Well, the (whatever you want to call it - dents & dings, discount, reclaimed, salvage) grocery is about there. Still a lot of little odds and ends to do. Informal opening is Wednesday, formal opening on Friday and grand opening on the 24-27th. Actually, I am seriously considering canceling the grand opening as I think it would be a zoo. What if 100 cars show up at 10AM on the 24th? The store is only 22'x48' with about half taken up by shelf space and checkout area. Only have two carts and a dozen baskets. I think I can accomplish the same thing with small ads.

So far, response has been overwhelmingly positive. Primary response is Waverly needs an outlet of this nature for people not afraid of a dent in the side of a can or a cereal box needing some taping up. On cereal pricing. Average retail is over $3.00 box. I am going with $1.50 per box. Each box costs me around $1.10, so my original thought price of $1.25 would have only been a net (contribution to overhead) of $.15 per box. Some boxes are in like-new condition, while others have required taping tops closed and some dent renovation. Almost all name brand - as is most of what is from the wholesaler. For them it comes out of Food Lion, but I've noticed my local small chain carries the same things.

So far am mostly pleased with the quality of goods I'm getting from the wholesaler. I pay right at $9 per box for whatever is in them. Some boxes are money losers, some break-eveners, but most should do OK. Some very well. For example, half a box of expired hearing aid batteries. If I can get $.50 a card for them, potental return is $30+ there. Dog & cat flea control packs. I have 2-3 boxes of them. My helper said they just paid $4.50 for one of them at WalMart.

My target is an average markup of 100%. Maybe not realistic, but that is a target anyway. All I can do is to wait about six months and compare grocery cost to sales, with the difference being gross net.

On boxes, second load had three pallets of boxes out of Public stores in South Florida. Really displeased with them after a sample. Basically same goods as from Food Lion, but boxes are only about half full. I won't get my money back on a box with two boxes of cereal and six cans. I cannot return them; however, my next order will specify: NO PUBLIC PALLETS. Driver didn't say it, but implied I got them because I was a new customer. I have located two other wholesalers about the same distance away so they aren't the only game in town.

Should be an interesting experience.

Ken

-- Ken S. in WC TN (scharabo@aol.com), April 14, 2002

Answers

Food Lion in Florida has been changed to Kash-and Karry, ( the real name) about 14 months ago due to bad press. Anything from them is at least 14 months old if it came from Central Florida.

-- mitch hearn (moopups@cutlink.net), April 14, 2002.

I hope your store is a success! We shop at a small store like this regulary. We save a huge amount on our grocery bill.

-- Les Vaughn (rocketcaver@yahoo.com), April 14, 2002.

It sounds like it's going pretty good so far-glad to hear it. It's a shame you don't want to get into other areas of salvage(h&b etc..) one of the stores here is looking for someone to buy them out due to the building being sold, could probably get one h--- of a deal.

-- Terri in WV (mrs_swift_26547@yahoo.com), April 14, 2002.

Thanks for the update Ken, it is an interesing venture your trying. Nothing like that here, though we'd use it.

-- Ross (amulet@istar.ca), April 14, 2002.

Thanks for the update Ken. Hope your opening goes well.

-- Murray in ME (lkdmfarm@megalink.net), April 15, 2002.

WHERE IS THIS GROCERY STORE LOCATED PLEASE?

-- LORETTA IN IOWA PARK (JOHNRAY@WF.NET), April 16, 2002.

Ken, "Publix" is a Florida grocer with superior product. The quality of their store brand products, more often than not, surpass national brand. Not something that your customers would be aware of so a waste of your added expense.

-- Diana in FL (dvance4@juno.com), April 16, 2002.

Why cancel your grand opening because of too many customers? Purchase some hot dogs and buns, contact the Coke or Pepsi folks and divert the throngs to some food if you can. Charge 35¢ for the hot dogs and whatever is reasonable for sodas... 100 cars means what, 250 people? At least they will know where you are! Let them know that your store is carrying dents/scratches and is "while they last!" A positive reaction is only positive if they all show up. Most parties ya gotta figure only 2/3 will show... Do you have family and helpers that you can enlist? Tell them (if you need incentive to get them to help) that they will have a $5. gift certificate to the store if you need to keep them for the G.O. That way your cut is still less than $5. each and you can get some help... Good Luck! I love those kinds of stores!!

-- Gailann Schrader (gtschrader@aol.com), April 16, 2002.