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

so anyone made any profit so far?

I know I did not even break even throughout my 2 months rental with the one @ PS...

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

I rented a box for 6 mths to test the market for my new products. Received quite a number of queries, some of which have turned into orders. Now I am into my 8th month with my current boxlet operator.

Though the rent can be quite ex but I have an idea of what products sell and what does not.

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

To: kyli_pl

Where did you rent at? Wow, its good to hear that your box's making you money! Can share which operator it is? Pm if you think you don't want to end up looking like you have adv for them. Haha. I am finding a few operators which can be trusting and reliable in long terms.

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

you are right. must be very careful of the box operator. there is an operator out there who deliberately misleads entrepreneurs and cheats by paying their sales very late or even not at all. also the contract is always in their benefit.

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

I have currently rented a box at one of the more popular box outlets (starts with an I). 6 months so far, only the 1st month they pay me on time (which is supposed to be about 1 month after the month of sales, e.g. they are supposed to pay u by the end of July for the sales of June).

Every end of the month i have to call them up and chase them and they will give a new excuse for it being late (problem with bank, or they transfered already but havent go through .... its internet banking for god's sake).

For this month, it has been late for 1.5 months, I called the office nobody pickup, I called the mobile of the supposed accounts person, they dont pickup. I send an email to them, they tell me by right the payments is 18 to 30 days, but in the event that its not paid ... they have a right to pay you between 30 - 90 days based on the contract!!! Then they add that they are trying to process asap! I replied asking for a timeline as to when to expect payment, they dont reply.

I think this is extremly unprofessional and unethical the way the conduct their business. Not sure if this is the same operator newbizee mentioned but for all others who are contemplating renting box outlets, do check with ur friends first.

Does anyone else have the same experience with this particular operator??

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

Sinergy, are you the guy I saw that day at the shop, who was very upset? The guy mentioned those things exactly like what you have mentioned here. So have you manage to get your payment now from the operator??

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

Hi SherryLove,

I wasnt the one you mentioned in Parkway, that means Im not the only one who is having this problem. Up till now I have not received the payment for the month of June, am not hopeful of receiving the payment for July as well by the end of this month at the rate this is going.

They still refuse to pickup the office phone, called the person in charge of selling the boxes also she keeps pushing the blame to the accounts side citing theres nothing she can do. They also do not respond to emails. Am very very frustrated.

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

Omg I also have recently took up a box with them. I can imagine your fustration, especially chasing for payment constantly. I have paid up min 4 months rental. How come yours is 6 months?

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

Did you manage to make any profit from your items? Seems like my items not moving very well..

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

I did not really read through the terms and conditions b'cos they are very small print, many pages and very very long. Newbizee is right...the contract is always in their benefit.

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.

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

Hi guys, I have already pm you my contact. Just started with them but heard all the negative feedbacks about them..:(

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

Does anyone knows of any boxshop or shops that offer space/racks for selling apparels? Can't be selling apparels in tiny little box. :juggle: If u know, please advise or pm me.

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

I have a terrible experience with that box shop. They haven't paid since last June - do contact me if we can have some action together... The owner won the Spirit of Enterprise award somemore...

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

One of my friend was owed a few months of sale receipts and deposits for her boxlets at the operator's 2 locations. She is taking her case to SCT and reporting it to CASE.

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

When taking a box space, remember to go down and check the staff's attitiude!

The owner may be very nice, but the staff he hired may not be.
Recently i went to check out a popular box in town area (cannot name, the owner is a forumer here) and i was disgusted with the salesgirl attittude.

She was busy chit chatting on the hp thruout and when shoppers asked her for sizes/new piece, she gave the tabooed answer of '' Everything here already loh" ! of coz the customer was pissed and didnt buy.Who wouldnt?

When i emailed the box-owner, his attitute was that : she is ok, sales has been better ever since we employed her.
My interpreatation: previously no sales, now got some sales at least
no wonder so many ppl lost $ in box...

Anyway not here to slam any box owner, so will not disclose venue, etc
just to share: remember to check out the sales staff attittude...it can be a major disincentive to your sales.
All the best.

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

Knowing the owner of the shop before signing up is important because the sales staff there may be telling you a different thing, even though can act to be very nice and friendly initially to make you sign up with them to earn the sales commission. Sales staff can be such dishonest and hypocrite too. They can mislead you!!!

For eg, on contract you see something and was worried and she tell you not to worry it not like that. But OMG! when things happened, for eg like come to payment delay, things missing she can turned nasty and ugly and tell you its your own losses they are not responsible, in the shop no CCTV. Ok how can they have no CCTV in the shop in the first place? Don’t you think it is unfair to the seller? Not making sales yet things are missing. :( I am so unhappy and sad...how to ensure things won’t go missing in their box??

In my previous sales work, some of my part timers actually keep the money without even keying into the sales. The money became their pocket money since no CCTV installed in the shop. When customer pay the item using cash, and customer ask for receipt, they will tell you sorry no receipt or cash receipt machine not working today.

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

Please contact me as well - facing same problem with box - sales proceeds
delayed by 2 to 3 months - we can all make a collective action.

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

Please contact me as i am facing same problem in getting my sales proceeds
from this box shop in east. Thanks.

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

Shame! Shame! I say besides going to CASE and SCT, use media power. Write into Straits Times forum your problem, publicize it, clearly indicating the defaulter's company and the problems encountered. This will serve as a wake-up call for all box shop owners - If u want to run a box shop, have basic business ethic and do a proper job out of it. Everyone's money is hard-earned money, a half-hearted attitude will only 害人害己 :mad:

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

I agree. Write to ST Forum, Stomp and other popular online forums and also setting up a FB group to make others aware.

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

I can understand a security deposit for renting pushcart and shops because in the event that the cart/shop is damage when the tenant does not continue the lease or the tenant default in rental payment, the security deposit will be forfeited and use to cover these default expenses. But for a box shop, if the box is damage, it can't be the boxpreneurs' fault because they are not there to tend the box. If they are there, may be their sales will be even better :laff: So what's the purpose of a security deposit? I have never rented one, never seen the related rental contract, so can someone explain why a boxpreneur need to pay security deposit???

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

InQBox, InQvestment, Shoe-In-A-Box, InQbox Global - can anyone tell me more about them?

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

If you have been 'box-ed' and having/had a bad bad experience with your box operator, please pm me your contact number (click on my name to send me a private message).

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

You can go to ACRA website and buy the business/ people profiles.

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

Hi XOXOXO, fyi, not everyone need to pay the deposit for renting the box space. They said depends on the package you take. Some packages are higher so no deposit required. I heard some boxpreneurs missed the 30 days period of informing them, that they do not want to renew the contract, thus their security deposit were forfeited. Also they state on the contract in the event that management fees are not paid when due, they will forfeit the security deposit and other fees, etc. Anyway all the terms and conditions on the contract are unfair to the boxpreneurs, better don’t believe what the sales staff tell you. :mad:

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

Hi Harvey, last time they are called InQbox then they cancelled their company. Now they changed to InQbox Global, Private Limited Company.

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

I totally agree with you guys. Those so called as directors that say that they are the "first" concept store in SG are really "smart" man. Can paint a beautiful picture to everyone and even to the media that they are so so good, watever entrepreneur award etc... Making everyone thinks that they are so good and business is profitable.

But in the end?

I just wonder, will any genuine company of such box concept stores actually" 1) owe tentants $ but find all kind of excuses and put the blame back to the tenants? 2) Even owe landlord $ till they are being forced to close down? 3) have disputes with all their franchisees and dont think that the problem lies with them? 4) Even the contractors and the POS systems companies they also can ended up quarrelling with. 5) Think they know a little bit on law then misuse law and threaten tenants and find their minor faults.

Im not generalising that all box concept stores are like this, but at least some of these stores are. And they are indeed very thick skinned. tarnishing all the good image of what positive revenue such concept stores may provide to small entrepreneurs.

Media is a very good way to help bring awareness to the public of such possible "scams".

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

I think you may be referring to my box shop at Suntec City. Regarding your complaint, I've replied you directly and has talked to the sales girl immediately and noted that her father got a stroke around your visiting period. It might affect her performance during that period and I'm so sorry to give you such bad impression.

I do agree with you a not upto standard sales staff attitude may affect sales. Therefore, I do arrange monthly meeting with staff to have a better understanding of the difficulty and try a way to improve the sales of the box users.

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

I do agree with some of posts. A bad performing box shop actually affecting a lot on other box operators.

But thank God for his blessing and we'll start a push cart with box space tomorrow (2 Oct).

Just some tips for sellers who're planning to look for box space.

1) Know exactly how much you've to pay for the box. Some box shops charge you few hundred dollars per month and sales commission. Calculate whether the gross profit portion is sufficient to cover the rent & commission.

2) Sellers has to spend some effort, i.e. to advertise through other channels. Imagine a shop with good human traffic passing by on a day, say 10,000. Assume 5% (1 out of 20) pass by will go into the shop, say 500 persons. Out of the hundred over boxes inside the shop, assume 5% may by chance can notice your box, i.e. 25 persons. Then, further assume 5% will eventually buy your goods, i.e. 1.25 person (slightly over 1 sales per day). Above has assumed that your products are nicely displayed and can attract people to buy.

We've real case that seller sells SPA soap at $50 per piece with not attractive packing. By right, no one will notice of the products when they browse around the shop. But it sells over $1,000 per month.

Cause the seller also market on the net or through their own website and box shop is something like a collection centre.

3) Your product price can't be too cheap. If you're selling S$1 - 2 products, it may not be sufficient to cover the monthly rental.

4) Seller's commitment. We've some real cases that sellers pay us 3 months rental and left the stock. After 1 month, we tried to contact the sellers to top up stock when they run low. Then, we realised that they were not in Singapore. So with no stock in the box and how can we sell for them?

5) Commitment period. If a box shop is running healthily, they won't persuade you on long rental period. Personally, I think 3 months period is reasonable as for just 1 month, you won't see much of the result. And for box shop owner, there will be a lot of administrative work for move in move out and rearranging the stock data.

I noted that some of the forumers may use other retail box service with bad experience. They might charge you few hundred dollars per month, late payment to you or forfeited your deposit. But we wish you to be fair for some of the box shops which are running honestly.

We wish you guys all the best in your business!

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

Hi Bee Bee, thanks for sharing. Interesting to hear the views coming from a box-shop operator. Me never rented any boxes before, but just sharing my thoughts.... to add to your tips above...

1) I would suggest if people are interested to rent a box i.e. start a business, no matter how small the scale and how short is the rental period, to do a financial budget. Estimate your monthly operating expenses -rent, staff costs (commission), transport, etc and also factor in the product costs (which should take into account shipping costs). And remember, "sufficient" is not enough, think big:laff: if u can't earn a decent profit, don't waste time.

2) Re the 2nd pointer.... the 5% example is interesting :D . I say, no need to guess, no need to estimate. If u are serious about renting a box at a particular location, do your homework. Visit the place on weekdays and weekends, monitor the crowd yourself, know when are the peaks, know what kind of crowds appear, watch the human traffic of boxes already selling similar items. If u think "I need to work, I have no time to do such homework" then perhaps don't waste time doing this kind of box sale, go for online selling.