In these changing and challenging times, more and more ways to sell products come out. Lately the methods have been looking at how to distribute said products to the people. In an economy that is currently struggling to get back on track, a new method of selling has come up: a business on wheels.
What Are They?
They are what it sounds like, stores in trucks. Many people are familiar with the ever popular food vendors who sell their freshly prepared meals and/or desserts from their mobile restaurants. They are popular and can be found all over the place. Now, however, there are more choices in having a business on wheels.
An example of such a shop appeared in Los Angeles not too long ago. In an area that is known for its rows of mobile shops, new trucks had appeared – trucks selling jewelry and clothes. They are likened to miniature boutiques, and many people have found themselves charmed by these mini shops.
The Advantages
In having your own business on wheels, knowing its advantages and plus points are useful in deciding whether or not it will really help your business. These are some of the clear advantages:
- Distribution
Rather than staying in a single shop or be forced to save money to open up branches somewhere else, having a truck store allows you to go around and easily sell to the people. It is hard and time consuming to save money for a branch shop, and when you eventually do get the money, it is then a matter of finding the right building in the right area, otherwise you would easily waste whatever money you managed to save. Having a truck shop can easily help remedy that problem.
- Location
Again, with a business on wheels, you are not confined to one location only. You can drive anywhere and everywhere. It is another way of giving you a tour of the places while still earning money, a thing that intrigues many stay-at-home shop owners.
- New people, new customers
New places always have new people and with them come the possibility of new customers. Seeing the same faces in the same town is a distinct disadvantage in a normal store, as the same people can only buy so many things before becoming disinterested. In a business on wheels, you will meet new people, and there will almost always be someone interested in your products.
The Disadvantages
As always, the good comes hand in hand with the bad. For some people, the negative effects of having a business on wheels is not worth the trouble. Some of the disadvantages of having such a business include:
- Transport cost and maintenance
Of course, when you travel via truck, you will have to pay for your own fuel, and some proper trucks can cost a lot of fuel to go a good distance. You will also have to pay for your truck to be properly maintained, as when the slightest thing goes wrong, you can easily have your truck pulled out of commission for weeks. Such a problem is dangerous to your business, especially if you sell solely from the truck.
- Driving
Unless someone else is driving, or even if you are taking turns, you will most likely have to endure driving for hours on end. While some people are used to such acts, you have to ask yourself if you can put up with it.
- Restocking your products
Whenever you finish selling your items, you will probably have to go back to your storehouse to stock up again. Depending on where you are when it happens, it may mean driving a very long distance.
So Is It Worth It?
As long as you are willing to cope with the problems it brings, having a business on wheels is beneficial to your business. It has the advantages of mobility and of introducing your products to more people. In this challenging times, those can be the keys to success.