Conference marvin::uk_music

I don't care what the place looks like as long as the prices are cheaper
than the next guy and the selection good. What's the use of going into
another CD shop that only caters to top 40?

Also, the sales folk have to be awfully mean :-)

Ed

Play loads of Leonard Cohen, Smiths etc and other really depressing music.

It's a well known fact that when people are unhappy they buy things
like CD's to cheer themselves up.

:-)

Good luck,

Jon

    Keep the background music at a low volume, but make it varied.
    
    Let people audition CDs, ie have a CD player and some headphones
    available.
    
    Keep the stock varied, not just much mainstream top 40 stuff.
    
    Don't get pissed off with awkward customers.
    
    BUT ABOVE ALL
    
    Enjoy workng there and people will enjoy shopping there.
    
    Good luck and all the best,
    
    Balders

    The three things that keep me coming back:
    
    	1)  > Let people audition CDs, ie have a CD player and some headphones
            > available.
    
    	    Yes, this is my avorite thing about CD shops.
    
    	2)  Have a good selection od used CDs.  Make sure that the prices
    	    of the used discs are lower than you can get them new
    	    elsewhere.  I know this seems like common sense, but I'm
    	    amazed at how many stores have scores of used discs which
    	    I've bought for lower prices new.  It's a real turn-off.
    
    	3)  Let people rollerskate in the store.
    
    -Scott

    A Dutch CD shop right? I suggest a built in coffee bar with lot's of
    dem funny little plants on show. Should keep the Hawkwind fans happy.
    Erm, if you see what I mean?
    
    
    barry.

    If they can't find what they wants.. offer to order it for them. 

    Keep a 'Music Master' catalogue handy for people to look at if
    they want to.

    Don`t have the music up too loud, I get headaches.

    Don't play the music you like, play what you think your customers
    are likely to like. Then they'll stay around a bit longer.

    Get to know your regular customers and chat to them.

    Don't allow kids eating hamburgers and fries.


    Dave

    re .5
    
    The man wants some 'erbs an' stuff in the shop. Like cosmic man. No
    sh*t an' all. Wow, baby snakes, try some of this, like melts in your
    brain, not in your pipe. Oh no the rush, its the ............
    
    If you're going to cater to Hawkwind fans, better add a strange colour
    scheme for decoration and some flashing lights as well.
    
    re .something earlier
    
    Yes. Second-hand CDs is a good move if you get the price right.
    
    Balders

    
    My main criteria for returning to a CD shop is how nice the salespeople
    are. If the person is friendly, polite and helpful then I'll return. If
    I have to deal with an arrogant twat giving me nothing but attitude
    then I wouldn't bother.
    
    -Tony

    listen to all the different types of music you wouldnt listen to at
    home so when sombody asks you about Groover Washington you can not only
    go right there but suggest some material to listen to.
    
      It is a nice touch in my local that the sales guys know who likes
    what and when a new band/album comes on the market tells you about it
    and plays the stuff over the shop system while you browse
    

    
    Here are a few pointers:
    
    1. Loads of posters on the wall
    2. No bright lights
    3. Don't stare at someone when they come in your shop
    4. Always look busy
    5. Don't ask 'Can I help you sir ?' straight away, give your customers
       time to look first.
    6. DEFINATELY have music playing - but vary your music frequently !
    
    Hope that helps and Good luck. I'm sure we've all thought of doing
    something similar ourselves...
    
    
    Ha\/\/KeSy.
    
    

    To you all,
    
    Thanks for so far for all the nice suggestions you gave me.
    I can use them all, I like the rollerskating in one of the first
    answers......, but unfortunately the shop isn't that big! ;-) 
    I really hope I can make a succes of it!
    
    Maybe you will come over and visit?
    
    Cheers!
    Ilse*
    :-)
    
    
    
    
     
    

Stock some of the excellent folk music which is coming out these days. Buy
Folk Roots and look through it for info on bands and album reviews - sell
the good albums in your shop and go and see a few of the band yourself.
A good band to start with is Capercaillie - they play traditional tunes,
but have adapted their sound to appeal to a modern audience. Have a listen
to the single they have out at the moment (available in HMV, Our Price etc)
and see what you think.

You could also sell music magazines in the shop - this will attract people
in.

I second the call for playing a variety of music. Don't play whole albums
at a time, make up tapes with a variety of tracks on ranging from
folk and rock to heavy metal and alternative and play these instead.

Craig

    
    Also, make the shop completely non-smoking, that way Craig will mention 
    you in his next book.
    
    Arf Arf.

    re .13
    
    hmmmmm, that's a good one. I'm a non-smoker as well.
    
    what book?
    
    Ilse*

    
    It was a joke.

1) Varied stock - if you interest non-chart peeps in a good way you'll keep 'em 
   as valuable regulars!

2) Make sure your stock is navigable, section out into helpful ways so people
   won't get miffed searching through banks & banks of badly arranged shelves.

3) Preview/Help/Friendliness/Suggestions as to similar groups a must! Keep it
   nice 'n' informal & you'll retain a positive image.

4) Off-beat background music (but not so loud as to be obtrusive)...

								- JIM CAD*

>                    <<< Note 1016.14 by UTROP1::BORRIAS_I >>>
    
>    what book?
 
See note 8.223 in the RDGENG::READING conference.

Craig

    >Also, make the shop completely non-smoking, 
    
    You mean you can smoke in stores in Europe?  How disgusting.  
    
    -Vicki
    
    PS Many out-o-towners comment how clean the air is in LA clubs.  Then
    walk outside and start coughing.

    re. 16
    
    You're not the first one to say that I should give DEC-employees
    a discount. When I told people that I'm going to run this shop,
    they all said: oh, can you arrange some discount for me then?...
    (typical Dutch maybe....?)
    
    Anyway, the shop is a part of the Dutch chain that's called:
    "MUSIC SHOP" and that is again a part of the chain of Expert Shops.
    
    You are welcome to drop in, it's in 'De Meern' and it will have it's
    opening day somewhere in July.
    
    By the way, you also mentioned the 10% discount for furniture???
    Where is that? Whe're talking Holland here, eh?
    
    Ciao!
    Ilse*
    
    
    PS: I really appreciate all the friendly replies!
       
    
    
    
     
    

    Andre,
    
    I don't have access to Nijmegen's VTX, so I can't see the 
    advances you have with your Digital badge. The PV in Utrecht 
    made deals with other companies.
    
    I don't think I can arrange a discount for Digital. Maybe
    after a while, when I have more experience with it all.
    I can always keep it in mind ofcourse..... Ta!
    
    Doei,
    
    Ilse*
    
      
                       
      

    Remember that country music means more than Dolly Parton and Glen
    Campbell, blues means more than John Lee Hooker, folk means more than
    Richard Thompson and rock means more than Bryan Adams.
    
    There is *lots* of life beyond the top 40 (but not in Our Price).
    
    Trouble is, catering to lots of minority tastes means that you may not
    make any money.
    
    
    andy