Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 13

Thread: Hi from Birmingham UK

  1. #1

    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    Birmingham UK
    Posts
    9

    Hi from Birmingham UK

    Just registered here - been on APUG for some time but now looking to shoot more with my Agfa Anso 5x7 - which I really enjoy doing.

    I am also launching a new retailer of traditional photographic products here in the UK within the next 3-4 weeks. We are just polishing the multi-currency website right now. The whole idea arose out of an original plan to take over a company called Retro Photographic and revive it, but we couldn't agree a deal (were all still friends of course).

    I'll be looking for any help with my LF and looking to give any help if I'm able to!

    Matt

  2. #2

    Join Date
    May 2000
    Location
    Tamworth, Staffordshire. U.K.
    Posts
    1,167

    Re: Hi from Birmingham UK

    Welcome to the forum Matt. Anything would be better that Retro. It won't be hard to beat their service. Answer the phone. Answer e-mails. Don't keep people waiting for two months for a box of 5x7 film. Good luck.
    Pete.

  3. #3
    Joanna Carter's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Plestin-les-Grèves, France
    Posts
    989

    Re: Hi from Birmingham UK

    Don't forget to join us on the UKLFPG Forums

  4. #4

    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Wales
    Posts
    193

    Re: Hi from Birmingham UK

    Another welcome and another invitation/plug to sign up to the UKLFPG

  5. #5
    joseph
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Chapel Hill NC
    Posts
    1,401

    Re: Hi from Birmingham UK

    This film thing is growing at an alarming rate...

    I think you've found the right place-
    welcome along...


    joseph

  6. #6

    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    Birmingham UK
    Posts
    9

    Re: Hi from Birmingham UK

    Quote Originally Posted by Pete Watkins View Post
    Welcome to the forum Matt. Anything would be better that Retro. It won't be hard to beat their service. Answer the phone. Answer e-mails. Don't keep people waiting for two months for a box of 5x7 film. Good luck.
    Pete.
    Well, yes I agree! This was the reason I approached the company because I could see a good basic business, but management who had lost interest. The company's decline has been almost entirely due to poor communication and other managerial issues - not a declining market, and I want people to understand this.

    It is absolutely critical to be clear about stock issues - if something is available then it will be sent immediately, if it isn't then clear communication about when it will be available.

    I've been telling everyone how great analogue photography is for years - so I thought, now time to put my money where my mouth is. I already run a business here in Birmingham and have been, for want of a better word, an entrepreneur, since I left university.

    Tentative launch date is 1 June 2009 although I haven't announced this anywhere else yet. Route to market is via the web and a walk in "shop" in Birmingham.

    How do I get to the UKLFPG?

    Matt

  7. #7
    kev curry's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    Scotland
    Posts
    827

    Re: Hi from Birmingham UK

    Best of luck with your new venture.

    http://www.lf-photo.org.uk/

  8. #8
    joseph
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Chapel Hill NC
    Posts
    1,401

    Re: Hi from Birmingham UK

    Well I'd like to be able to buy from you-

    I hope your postage rates and minimum order quantities won't be as punitive as your competitors, or I'll have to continue shopping elsewhere...

  9. #9

    Join Date
    May 2000
    Location
    Tamworth, Staffordshire. U.K.
    Posts
    1,167

    Re: Hi from Birmingham UK

    Matt, That was my problem, they took my money but didn't have the goods in stock. They failed to let me know about the situation. This was not a one off either. If you do open a shop it dosn't need to be open 7 days a week but make sure that it opens when you say it will. I'm off to apply for a bus pass now......no postal costs :-))
    Pete

  10. #10

    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    Birmingham UK
    Posts
    9

    Re: Hi from Birmingham UK

    Quote Originally Posted by jb7 View Post
    Well I'd like to be able to buy from you-

    I hope your postage rates and minimum order quantities won't be as punitive as your competitors, or I'll have to continue shopping elsewhere...
    Unfair postal costs and minimum order quantities are a major irritation for people and this has come out strongly in the market research we have done. It's no suprise to me that this issue is raised here almost immediately!

    Key features will be:

    - no minimum order value
    - Postal costs calculated at a fair level, but based on weight. On the website each item is allocated (behind the scenes in the back office) a weight eg. 35mm film 50g. Then there will be tiers of costs - so up to, say, 500g £x up to 1kg £x etc (we haven't fully decided the tiers or costs yet because we are still talking to the carriers). The shopping cart will show the postage cost incurred at any one time and items can be added/taken away and the resulting postage recalculated.

    It is quite difficult to come up with a universal postage system that works on the website, but I hope that this will be the best solution.

    I expect orders over £100 will be free of delivery cost.

    For Ireland, I am not yet sure - however it will be competitive.

    Matt

Similar Threads

  1. Photo exhibit in Birmingham, MI 6/12-7/10
    By Jeff Bannow in forum Announcements
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 12-Jun-2009, 18:46

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •