Need some opinions about a new franchise

[Duddy]

So I heard an ad a few times on XM and decided to check it out. They are called Play N Trade and they are experiencing rapid growth and aim at taking on Gamestop.

Their website

I've done about 3 days of research on it and wanted to know if any of you guys have heard about them before or ever been to one?


A strip mall is opening here next month and I am looking to open a franchise there by Spring. I love video games and thought this would be perfect for me.

 

[tasmanian]

Never heard of one.

 

[BigJ]

So you're what 19, going to raise a kid with your wife, and you plan to run a franchise too?

Good luck.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Is this your first franchise?

 

[Duddy]

Originally posted by: BigJ
So you're what 19, going to raise a kid with your wife, and you plan to run a franchise too?

Good luck.

Wow, you researched my entire life in under one minute. And I'm 20.

Also, I raised my little sister, so raising a kid isn't a big problem for me.

 

[Duddy]

Originally posted by: AgaBoogaBoo
Is this your first franchise?

Yeah, but I'm experienced. My dad owns two McDonald's here and I have learned everything from him.

Free business school FTW.

 

[S Freud]

The name doesn't ring any bells, but I think I have seen pics of a store in a magazine somewhere.

 

[Duddy]

Originally posted by: BigJ
So you're what 19, going to raise a kid with your wife, and you plan to run a franchise too?

Good luck.

Also, it's better to start a business and take a chance when your young, because rebounding from a disaster is easier than if your 50.

 

[Duddy]

Originally posted by: S Freud
The name doesn't ring any bells, but I think I have seen pics of a store in a magazine somewhere.

Here is a gallery of some of their stores.

 

[Duddy]

The company announced Tuesday that it has been named one of the ?20 boom moneymakers to start now? by Small Business Opportunities Magazine.

Play N Trade Franchise, Inc., one of the fastest-growing franchises worldwide, has been named one of the ?20 boom moneymakers to start now? by Small Business Opportunities Magazine.

Play N Trade Makes ''Top 10 New Franchises'' List for 2008 as Ranked by Entrepreneur Magazine



Those are the headlines that perked my interest.

 

[mugs]

Black walls? Is this a video game store or a laser tag arena?

 

[Q]

I've seen it somewhere but not sure where. I think from ads on GameTZ? If you have the funds to do it, I say try it. I'm all for someone competing w/ Gamestop. I like the pics from the site as well.

 

[S Freud]

I'm pretty sure I saw an ad or something in my latest EGM, not sure though. Like Quintox said, if you can afford it go for it. Just make sure you have a backup plan in case this doesn't work out. How much video game competition is in your area?

 

[KK]

Just go with a simple quizno's franchise.

 

[Yzzim]

All depends on the numbers I suppose. What does the franchise cost? I would assume so much down to buy the franchise, then do they get a cut of every game/accessory you sell? Add that into rent at the strip mall, plus employee cost, plus insurance and other overhead.

I'm sure you've ran the numbers by your dad and while they probably don't look as good as McD's numbers, it'll probably work for at least a little while. A lot depends on the area demographic, location, etc etc etc.

 

[DaveSimmons]

I've never heard of them, but I buy all of my games online.

Yeah, but I'm experienced. My dad owns two McDonald's here and I have learned everything from him.

Sounds like you know more about franchises than we do

I'd wonder how their purchasing clout compares to EBGames/GameStop, whether you'd suffer because EB/GS gets better deals, lower prices, exclusives.

 

[Duddy]

Originally posted by: KK
Just go with a simple quizno's franchise.

No way dude, Quiznos sucks. Trust me, I looked well into it.

Thier profit margins are among the lowest in the industry.

 

[Alistar7]

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
I've never heard of them, but I buy all of my games online.

Yeah, but I'm experienced. My dad owns two McDonald's here and I have learned everything from him.

Sounds like you know more about franchises than we do

I'd wonder how their purchasing clout compares to EBGames/GameStop, whether you'd suffer because EB/GS gets better deals, lower prices, exclusives.

Can't get much better than having an inside track on how the most successful franchise ever works by comparision.

 

[mooglemania85]

Originally posted by: Duddy

Originally posted by: AgaBoogaBoo
Is this your first franchise?

Yeah, but I'm experienced. My dad owns two McDonald's here and I have learned everything from him.

Free business school FTW.

Why not your own Mickey Ds? Seems like it works for your Dad.

 

[Alistar7]

Originally posted by: mooglemania85

Originally posted by: Duddy

Originally posted by: AgaBoogaBoo
Is this your first franchise?

Yeah, but I'm experienced. My dad owns two McDonald's here and I have learned everything from him.

Free business school FTW.

Why not your own Mickey Ds? Seems like it works for your Dad.

Besides the cost difference (McD's franchises are big $ even though they never fail) the OP already stated:

I love video games and thought this would be perfect for me.

 

[Alistar7]

Originally posted by: Duddy

Originally posted by: KK
Just go with a simple quizno's franchise.

No way dude, Quiznos sucks. Trust me, I looked well into it.

Thier profit margins are among the lowest in the industry.

He was referencing this thread.

Probably implying the OP should check into how well the corporate office treats their franchises before finding himself in a similar situation.

 

[magomago]

They have one in a new mall complex they made. I don't see the difference between EB and it or Gamestop. Its all the same thing anyways with just a different name. So as long as prices are good that is all you need. Oh - and workers who understand that they will be asked about everything. Whether it is a gamer looking to talk about games, or a parent (this happened to me today while I was waiting) who needed 10 minutes to explain that while the Wii IS wireless you still need the "sensor bar" which is wired, or kiddies who are playing to play as much as they can for free, etc. etc.

 

[Duddy]

Originally posted by: mooglemania85

Originally posted by: Duddy

Originally posted by: AgaBoogaBoo
Is this your first franchise?

Yeah, but I'm experienced. My dad owns two McDonald's here and I have learned everything from him.

Free business school FTW.

Why not your own Mickey Ds? Seems like it works for your Dad.

I would go into the Next Generation Program for McDonald's, but my dad doesn't want me to because he says it's way too stressful and that he doesn't feel like an owner/operator any more. He feels like a regular manager.

 

[Duddy]

Originally posted by: magomago
They have one in a new mall complex they made. I don't see the difference between EB and it or Gamestop. Its all the same thing anyways with just a different name. So as long as prices are good that is all you need. Oh - and workers who understand that they will be asked about everything. Whether it is a gamer looking to talk about games, or a parent (this happened to me today while I was waiting) who needed 10 minutes to explain that while the Wii IS wireless you still need the "sensor bar" which is wired, or kiddies who are playing to play as much as they can for free, etc. etc.

Some differences are:

- PnT let's you try ANY game before you buy it. As much as you like.

- PnT accepts trade-in's from retro systems all the way back to NES. Gamestop/EB will not accept anything older than PS2 games.

- PnT offers console and game repair in store

- PnT values itself as part of the community and aims to treat each customers like they are your friends.

- PnT has gaming tournaments each month for prizes (consoles, games, money etc..)

- Their layout is much cleaner and that makes it easier to find things.

 

[sonambulo]

I've heard of Play N Trade...a real mixed bag. I'd just recommend that you keep your inventory in much nicer condition than Gamespot and really play up the tournaments. You don't necessarily need huge prizes but they're a big draw. Good luck.