Need Help; Starting an Airsoft Store.

[dano5430]

So im thinking about starting a small Airsoft store here in Allendale Michigan any suggestions on how to get ahold of distubeters...??

[Cats (Doom)]

Nov 12, 2012 14:17:44 GMT -5 dano5430 said:

So im thinking about starting a small Airsoft store here in Allendale Michigan any suggestions on how to get ahold of distubeters...??

To begin with I'd suggest you do some research. You'll obviously need to do the government paperwork for opening a small commercial business and all that stuff. But from here on out I'm going to assume you are experienced, have some sort of business management degree, have assessed your market, have a location, and are generally serious about opening a business.

I suggest you call Young's Army Navy Surplus in Kalamazoo; set up an in-person meeting to talk to the owner and ask him questions about what the industry is like, how he got started, what manufacturers he works with, etc. You should do the same for one of the Traverse City Paintball stores that deals in airsoft.

To become a distributor you need to either go direct to the manufacturer or go to another distributor to buy wholesale. Most reputable airsoft gun manufacturers have a website with a becoming a "retailer", "wholesaler", or "dealer" section where you can contact them with your retailer license information and make an account and/or order. Some sites do not require retailer license information.

Always research each manufacturer first. Each manufacturer webpage should have detailed product specifications; prices are usually not listed and only provided when you go to make an order or after you sign-in with a distributor account. You will obviously have to do market research to determine which products will sell in your area.

Here are a few manufactures of airsoft guns and related gear that you can contact about becoming a dealer:
Airsoft guns and parts
www.guay2.com/web/contact.php?lang=en
ca.classicarmy.com/index.php/en/inquire
kwausa.com/customer-service/contact/
www.kingarms.com/contactus.asp
Related gear and accessories
www.leapers.com/dealerapp.php
www.ncstar.com/contact.html

I hope thats enough to get you started, there are many other manufactures. Basically research a brand, if its not some obscure Chinese clone then you should be able to become a distributor for them. To find their website just Google the brand name "______ official website" and look for the dealer or contact section on the page; that should usually do the trick.

[EDIT] Note that Classic Army is pretty easy to deal with from what I've heard second-hand. It sounds like they really push to get new retailers.

[EDIT] Guy never returned, go figure.