10-23-2007, 12:21 AM
Some tips:
Be prepared, manufacturers come in four types:
1. They will sell to you no matter what you want, no matter what quantity.
2. They will sell to you, but you must place a minimum order (ranges from low, like 8 boxes, to high, like 90 boxes).
3. They will sell to you, with a minimum order, but won't sell you their GOOD stuff, until you reach that "level" (which involves a combo of $ spent with them and years in the biz).
4. They will sell to you as long as you don't sell online.
It can be VERY frustrating to deal with this. Not to mention, most banks will not process credit card payments from a tobacco business (we were rejected by five banks before we found one that would). Apparently it's because stolen credit cards are often used to purchase tobacco (I assume that's mostly cigarettes, but, as usual, cigars are lumped in there).
Finally, if you go ahead, make you sure you have a plan B, that is to say, diversify what you offer so that if you get hit with a huge tax you won't go out of business, and diversify your smoking areas (indoor and outdoor space) so if a new law passes you won't be screwed. Oh, and look for a stand-alone if you can get it, because the worst problems come from complaints from your co-tenants.
Good luck! And, follow your dreams if you think you can make it.
Be prepared, manufacturers come in four types:
1. They will sell to you no matter what you want, no matter what quantity.
2. They will sell to you, but you must place a minimum order (ranges from low, like 8 boxes, to high, like 90 boxes).
3. They will sell to you, with a minimum order, but won't sell you their GOOD stuff, until you reach that "level" (which involves a combo of $ spent with them and years in the biz).
4. They will sell to you as long as you don't sell online.
It can be VERY frustrating to deal with this. Not to mention, most banks will not process credit card payments from a tobacco business (we were rejected by five banks before we found one that would). Apparently it's because stolen credit cards are often used to purchase tobacco (I assume that's mostly cigarettes, but, as usual, cigars are lumped in there).
Finally, if you go ahead, make you sure you have a plan B, that is to say, diversify what you offer so that if you get hit with a huge tax you won't go out of business, and diversify your smoking areas (indoor and outdoor space) so if a new law passes you won't be screwed. Oh, and look for a stand-alone if you can get it, because the worst problems come from complaints from your co-tenants.
Good luck! And, follow your dreams if you think you can make it.
