Starting a bicycle / fitness equipment shuiop

[dennis123]

Used to do that in my own country so I have some experience.

Think of somewhat high-end / no brand mountainbikes in the range of 10,000-60,000 baht

Fitness equipment from a licensed brand, think of Dunlop for example, eg crosstrainers in the 10,000-20,000 baht range. as most other equipment like affordable home trainers / exercise bikes (maybe nice for all the senior foreigners living here) for say 5000-10,000 baht.

Do you think there would be a market for this in Pattaya? I know Big-C sells some fitness equipment at similar price levels but not the best quality from what I've seen.

[oldsailor35]

Probably do better selling "cheap priced" condoms !

[Turkleton]

what is a "shuiop"?

[digbeth]

There are shops that sells bikes from 5-6,000 baht to 100,000 baht or more in Pattaya, I suggest you have a look who they are and what their customers are like, these are 'traditional' mom and pop shops that is transitioning to a more modern setting, they have the connection with the importers and the local community but their setting, stocking and retail management is lacking in some areas.

I'd love to have shops that stock high end stuff (the mom and pop shops don't always stock parts, but they can order for you) and display it nicely in a nice environment. This is where you could come in.

There are shops in ChonBuri that has managed to make this transition from mom-and pop shops to well run business. not yet in Pattaya.

There are many upstart bicycle shops in Bangkok that is modern and more 'boutique' that manages to supplant the traditional family business run store.

To give anymore detail would be doing your homework for you, but I suggest ThaiMTB.com which is 'the' forum for all bicycling in Thailand (all in Thai) all of the distributors and even local shops all have presence there.

But first, have a look beyond Big C, even sporting retail shop in Malls have a cycling sections now

[anto]

There is a huge bike riding fad just now in Thailand .So thats a plus .

[swissie]

what is a "shuiop"?

Easy: Shop for highly uneducated, ignorant but opinionated punters. = SHUIOP.

Wanted to open a Jet-Ski Operation but I think I will drop it in favor of a Shuiop.

Cheers.

[fosseway]

The only "High End" fitness machines available here are the imported "Life Fitness" they cost an arm and a leg, because of the import duty, they quoted about 3 million Baht to equip our condo gym, otherwise the only alternative is the " Mickey Mouse" stuff you see around town.

I am sure there would be a good market for a really good quality product that is made in Thailand, If you can source it, better still, if you could start manufacturing the stuff that could be a very lucrative business.

[dennis123]

Thanks for the comments.

I wouldn't want to spend too much on it in the beginning, eg start importing containers with fitness equipment from China and take it from there, a friend of mine does that in Holland right now so I can use his contacts, it's of a better quality then Dunlop/DKN (which is fairly decent for home use btw), though a lesser quality than LifeFitness which is suitable for condo gyms and thus bloody expensive of course, treadmills for $5k-10k are no exception.

The bicycles would come in later and will be imported from Italy where I know a very decent supplier at very interesting rates, retail price about 40-60% less than the well known brands.

I've looked around in Pattaya and the only fitness section I could find was in Big C, and it appeared heavily over priced for the quality it shows.

Just wonder if fitness sells, Thais appear to be a bit lazy, and not sure how many foreigners would be interested, plenty do have a condo and tons of retirees so could be a market...

[dennis123]

The only "High End" fitness machines available here are the imported "Life Fitness" they cost an arm and a leg, because of the import duty, they quoted about 3 million Baht to equip our condo gym, otherwise the only alternative is the " Mickey Mouse" stuff you see around town.

I am sure there would be a good market for a really good quality product that is made in Thailand, If you can source it, better still, if you could start manufacturing the stuff that could be a very lucrative business.

Manufacturing is no option

I know of a wholesaler/importer north of Bangkok but I don't think there's any fitness manufacturer in Thailand.

[onemorechang]

Just wonder if fitness sells, Thais appear to be a bit lazy,

i do believe this is true some times

[whitemouse]

Hi Dennis!

I don't see how this would be a successful venture in Pattaya.

First, the home fitness equipment. Who here would buy a 10-20.000 fitness machine, or a statinary training bike for their home? Thais certainly won't, not Pattaya Thais, the exercise bike simply wouldn't fit in their room lol, and they avoid any physical activity, like walking. So we can be resenably certain they won't buy an exercise bike.

Then you are only left with fellow foreigners, men in Pattaya who own a house, or a condo, I think you agree, a guy renting a place isn't gonna buy an exercise machine. I'm renting 5-6 months every winter here, it hasn't occured to me to buy an excercise machine lol, the thought in itse;f is funny to me lol.

Maybe I'd buy 2 dumbbells from your shop, 10 KG, I onve even looked at those in Centrals Sports Center, or what its called, go have look, 2nd floor at Central, theye stock some bicycles as well, dreadful selection, but prolly exactly in tact what Pattaya needs.

But people like me, seasonal renetrs are not gonna be not your customers, so lets look at who would be - foreigners, mostly guys in retirement age, who own their own place.

Every condo I've visited has a gym, so why would a guy living in such condo buy a bulky machine for 15.000 baht, to take space in his apartement, if all he has to do is go downstairs, and use the machines, granted, shitty machines, but people using the aren't competition level bodybuilders, those machines are adequate, and they are free!

That leaves you with house owners, again we get to age of your potential customers, older guys just don't excercise as much, 70 year and older men who take care of themselves do cardio, they walk and run. You can see guys of that age, in great shape, running on Beach Rd. But how many here do this, and how many guys here choose not to? I believe most do not excercise. So no sale!

Bicyclces. Yes, as pointed out here earlier there is a massive fad in Thailand for road bikes, but it's now fading, it peaked about 3 years ago. Every Thai in Bangkok had to own a Bianchi!

I used to have a bikes shop in Toronto, and ever since then I take notice of every bike, it's like compulsion now lol, and I observe hi end bicycle market trends, developments in idustry, and trends and fads. So I know Thai bike fad, mid and upper class Thais MUST own Italian made hi end road bike! Most don't ride them, but who cares, bikes look good and friends know what they cost.

Mid range Pinarello, Colnago, and Bianchi with Shimano Ultegra gruppo (not top range but close to) strts at 130.000 baht, top frames with with Dura Ace gruppo 300.000 baht is norm, depending on frame. How many of those do you think you'll be able to move in Pattaya? I only see these bikes in Bangkok, they are prestige items, status symbols here. Just like watch has to be Swiss made, road bike has to be Italian, top frames are actually still manufactured in Italy.

You mentioned you have contacts in italy, and you can get very good deals. But thinking of selling those bikes in Pattaya? Hopeless!

Another thing about bikes shops, it matters very much how well established you as a dealer are, how reputable your shop is. That is because Italians frames come with very long warranties, carbon frames often with life time warranties. But what use is warranty, if the the shop isn't there 2 years down the road? Potential buyer knows this, and new kid on block has zero advantage, and all the disadvantages.

This is just my opinion, I may be totally wrong.

Do a poll here at ThaiVisa, there is such thing as actual poll, you post a question, and members choose one of pre set answers, like Yes/No/Maybe/Definitely not/,

ask home owners if they would buy a fitess equipmemt for home use, free market research lol

[OMGImInPattaya]

Wow...you've only seen gym fitness equipment at Big C...you must have just fallen off the bus from Ekamai. There are lots of fitness equipment and bike shops in town...just not on Walking Street or Soi LK Metro so you haven't seen them.

I suggest you think of another way to finance you dream of living in Pattaya...just not a beauty salon because that's well covered already as well.

[dennis123]

@OMGPattaya, I've been here for 3 years and only once been to Walking Street and wouldn't know where Soi Metro is lol (as in don't recognize it by name), I drive around a lot on my motorbike and likely seen every part of Pattaya, from North to South till Sukhumvit and beyond it, I've seen some shops but nothing dedicated to fitness equipment, and I think I only recently saw one new bike shop on Thepprasit road.

@WhiteMouse, when I sold fitness equipment in my country I had an awful lot of customers in the 50-60+ range buying a hometrainer/exercise bike, these things don't take a lot of space but I'm not sure I would be able to run a business based on selling these things. The younger group of that age went for a crosstrainer/elliptical trainer, more expensive and take a bit more space though not more than one square meter.

Half of the condos in Pattaya are Thai owned right? At least that's the rule, so these aren't the most poor Thai I guess if they can afford to buy a condo, however I suppose most buy it as a weekend home so not much chance for them to buy an exercise machine when they're out for a weekend to relax so we can probably scrap them off the potential client list.

The other half is foreign owned and when I look at the lights burning at night and the special locks on the door here at least half of that half is like permanently empty, eg investment stuff.

So we got 25% left that people might live permanently in, those are probably the retirees that could use some exercise, however when I observe those people in daily life it seems a large part of them are alcoholics lol or so rusted that it will take a lot of effort to get them on such bike.

Maybe not such a good idea indeed.

Anyone has any idea how many condos units there actually are in Pattaya/Jomtien in total? Not including hotels.

[Rimmer]

I know a bit about bikes can not comment on fitness equipment

I retired early and got bored so started from scratch a business dealing in the import and re export also retail sales of mountain bikes and accessories in Singapore, I had five retail outlets on the Island and held many well known main agency lines for Singapore and the region. In addition to the bikes and accessories I was the regional distributor for Camelbak drinking systems, very very big business on that one product alone.

I would say the investment in capital and time is not worth the return, it can with an awful lot of hard work provide a living but will never make a lot of money.

High end customers want to buy a Brand, they don't want cheap bikes from China they want an expensive product with a brand name, do not underestimate brand and customer loyalty.

Also be aware that contrary to popular belief despite a bike having an American or Italian sounding brand name it is most probably not made in that country, a very few expensive hand built frames are, but mostly they not, mostly they are fabricated in Taiwan and finished in the country to which they are sold.

To find out what manufacturer builds what frames for what brand go to the annual bike show in Taipei, it is if I remember correctly in April every year.

I did this for twelve years and had great fun doing it but my advice would be to forget the idea and enjoy yourself in other ways.

[OMGImInPattaya]

@OMGPattaya, I've been here for 3 years and only once been to Walking Street and wouldn't know where Soi Metro is lol (as in don't recognize it by name), I drive around a lot on my motorbike and likely seen every part of Pattaya, from North to South till Sukhumvit and beyond it, I've seen some shops but nothing dedicated to fitness equipment, and I think I only recently saw one new bike shop on Thepprasit road.

@WhiteMouse, when I sold fitness equipment in my country I had an awful lot of customers in the 50-60+ range buying a hometrainer/exercise bike, these things don't take a lot of space but I'm not sure I would be able to run a business based on selling these things. The younger group of that age went for a crosstrainer/elliptical trainer, more expensive and take a bit more space though not more than one square meter.

Half of the condos in Pattaya are Thai owned right? At least that's the rule, so these aren't the most poor Thai I guess if they can afford to buy a condo, however I suppose most buy it as a weekend home so not much chance for them to buy an exercise machine when they're out for a weekend to relax so we can probably scrap them off the potential client list.

The other half is foreign owned and when I look at the lights burning at night and the special locks on the door here at least half of that half is like permanently empty, eg investment stuff.

So we got 25% left that people might live permanently in, those are probably the retirees that could use some exercise, however when I observe those people in daily life it seems a large part of them are alcoholics lol or so rusted that it will take a lot of effort to get them on such bike.

Maybe not such a good idea indeed.

Anyone has any idea how many condos units there actually are in Pattaya/Jomtien in total? Not including hotels.

Well you may have looked but you haven't seen as the sages say...or maybe you just have bad eyes. There are two fitness equipment shops, to cite as examples, right near each other on Sukhumvit...one just before Nua on the left as you come into town and the other right at the south-east corner of Nua and Sukhumvit. As for bike shops, there's a string of them along Sukhumvit, again on he left as you enter, from about Soi Crocodile Farm to just before Nua.

I to the general market for fitness equipment and bikes...look around you, do you see many people who look like they're interested in healthy lifestyles?

[digbeth]

Come December 11th, when many come out for the 'Bike for Dad' parade you can check out for yourself how many high end bikes are in Pattaya. When it was for Bike for Mum earlier in the year local shops were reporting brisk trade on bikes, especially the higher end where civil servants were trying to outdo each others.

Thailand is probebly at the tail end of a bicycle fad, the demand might be artificial and the real number of people who will use their bikes regularly is probably much lower, but just because you don't see it doesn't mean they aren't there. Most people who ride high end bikes road bikes or mountain bikes don't ride from Big C to Beach Road or Walking Street

But around Pattaya alone every morning and evenings in areas like: Wat Yan, Bang Phra Lake, Khao Mai Kaew and the PhraTamNak hills there are good many contingent of fitness conscious people riding, jogging and doing things other than getting drunk. Every Saturdays or Sundays there are events like races and group rides going on every week. Local governments are building bike paths like crazy everywhere. Just the two or three family run shop in Pattaya as it is currently is not going to serve all the people. Most shop's bike mechanic is pretty well booked up and to get your bike serviced at any decent place you'd have to book in advance or wait half a day or so, so there is room for more shops, especially if you could genuinely offer unique perspective.

But not only you need to know and handle relationship with the prospective customers, there are importers and distributors you have to get a hold of, do you know who they are, how can you find them out? you can try importing your own bikes and equipment, but then you'll have to deal with Thai customs, find out how to navigate the customs system, and then if you managed to import in any reasonable scale, you'd be better of as a distributor

[shirtless]

You would have a better busines selling barstools with shock absorbers on them, much bigger market iin Pattaya.

[DMC1]

OP - for push bikes take a look at the range of bikes at Numchai. As mentioned above its one of the shops right under the footbridge on the Sukhumvit at Naklua. 100's of bikes on display but I guess most of them would be Taiwan brands like Merida & Wheeler. I'm about to exchange my 5 year old Merida there in the next few weeks. He will give me 4K baht for my old bike towards a new one - fair enough.

[dennis123]

Well you may have looked but you haven't seen as the sages say...or maybe you just have bad eyes. There are two fitness equipment shops, to cite as examples, right near each other on Sukhumvit...one just before Nua on the left as you come into town and the other right at the south-east corner of Nua and Sukhumvit. As for bike shops, there's a string of them along Sukhumvit, again on he left as you enter, from about Soi Crocodile Farm to just before Nua.

I to the general market for fitness equipment and bikes...look around you, do you see many people who look like they're interested in healthy lifestyles?

Ok, I will take my bike next time, normally I only drive by car on Sukhumvit and then it's easy to miss out on things, curious what they got to offer so thanks for mentioning.

People interested in healthy lifestyles, uh nope

[dennis123]

Come December 11th, when many come out for the 'Bike for Dad' parade you can check out for yourself how many high end bikes are in Pattaya. When it was for Bike for Mum earlier in the year local shops were reporting brisk trade on bikes, especially the higher end where civil servants were trying to outdo each others.

Thailand is probebly at the tail end of a bicycle fad, the demand might be artificial and the real number of people who will use their bikes regularly is probably much lower, but just because you don't see it doesn't mean they aren't there. Most people who ride high end bikes road bikes or mountain bikes don't ride from Big C to Beach Road or Walking Street

But around Pattaya alone every morning and evenings in areas like: Wat Yan, Bang Phra Lake, Khao Mai Kaew and the PhraTamNak hills there are good many contingent of fitness conscious people riding, jogging and doing things other than getting drunk. Every Saturdays or Sundays there are events like races and group rides going on every week. Local governments are building bike paths like crazy everywhere. Just the two or three family run shop in Pattaya as it is currently is not going to serve all the people. Most shop's bike mechanic is pretty well booked up and to get your bike serviced at any decent place you'd have to book in advance or wait half a day or so, so there is room for more shops, especially if you could genuinely offer unique perspective.

But not only you need to know and handle relationship with the prospective customers, there are importers and distributors you have to get a hold of, do you know who they are, how can you find them out? you can try importing your own bikes and equipment, but then you'll have to deal with Thai customs, find out how to navigate the customs system, and then if you managed to import in any reasonable scale, you'd be better of as a distributor

Quite amazed by that.

I said high-end but actually I mean a mix, starting at about 300 euro with proper gear sets and such, those high-end models all carbon and such are quite tough to sell in my country, as most are very brand aware there and if they have to pay well they rather spend 5k euro for a well known brand instead of 2500 euro for a no-name. Not sure how Thailand will respond to that.

I'm not familiar with importing to Thailand but it can't be that difficult to find out, neither do I know any distributors or importers in Thailand, obviously I do know the manufacturers in Europe as I worked with them before but this time I want to stick to just one brand, the one from Italy as it's top notch stuff for very decent prices. Not that easy to find the right manufacturer at competitive prices as many simply suck and go cheap on frames or other things and only brag around about gears/brakes and such.

Actually more interested in fitness but I think that will be a tough one, if I decide to pursue it I will not just sell in Pattaya but build up an online presence and deliver for free in whole Thailand, shipping rates are pretty good here. Right now I'm into SEO which becomes harder by the day but Thailand isn't that competitive so I'm sure I can dominate those niches online.

[anto]

>>just not a beauty salon because that's well covered already as well.<<...........Soi Bukhao ,is wall to wall beauty shops alone .Mostly financed by the Farang Boyfriend ,and the girls only know how to wash and blow dry ,but wont say that on the door/window.lol

[robblok]

The only "High End" fitness machines available here are the imported "Life Fitness" they cost an arm and a leg, because of the import duty, they quoted about 3 million Baht to equip our condo gym, otherwise the only alternative is the " Mickey Mouse" stuff you see around town.

I am sure there would be a good market for a really good quality product that is made in Thailand, If you can source it, better still, if you could start manufacturing the stuff that could be a very lucrative business.

Import duty on gym equipment is only 10% and 7% vat.

That is what i paid for my concept 2 rower and other stuff I imported.

There are also quite a few companies that make and sell good fitness equipment here.

[digbeth]

Come December 11th, when many come out for the 'Bike for Dad' parade you can check out for yourself how many high end bikes are in Pattaya. When it was for Bike for Mum earlier in the year local shops were reporting brisk trade on bikes, especially the higher end where civil servants were trying to outdo each others.

Thailand is probebly at the tail end of a bicycle fad, the demand might be artificial and the real number of people who will use their bikes regularly is probably much lower, but just because you don't see it doesn't mean they aren't there. Most people who ride high end bikes road bikes or mountain bikes don't ride from Big C to Beach Road or Walking Street

But around Pattaya alone every morning and evenings in areas like: Wat Yan, Bang Phra Lake, Khao Mai Kaew and the PhraTamNak hills there are good many contingent of fitness conscious people riding, jogging and doing things other than getting drunk. Every Saturdays or Sundays there are events like races and group rides going on every week. Local governments are building bike paths like crazy everywhere. Just the two or three family run shop in Pattaya as it is currently is not going to serve all the people. Most shop's bike mechanic is pretty well booked up and to get your bike serviced at any decent place you'd have to book in advance or wait half a day or so, so there is room for more shops, especially if you could genuinely offer unique perspective.

But not only you need to know and handle relationship with the prospective customers, there are importers and distributors you have to get a hold of, do you know who they are, how can you find them out? you can try importing your own bikes and equipment, but then you'll have to deal with Thai customs, find out how to navigate the customs system, and then if you managed to import in any reasonable scale, you'd be better of as a distributor

Quite amazed by that.

I said high-end but actually I mean a mix, starting at about 300 euro with proper gear sets and such, those high-end models all carbon and such are quite tough to sell in my country, as most are very brand aware there and if they have to pay well they rather spend 5k euro for a well known brand instead of 2500 euro for a no-name. Not sure how Thailand will respond to that.

I'm not familiar with importing to Thailand but it can't be that difficult to find out, neither do I know any distributors or importers in Thailand, obviously I do know the manufacturers in Europe as I worked with them before but this time I want to stick to just one brand, the one from Italy as it's top notch stuff for very decent prices. Not that easy to find the right manufacturer at competitive prices as many simply suck and go cheap on frames or other things and only brag around about gears/brakes and such.

Actually more interested in fitness but I think that will be a tough one, if I decide to pursue it I will not just sell in Pattaya but build up an online presence and deliver for free in whole Thailand, shipping rates are pretty good here. Right now I'm into SEO which becomes harder by the day but Thailand isn't that competitive so I'm sure I can dominate those niches online.

If you a relationship with that brand and you feel they offer values that's unique in the market, being an importer/distributor might be an easier route, having a shop means you must have all the necessary components to serve the customers, wheels and tires, groupsets gears and brakes which means getting it all from multiple other distributors, dealing with warranty and such.

There are Thai brands that try to offer value by buying Taiwan frames and putting their own name on, so there's a market for value, Even brands like Canyon that only sells online and ship from Germany has a following here in Thailand, there are shops that will order, receive and pay taxes for Thai people that can't navigate the website and order online themselves.

but are the components, groupsets, gears and brakes cheaper in Europe than here in Thailand that imports directly from China/Malaysia? For big brands, they probably have the economies of scale to... how does your brand compares to other brand's complete bikes? Will you be importing complete bikes or would it be easier to bring in just the frames to sell to the local bike shop where they might have better access to local distributor for components and mechanics?

Other people have given you Namchai in Naklua as the shop to look for... even though that shop is probably the best in Pattaya, it's still no where near the level shops in Bangkok are at now. Another shop I recommend you seek out is Bikenet in Sriracha, about 20-30 minutes north of Pattaya. Location wise, there are no decent bike shops south of Jomtien all the way to Rayong so there's vast untapped market there too if you are still intent on opening a shop

[dennis123]

I know a bit about bikes can not comment on fitness equipment

I retired early and got bored so started from scratch a business dealing in the import and re export also retail sales of mountain bikes and accessories in Singapore, I had five retail outlets on the Island and held many well known main agency lines for Singapore and the region. In addition to the bikes and accessories I was the regional distributor for Camelbak drinking systems, very very big business on that one product alone.

I would say the investment in capital and time is not worth the return, it can with an awful lot of hard work provide a living but will never make a lot of money.

High end customers want to buy a Brand, they don't want cheap bikes from China they want an expensive product with a brand name, do not underestimate brand and customer loyalty.

Also be aware that contrary to popular belief despite a bike having an American or Italian sounding brand name it is most probably not made in that country, a very few expensive hand built frames are, but mostly they not, mostly they are fabricated in Taiwan and finished in the country to which they are sold.

To find out what manufacturer builds what frames for what brand go to the annual bike show in Taipei, it is if I remember correctly in April every year.

I did this for twelve years and had great fun doing it but my advice would be to forget the idea and enjoy yourself in other ways.

Missed your post.

In Holland people are very brand demanding (I had a few of those no-brand bikes in my shop back than but it didn't sell at all, yeah sure the cheapest models of 150-250 euro sold, but anything above say 350 euro didn't). In Belgium the models between 350 and say 1250 euro sold real well, so it really depends on the country where you sell. I can understand that Thais that are obviously wealthy or they wouldn't even think of spending 1k for a mtb likely want the real thing, to show off.

So I have few options:

1) Become a brand dealer, this is going to require huge investments in stock, definitely not on top of my list

2) Focus on the more affordable models in the 150-300 euro price range and compete directly with Big C / Tesco and other small shops (and add fitness to the arsenal).

Option two would probably be the better choice.

What I will do is setup a sports website here in Thailand with a range of products, promote it a bit and see what kind of responses I get, if it leads to nothing I can always replace the products with some of the Thai affiliate providers. Might also do some local ads just to test responses. There are some licensed brands but most of those collections kind of suck and the prices aren't even that competitive when you look at what it's assembled with.

[losworld]

Dennis I think you could actually do better with this concept in Chiang Mai or Khon Kaen or similar larger Thai cities. Phuket certainly would be a good area although it may have this already. Sadly Pattaya comprises long termers such as older falangs often with sex addictions or alcohol problems. You might do better with a beer bar filled with inflatable dolls.

[dennis123]

Dennis I think you could actually do better with this concept in Chiang Mai or Khon Kaen or similar larger Thai cities. Phuket certainly would be a good area although it may have this already. Sadly Pattaya comprises long termers such as older falangs often with sex addictions or alcohol problems. You might do better with a beer bar filled with inflatable dolls.

That's all what I see here yes, seniors, hence my thought about fitness, however these are not your regular seniors indeed

If I have to live in Khon Kaen, Udon or Chiang Mai I think I'd rather go home and start a business there.

Anyway there's no hurry, it just crossed my mind now that visa rules have sharpened, on the other hand, I'd have to pay myself 50k baht/mo and pay tax on that, that comes down to about 150k/year and a Thai Elite visa is 100k/year (5 years 500k).

I think I'll go back to my home country first in May and try to stay there for 5 months to see how that is after three years of absence, maybe I'll like it again and the visa won't be a problem, maybe I won't and come back asap.

I've also considered setting up some internet agency here or Thai online shopping site, at least that's location independent and has likely more potential.

First we'll have to see what the upcoming Google Penguin update brings by the end of this year, it might crush my current business completely like it did with their last update (though recovered after three months of hard work), exciting times ahead that's for sure..

[tropo]

@OMGPattaya, I've been here for 3 years and only once been to Walking Street and wouldn't know where Soi Metro is lol (as in don't recognize it by name), I drive around a lot on my motorbike and likely seen every part of Pattaya, from North to South till Sukhumvit and beyond it, I've seen some shops but nothing dedicated to fitness equipment, and I think I only recently saw one new bike shop on Thepprasit road.

@WhiteMouse, when I sold fitness equipment in my country I had an awful lot of customers in the 50-60+ range buying a hometrainer/exercise bike, these things don't take a lot of space but I'm not sure I would be able to run a business based on selling these things. The younger group of that age went for a crosstrainer/elliptical trainer, more expensive and take a bit more space though not more than one square meter.

Half of the condos in Pattaya are Thai owned right? At least that's the rule, so these aren't the most poor Thai I guess if they can afford to buy a condo, however I suppose most buy it as a weekend home so not much chance for them to buy an exercise machine when they're out for a weekend to relax so we can probably scrap them off the potential client list.

The other half is foreign owned and when I look at the lights burning at night and the special locks on the door here at least half of that half is like permanently empty, eg investment stuff.

So we got 25% left that people might live permanently in, those are probably the retirees that could use some exercise, however when I observe those people in daily life it seems a large part of them are alcoholics lol or so rusted that it will take a lot of effort to get them on such bike.

Maybe not such a good idea indeed.

Anyone has any idea how many condos units there actually are in Pattaya/Jomtien in total? Not including hotels.

Well you may have looked but you haven't seen as the sages say...or maybe you just have bad eyes. There are two fitness equipment shops, to cite as examples, right near each other on Sukhumvit...one just before Nua on the left as you come into town and the other right at the south-east corner of Nua and Sukhumvit. As for bike shops, there's a string of them along Sukhumvit, again on he left as you enter, from about Soi Crocodile Farm to just before Nua.

I to the general market for fitness equipment and bikes...look around you, do you see many people who look like they're interested in healthy lifestyles?

That's not to mention Marathon Sports on Sukhumvit opposite Bangkok Hospital Pattaya, and Seara Sports Systems on Sukhumvit adjacent Chaiyapruek Road. Marathon has cheap and middle range equipment. Seara has the high end imported stuff. There's also a big online store in Thailand called Gymware who offer an extensive range of equipment from low to high end.

IMO the market is already over saturated at all ranges from cheap to expensive. It would be commercial suicide to get into this business.

[dennis123]

That's not to mention Marathon Sports on Sukhumvit opposite Bangkok Hospital Pattaya, and Seara Sports Systems on Sukhumvit adjacent Chaiyapruek Road. Marathon has cheap and middle range equipment. Seara has the high end imported stuff. There's also a big online store in Thailand called Gymware who offer an extensive range of equipment from low to high end.

IMO the market is already over saturated at all ranges from cheap to expensive. It would be commercial suicide to get into this business.

Whoops, good I started this thread.

Local sounds like a pretty bad idea indeed, online shop is still an option.

Pretty curious how those current shops are doing, should hangout there for awhile on saturday.

Lmao at the collection from Gymware though, that's no competition for sure

Did a quick Google on Marathon Sports and they seem heavily over priced for what they offer.

Seara is high-end, not affordable for normal folks.

Actually I would fill a good gap as a price breaker, I mean a decent crosstrainer at marathon costs about 40k baht, which is plain nonsense as I can sell very decent/stable ones for max 16k baht and still make a good profit. Heck even for 10-12k I could deliver a proper machine for home use that's much better than what you see at Big C.

Cause there are only 1-2 shops selling these things for home users it sounds like the owners of those shops can charge whatever they want as long as it's better than Big C / Tesco. I bet Marathon Sports wouldn't be happy with my arrival if I pursue it Seara is a complete different ballgame of course.

I've always been a price breaker, only here it's doubtful whether volume makes up for it.

Small example:

A crosstrainer that sells for 16k I can buy in Holland from a wholesaler for 12k, that wholesaler pays 30% antidump and 15% import rights + shipping costs to get it in Holland, so if I get it directly from China I get it for less and save an awful lot on antidump/import rights/shipping so likely I pay only about 5k baht so that's a profit of 11k per crosstrainer. Same applies to most equipment really. Staff only costs 36k, small showroom about 34k, so would have to sell like 2 machines/week to make a small profit. The stuff that Big-C sells costs about 2k maybe 3k baht in China and they sell for 12-15k, holy moses, they sure know how to turn a profit lol.

I think Thailand has quite a market as the prices are hugely inflated here, ain't gonna make friends that's for sure

[tropo]

That's not to mention Marathon Sports on Sukhumvit opposite Bangkok Hospital Pattaya, and Seara Sports Systems on Sukhumvit adjacent Chaiyapruek Road. Marathon has cheap and middle range equipment. Seara has the high end imported stuff. There's also a big online store in Thailand called Gymware who offer an extensive range of equipment from low to high end.

IMO the market is already over saturated at all ranges from cheap to expensive. It would be commercial suicide to get into this business.

Whoops, good I started this thread.

Local sounds like a pretty bad idea indeed, online shop is still an option.

Pretty curious how those current shops are doing, should hangout there for awhile on saturday.

Lmao at the collection from Gymware though, that's no competition for sure

Did a quick Google on Marathon Sports and they seem heavily over priced for what they offer.

Seara is high-end, not affordable for normal folks.

Actually I would fill a good gap as a price breaker, I mean a decent crosstrainer at marathon costs about 40k baht, which is plain nonsense as I can sell very decent/stable ones for max 16k baht and still make a good profit. Heck even for 10-12k I could deliver a proper machine for home use that's much better than what you see at Big C.

Cause there are only 1-2 shops selling these things for home users it sounds like the owners of those shops can charge whatever they want as long as it's better than Big C / Tesco. I bet Marathon Sports wouldn't be happy with my arrival if I pursue it Seara is a complete different ballgame of course.

I've always been a price breaker, only here it's doubtful whether volume makes up for it.

Small example:

A crosstrainer that sells for 16k I can buy in Holland from a wholesaler for 12k, that wholesaler pays 30% antidump and 15% import rights + shipping costs to get it in Holland, so if I get it directly from China I get it for less and save an awful lot on antidump/import rights/shipping so likely I pay only about 5k baht so that's a profit of 11k per crosstrainer. Same applies to most equipment really. Staff only costs 36k, small showroom about 34k, so would have to sell like 2 machines/week to make a small profit. The stuff that Big-C sells costs about 2k maybe 3k baht in China and they sell for 12-15k, holy moses, they sure know how to turn a profit lol.

I think Thailand has quite a market as the prices are hugely inflated here, ain't gonna make friends that's for sure

I was at Marathon Sports yesterday. The place was totally deserted. I agree the prices are ridiculous. I was only after some DB's and they were charging around 180 baht/kg for ugly, roughly molded small plates. For 2 adjustable DB's holding a maximum of 30kg each (5kg x 6) I would be paying 12,000 baht. At Seara I was quoted 12,600 baht for a 5ft olympic plate barbell and 35kg of plastic covered plates. Unbelievable and ridiculous. If I wanted 2 x 15kg plates, the total cost would have been over 20,000 baht. That place is always deserted too. I think they make their money from setting up condo and hotel gyms.

[dennis123]

was at Marathon Sports yesterday. The place was totally deserted. I agree the prices are ridiculous. I was only after some DB's and they were charging around 180 baht/kg for ugly, roughly molded small plates. For 2 adjustable DB's holding a maximum of 30kg each (5kg x 6) I would be paying 12,000 baht. At Seara I was quoted 12,600 baht for a 5ft olympic plate barbell and 35kg of plastic covered plates. Unbelievable and ridiculous. If I wanted 2 x 15kg plates, the total cost would have been over 20,000 baht. That place is always deserted too. I think they make their money from setting up condo and hotel gyms.

I forgot how much I sold weights for but this sounds pretty expensive indeed.

Fitness shops appearing deserted is quite common though as you don't need a lot of clients per day, two buyers/day would be sufficient to keep the business running, and most are out again in 20 minutes. I did it a little different in the past by only being open op saturdays and wednesday/friday night, that in combination with cheap bicycles did pull small crowds and sometimes it was even packed on saturdays where I had to explain a group of say 8 people (3 different sets of customers) about a certain crosstrainer they were all interested in. Box shoving business I call it

Seara definitely makes their money from gyms, we have a similar company in Holland, lot of expensive stuff and turned out they have like 8 vans driving around, I was like wth in the beginning but makes sense when you deliver to fire departments, hotels, offices and what not, nowadays every decent sized company has a gym for their employees.

Here on a site I used to buy from I see an adjustable dumbleset up to 24kg per dumbel costs 440 euro, crazy, 2x15kg steel plates costs 3000 baht, about 100 baht/kg, I think I bought it for something lik e 50 baht/kg back then. You'd think steel is less expensive in Thailand, maybe I'm wrong.