Selling Clothing in Stores?

Hi folks,

I saw that there are quite a few stores in SL selling all sorts of clothing. Now, I wanted to have a go at clothes design myself (since I have a fair amount of graphics design experience), but obviously renting a full-fledged store is out of my reach.

So, I was wondering if there's any built-in functionality for an SL store to sell other people's items, basically acting as a retailer?

Let me know,
George

George, the only way that I know of to sell items without actually owning or renting a store is to sell them on Slexchange or Onrez.... You still actually need to have a space where you can store the 'boxes' that you'll need etc but I think that Slexchange have a trial period etc...where they give you a place to store them....

Actually yes. There are people out there that let you have a free space to set up objects for sale. Usually your only allowed a few prims (like 5 or 10) and you need to use vendors to sell a few items. Just have to get out there to find them, try searching 'free'?

You say renting a full fledged store is out of your reach. Might well be true, I cannot determine what is in your reach and what not.

But think about what it really costs. Myself I rent out shops at 100 linden per week for 40 prims. For that you get a 10x10 shop that you can use, and as said 40 prims. I cannot imagine 100 linden per week is out of anyones reach. Its not even 50 dollarcents.

One step further is becoming premium and buy a 512 piece of land. Hardly expensive, getting back most of the premium price in stipend, and no tier. Or just rent a parcel from an estate owner.

What I would do in your case, is start out creating, and use sandboxes to try the stuff on (rezz a platform up in the air so you can work in peace). I wouldn't even mind to offer you some space to work for free, to start your collection, as long as you clean up after yourself When you have a small collection, rent a small shop at a place with some genuine shopping traffic. Finding the right place isn't easy though. As soon as you get the hang of it, buy/rent your own land, so you can list it in search as well.

Don't be like me, I went from 512 to 4086 in 2 months, and am now at 7500 m2. Thats never going to be profitable Then again I am in it for the fun of things and happy with each sale, and love my parcel. (Well actually today is rent paying day... the one day per month I do not love the parcel size...)

Have fun! Marcel

Greetings, Marcel

You can also go with a vender system that automatically gives the mall/land owner a % of the sales each time an item is sold. That way you are not paying rent, but the owner of the area you are selling in will still get their cut for allowing you to sell in their space.

There's a lot of options... but the golden rule applies in SL....takes money to make money.

Thanks a lot for your replies, everyone!

Milla, just one question - where would I go about finding such a vendor system? It seems like the closest thing I've seen so far to a proper retailer operation (obviously, it's quite fair that they'd take a chunk out of every sale made).

All the best,
George

Depends... if you want to make a living you need to invest seriously. If you want some pocketmoney then not really. It takes only good ideas.

I played SL with basic account for 4 months before I started my business. I got a job in a club, they bought me my first skin as a forward payement, then with the cash I made working, I lived 4 months. Unfortunately after awhile, the club went out of business due to teleport problems SL had back in that days.

I was left with 80L. Had to do something.

Started my business by spending the 80L by uploading the textures for my first 3 outfits. Then, needed a loan of 260L to rent my first shop. Fortunately bacause I was playing for some time, I made some friends who could lend me the cash. Payed them back in 2 days, and opened a second shop in 8 days.

That's all.

George, Kaizen offers store space to retailers 500L for unlimited time. It's to help new retailers who are just starting out in their business. I don't have the details offhand but if you contact me inworld I should be able to give you a notecard.

I think Pixel Dolls are now doing a Wholesale scheme. They have a web site - if you search.