[big_idea]

Hi All!

Just looking for some advice/help/pointers, etc...

I currently own my own pet sitting business and am looking to get into some type of e-commerce. I thought about drop shipping and have done alot of research but I am still getting mixed results. Some say good, some say bad. Advice on this would helpful and definitely appreciated.

I have also read some articles on "turnkey packages". Does anyone have any knowledge of these?

Any ideas or advice or just words of wisdom would be much appreciated. I wish everyone the best of luck and thanks in advance for your support!

Megan

[mattSantill]

A lot of these drop ship companies are just resellers themselves.
Find a product you love and contact the manufacturer .... you will find that manufacturers will also drop ship. If they won't help you unless you spend beaucoup bucks.... well then ask for a main distributor where you can find the best price.

Be ready with a Tax ID or EIN number... Internal Revenue Service
and register a business name/ vendors license as well....
they will ask for this info

[sassysashes]

About a year ago when I started my company Sassy Sashes I thought long and hard about whether or not I wanted to have a physical store or have an e-commerce site. Turns out e-commerce was the best choice I could have gone with. It allows you a great deal of flexablity while building your company and you are able to do it from the comfort of your own home or choice of office. There are many resourceful books out there on owning an e-commerce business as well as a great deal of websites. I found a website called Club E to be very helpful! There you will find videos, blogs and people that will help answer questions and guide you on your journey to starting your business. Good Luck!

[cutebeast]

1. What do you do best?
2. What is your strongest area?

Online or Offline method on doing biz is almost the same so there shouldn't be any huge differences there. Just go into the line where you are most comfortable at and at the same time have the most knowledge on. Then those offline information and knowledge you have into online.

[arooga]

If you decide to dropship, you need to be careful. There are a lot of middle men and scammers who claim to be dropshippers. They will charge you inflated prices and it will be hard for you to make money. I use Worldwide Brands OneSource to find dropshippers. They are an online directory of real wholesalers/dropshippers.

As mattSantill mentioned, you will need have your company set up and have a federal tax ID number and resellers permit from your state.

[dropship]

Ecommerce is a great way to get started without have the burden of a brick and mortar store. As long as you are prepared to work hard you can be successful. There are a ton of resources out there to help you get started.

[pbradish]

Originally Posted by sassysashes

About a year ago when I started my company Sassy Sashes I thought long and hard about whether or not I wanted to have a physical store or have an e-commerce site. Turns out e-commerce was the best choice I could have gone with. It allows you a great deal of flexablity while building your company and you are able to do it from the comfort of your own home or choice of office. There are many resourceful books out there on owning an e-commerce business as well as a great deal of websites. I found a website called Club E to be very helpful! There you will find videos, blogs and people that will help answer questions and guide you on your journey to starting your business. Good Luck!

Well put

[Gxq786x]

Hey if anyone wants start a business in the home decor industry for glass vessel sinks, please let me know we have direct contacts with manufacturer who provide over 100 designs and styles from 12mm to 17mm, double or single layered sink bowls. Check them out on ebay or google, type in glass vessel sinks, or vessel sinks you will get plenty. Most of them 99 % buy from wholesalers we will be distributing in quantity not single pieces. I will attach pictures here so you get idea. I am not drop ship company, or any of that it's real deal. We are developing website on this, and setting up entire infrastructure on how to do this. I only have 2 companies who are interested so far , and 1 buyer right now we are in works of deal the buyer was from YE, if you have any questions pm me.

[Corey Bryant]

Merchant Info might help as well on understanding merchant accounts / electronic payment gateways / IPSP (Internet Payment Service Providers) / Transaction Processors / Card Associations.

[florie]

Starting an e-commerce business is a bit frustrating and exhausting at first. But then, once you have the business up and running, you will see the benefits it can provide for you.

It is normal that you will experience anxieties. Just take the example of those that have come so far.

Why not get a virtual assistant? You could probably use all the help you can find...

[fisher318]

I just moved to Castle Rock, CO last September. I was wondering if you could tell me how much the city/state tax rate is that I need to charge for an ecommerce web site here in Castle Rock, CO? Also, do you know where I go to get a busines license/sellers permits? Do I only charge tax to people who order from me here in Colorado? What if my products drop ship from another vendor in another state?