Hello all, I just got turned onto this forum by a buddy of mine. I am opening up an online tackle store soon and want to get ideas of what lures, reels, and rods ect. that people like to shop for. thanks in advance.

That gotta be exciting! Do you have a name yet?

Some companies I would include would be

Shimano

Diawa

G loomis

st croix

rapala

Abu garcia

luckycraft

bomber

gary yamamoto

zoom

yum

megabass

terminater

boo yah

bill lewis

bagely

bomber

gamagatzu

owner

vmc

war eagle

cavitron

plano

all star

quantum

yozuri

triline

power pro

strikeking

sufix

storm

Then have some products that lot of the big companies dont sell but I would try to get alot of the big names in there.

Congrats on opening your store.

Good luck and don't forget to open a special "tax" account to put money in so you can pay your monthly payroll taxes.  This is critical to the success and life of your company.

Now, what to carry?

What types of fishing are in your area?  Crappie?  Bream?  Walleye? Pickrell?  Largemouth Bass?  Smallmouth Bass?  Catfish?  Saltwater?

Any boating needs?

Any live bait needs?

Have you visited other local tackle shops to see what they carry and how they set up their products?

I would suggest being the leader for Zoom plastics and Bandit crankbaits, being sure to get special runs or the newest colors each year.

And what is the economic level of your community?  Should you carry Shimano products or Ugly Sticks and Zebcos?

Pure Fishing reps can help you and give you guidance as can the local guides. And have some of the guides' business cards out for your customers and either repair rods and reels or give them *'s information or some else in your area that does repair work.

Check out the advertisers on this site and get their products in your store, especially Megastrike and JJ's Magic. The *** should be a big draw as will any baits from local guys.

I would think you know the type of fishing in your area and would stock your shelves to move the products as fast as possible.

Do you have room for a table and chairs so your employees and patrons can sit down, talk and lie to each other, and maybe have a place for the "old timers" to come into your store for breakfast?  ood drawing card.

And don't forget the alarm systems and your system for taking cash and putting it in a vault until you can go to the bank.  And go to the bank on an "unscheduled" basis so you do not have a pattern that sets you up for a robbery.

As for insurance, check with Nationwide for a BOP policy; or your local agent for their BOP policy for your tackle shop.  And don't forget that excess liability of at least $1,000,000 with $5,000,000 being better.  And Non-Owned and Hired Autos is critical.

As is Workers' Compensation insurance for you and all employees. Check to see if the payroll is limited to a lower level for corporate officers.

And did I say PAY THOSE FREAKING TAXES?  Not paying them will get you into a lot of hot water very fast.

Welcome to the board. We value your input and your SALES! ;D

d**n! Thanks a lot for the info! Actually it is an online store. I am a sole propietor and have my tax cert from the state ect. Selling online is good with taxes, basically the only time when I charge sales tax is when someone from within my state buys from me and I ship it in state. If you were to buy from me then I dont charge sales tax. They get their money from me as extra income on my schedule C form when I do my income tax stuff. Now when a person buys from me from anothe state and were to come and pick it up, then I'd have to charge sales tax.  I have an E-bay store doing o.k. right now with a 100% + feedback. I don't know if I can give my handle out on this but when I get my store up and running I'll advertise on this site. Thank you again! And thanks for being enthusiastic for me!

I am approaching this completely from a consumers perspective.  Here is how I decide where to spend my money online using my most recent purchases as an example.  Recently I wanted to buy some Yamamoto worms.  As always, I Googled what I was looking for, in this case Yamamoto worms.

I visited websites of all the stores that appeared on the first two pages of hits.  I compared prices and availability of the colors I wanted.  I eliminated any store that didn't have what I wanted in stock.  Prices were all close.  Then I looked for A PHONE NUMBER.  No phone number, no business period.  I want to know that if their is a problem I can pick up the phone and troubleshoot.  In the end, I was down to 2 prospects.  I dropped an e-mail to one of them.  After two days and no response, I ordered them straight form Yamamoto even though they were slightly more expensive.  I was e-mailed a confirmation and tracking number right away.  Everything went perfectly.  Shortly thereafter I placed another order with them.  Everything went perfectly.  They have earned my trust and repeat business.

In summary I offer this.  People have to know about you, you must have what they want, you must keep it in stock (outs and backorders are no fun,) you must price your merchandise competitively (why would I pay the same online for something I can find locally for the same price), you must make yourself available to your customers, and you must handle the order efficiently.  When you encounter a problem, ALWAYS take care of the customer.

A note on business.  If you grow to the point you can't handle everything on your own, you will realize that your employees make or break you.  While payroll is most often a businesses single largest controllable expense, you absolutely must take care of your good employees, and this includes paying them a more than the could make elsewhere.

Please carry all the colors in the Netbait Paca Craws! : 8-)

Reaction Innovations