How to Become an AGD Dealer

[GT]

I have considered this for a number of years now and to be quite honest, I would love to do it but I don't think it is profitible compared to the time I would put in. My problem is I would love to participate in the process and maybe i can do those types of things in the future such as message board moderation (done this in the past and its fun sometimes), beta test a product, or bounce a few ideas around for future products.

I really enjoy the Customer service aspect of sales, however I am not a big fan of pushy ugly people, especially when it is something I do "for fun". At the end of the day, like phil said, I get a larger return from other things like graduate school...

Besides,
I think all of the AO guys do there best to give us a fair shake on prices. I'd love to rep AGD and AKA at my local field, by bringing a spread of thier gear for sale, but with the excellent dealership network we have here its just not worth it. eh..... maybe ill just put stickers all over my truck and hopper

[shartley]

Yeah, semantics. For practical purposes the dictionary definition does not equate to the real world definition established by companies.

You can be a totally legitimate business in the US as a individual doing business as sole proprietor by those factors, doesnt mean you are a legitimate retail(or paintball) business. Paintball manufacturers wish to sell to businesses, not individuals.

I think you are confusing "legitimate paintball business" with "legitimate and legal business". Technically, running a booth at the flea market or a corner hot dog stand is a legitimate business. Just not ones that Paintball Manufacturers want to sell to. Which is why the rules are what they are.

[Automaggot68]

Usually I would say something along the lines of, 'I can't believe it got ugly this quickly',but when reviewing the people who posted-I can. This seems to happen a lot. I think some of us should sit this one out, and let TK answer it.

[shartley]

Exactly, so its the businesses that decides what is legitimate. Looks like thats what I said...

[Automaggot68]

Wrong again Sam. Id argue with ya, but whats the point. Its a lesson of futility with someone who never admits their wrong(even in the face of proof).

I havent seen any proof yet. Please Learn me.
Edit: Yep, just went back and read everything and yep. It's just argueing.

[cphilip]

....I get a larger return from other things like graduate school...

You Sir are wise beyond your years.... Be cool, stay in school.

There ain't no easy money out there.

[Automaggot68]

You Sir are wise beyond your years.... Be cool, stay in school.

There ain't no easy money out there.

But Crime pays .......it pays very well..just dont get caught, lol

[/end joke]

[shartley]

Wrong again Sam. Id argue with ya, but whats the point. Its a lesson of futility with someone who never admits their wrong(even in the face of proof).

[CoolHand]

that's one thing everyone needs to look at, before even answering the questions. Quebec laws are different than US laws, when it comes to businesses (i assume). Although, the input could be good guidance, it may not come into play at all when it boils down to the actual business law of it.

That is a good point, I didn't even see that he was in Canada.

However, upon review, I think my advice still stands . . . . except maybe for #5 (that was just for fun anyway )

That'll teach me to read more carefully.

[Automaggot68]

Which facts did you post Sam?

Dude. Just Stop. Lets all Just stop.

[steveg]

Slarty.
I,m in the process of registering a Business here in NB, it's going to cost me about
$170.00. the tax number is your friend if you are going to resell stuff buying wholesale
helps a lot .


It seems too me that until Tom himself weights in on this one the rest is
just a bunch of noise , accept for the friendly support.,

[SlartyBartFast]

Good luck with starting your business Slarty, and thanks for the post its been fun.

Seems I missed quite the exchange while I was away. (Is it just me or does there seem to be a number of posts missing? )

Thanks guys. I'll contact AGD for the REAL details.

But, those of you that do run small businesses I'd love to hear any secrets of the trade or pitfalls to look out for.

I'm really not looking to make gobs of money. Like I said, I doubt I want to register for sales tax because it's a filing hassle (taxes paid, price paid for merchandise, price obtained, taxes owed, all on a quarterly basis?). Steveg is right that it may provide the magic secret handshake to immediately have wholesale prices, but it's a lot of time and paperwork that can be legally avoided. The 100 bucks or so is just the beginning. But, I thought that the tax number bit was only 30-50. Registering the company is another step that has piles of paperwork all of its own.

Seems like too much bother for something I'd like to do for the interest factor. Unless by some miracle I actually do make a gob of money.

But if that's the situation it's a problem I could live with.

I'm looking at a cabin sitting on 150,000 sq ft of land by a river and all I can keep thinking is, Which one first?
- Trebuchet
- Archery range
- Private Painball field
- Air cannon
- etc, etc, etc

(Then reality hits. The septic system HAS to be first. )

[cphilip]

It seems too me that until Tom himself weights in on this one the rest is
just a bunch of noise , accept for the friendly support.,

Well... some of us are experienced at "BEING" AGD dealers. So I guess if you want to discount that then go ahead and live in whatever world it is you want to live in....

Getting a license is the easy part.... as I told you. Keeping it is the hard part. Fraught with hidden work and expenses.

You can contact AGD for what you call the "real details" all you want. But they want you to sell. And should want you to sell. What you got here is a crash course from the other side of that coin. But its not what you want to hear so I guess its not "real" enough for you. So good luck to you. Sorry I even shared it with you. Since you don't want to know then forget it!

And let me just tell you. Your NOT going to get wholesale pricing. And people like National are going to eat your pricing for lunch. THEY get Wholesale and more often than not get PRIORITY on stock and can sell at what you pay for the darn stuff. Even if you get it sold you gotta have it in stock or the buyer is going to move on. And so often that happens. So welcome to the real world kids.... Big gets bigger. Little gets squashed. And so it is in life. And in retail.

[smilestyler]

But, those of you that do run small businesses I'd love to hear any secrets of the trade or pitfalls to look out for.

I'm really not looking to make gobs of money. Like I said, I doubt I want to register for sales tax because it's a filing hassle (taxes paid, price paid for merchandise, price obtained, taxes owed, all on a quarterly basis?). Steveg is right that it may provide the magic secret handshake to immediately have wholesale prices, but it's a lot of time and paperwork that can be legally avoided. The 100 bucks or so is just the beginning. But, I thought that the tax number bit was only 30-50. Registering the company is another step that has piles of paperwork all of its own.

I own and operate a small business, and I have some advise for you;

1.Don't expect to make a living, especially in Canada. You will get undersold, count on that. Been there done that.

2.Get a GST number. A local Business lisense. And a Registered name. You will have to remit taxes on a quartely basis, and you will have to file income tax. Or else your business will be over real quick.

If you need any info on how to do the above things, PM me and I can get you started.

[steveg]

Cphilips given the tone of this thread so far it doesn't suprise me that you misunderstood
what I was trying to say What I was trying to say is that Tom alone would deside
who He wants to do business with, not anyone else. Buy the way I was including YOU
amoungst the "helpful advice" crowd. What I said was not aimed at you or anyone
else that had positive advise to offer Slarty (including don't do it!), and I
humbly apologise for not expressing myself clearly .

Slarty I don't know about Quebec but NB's business registration is a Single sheet of paper.
there is a $55 name search fee(a 5 min task done over the phone with a credit card and an email address)
and then a $110 fee for registering the name.
Incorporation is a whole differant story thought.
The $30 000/4 quarters exception applies here as well.
By the way I'm not getting into the paintball business just formalizing the business that
I already have.(people keep asking me for my GST\HST # ) and I do want to
have access to wholesale pricing .

One final thing Phil my world includes asking for a bit of clarification of what another
person ment before I jump down their throat.