, whether to continue his contract, a minimum of 30 days before the minimum period expiry date by submitting a signed letter via email or fax, otherwise the contract will be auto-renewed.

Re: "Box" Shop and Shelf Space -What's Your Views?
 

Hi Xoxoxo,

This is my personal view on your question of Box Shop/Shelf Space for running a "small" biz. I first came across this concept about a year ago at Vivo City (Toy Post or something like that). Heard this concept originated from oversea (maybe from USA, Japan or Korea...not so sure) where it was initially meant for people to sell toys only. Later, it mushroom into selling other things except perishables stuff.

The usual rental of each Box Shop starts somewhere at about S$50 for one that is "uppermost level" (top shelf) and the best one at eye-level cost something about S$120 or lesser depending on locations. There is another shop at Plaza Singapura and now also another at Illuma Bugis. This Bugis one may be lower in human traffic since the place is quite new, not many shops open yet and also the design of the mall may not be as good if compared to one like Plaza S'pura or Bugis Junction. Maybe given another 8 months to a year and the human traffic there may increase since Bugis will become a great place to gather and shop in near future.

I really marvel at this Box Shop concept and I applaud whoever first started it. It really provide small-timer or budding entrepreneur with the very first step into retail management. For just $50 to $120 a month, you have the chance to put your management concepts and biz acumen into action! The initial amount that you stand to lose each month is not very big; so I think most people can afford to give themselves a chance to see if they can make it BIG someday!

As for what to sell, this is the most tricky part. I have seen people selling clothings, magic cards or commonly found items in such place. I think this is not a good idea because too much of a same thing will erode pricing and cost competitiveness. You don't want to start a price war with your "neighbour" and stand to lose money in this venture. I would think you need to think "out-of-the-box" of what is unique, not easily found elsewhere and something that catches the eyes of those who passes by your "shop" box!

My suggestions: 1. Whenever you happen to go on a tour to other countries, source for something that is unique and different. Price should best be between $8 to $15 and you can mark up 30% to 50% profit margin. Since not everyone goes oversea for tour, your chances of success is higher. 2. Learn to make something unique yourself for sales; eg, fashion jewelry like bracelet, necklace, unique friendship band, etc. Such things when made by yourself cannot be found elsewhere and still can sell below $15 which give you about 50% margin too. 3. Self-designed Birthday or greeting cards, etc.

Always consider things that are not easily found and special. This is the trick and will ensure that you can have sales to perhaps cover the Box Shop rental and make some profit. Don't aim for high profit yet...take one small step at a time. Don't be overly greedy...learn Biz Management from this small but exciting venture! Wish you great success...from Kent Tang.

Re: "Box" Shop and Shelf Space -What's Your Views?
 

Yes I had to pay in full for 6 months also (plus 1 month deposit) if i remember correctly. Yea i think if you are just beginning to experiment or testing your products should try 1 month rentals to see how the sales is, but downside is i would think that they will charge slightly higher for the rental.

I think

Thanks for updating me on the contract too ... will have to give them a call again ... which nobody will pick up haha

Re: "Box" Shop and Shelf Space -What's Your Views?
 

:thanx: Yes, will monitor the sales of my items for about 1-2 months and see how..

Re: "Box" Shop and Shelf Space -What's Your Views?
 

Hi Sinergy & SherryLove

I am having the same problem with them. I asked my lawyer to send them a demand letter and they have done the same thing - they claimed they have sent me a cheque - which never arrived. My March 2010 payment and deposit have not been returned until now and they are always giving the same excuse of sending to wrong address, wrong account etc since the start. Since the amount is small, it may not be worth for any of us to go legal individually, if there are more people who would take action against their unethical way of business, maybe we can take a collective action against them. Perhaps we can get in touch?

Re: "Box" Shop and Shelf Space -What's Your Views?
 

Yes they will always claim that they send but something ****ed up along the way (which is always claimed that its not their fault). I cannot take legal action as yet since the contract states they can choose to pay within 90 days. But they need to know that they cannot just go ahead and run this business as they please while holding on to our money and giving us crap excuses and avoiding our calls and emails.

I heard that there is also someone else who has sued them on the same issues.

Gimme ur number or email, will get in touch with you guys to see how we can take this forward?

Re: "Box" Shop and Shelf Space -What's Your Views?
 

I started this thread in Jun 2009. More than a year down the road, seems like we see more negative than positive feedback. Interestingly, there are 2 groups of entrepreneurs here --- The one who rent out the box/shelf and the one who rent from him. Pretty obvious which group is doing better but of course there's also the question of survival... I wonder how long can they last...

Re: "Box" Shop and Shelf Space -What's Your Views?
 

Sinergy and Harvey, did any of your items go missing?? or broken?? If yes, how?? I only started put my products there for a week but already found one product missing and it was not recorded in the report, now have to wait for the full time staff to be back then can ask her. Those part-timer said they don't know anything.