[sdiy] Small Bear Electronics retiring

[info synthcube.com]

500sf or 5000?

Sent from my iPhone

> On Sep 23, 2021, at 7:38 PM, David G Dixon via Synth-diy <synth-diy at synth-diy.org> wrote:
> 
> I would imagine that his entire stock could easily be stored in a basement
> or large spare bedroom or garage.  He said "500 sq ft warehouse" -- 500 sq
> ft is a room 22 x 22 ft -- in other words, a 2-car garage.
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Synth-diy [mailto:synth-diy-bounces at synth-diy.org] On Behalf Of
> cheater cheater via Synth-diy
> Sent: Thursday, September 23, 2021 1:34 PM
> To: Peter Pearson
> Cc: Brian Willoughby; synth-diy mailing list
> Subject: Re: [sdiy] Small Bear Electronics retiring
> 
> [CAUTION: Non-UBC Email]
> 
> The real value in the business is the cheap warehouse lease and the
> returning customers. A new business wouldn't have either, unless it really
> lucked out. The sourcing is likely an ongoing hassle.
> 
>> On Thu, Sep 23, 2021 at 7:56 PM Peter Pearson via Synth-diy
>> <synth-diy at synth-diy.org> wrote:
>> 
>> I fail to see how that would make selling his inventory easier.  What
> you're trying to say is "I want his list of sources".  Why don't you just
> ask?  If he's retiring, it might not make much difference to him now.
>> 
>> Time spent emailing about, packaging, and shipping parts orders is time
> that you aren't spending breadboarding new circuits and doing your own synth
> diy.  If you make it your full-time job you'll probably stop doing diy
> entirely.  Think about it.
>> 
>> Anyway, really sad to see Small Bear go.  I've ordered from them a bunch.
> Hope they have a long, fulfilling, and happy retirement.
>> 
>> On Thu, Sep 23, 2021 at 1:38 PM Brian Willoughby <brianw at audiobanshee.com>
> wrote:
>>> 
>>> Small Bear Electronics plans to stay in business and sell off the
> inventory. I suppose that may be harder than he imagines. Sharing the
> sourcing list would be a lot easier than selling the entire inventory
> (adding another shipping cost).
>>> 
>>> There's always ad-hoc, where the first person who needs a strange part
> does a bulk order from a distributor, then shares the remaining inventory on
> a list like Synth DIY (assuming they don't mind re-packaging and shipping
> after collecting from others).
>>> 
>>> Brian Willoughby
>>> 
>>> 
>>> On Sep 23, 2021, at 10:25, Peter Pearson <electrocontinuo at gmail.com>
> wrote:
>>>> My personal $.02 is that the real savvy would be making enough money
> off such a venture that you can keep the business afloat and pay yourself
> and any employees a living wage at the same time.  Not easy.  As Dave Jones
> from the EEVblog likes to say, "inventory is the enemy of cash flow".
>>>> 
>>>> Just guessing here but it's probably a few hundred grand worth of parts
> in total so the price of admission wouldn't be cheap either.
>>>> 
>>>> On Thu, Sep 23, 2021 at 12:57 PM Brian Willoughby
> <brianw at audiobanshee.com> wrote:
>>>>> It seems that the business model is:
>>>>> 
>>>>> Buy in bulk, maintain inventory, display inventory on web site, take
> and fulfill orders, price items to maintain business overhead, ship to happy
> customers (while dealing with customer support).
>>>>> 
>>>>> I assume that anyone willing to do all of that labor could start a
> similar business. It doesn't seem necessary for the replacement to be called
> "Small Bear Electronics" or hold any relation.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Perhaps the one key piece of business savvy to pass on would be: Where
> to source all of the parts that Small Bear carries.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Brian Willoughby
>>>>> 
>>>>> On Sep 23, 2021, at 08:09, David G Dixon via Synth-diy
> <synth-diy at synth-diy.org> wrote:
>>>>>> It would be ideal if there were someone that he could pass the 
>>>>>> business off to, rather than just shutting it down.  A succession
> plan, as it were.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>>> From: Ben Stuyts
>>>>>> Sent: Wednesday, September 22, 2021 2:38 PM
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> [CAUTION: Non-UBC Email]
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Just read this: Small Bear is retiring and shutting down the
> business.
>>>>>> Selling down the inventory, so if you need something, be quick:
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> https://smallbear-electronics.mybigcommerce.com/autumn-2021/
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> I've only ordered a once or twice from them (other side of the 
>>>>>> pond), but they have a great assortment of parts.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Ben
>>>> 
>>> 
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