Rent a space near competitor??

[sinclairgraphics1]

So I found the perfect property to rent for my sign business and the price is right as well. It's right off a very busy road so that's a plus too. The one and only thing holding me back is that it's less than half a mile from a competitor shop. I used to work for them over 10 years ago so I don't want to **** anyone off. However, I've been looking at renting space for a while and this is the best I've seen. I have to let the guy know by this evening as he has 2 other people looking at it. What do you think?

 

[HDvinyl]

Do it.

 

[Pat Whatley]

Lowe's always opens as close to Home Depot as possible. Hotels always flock together. Grocery stores, auto parts stores and restaurants too. Do it.
Heck, I've got three shops within a mile of me and we all seem to be doing pretty well. I don't even think of them most of the time.

Here's a 4 minute Ted Talk explaining why.

[video=youtube;jILgxeNBK_8]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jILgxeNBK_8[/video]

 

[Marlene]

from my office I can see out my window another sign shop. if I were to walk a block down the street, I would run into another one. we don't get in each other's way at all so don't worry about it.

 

[2B]

Lowe's always opens as close to Home Depot as possible. Hotels always flock together. Grocery stores, auto parts stores and restaurants too. Do it.
Heck, I've got three shops within a mile of me and we all seem to be doing pretty well. I don't even think of them most of the time.

Here's a 4 minute Ted Talk explaining why.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jILgxeNBK_8

+1 we can see a competitor from our door and have 3 others within walking distance

you left 10 years ago, assuming on professional terms, and have built your own client list. so there should be no bad blood/stirring the pot





TED TALK speeches are GREAT!!! highly suggest them

 

[ddarlak]

i don't understand the problem?

 

[sinclairgraphics1]

i don't understand the problem?

I agree with everyone and yes I left there on good terms. I live in kind of a small city so I didn't want to step on any toes. Just being conscientious of others around me. In the end I gotta do what's best for me and my business to grow. Thanks for all the feedback, I'll let you know if I'm able to get it.

 

[HulkSmash]

we have 11 within 2 miles.

 

[heyskull]

I will turn this around a bit.

I worked in a small city in the UK and the area was rated by some of the sign material suppliers as having the most sign makers per square mile in the country.
If I said competition was fierce, that is an understatement!
My previous employer sells jobs for peanuts just to survive, stuff I wouldn't even knock my machine on for.
In one of the trading estates their was no less than twelve (at the last count) within 1-2 mile of each other.

I set up business over 40 mile away in a different county.
Yes it has been hard and yes I have a couple of local competitors (one of which is out to be the cheapest and best at all costs but that's another story!).
But 12 years later I'm still going.

If you have your own clients already and charge properly and sensibly I see no problem.
But if you are moving to tap into their clients I would think it is a fruitless exercise.
Just be careful.

SC

 

[Steve C.]

I have two competitors within 5 blocks. It works out well for
everyone. Fast food places are always bunched up together
as well as used car lots. Everywhere you see Race Trace gas
stations there is usually a Quick Trip station within a few blocks.

Don't give it another thought.

 

[Pixels Are Bad Mmmkay?]

We were in a similar situation about 7 months ago. We found a great location along a super busy state highway in a town of maybe 5,000 people within 14 miles of Peoria, a city with around 100,000 people. The local sign shop here has been in business for well over 30 years, and they also have a separate screen printing shop. The sign shop is rural, located outside of town about 4 miles from us. Their screen printing division is less than a mile from us. 7 months later we couldn't be happier and I honestly feel that this type of thing actually drives competition and business. Matter of fact I believe there are studies that would prove this sort of thing.

I say absolutely, positively go for it.

 

[mark galoob]

i think this totally depends on how much business there is to go around. if you have done your homework, you will know this number, or about this number, and if the numbers work, do it. however, if you have any doubt that there is enough business in the pool for both of you, its gonna be tough times for both of you, and he will prob win because he is established. that situation is winnable but you have to have the money and time to win it.

mark galoob

 

[CP Signs]

Been there, moved almost next door to sign shop. We outgrew the place, moved to a location away from main streets and been rocking solid. We don't need to be exposed, walk-ins ain't our thing.

 

[tiredcreations]

Good luck with your decision. I'm gonna try the fish flavored ice cream

 

[WeekendDirectionals]

Good luck with your decision. I'm gonna try the fish flavored ice cream

+1 that is a kool video.

I am going for 2 of the 99 cent offering.

 

[mfatty500]

competition only makes you better, to be the best you have to beat the best.

 

[Techman]

never ever worry about the competition. Worry about your own and all wil be fine.

 

[Gino]

Waiting to hear if ya got it or not ??



If you did get the place, perhaps a nice and kind gesture would be to go back down there and re-introduce yourself and ask them.... if there is anything you can do to help them, you'd be happy to oblige. Tell them how you might help with their overflow or possibly an extra set of hands..... or maybe a few yards of vinyl, if they run short suddenly.

Make them your friends and how you can work off of each other, instead of enemies. No sense being ugly with each other. Besides, you're bound to get people wanting comparative pricing.........

Oh yeah, we probably have around 85 shops within a 15 mile radius of us.
​

 

[sinclairgraphics1]

Waiting to hear if ya got it or not ??



If you did get the place, perhaps a nice and kind gesture would be to go back down there and re-introduce yourself and ask them.... if there is anything you can do to help them, you'd be happy to oblige. Tell them how you might help with their overflow or possibly an extra set of hands..... or maybe a few yards of vinyl, if they run short suddenly.

Make them your friends and how you can work off of each other, instead of enemies. No sense being ugly with each other. Besides, you're bound to get people wanting comparative pricing.........

Oh yeah, we probably have around 85 shops within a 15 mile radius of us.
​

Yes, I did get it! Couldn't be more happy with it and the landlord is awesome. He already paid to have an electrician hook up the 220 outlets for my HP Latex. Now I just need to get all my stuff moved over there. I've already got several vehicles, boats, and rv's scheduled for graphics so it's going to make everything easier having the space to do it. I've been working out of my home the last year and a half and it's been a challenge finding room for everything. I think that's a great idea to go down there or call them up. Last time I saw them a couple years ago we chatted it up when I was working for a different shop and everything was cool. So yeah, I don't foresee any issues.

 

[binki]

When we opened there were 2 across the street and 2 a block away doing the same thing. Within a half mile there were 8 of us. Today there are 5.