QUEPOS' COOLEST USED BOOK SHOP!
OFFERING NEW/USED BOOKS & CDS IN
QUEPOS/MANUEL ANTONIO, COSTA RICA
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Costa Rica business for sale! Low start up cost! Have fun being your own boss. Costa Rica's Coolest Book Shops are now within your reach!
Email for more info: peligrobooksquepos@gmail.com
First, I want to thank you for showing interest in the book store chain. I hope I can answer enough of your questions so we can keep this conversation active. The most popular question, by far, has been: “How much is the cost of the franchise?” The answer is $6000. I sold the first two franchises in 2009 for a starting price of $5000 because Frank and Jeff, the first two investors, were taking a chance on a new concept. The cost for the two 2010 franchises is $1500 more because the idea has gained credibility by demonstrating its success and there is now a stronger “base” with more time and experience (and value) to it. I want to point out that there will only be two franchises sold this year and the plan is to also sell only two in 2011 for controlled, sustained growth. The price will most likely go up next year.
The second question that logically follows is: “What exactly does that buy me?” For this answer, I am resorting to making a list, because I think it is easier to digest that way:
1) Seven years of experience, mistakes by me so you won’t have to, and in-roads in Costa Rica.
2) Step by step help acquiring your asociado, bank accounts, business licenses, cell phones and landlines, credit card machines, electricity, water, lease agreement(s), triplicate receipt books and cancellation stamps, and the list goes on.
3) Vendor introduction for books, maps, CDs, postcards, with an immediate thirty day credit (in some cases, consigned goods). I now receive books from eight different sources, CDs from more than ten and postcards from six, so these are relationships I have accrued over the years. I have also convinced vendors to give us open, promotional CDs and books for in-store viewing and listening. I literally paved this road alone: it was unheard of in this country before I started campaigning for it. The credit is also something given by the vendors on my word and track record.
4) Access to used paperbacks already in Costa Rica as your “starter seed” at a very low price. If you want to ship books from The States, I have found completely legal way to ship them and avoid the outrageous (32 ½%) import tax. I wish someone had offered me these two options when I shipped my 1800 kilos of books down seven years ago…
5) Free advertising in five different publications for which I write columns (music and book reviews) in exchange for ad space. I also occasionally write for two other monthly publications. Total base value of these ads is a minimum of $725/month. Both existing franchise owners will attest to how beneficial this has been for them. I supply each franchise owner with every review so when a customer asks about a certain CD or cloudforest book, you have five hundred words on the subject at your access.
6) Immediate brand recognition: we are in the Lonely Planet Guides for Central America and Costa Rica, both with nice write-ups.
7) Networking: we all share our experiences, new discoveries, insights, paperback doubles, and of course, directions to the other stores to our clients.
8) Recommendations for legal representation. I am very happy with the lawyer I now use and he is not the first one I hired when I arrived here. Of course, the recommendation is strictly optional.
9) Recommendations for store sites. I have two places in mind that I know will succeed. That being said, both Frank in Tilaran and Jeff in Quepos picked their own sites and they were correct, too.
10) I know there are more advantages, inroads, etc. It’s the kind of thing that happens during the process: the little tips and nuances.
The third question generally presented to me is: “OK, Jaime, how much in total do I need to spend to open the doors?” I’d have to say it is at least somewhat contingent on what you are looking for. These are not cookie-cutter shops; each one has its own personality and is growing at its own rate. I will say that for a general number, I have been using $20,000. Of course, it is possible to spend $50,000, too, if that is what you want. But the first number will get you up and comfortably going, with room to grow. I will be happy to break these numbers down, crunch them, if you like.
Well, I hope this overview has piqued or kept your interest. I would like to end by saying that there is no additional or running charge after the initial buy-in and I think I have kept the price down, with the intention being that all of us succeed together. Please email me if you have any questions or observations.
Thanks,
Jaime Peligro
The second question that logically follows is: “What exactly does that buy me?” For this answer, I am resorting to making a list, because I think it is easier to digest that way:
1) Seven years of experience, mistakes by me so you won’t have to, and in-roads in Costa Rica.
2) Step by step help acquiring your asociado, bank accounts, business licenses, cell phones and landlines, credit card machines, electricity, water, lease agreement(s), triplicate receipt books and cancellation stamps, and the list goes on.
3) Vendor introduction for books, maps, CDs, postcards, with an immediate thirty day credit (in some cases, consigned goods). I now receive books from eight different sources, CDs from more than ten and postcards from six, so these are relationships I have accrued over the years. I have also convinced vendors to give us open, promotional CDs and books for in-store viewing and listening. I literally paved this road alone: it was unheard of in this country before I started campaigning for it. The credit is also something given by the vendors on my word and track record.
4) Access to used paperbacks already in Costa Rica as your “starter seed” at a very low price. If you want to ship books from The States, I have found completely legal way to ship them and avoid the outrageous (32 ½%) import tax. I wish someone had offered me these two options when I shipped my 1800 kilos of books down seven years ago…
5) Free advertising in five different publications for which I write columns (music and book reviews) in exchange for ad space. I also occasionally write for two other monthly publications. Total base value of these ads is a minimum of $725/month. Both existing franchise owners will attest to how beneficial this has been for them. I supply each franchise owner with every review so when a customer asks about a certain CD or cloudforest book, you have five hundred words on the subject at your access.
6) Immediate brand recognition: we are in the Lonely Planet Guides for Central America and Costa Rica, both with nice write-ups.
7) Networking: we all share our experiences, new discoveries, insights, paperback doubles, and of course, directions to the other stores to our clients.
8) Recommendations for legal representation. I am very happy with the lawyer I now use and he is not the first one I hired when I arrived here. Of course, the recommendation is strictly optional.
9) Recommendations for store sites. I have two places in mind that I know will succeed. That being said, both Frank in Tilaran and Jeff in Quepos picked their own sites and they were correct, too.
10) I know there are more advantages, inroads, etc. It’s the kind of thing that happens during the process: the little tips and nuances.
The third question generally presented to me is: “OK, Jaime, how much in total do I need to spend to open the doors?” I’d have to say it is at least somewhat contingent on what you are looking for. These are not cookie-cutter shops; each one has its own personality and is growing at its own rate. I will say that for a general number, I have been using $20,000. Of course, it is possible to spend $50,000, too, if that is what you want. But the first number will get you up and comfortably going, with room to grow. I will be happy to break these numbers down, crunch them, if you like.
Well, I hope this overview has piqued or kept your interest. I would like to end by saying that there is no additional or running charge after the initial buy-in and I think I have kept the price down, with the intention being that all of us succeed together. Please email me if you have any questions or observations.
Thanks,
Jaime Peligro
Email: jaimepeligro123@hotmail.com
This maybe your greatest adventure yet! See you in paradise!
Jaime Peligro Book & CD Shop, Playa Tamarindo. "The Original Peligro!
tel: 2653-2670
QUEPOS' COOLEST USED BOOK SHOP!
OFFERING NEW/USED BOOKS & CDS IN
QUEPOS/MANUEL ANTONIO, COSTA RICA
Jaime Peligro Book & CD Shop
Arenal Nuevo / Tilaran
Casa Del Agua
2692-2101
Jaime Peligro Book & CD Shop
Quepos
Quepos Centro
2777-7106