zxc1251

Hi,
I am new to T-Shirt Business, (I am still waiting for my heat press to arrive).

I am about to sign mall cart (RMU) contract for next 6 month to sell T-Shirt in mall.
I would like to keep ready made t-shirts and inkjet heat transfer designs that customer can choose. I will keep heat press on cart and will transfer ready made designs to t-shirts on demand.

I need help setting up heat press on mall cart, does anyone have experience doing it and is it feasible? I would really appreciate any idea anyone can give.

Thanks in advance.

Did I tell you this is life saver forum for any tee biz person, starting out or pro.

 

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Dennis Graves

You need to make sure you are allowed to set up a heat press in a kiosk.

I would think that the mall would be worried about how close it is to actual customers and the potential for them to get burned. A store in my local mall has a press, but it's behind the counter away from the customers.

I would definitely check before I signed a rental contract, and get the permission in writing.

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zxc1251

yes, I agree,
This is my first condition before I sign any contract.
I will be meeting with them to discuss how and where I will put my heat press, so I need ideas how to do it. I know some one here must have done it on cart (RMU).

Thanks.

 

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zxc1251

Anyone?

 

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Liberty

We've done push carts, kiosks and inline stores and we were never permitted a heat press on the push carts. There were issues with safety, noise and electric. In fact, most mall mgmt companies allowed us heat presses only in the inline stores and only if we kept the heat press at the back of the stores. This was a number of years ago so maybe they are more relaxed about it now? The standard push cart has a place on one end where a cash register goes, The electric is right there also. You should be able to place a small manual heat press there without issues but don't overlook storage for the transfers and blank shirts. And remember also, most malls will not allow any hand cart deliveries once the mall is open. If you have to go back and forth to the parking lot, you cannot use a hand cart and carrying that stuff can wear you out.

One other bit of advice, don't sign a six month deal. January and February stink in most malls. Pay a little more if you have to to get out of there after the holidays. And make sure you understand the concept of base rent vs. overage rent. It is likely your contract will be for a base sales amount depending on square footage. They will expect accurate sales reports and if you go over the gross for the month they will want a percentage. It is a wonderful problem to have but if you are not expecting to write the check, it can hit you hard.

And make sure you are clear about the hours you must be open. Some management companies will fine you for opening late and closing early and those prolonged holiday hours can be grueling.

Oh, and be clear on what off-cart displays you are allowed. Most malls limit the amount of display that is not physically on the cart.

Good luck!

 

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Dennis Graves

Check on insurance requirements and what they want to charge you for Common Area Maintenance (CAM). When I looked into years ago we also had to have a cash register on their approved list.

Do you have a merchant account for credit cards? and a register/software to run it on a kiosk?

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zxc1251

Quote: Originally Posted by Liberty One other bit of advice, don't sign a six month deal. January and February stink in most malls. Pay a little more if you have to to get out of there after the holidays. And make sure you understand the concept of base rent vs. overage rent. It is likely your contract will be for a base sales amount depending on square footage. They will expect accurate sales reports and if you go over the gross for the month they will want a percentage. It is a wonderful problem to have but if you are not expecting to write the check, it can hit you hard.

They want minimum of 6 months lease, I did try to get it for holiday's but they did not agree to it.
They will be charging me base rent which is high , and then if I sale more then certain limit (pretty high) I would pay 15% of any sale more then that limit to mall. I am not worried about that much because if I can sale that much in any month I would have already made pretty good profit in that month.

Quote: Originally Posted by Dennis Graves Check on insurance requirements and what they want to charge you for Common Area Maintenance (CAM). When I looked into years ago we also had to have a cash register on their approved list. Do you have a merchant account for credit cards? and a register/software to run it on a kiosk?

I have not checked on insurance yet, as I am not sure whether they will allow heat press on cart or not.

I do not have merchant account, register or software yet, but I am talking with one guy and he is giving me credit card machine, full cart setup, register and initial inventory for pretty good price. Only thing I would like to add is heat press and that is where I am stuck right now.

Thank you guys for your replies, I really appreciate all your help.

 

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Bwgstitches

I own an embroidery kiosk in the mall and I know my mall will not allow me to put a heat press on my kiosk. They had one in the mall a couple of years ago(DTG) and he had a heat press. They allowed him to keep it there but it has to be enclosed (plexiglass structure), as long as you have a few signs posted, do not touch, hot surface, etc. you should be fine to do it. Might also depend on the mall company, Simon are the most lenient malls. Good luck

 

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