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About to become a Purveyor of Porn

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Ceili
 
Reply Tue 23 Nov, 2004 11:49 am
So I'm about to enter the world of small business. I am considering opening a love shop.
I've only ever entered similar stores three times. I didn't like the experience much but they make a ton of money and I will use this as a springboard to go on to bigger and better things.
The first shop will be pretty much run of the mill, 'til I can implement my plans. I am interested in your thoughts and ideas on what kind of a location you might want to shop in. I find most of these stores to be rather crass, the kind of place many people find uncomfortable upon entering or even being in the same parking lot. I know there is a huge interest in sex; the Internet does huge numbers because of the embarrassment factorÂ…. However, I think I can create a place that will attract women - not turn them off, as it were.
If you have ever been to a "marital aid" store or not, what attracted you or causes you to stay away? What might tempt you to become a customer?
Any ideas, thoughts or suggestions would be helpful. I have two weeks to decide whether or not to invest. I'm looking for honesty and not a tar and feather job.
Thank-you, Ceili
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Type: Discussion • Score: 0 • Views: 3,575 • Replies: 36
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shewolfnm
 
  1  
Reply Tue 23 Nov, 2004 12:15 pm
First find out the laws in your location. I know for a fact that here in Texas, you can NOT sell items that are anotomically correct... ( a penis cannot have a head if it is made of rubber , fake pus*y can not have lips etc.. )
Then see if you can find some sales records of any other stores in your area that give details on what sells and how much, Then stock your store with only themost popular things.
BUT dont look at sales on holidays.. they are misleading.
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Ceili
 
  1  
Reply Tue 23 Nov, 2004 12:31 pm
Thanks shewolf,

That used to be the law up here, it changed about 10 yrs ago, apparently. I've done my research, I know what products are legal, but what I'm looking for is what turns people off from going into these stores, how can I make it more appealing. Is it possible?

I have a friend who sells steamy, high end lingerie. His biggest clients are hudderites, mennonites and muslims. So I know everybody is buying it, how do I get them to come in to my store without the Shocked factor.
I want to diversify my product line and sell all kinds of stuff, but what are people looking for? This is the question????
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shewolfnm
 
  1  
Reply Tue 23 Nov, 2004 12:37 pm
Set up your store as a woman would want.
YesI know that sounds sexist... but it sells.

Make the store well lit. No dark scary corners.
Have sales people EVERYWHERE and professional.. leads to the feeling of security.
Sell items that are not kinky.. like.. condoms.. lube, oils, regualr books, regular magazines but mix them all together. Have FURNITURE in the store. it gives a sense of comfort. Have your counter directly in the middle of the store that way everyone can see everyone and noone feels silly when they want to ask questions. dont have any 'taboos' , like .. seperate rooms for diffrent types of porn. Put it all out there . People know what they will see in these stires, no need to hide it. And the more comfortable people feel in your store the less attention they will pay to the ' really wierd stuff. hehe.
My aunt is the accountant for a sex store here in texas. I can always get tips from her if you really want to get things going!
Good luck to you! You are definatly in the right busniess for making a good amount of money . ;-)
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cjhsa
 
  1  
Reply Tue 23 Nov, 2004 12:42 pm
I'm in for one 12-months of Ceily calendar...
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willow tl
 
  1  
Reply Tue 23 Nov, 2004 12:46 pm
If you have booths..please use a disenfectant that doesn't have a fruity smell..mixes poorly with the cum...I agree about the well lit store..I'm not so sure about the furniture...not really coming there to read or hang out..I hope it works well for you ..
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Phoenix32890
 
  1  
Reply Tue 23 Nov, 2004 12:46 pm
Ceili- So you want to attract women? Avoid the smarmy look of some of these stores. Spend a little on decoration. Have erotic but classy pictures on the wall. Have a classy name..............the first thing that came to my mind was, "Elegant Erotica".

Have a selection of your sexiest, but tasteful lingerie in the window. Keep the weird stuff in the back of the store. Find a location near other stores, a pleasant area that would be atractive to women.
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Noddy24
 
  1  
Reply Tue 23 Nov, 2004 12:51 pm
Consider catering only to women. This is the secret of the sex aid "Tupperware" parties in women's homes. Give women a safe place to speculate and giggle--without a chance of a rubbernecking man thinking they are "that kind of girl".
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kickycan
 
  1  
Reply Tue 23 Nov, 2004 12:51 pm
There are some stores like that downtown. About employees: I like when the sales people are women, instead of men, and I think women like that too. Plus, if they can talk about the filthiest things as if they were describing a coffee table, that's a good thing too.
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Ceili
 
  1  
Reply Tue 23 Nov, 2004 12:52 pm
c.j/. I don't think I'll be selling anything related to me, but I do plan on offering courses to spice up boring sex lives. Maybe you could sign up???

Shewolf, any advice would be wonderful. Thank-you so much for your ideas. I want to take this idea and run with it, but I'm interested in eventually building a high end, classy (for lack of a better word) location. Perhaps a second store. I have to do more work on the demographics.
0 Replies
 
cjhsa
 
  1  
Reply Tue 23 Nov, 2004 12:57 pm
It was a compliment ceili, you don't have to be mean.
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Ceili
 
  1  
Reply Tue 23 Nov, 2004 12:58 pm
Willow, I'm so not going to do the pimp thang. lol
no booths for me....

Phoenix, I thought maybe, Le Boudoir. I would sell anything and everything relating to the bedroom. I like the erotic art idea. I'm also thinking of a brown bag service, everything would be wrapped before customers leave the store.

Noddy, I really like the tupperware angle. I would probably branch out into home parties, or have them in the store on the lovely furniture....

Yup, kicky. Make it safe to talk smut.
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Ceili
 
  1  
Reply Tue 23 Nov, 2004 12:59 pm
c.j. darling, I know, thank-you...But this way we could share more than a thousand words..... :wink: Smile
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cjhsa
 
  1  
Reply Tue 23 Nov, 2004 01:00 pm
Good luck to you.
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willow tl
 
  1  
Reply Tue 23 Nov, 2004 01:03 pm
Quote:
Willow, I'm so not going to do the pimp thang. lol
no booths for me....


great..i just hate that smell..i like the brown paper bag idea...I like the instructional videos too...i really hope it works for you! :wink:
0 Replies
 
Phoenix32890
 
  1  
Reply Tue 23 Nov, 2004 01:10 pm
Le Boudoir is good, along the lines of which I am thinking, but I am wondering if you might lose some male customers that way. Are you going to cater only to hetero customers, or will you have items of interest to gay people too?
0 Replies
 
George
 
  1  
Reply Tue 23 Nov, 2004 01:14 pm
I wouldn't be too coy about the name and outward appearance. You don't want someone unsuspectingly wandering in with the kids in tow.

Speaking of kids, would you enforce an age limit?
0 Replies
 
Ceili
 
  1  
Reply Tue 23 Nov, 2004 01:15 pm
I want to cater to everyone, might not be possible, but...I think men will shop for their women and perhaps pick up merchandise for themselves.

This is all very new to me, I am the quintessential
girl next door. I'm a little out of my depth here, but I pretty open minded and not very judgemental so hopefully I will be able to have a good working relationship with all my clientel.
I'm working on a questionaire for the client base, not sure how I'll implement it though. (via internet, paper...)
0 Replies
 
Ceili
 
  1  
Reply Tue 23 Nov, 2004 01:17 pm
George, x-rated stores have an age limit here, it must be posted.
0 Replies
 
shewolfnm
 
  1  
Reply Tue 23 Nov, 2004 01:19 pm
How much have you gotten done in the sence of ' starting a business'? Are you just tossing around the idea, or are you ready to lease a building and start ordering product?
0 Replies
 
 

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