completelocks Posted March 30, 2012 Report Share Posted March 30, 2012 Hi guys, First visit to the shoe repairs section, and here's why. A guy knocked on my van window the other day, asking for a card. Nothing new there, it happens. A few days later, he rang me. He told me he was a landlord of a few properties, a couple of which are shops. One is a shoe repair / key cutting place, the sort of place many of you guys have. It's in a nice prominent location, near an outdoor market, and the same guy has been running it for years. He told me the reason for him calling me was that the business owner has been diagnosed with terminal cancer and just wants to walk away from it. A decent rent, and an ongoing business is there for the taking, stock, machines, everything. It is being offered to me at a good price. My plan is to do car keys from there (I do mobile now) as there is no competition for a good few miles that does auto. My reason for the post, is that this place does shoe repairs, it has machines in there, and materials and ticks over a nice trade. I am looking for any advice you guys can give me as this is not my field of expertise. I can't imagine it being rocket science (no offence meant there) but as with anything new, it's good to hear from people in the know. Graeme completelocks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gray Posted March 30, 2012 Report Share Posted March 30, 2012 Take it on,... advertise for a shoe repairer key cutter engraver and away you go. Try and keep it going as it is now. Or learn to repair shoes. BTW some of it is rocket science and can't be learnt over night. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
completelocks Posted March 30, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 30, 2012 I don't doubt it is to be honest, still, nothing ventured and all that Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gray Posted March 30, 2012 Report Share Posted March 30, 2012 Give us a rundown of what's in there anyway we can tell you if any of it is any good and worth taking on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derek Posted March 30, 2012 Report Share Posted March 30, 2012 as gray says, try and get someone in to do the shoes for you and learn from them, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derek Posted March 30, 2012 Report Share Posted March 30, 2012 Give us a rundown of what's in there anyway we can tell you if any of it is any good and worth taking on. gray might make you an offer for a blake if there's 1 in there Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
completelocks Posted March 30, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 30, 2012 Give us a rundown of what's in there anyway we can tell you if any of it is any good and worth taking on. Will do Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevecoco Posted March 30, 2012 Report Share Posted March 30, 2012 Graeme, I was in your shoes back in 2008, but with engraving and sign making as the jobs. I to had a great offer which I deliberated over for quite a while but in the end with the support of my family and friends (and this forum) went for it. It was the best decision of my life and I have never looked back. Good luck in YOUR choice. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
completelocks Posted April 3, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 3, 2012 Well.... Did my first day there yesterday. The guy was coming in about dinner time to explain a few things to me. On the Saturday, I called in and he was just starting a pair of men's shoes, heel & sole. So I stuck around and he talked me through it. But, imagine my horror when I opened at 9.30 and the first person through the door was a guy who wanted the same thing doing.... erm, ok, can you leave them with me lol. The previous owner came in as he said and we had a real good chat about stuff, and I did them under supervision. Got a glowing report Being used to my little van, carrying more car keys than house keys, it was a bit daunting being asked to cut a key and having to search unknown boards for the right blank. SKS boards, but with a mixture of keys on from different manufacturers, so key numbers/codes were not always what the board said. I got used to where all the universal ones were, and then just had to get by searching for the rest. He said he has informed different company reps of the change of owner, and they will call in time to sort stuff out ordering wise. One will get there Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Posted April 3, 2012 Report Share Posted April 3, 2012 good luck with your new venture Graeme, just keep your camera near & handy, you know how quick the forum is for replies. if there's any repairs your not sure of (there will be hundreds!) you know where we are to take the piss out of you, but ultimately help you through. Lee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
completelocks Posted April 3, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 3, 2012 Cheers Lee... First question... which one is the left shoe? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gray Posted April 3, 2012 Report Share Posted April 3, 2012 I think we could have a problem here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kobblers Posted April 3, 2012 Report Share Posted April 3, 2012 If you give me your address Graeme I'll be happy to come and spend a couple of hours with you next Tuesday to help you through learning some shoe repairs mate. The left shoe is the one that hasn't been collected Cheers, Rick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kobblers Posted April 3, 2012 Report Share Posted April 3, 2012 Or I can do this Sunday if it's easier for you? Just make sure there's a kettle and somewhere for a ciggie Rick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
completelocks Posted April 3, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 3, 2012 PMed you mate.. cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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