Do you think a high street mail box business is a good idea.?

Acknowledged Web · #1 (**permalink**) 02-07-2008, 11:10

Hi

We plan to provide a high street mailing address in a small shop in our local town, around 70,000 popular, with many surrounding less well known towns and villages.

Mailboxes etc are one of the fastest growing franchises in europe and I believe the world ,not that I want to use their franchise, it just show thats mailboxes are needed.

The mailboxes would by accessable 24 hours a day, secure, personal and business boxes, and most importantly a office sounding address. i.e. " Ashley House" so say 124 Ashley House, town Name, Kent, D.....

We will offer mail redirection aswell and a very small fee..

The business box idea is to provide a professional sounding address to those who can't afford a office etc and work from home. Or indeed online businesses that don't want to use their home address. There must ba alot more start ups at the moment that are home run with the credit crunch.

We would also provide photocopying/faxing along with access to Web and graphic design services.

We wold start with 100 mailboxes mixed personal and business.

We would love to franchise this ourselves one day.

Any ideas otr thoughts would be very much appreciated.

Acknowledged Web · #2 (**permalink**) 03-07-2008, 09:37

Hi

I asked the question about a 'hight street mailbox business yesterday' and I had no responses.

Did people just not have an opinion ?

I would really like some feedback on this 40 people looked ?

Regards

Ashley

Jeewhizz · #3 (**permalink**) 03-07-2008, 09:45

Hi Ashley,

If no one's responded, it means they haven't got an opinion. Please refrain from posting a separate thread asking for feedback.

I personally think you'll need a very good USP. There are already companies that do what you do - what makes you better than the rest?

Greg Findley · #4 (**permalink**) 03-07-2008, 09:48

My personal opinion... I wouldn't use one, I think for my business it would put potential clients off using me, as they are soo many web designer cowboys out there!!

I think they have a bit of a negative/bad reputation these days, or perhaps that's just how I see them?

Nicksyb · #5 (**permalink**) 03-07-2008, 09:48

Hi Ashley

I was one of those people

I didn't reply because I have never heard of your business idea and didn't know what to say.

Have you done this sort of thing before?

And have you done your market research to see if it is viable? I am assuming renting a place on a high street or in a town centre would be expensive so would what you charge cover all of your overheads.

Acknowledged Web · #6 (**permalink**) 03-07-2008, 10:05

Um

Ok why the hostility, just looking for some feedback folks ?

Yes other businesses do this but thats the point no one does it yet in my area, so I would definitely be the first in an area that covers 4 towns and many many businesses.

The point of using the service is that it gives customers the impression that a business isn't home run, or in a rural or less attractive sounding area. Especially with the credit crunch etc, alot more businesses are being run from home. The addresses whould be say 87 Ashley House, Town Name, Essex, DA9 9AM. Bascially it sounds like a office address rather than a home one.

The several similar providers I have spoken to in other areas say there is around 90%+ occupancy of their mailboxes at anyone time.

The plan is to buy a retail/flat with off high street position from auction, use the entrance to the flat above and make it larger, and nicking some room from of the shop. We would rent out the flat and shop so that would be mortgage being paid.

There would be 24 hour secure access to the mailbox area, with a camera, or indeed the mail can be redirected to say a rural address.

Greg how would it put off people living in say Cardiff along way from Kent that will only see the address and not know where exactly it is. Basically I'm absolutely sure sounding like your are running a business from your bedroom '28 Tivoli Park Avenue' is far more off putting. There are many many businesses not including addresses on their website for exactly this reason, I know because many ask me to leave it off.

Oh and Greg I like your stuff by the way, nice mix of WP and PShop. Is http://www.betselect.ltd.uk finished ? as none of the links work, don't think I'd have that on the front page fella.

It clearly works as a concept Mailbox Etc is one of the fastest growing franchises in the world, ok they may start up in my area after me but if people are happy with our service why would they move ?

Clearly PO Box are very popular but also can give the wrong idea, are they actually based outside the UK or from home or .....

Greg Findley · #7 (**permalink**) 03-07-2008, 10:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acknowledged Web

Greg how would it put off people living in say Cardiff along way from Kent that will only see the address and not know where exactly it is. Basically I'm absolutely sure sounding like your are running a business from your bedroom '28 Tivoli Park Avenue' is far more off putting. There are many many businesses not including addresses on their website for exactly this reason, I know because many ask me to leave it off.

Oh and Greg I like your stuff by the way, nice mix of WP and PShop. Is http://www.betselect.ltd.uk finished ? as none of the links work, don't think I'd have that on the front page fella.

Hi Ashley,

Sorry I misread your first post, as soon as someone mentions mail box I had jumped to the assumption it would be numbered in a traditional way. But then again at the same time if someone turned up at that address, that would surely lead to confusion... especially if they can't find the location! I would rather be completely honest and open about my location of work.

Interesting that you jump to the thought that I'm running my business from a bedroom, its actually an office where I can bring clients. Plus running it from this address I could always add a name to the building and still allow people to come along to the mailing address and find me working in the office, unlike a mailbox address. That's just my personal take on things.

Thanks for your comments on my work, that particular project you picked out, the logo design was completed by Mark at EagleImagery, and the client is actually a web developer so they're building the site themselves.

Greg

Acknowledged Web · #8 (**permalink**) 03-07-2008, 15:21

I didn't actually rthink you worked in your bedroom, I am just saying that you could get that impression from your address.

not personal just using it as an example thats all.

Greg Findley · #9 (**permalink**) 03-07-2008, 15:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acknowledged Web

I didn't actually rthink you worked in your bedroom, I am just saying that you could get that impression from your address.

not personal just using it as an example thats all.

Hi Ashley,

I didn't take anything personal from it, but it is interesting to know that you got that impression from my address... something for me to think about

Cheers,
Greg

OldWelshGuy · #10 (**permalink**) 03-07-2008, 18:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acknowledged Web

Um

Ok why the hostility, just looking for some feedback folks ?

Why the hostility? maybe because you were very ignorant in complaining that people didn't give you any FREE help?

on many forums, bumping your own thread as you have here would get you an infraction

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acknowledged Web

1. I asked the question about a 'hight street mailbox business yesterday' and I had no responses.

2. Did people just not have an opinion ?

3. I would really like some feedback on this 40 people looked ?

1. yes we know that, we can see the date. we can also see you had no responses

2. Obviously not or else they would have left their opinion.

3. MEMEME . not really how forums work now is it.

A better second post might have got you a better reply.

So to put it simply, why the aggression? Human nature is that when attacked, we fight back. Damn the coldness of text communication without smilies