Wal Mart Used Cars?
 

Don Alm had a post on Dana Carlson's blog about cutting a deal with a local Wal Mart and setting up a FSBO lot on weekends. Is there any other infor out there on how to do this? I love that idea and would appreciate any advice on getting this doing. I live in a city of 40K that has a Super WM and it should work here on weekends.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Dick

Re: Wal Mart Used Cars?
 

First thing I would do is go to Wal Mart and talk to store manager and see if it is even allowed. Wal Mart corporate policies are strict.

If Wal Mart is a no go then try other places like Lowes or Grocery chains. Use selling point to manager that you will rent space and another advantage to the store that people that stop to look at cars might go into store and buy something.

If you do land a spot to do this then advertise in penny savers about the sale

Mark

Re: Wal Mart Used Cars?
 

Walmart, has considered getting into the used car business on a few different occasions themselves...
http://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&cl...Sear ch&meta=

I have dealt with Walmart in Canada regarding a few or their parking lots which are Not owned or managed by Walmart but rather a variety of shopping centre real estate and property management companies...

So, all kinds of Deals and Possibilties could be Negotiated and ironed out. :)

Here's some Food for thought that gave me Free access and Use of their parking Lot...

The only Catch...

You have to Figure out a Business that you can run after Store hours and throughout the night. ;)

Here's how you get a Parking Lot on a Free Lease...

You Barter and negotiate in exchange Free Security services by keeping lots of activity happening throughout the night!

Try Brainstorming and you might get yourself...

Into the Free Parking Lot lease business. :)

Phil

Re: Wal Mart Used Cars?
 

From past experience I'd say unless you're really tight with your local Wal-Mart store manager, your chances are slim & none. Slim just left town!

And, if you approach Lowe's, at the very least you must get an okay from the District Manager for such a venture. I know for a fact they charge you $500 to set up a Hot Dog cart, so it's anyone's guess what you'll pay for other uses.

Good luck! (You might be better off finding a location of a store that's been recently closed, and see if yo can cut a deal with the realtor handling the property.)

Pete

Re: Wal Mart Used Cars?
 

What does that $500 get you?

Is that daily?

I've always been curious about that because I always buy that big polish dog with sauerkraut every time I leave Home Depot or Lowes (which is often a couple times a day - LOL)

If that was a weekly rate, I think it would be a bargain.

Jim

Re: Wal Mart Used Cars?
 

Pete works at Lowes, so I would assume that he knows.

Pete, I would assume that you working at the local Lowes, you would have determined by now that several people that visit the Hotdog cart are regular customers.

Why not offer the operator of the cart a way to pre-sell 10-20 worth of product in advance, via pre-paid cards.


These could be careds that you sell them for a profit.

Jim wouldn't it be better for you if you could give the cart guy $10-$20 once a week, vs. giving him $3-$4 in cash every time you passed him.
I would also wager that the regular clients would, over a period of time, spend more money at the Lowes hotdog stand knowing that they have
a lunch that they have already paid for!
Think about it Pete.
I bet you could figure a way to make a few extra bucks right from the Lowes at which you work.

If you want help, I'm available.
Lets talk,
Jason

Re: Wal Mart Used Cars?
 

Pete that is a really good idea. Only problem I can see is the closed store eventually will get rented and you will be looking for a new space. However by that time some money should have been made from the venture and you can approach operating stores with credibility and cash to use their site.

Re: Wal Mart Used Cars?
 

If it were $500 daily, there wouldn't be much of a profit for hot dog vendor. I am betting weekly, Pete can you comment on this? I am curious too.

Mark

Re: Wal Mart Used Cars?
 

Wal Mart did indeed test the used car sales business, they tried it at a few locations but last I heard, they scrapped the idea for whatever reasons. I would not be surprised they try again, Wal Mart seems to want to be a one stop location for just about everything.
Mark

Re: Wal Mart Used Cars?
 

Jason,

The $500 that they were charging was PER MONTH! Not bad in my book but the folks that owned the stand thought it was highway robbery.

Never could figure that out since the lady that owned the carts "claimed" in a conversation we had, that she was making an easy $300-$400 per day. (Clear).

I'll keep an eye out as the weather warms to see if she has a change of heart. In fact, if I could talk my wife into it, I'd try to scrape up the cash to buy my own cart, go ahead and retire, and do that. I KNOW I'd probably make more than I do working for Lowe's. :)

Pete

Re: Wal Mart Used Cars?
 

I certainly wouldn't want to bank on a "claim" by the vendor.
The best way to determine how many Dogs they are selling would be to simply count the buns that are being delivered in the morning vs. how many they are sending back.

Since you are there anyway, simply go past the cart after the buns hve been delivered.
Count them daly for a week and it will help get an idea of the number of dogs they are selling.
Granted there will be peaks and valleys in the numbers over a years time, however, if planned correctly, and given your marketing experience, you should turn larger numbers anyhow.

Get the wife to agree......
With your experience and track record, (between detailing, hotsheets, and everything else you have thrown at the wall) I would think that your wife would have grown to trust your intuition by now.

Best wishes,
And seriously Pete, if you can get the cart location, I will help you set it up with the locals, getting your license, your commissary, and other things needed to get started,
Again, best wishes,
Jason

Re: Wal Mart Used Cars?
 

Walmart changed managers and wanted a "RV Resting Lot"...for people moving along the expressway. Don't know what the fee is per RV.

The store charges $800 for the Moose to sell Christmas Trees from Nov 15 thru Dec 25 each year. $800 for 4th of July Fireworks Tents (there's usually 1 or 2) $100 for a weekend "Car Wash". All depends on the manager and region.

I found K-Mart and Fred Meyer Dept Store receptive to weekend Car Lot.

Just put your ideas down on paper and go see Manager. He/She will tell you what you can & can't do...and what they'll charge. You'll need a GOOD "Hold Harmless" agreement with each seller. You'll also need some "post holders" to hold the "Yellow Tape" that surrounds your space. (Similar to the yellow tape the police use to keep people out of a crime scene)

One guy I helped set up a "FSBO Car Lot" on a corner lot is now getting ready for his 5th season starting in April. Lot owner charges $100a weekend. He charges $40 for 1 day and $70 for 2 days and has no problem getting 30 to 50 cars a weekend....and "insurance" is not prohibitive.

Again...look for a lot...have a "Layout" and a "Name" and some "graphics" so you "appear serious"....to the people you talk to.

Don Alm

Here's Logo we used....VVVVVVVV

Re: Wal Mart Used Cars?
 

How often can you have a car sale like that on a lot? I would think you have to get a permit and wouldn't think they would let you do it every weekend year round.

I never paid much attention but I think the one I have seen around here was a spring one weekend deal but there could be others happening around town.

Mark

Re: Wal Mart Used Cars?
 

Don,
Walmart does not charge for parking of RVs.

Here is a guy that I helped (just kidding) who has found a way to profit from Walmarts FREE RV parking program.

http://onfpg.com/

I find it odd that your old connection didn't tell you that they didn't charge?
Jason

Re: Wal Mart Used Cars?
 

I don't know of any Wal Marts that charge for RV's to park, what is happening is many local city ordinances are not allowing overnight parking unless it is in a campground. This was done to protect local businesses that often are seasonal and rely on filling campgrounds.

There is a website I once saw where RVers update which Wal Marts across the country allow overnight stays.

Oops I Goofed
 

Jason I didn't check link you had in post that has Wal Mart parking info and ordinance reasoning.

So sorry for repetitious post.

Mark

Re: Wal Mart Used Cars?
 

thanks don....

havent done it myself yet, but noticed someone had sset up a lot on the stadium by the hospital...

had his area taped off... with what looked to be about 70 autos...and

right next to his area were about the same number of cars for sale, not in his area, and I assume not paying the fee, but all of them had FOR SALE BY OWNER signs on them also

I have thought that the lot idea is a good one, but also thought that any one with an auto for sale could just come park by your lot and leave the auto..and take advantage of the traffic from your lot...

Also, this guy had financing available and since he was charging 40 bux a weekend for the space, betcha he was making most of his money from the financing...

let me know what yall think ..

thanks
bob