Originally Posted by crispy (Post 6574711)

I don't think I have moaned about living in Chiclana, I quite like the area the longer I am here the more positive I feel, (I did once have a big moan about the attitude of some of the locals in a PM but I have come to live with that) about the whole thing. I do feel that due to the £/E exchange and being dependant on a UK income the belt is having to be done up a little tighter. I have lovely neighbours, fantastic friends and a charmed life and even with the tighter belt I would not want to go back to the UK at this moment. As for moving somewhere else, yes I would like to but that is because Chiclana was never going to be forever.

There are some people who bought in this area that do and have the right to moan about how they see things, many are not as lucky as Mal and I and their dreams have been shattered and the consequences of this is completely out of their hands to rectify. Many of these people are retired pensioners who just wanted a little sun, sea and siesta in their senior years and instead they feel they are back to square one of 50 years ago having to cut the coat to fit the cloth.

The younger ones who came along with high hopes and there young family's and found life not as they thought it would be in this area don't need to be told they are moaning about their lot. They risk everything and have had to go back to the UK, unable to sell their homes here and having to start all over again in the UK, admitting not only to famly and friends that they could not achieve what they dreamt of but more importantly to themselves.

Some people are blessed with more passion and know how about something and have the energy to make it work, alas we are not all of the same ilk.

Originally Posted by Fortaleza (Post 6576161)

I am stunned that you were the FOURTH!!!!!!! answer posted. I was expecting two or three.

I take your point, but I still find that overall the mood there is SOOOOOOOOO pesamistic and that is starting to happen up here in Huelva too. If people wake up depressed, it's hard work just to get to a normal mood throughout the day. Many Brits' lives in Chiclana, as you allude to, were built on false (or maybe fairer, extremely optimistic) hopes - you only have to look at the latest Brit businesses to fail (no names mentioned, but they are not too far away from your house - another on the way)

Crispy, you know I love the area - perhaps more so than this area. But the attitude stinks, it really does.

BTW are you going Friday or is it going to be another Lame Duck?

Originally Posted by andyrich666 (Post 6576213)

What kind of businesses are these that fail ??

I think many people target the wrong consumer when they open a business, Id like to know what you mean though even if PM
andy

Originally Posted by andyrich666 (Post 6574913)

to start with same as I do here really (currently sell laptops) Ive asked on this forum before and got a big big thumbs down from some people who should be respected but Im more optimistic - but if that does not work then oncel I cleared it all I will have to try something else, at the moment I am extremely confident even more so in the current climate Im 100% sure I would suceed enough to make a ok living in CB or CDS and a profitable one after 1 year, however I would need to get my spanish well sorted to have a go in La Luz (my dream), I have seen where I think some people go wrong in Spain and the same in the UK. People when they run a business (not a bar) they seem to just stay in the same town and only ever leave it to goto the airport, I have certainly noticed this -where as me I travel about a lot, even here at the moment my sales over internet are poor at the moment, so I have had to start ramping trade up round here but I wont just stick to my little town ill invade other areas im not wanted and undercut people.

Originally Posted by twyntub (Post 6576253)

Silly question... why not keep the business in the UK and work from Spain? A friend of mine sells laptops, rarely leaves his office, and he's as busy as he's ever been because of the sectors he works. He could just as easily work from home in Spain...

Of course, that doesn't prevent you from starting up in Spain as well... just gives you a regular income to get you started. :)

Originally Posted by Fortaleza (Post 6576309)

Andy

You seem to have your head firmly screwed on which is rare in these parts. Your plan is good - IF you can do it in Spanish. Basically, where people go wrong is that they limit their market (suicidal for any business). By being able to speak & sell in Spanish you open yourself to the biggest market available.

Whilst the Costa Blanca is charming, I do hope you can persuade your better half to see "the light"

Originally Posted by Ray51 (Post 6576352)

Do you mean : Luz ?

Originally Posted by andyrich666 (Post 6576256)

That was my original plan, its just a bit awkard to do it this way, last year no problem, a lot of changes in the way things are sold now makes it not as easy as it would have been.

Originally Posted by twyntub (Post 6576434)

I'm sure volumes will be much lower over here even when established, but margins might be slightly better. Some random thoughts:

- High value brands such as Apple are poorly represented here. There will always be a market for the best of everything, especially amongst the Spanish as well as Northern Europeans from within the Euro zone.

- I've always suspected that tech support and break-fix would be a challenge for many Brits who refuse to learn the language. Come to think of it, I doubt even the Spanish get decent support... An opportunity there.

- Focus seems to be something missing from businesses here. I've seen too many adverts for people that do everything from web sites to swimming pools, probably no good at either.

- Don't know what the import implications are, but with the strong euro, importing from the UK / US may mean cheaper prices that aren't reflected in store. Your undercutting ability may be 25% better than locally-sourced suppliers for certain kit.

- Even in these troubled times, there must be plenty of Brits moving to Spain needing a hassle-free connection to work back in the UK. How about a fully managed service including laptop(s), mobile 3G card, phone, setup home internet connection (including Satellite / WiFi, ADSL etc), routers, cables, UPS + surge protection, backup generator, software, liaise with company's IT department, CAT5E, wireless LAN, Firewall, IPSec BoVPN setup, Ikea desk + chair, air-con, etc, etc. Come to think of it, there seem to be plenty of Brits wanting to start a company - yet with little / no Spanish this would be a useful service to them as well. Just DON'T start selling swimming pools as a side-line!!! :D

Originally Posted by Fortaleza (Post 6576161)

I am stunned that you were the FOURTH!!!!!!! answer posted. I was expecting two or three.

I take your point, but I still find that overall the mood there is SOOOOOOOOO pesamistic and that is starting to happen up here in Huelva too. If people wake up depressed, it's hard work just to get to a normal mood throughout the day. Many Brits' lives in Chiclana, as you allude to, were built on false (or maybe fairer, extremely optimistic) hopes - you only have to look at the latest Brit businesses to fail (no names mentioned, but they are not too far away from your house - another on the way)

Crispy, you know I love the area - perhaps more so than this area. But the attitude stinks, it really does.

BTW are you going Friday or is it going to be another Lame Duck?