Any got a display plot ata garden centre/builder ?

[sy76uk]

I've been offered one at a local paving centre.
This paving centre is very popular in my area, has a wide range of both natural stone and concrete products and is a very nice place to look at. It has about 8 big display areas.

I got all of my patio products from them last year. I was in there last week and showed the manager pictures of the jobs where there products were used and he asked me for pictures for there new brochure as well as if I would be interested in a display area.

The plot will cost me £1000 per year unless I buy £20000 worth of materials after which it becomes free.
One of the firms that has a plot has put a small office on it and runs his business from there.
From what I can gather around 60/70% of the work gained by the firms that have the plots come from the paving centre.
Having an office in the aplace is very appealing to me because my Mrs will be joining my business very soon to do admin and accounts.

All of the above sounds brilliant but Marshalls products are better.
The type of clients I will get through using Marshalls products will want high quality work and not mind paying the premium for it.
I have been moulding my business around only using Marshalls products and being closely associated with them for the last 6 or 7 months.

Pro's
First 6 months is free and once the £20000 target is hit, I'll have a free office plus advertising.
not having to order full pack quantities
Business premises
Very reasonable prices on good standard materials.


Cons
I have been pushing towards using only marshalls materials.
For me to hit the £20000 target I will have to use them for everything for at least 4 months per year.

Any thoughts?

[ilovesettsonmondays]

Hi,the way I see it is,20 pound a week for a plot is a bargain.you can easy get that back.Using just marshalls materials,look at it from another way. If a cafe just sells breakfasts it limits it's selling potential.pay your 20 quid a week, use marshalls when you can and builders merchants from plot when needed

[sy76uk]

I'm gonna go for it I reckon.

[dig dug dan]

Dont put all your eggs in one basket only doing marshalls. There are 1001 alternatives often at better prices

[mickg]

Who is the manufacturer Bradstone, Brett or Tobermore ?

Have I read your post correct, are you saying there is going to be a few businesses trading from the same yard installing paving products ?

[sy76uk]

I'll never put all my eggs in one basket Dan. The plan was to promote Marshalls primarily but to use alternative paving if they can't find anything they like or afford from Marshalls.

None of the above Mick. The place is more along the lines of what I'd imagine London stone to be like.
They have 8 display areas to promote there products but each one is leased to a local contractor.
My plan is to take him up on his offer and put a summer house on it to use as an office.
One of the other contractors has done the same and does really well from it.

[dig dug dan]

Will the other contractor get peeved you will also be there, or do you know him and get on ok? It can be difficult. A mate texted me today to complainmi was advertising logs for sale in a local free magazine that he advertises in, and that it was treading on his toes. His advert is for landscaping, and does not mention logs, my advert is purely logs, so even in this situation, it causes problems!!

[sy76uk]

No Dan. There are 8 different contractors for 8 plots. When one contractor decides he no longer wants the plot it goes to someone else.
I feel quite honoured to be asked.

[dig dug dan]

Sounds like a good move. I would do it!!

[sy76uk]

After a good think on it and all the comments in this thread its pretty much a no brainer.
Especially for those whose budgets can't stretch to over £25 per m2 for the stone.