TBH I haven’t yet used an on-line record shop but may be doing so towards the summer – when I am a bit more settled in my new area may be getting decks again..

I reckon if you have a good selection database software is robust and secure,the MP3 previews are regularly updated and the customer service/logistics are good you’ve got as good a chance in the market as anyone else… bear in mind there are two markets as well, your normal regional customers and potentially worldwide (although some countries are dodgy due to high levels of card fraud).

It looks like these stores are taking over from the traditional record stores anyway! the overheads would be way less for one thing, traditional stores attract crime / jealous haters and record stores are obvious potential targets with lots of cash and stock which can be sold on/exchanged for drugs

I was in Ipswich earlier today and it looked like there was at least one urban music record store there but it had closed down…

But look at it this way, there are stacks of on-line stores selling computer kit (and often the same stuff) yet you still get new entrants – the main bit is customer service and retaining a good core of customers / people who will recommend you to others

i feel sorry for small record stores. most of the ones near me are closing down or relocating, mainly due to the recent increase of online stores. probably a good thing tho, as it means the less records shops there are the more business for onlines ones. tho i do miss bein able to drop in on my local avid records, have a chat with the friendly staff and trade old records and so on. seems like only the bigger companies like massiv’ can afford to stay open. i dont no nethin about startin an online company, but theres probably some good software tabout that would make it easy. like gl says, keep the mp3’s up to date, nothin i hate more than when you cant hear the tune you wanna buy first.

the centre of the city that I live in has almost no independant shops anymore

the high st is almost exclusvely owned by the Burton group

there used to be about 10 independant record shops

now there are two (and one is all rock, and only on CD)

while I always want to support my local record shop, they are being driven out of premesis, rent-wise, by big chains they can’t hope to compete with. If there’s no-where else to buy my tunes from, online is the place I’ll shop, rather than try an order tunes though Virgin etc

if you’re apssionate about music and have a decent business head on your shoulders, you’ll do weel with an online record store

as GL says, look after yourcustomers and you can’t go wrong, really

good luck to you mate