Opened a new store this past week and it really sucks, literally, Electrolux vacuum store. Have worked off and on in the business for 25 years finally decided to open my own store, my primary interest is in Central vacuum systems but sell the regular ones also as well as repairing all brands, I am also offering to list items on Ebay, first week went ok, it just takes a while for the word to get out, here are a few pictures.

My truck and store front, sign overhead coming.

Just inside the door.


Central vac display on back wall


Counter, I have added some items to the wall behind it so it doesn't look so bare.

What a sucker! nyuk nyuk!
Seriously, good luck in your new venture. You're doing the right thing, picking a field you know.

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'87 GT, daily driver
'78 Toyota longbed, parts runner
'84 F250 Xcab, BIG parts runner
'87 30' Kit Classic TT, living in it.

North Carolina huh? If it's slow, maybe you would consider one of the other Electrolux lines?
They own McCollugh, Husquvarna, Echo, and Poulan now---and some others i can't recall right now. I tell everyone I own 2 Electrolux chainsaws and they think I'm nuts. Good luck in your business.

[This message has been edited by maryjane (edited 04-30-2006).]

haha your business sucks! (just had to say it)

carpet looks nice and clean.

customer walks in.
"here, try out this new model"
customer vacs a swath
"how about this one!"
customer vacs another swath
"check out the super-sucker!"
customer cleans some more...

quote Originally posted by maryjane: North Carolina huh? If it's slow, maybe you would consider one of the other Electrolux lines? They own McCollugh, Husquvarna, Echo, and Poulan now---and some others i can't recall right now. I tell everyone I own 2 Electrolux chainsaws and they think I'm nuts. Good luck in your business.

same name different company, the company your talking about is in Sweden and was the orginal Electrolux, they made Husquvarna saws, motorcycles, sewing machines, vacuums, sometime in the 20's or 30's I guess the vacumms were made in the USA and were eventually bought out by Sara Lee. A few years ago the original company from Sweden purchased the rights to the name Electrolux back and now market a line of vacuums under the Electrolux name made by another company they own Eureka.You will see these in Lowes's, don't be fooled these are not the same as the ones made here, they are Eureka's. The Swedes paid the USA Electrolux owner 50 million for the rights to the name and gave him 28 years to change, so it's right now Aerus/Electrolux to be Aerus eventually. The Aerus/Electrolux is the machine that has been sold here for years and is much more expensive and much better quailty than the Eureka/Electrolux,

Congrats on starting your own business! One of the toughest things to do.

Don't ever give up - the hours may be long and hard --- but it WILL be worth it!!!!

I'm in the process of doing the same thing. Moving my computer shop from an office suite that's like a dungeon to a nice shiney bright store-front in the heart of the little downtown area where I live. Lots and lots to do. The move is bad enough, but the expense is enormous. Plus I'm planning a grand opening and all kinds of crap. A real pain, but should be worth it in the long run. Good luck with your new endeavor!

quote Originally posted by lurker: "check out the super-sucker!" customer cleans some more...

quote Originally said by my wife: I think the super-sucker is the one holding the vacuum..

There is a Vacuum shop next door to me. He has the most traffic I have ever seen for a small shop.
Just last year that started selling specialty toys as well. Things like Thomas the tank engine,
Lemaze baby toys, brainy puzzles, slot cars.... A mix-mash of pricey toys.

But he makes most his money off the high end vacuums and service. Things will be tight and likely
slow going for a few months, but it always is with a new place. Just hang in there and you will do fine.

Best of luck,
Randy

[This message has been edited by 8Ball (edited 05-01-2006).]

Thanks for the encouragement guys, am having a ribon cutting tomorrow, the chamber of commerce does this when you join, I am also meetiing with the local builders association for their monthly meeting and doing a short presentation on vacuum systems, I will start calling people from a database of past customers that have purchased Electrolux in the past 20 years to let them know where we are and offer them any service needed. This should help to get it rolling;
Again thanks
Wayne

I sell Electrolux too:



EDIT: Code Violation

[This message has been edited by Patrick's Dad (edited 05-01-2006).]

Good luck with the biz.
So, how hard is it to install a central vacuum unit?
What kind of prices are you looking at?

quote Originally posted by Formula88: Good luck with the biz. So, how hard is it to install a central vacuum unit? What kind of prices are you looking at?

Thanks,
if you have the correct tools the installation is not bad, usually I can put one in new construction in a day, prices vary with the size of the home but around here average 1700.00 for a complete Electrolux system installed.

This is another feature that is sorta new, its called a Vac Pan and is installed in the kitchen or bathroom under the cabinets as shown, this is piped to the vacuum system and instead of reaching for the dust pan when you sweep the kitchen or bathroom you just sweep to the vac pan and activate it with your toe, it turns on the suction and you sweep the debri into the vac pan and away it goes, I would set my sons high chair in front of ours and sweep the mess into it afterwards. These are really nice especially in the bathroom with all that hair making its way to the floor.