The unthinkable

[Dale Tanski]

Having lost two jobs in the last two years, I have taken a new course and done the unthinkable... I bought a marine store.  Actually it is something I kicked around 7 or 8 years ago, but I had a great job and couldn't see leaving a 9 to 5'er for a 7 day a week gig.  Things are different now in so many ways.

I don't believe in coincidences, so when a mutual friend who worked for a long time acquaintance who owned the store, asked if I had an interest, that lit the fuse.  Out of work, the job search going no where, timing was everything.

Obersheimer Sailor Supply is located in Buffalo, New York. I had been a customer for almost 40 years until this week when I became the new owner.  We handle everything under the sun related to sailboats, have an in-house rigging facility, a sail repair loft and sell small sailboats, inflatables and Tohatsu outboards. Twenty five percent of the business also caters or overlaps into the power boat crew.

If you need something marine related I would be glad to be your supplier, no pressure just hopefully a good price and better service for fellow 365'ers. We are in the process of developing a web site which I will pass along when it debuts.

Wish me luck...
Dale Tanski

[Della and Dave]

Good luck.  Someone has to do it and I can't think of a more knowledgeable person.  If we end up in younareaof the country, we'll stop in. 

Back to through hull fittings......

[INCOMMUNICADO]

Dale, as you know the thought process will be greatly different from the corporate world.  Your business will be what you make it.  Eight hours a week plus you will never stop thinking about it.  But an intelligent energetic person can do well.

Just a couple of thoughts; Contact Rich Borden, you may be able to work something out.  Also, the used boat stuff stores seem to be doing well here in Florida. (Sailors Exchange and Sailor Man) 

Good Luck, I will be contacting you when I need your services.

Allen

[INCOMMUNICADO]

Dale, That eight hours a week should have been eighty hours plus.Allen

[S/V Deo Volente]

Like many undertakings it can seem overwhelming at first, but it seems like a great fit for you.
As far as the hours, "Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life."

[SailingSeaDragon]

Dale,

Congratulations!!!!!!! - Make no mistake you will work harder than ever before BUT you will never be happier than when are working and growing your own business.

I am getting my list together now..

Garner

[SV ANEMONE]

Congratulations, your 365 knowledge and an Marine store is a big plus for all of us. Good for you , Rudy     

[SVJourney]

Congrats Dale!

We will definitely keep you in mind a we go longer distance cruising this coming year.  Hope you got international shipping down, we'll probably need ya!  When you get good contact info (email, phone etc) for the store, please insite us the info?

Cheers
Wayne

[eveningebb]

Dale,

Best of luck.  I'm sitting on a Beneteau 42 in the BVI getting ready to shove off for Australia, but when I get back to my Pearson in Grenada this time next year, I'll keep you in mind if I need to source any parts.  All my best on your new venture.

Dirk

[S/V Laelia]

Wow! ... and I thought I was taking a big leap to go cruising! This is way bigger. Good luck. You have the experience and the work ethic to make a go of it.

[POG]

Good on you (Kiwi speak meaning "Great move)!!! 

And good luck.  Your energy and willingness to engage, inform and give advice will be great assets.  One thing with business:  Remember to charge more than you pay.

Your old pen-pal Carl

[Della and Dave]

I only loose $1.00 per widget, but we're planning on making on making it up on volume.   

That is the sad story of far too many businesses. A good friend of mine married into a an espresso stand.  Every month they kept loosing money.  I asked him once, while stopping at the stand after mountain biking, how much do you make on a drink?  He thought about it a bit and admitted he didn't know.  Then he figured it out, and his price structure changed dramatically.   Loss leaders are OK if you know that is what you are doing, but it doesn't work to have your whole menu be loss leaders apparently   

[Mi'Samba]

Dale your web site is posting a malware warning.

[Dale Tanski]

Thanks for the info.  Unfortunately that is one of two old web sites that are still out there that we can not get rid of.  Apparently in the world of the web and the minds that develop the sites, they are only looking for the next job.  They design, get their money and go on to the next site.  If you pay for 12 months you get 12 months.  Cancelling a web site has turned into a nightmare for us as even finding the individual that designed and hosted the site is almost impossible.  Many only work at a place for a few months and move on.  Many are just sub contractors and information regarding where they are now is nearly imposable.  Getting someone to remove a site is even worse. 

It is beginning to look like the only way the old sites are going to be removed is lack of payment by the hoist.  I suspect when you have several hundred to several thousand sites open they do not even know who is what so that may not work.

Our real site is - obersheimers.com

Dale

[SV THIRD DAY]

Ping...pong...ping...

Hmmm....I happen to know a guy with some quality cruiser and marine gear...I will shoot you an email!