FREE!? Amazing Zero Yen Shop Appeared in Tokyo

March 9, 2010 - Fashion & Beauty, Others - Tagged: Cloth, Shoes, shop - 1 comment

Recently, I read a business strategy book, “FREE” written by Chris Anderson, which made an impact on me.

This thick book tells how to make money for free by showing examples.

Right after I finished reading the book, I found a blog article relating to what I read!

Unbelievably, a second hand clothing store in Tokyo started selling their clothes for free.

The store displays a big sign saying “Zero yen!”

The writer of the article interviewed with the owner.

Following is the interview.

—–Interview Starts Here—

– What made you start to sell them for free?

– “I never really like business. My friends buy stuff at my second hand store for just being polite, but I don’t like that. I want to make good friendship without stakes, you know? But doing business can’t make that happen.”

There are lots of clothes in good condition. Some are brand-new.

The most of the shoes are in good condition too.
If you find your size shoes, you are lucky.

– What can you make money by selling for zero yen?

– “Doesn’t it sound fun?”

– It does, but you have to eat.

– “I get free food. I got this bread from a neighbor lady too. But I realized that I have to pay for rent, so I started to accept tips.”

It seems he is accepting tips.

– Looks like everyone leaves tip. They may feel more comfortable to pay some rather than taking for free.

– “I really want to set at zero yen. If I had enough money for my living and the rent for this store, I could do that. Anyway, the fulfillment is so different. Customers ask me ‘why are you doing such thing?’ and that starts conversation with them more often.”

– It’s usual to wonder what you are doing.

– “I ask them ‘isn’t it more fun?’ and they say ‘sure’ and some times like ‘I will bring some clothes next time.’”

– It’s kind of like music industry.

– “If we could watch the videos of new songs online, we lose the motivations to buy the CDs.”

– But young musicians usually have steady job besides music and play music as hobby. They don’t try to live by music itself.

The store’s star cat, Ran-chan.

– By the way, how long are you going to continue this zero yen business?

– “I was going to finish at the end of February but I will do it till mid March because it’s fun. I wish I could do it longer but my rent…”

– What about charging for only what you think worth and others are free?

– “In the future, I am going to do like I charge only for the stuff on this rack. Like online shops where they provide 95% of stuff free and charge for 5% of stuff. That’s how they manage the businesses.”
“And it’ll be interesting if someone else follows my style. …Since I came here so far, I want to open a zero yen restaurant. I am sure no one will speak ill of me. I think when people get free food from someone, they will say ‘he’s a nice guy!’ , though it doesn’t work like that with clothes. ”

– I see.

– “As well as clothes, I think there are extra food that I can get free, like some people might have extra food from their farmer parents’ house or something. I wonder whether it works if I could collect those food.”

– Supplying food here at this store?

– “Yes. Everyone has good time while eating, doesn’t speak ill of someone, and I think people get along. I am so fed up with the people who do business or work, they are gloomy. ‘No money because of the depression.’ That’s all they say.”
“If I just concern my own business and do the second hand store soberly, I can get my living but it’s no fun at all.”
“The only idea that small businesses on a shopping arcade can beat a major supermarket is zero yen. It’s not even dirt cheap but free, you know?”

-(writer)- What He is saying is right and the idea is great… but it seems tough to take action. I guess. Hmmm.