Furniture makers, how do you get your customers?

[Rhossydd]

They are also VAT registered so must have a revenue/turnover of £85K ,

Not necessarily, that's the point you need to register. Some businesses will choose to register for VAT before they reach that turnover level. It will depend on who you sell to and a few other factors.

 

[J-G]

Also not an accountant, but I believe that you can voluntarily register for vat below the threshold, I believe some firms will only deal with your business if you are registered.

That is correct. I registered when VAT was introduced - I had been registered for Purchase Tax previously though.

There are advantages if your customer base are also registered. I'm still registered 51 years later and most quarters I now get a refund since I'm semi-retired so my turnover is often less than £100. Q2 this year I'll get a £1.36 refund (T/O £44) - - - Q1 I paid them £320.81. (T/O £3k)

I don't begrudge the few hours a quarter that I spend dealing with my accounts and the VAT Return takes me less than 5 minutes. Anyone who considers a businessman to be an "Unpaid Tax Collector" has no idea what it entails.

 

[MF1000]

That is correct. I registered when VAT was introduced - I had been registered for Purchase Tax previously though.

There are advantages if your customer base are also registered. I'm still registered 51 years later and most quarters I now get a refund since I'm semi-retired so my turnover is often less than £100. Q2 this year I'll get a £1.36 refund (T/O £44) - - - Q1 I paid them £320.81. (T/O £3k)

I don't begrudge the few hours a quarter that I spend dealing with my accounts and the VAT Return takes me less than 5 minutes. Anyone who considers a businessman to be an "Unpaid Tax Collector" has no idea what it entails.

I did it for 13 years ….when the software systems we have now weren’t around for a small business….so yes I do know what it entailed

 

[J-G]

I did it for 13 years ….when the software systems we have now weren’t around for a small business….so yes I do know what it entailed

I wrote my own accounting software - upgrades as necessary due to government edict are simple to incorporate.

The free VAT Bridging software that connects my accounts to the VAT Man is a doddle to link to.

 

[LewisB]

I personally think the marketing side of it is as important as the finished piece. If you can get near professional grade photos of the stuff you make I think people will want your items more. Just look at how Another Country market their products, to use an example.

 

[Amplidyne]

I wrote my own accounting software - upgrades as necessary due to government edict are simple to incorporate.

The free VAT Bridging software that connects my accounts to the VAT Man is a doddle to link to.

Exactly, it's not making the stuff, it's selling it for a realistic price.
I made furniture reasonably successfully for 20 years. A friend of mine at a local gallery once told me that he knew another furniture maker who stopped making simply because he ran out of storage space for the pieces he'd made.
And hardwood is expensive these days, as well as the "competition" (used the term loosely) from imported "solid oak furniture"

 

[Deadeye]

Thread title should read "Furniture makers, how do I get your customers?"

 

[deema]

A big bucket of cold water. The first and most important rule for starting a business is know who your customers are, how to get your product noticed by them, and exactly what they want. Otherwise, you’re basically wasting your time and money. From your initial post I suggest you get a job, do the basic groundwork and then when you have a business plan think about this venture again.

 

[johnnyb]

I urge anyone to simply have a go. Life's to short to dip your toe in and go off half cocked. You will gain immeasurably in experience and knowledge. (If not money!))