Who wants to buy a coffee school?

Kelsey

http://www.gumtree.com.au/c-ViewAd?AdId=1001326102

derrilex

Just the equipment and fit out is probably worth it but with bean suppliers doing the training and also running courses for the public I reckon the market is pretty well sown up. Getting the big boys to rent it would be the go

Brett H

Disaster I reckon.  Cheap for a reason. DX is spot on.

derrilex

Maybe sublet it out to TAFE for the hospitality courses but I reckon the owner has done his arse big time on it

UNM

Hey, it COULD work, but you would have to find an alternate way of marketing the courses that isn't commonly used. Without some novel way to bring in a lot of punters, the equipment is the only value and the lease a liability. Fitout - probably worthless. Plenty places do standard espresso courses and issue TAFE certificates on completion. I am officially qualified to prepare and serve espresso. Only takes 4 hours. Oh yes - and nobody ever fails. There were some shockers on my course.

mycuppa

Yes, UNM I was just about to chime in with those statements. Whilst people would naturally think the killer is the high capital outlay on equipment, it's not the barrier - marketing costs are the killer. Providers of traditional advertising channels (print & media)  still believe they have the upper-hand in attracting sales, thus they charge accordingly - big $$. Unless you can generate enough leads per week, or partner with some of the coffee companies for a fee, it's going to be a tough gig. The sad irony is that a lot of people think they can make good coffee at home or in the workplace - reality is another thing altogether and it's like teaching people to cook - many just jump in a have a go, relying on a practice makes perfect theory - regardless of their level of knowledge or abilities.

UNM

on 1335267548:

Whilst people would naturally think the killer is the high capital outlay on equipment, it's not the barrier - marketing costs are the killer.

Actually, that raises interesting issues. While marketing is technically an expense, it doesn't need to be expensive and it is actually an investment - despite what accountants would tell you. But that is probably a discussion for another thread...

Brett H

on 1335268227:

Actually, that raises interesting issues. While marketing is technically an expense, it doesn't need to be expensive and it is actually an investment - despite what accountants would tell you. But that is probably a discussion for another thread...

Sounds like a good discussion for here.  Sure, we could all chip in and then get a Kelsey website, hit Facespace and the Twitsphere and go hard... But the minute the rent, repair and replace bills (especially for those $295 Chinese SupaGollys and 'reconditioned' clunkers on the bench) roll in you'll be paying out good money unless you are a qualified repairer.  The whole fit out looks tacky and second rate so there's another big money pit.  Sure it could work but it will cost a stink load more than 40K in time and money to get it going.  Certainly not a viable option for a home -enthusiast one would imagine. I'd love to be proven wrong however.  My wife is a teacher in Woodridge so we know the area reasonably.  Some beautiful people and families down that way but Woodridge is not exactly an area of town I would associate with excellence in coffee or coffee training.  Those places tend to be closer to the CBD.  Once again I may be wrong and that may acually be the jewel in the opportunity crown. 

Brett H

A very detailed business plan: AM: Maintenance/quality BH: educational structure curriculum outcomes and assessment Kelsey: Advertising/Digital design KK: Roasting/training DX: fit out Maintenance and the public face/model (like the blonde girl in the photo only sexier 20k each and 20 hours/week each We can save money by me teaching green apple cuppings and everybody doing a turn on training the paying trainees.  That way we don't have to hire any expensive real baristas. I would need to be paid my 40k/annum yield on time/capital investment in advance if that's okay :P Edit: wife says NO!

derrilex

Geez I dunno Brett, I think having a face like a smashed crab could be harmful to business. I fancy being in charge of discipline. I'm thinking walking behind the students with a horse whip  :rofl: PS, the good looking ones get the riding crop  :rofl: >:D :rofl:

askthecoffeeguy

correct me if 'm wrong but "no figures available" is actually illegal is it not? I know that the onus is on the buyer to do due diligence but how is that possible without accurate accounting records?

derrilex

on 1335365463:

correct me if 'm wrong but "no figures available" is actually illegal is it not? I know that the onus is on the buyer to do due diligence but how is that possible without accurate accounting records?

Be a lot of red pen in those books if they existed

askthecoffeeguy

on 1335387859:

Be a lot of red pen in those books if they existed

and white out i bet - I may or may not have heard of certain brokers who are willing to "provide" certified sales figures for cafes at no extra charge  :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

Kelsey

As a refugee from the education game I have little desire to rejoin that particular profession... There was a touch of whimsy to my posting it originally and I've been so slammed with work (unlike the poor geezers who currently own this place!) I haven't had a chance to pop back in and comment. It's a pity this kind of thing really isn't viable. It's a real shame that someone has poured their passion into this project and is being forced to list it on Gumtree to get the yoke off their shoulders. It's be a lovely little endeavour if it worked.

derrilex

If I were loaded I would buy it in a heart beat just to go and play and drink coffee. Alas, nothing could be further from the truth

Brett H

You've got to be prepared o make it your life.  Your 24/7.  Your family would have to accept that they'll be seeing less of you for a while.. a long while, and your passion and drive then are not your own.  They belong to the business.  If I were loaded I'd build something closer to home and pay a team to manage it.  I could also afford and set a longer term 'break-even' term and still eat while the nori sic value of the business was gathering momentum.  I could also then afford offload it at a big loss and not have to live in a skip.  IMHO 40k would be better spent in TLS shares and the first year's dividend payments would buy you a jolly nice grinder, hx and Behmor roaster.

derrilex

Sorry to mention, first thing would be to get the hell outta woodridge :rofl: :rofl:

Brett H

on 1335530748:

Sorry to mention, first thing would be to get the hell outta woodridge :rofl: :rofl:

Or just paint the venue in neutral gang colours!  :thumb:

derrilex

Is there such thing ?  :rofl: