Some suggestions?

[madman1611]

Hey. I was thinking of importing goods from countries in Asia and selling the valuables for a slight profit here (maybe on eBay). I was thinking of getting into ordering pottery, handcrafts, jewellery from India, China, etc... since I read from people those are really cheap in those countries. I was just wondering, what do you guys think would be valuable here that is cheaply made in Asian countries?

[4strings]

i cant think of something off the top of my head but definitely aim for something in high volume and low margin. look for something that you can buy in bulk and theres a high demand for or a developing demand.

[akula]

chemicals, textiles, oil/gas/commodities, and all other non consumer products

stop thinking about consumer products

you mission is to supply US industry with wholesale items

[akula]

i cant think of something off the top of my head but definitely aim for something in high volume and low margin.

omg, I just almost had a stroke

why on earth would you be so Machiavellian so as to say that?

madman hasn't done anything bad to you

[danbu1]

This was an idea of mine that I decided not to persue. If you choose to use it and it works just don't forget about me

I was thinking custom artwork is very expensive here. So have people email you pictures they want painted or drawn. They pay a minimal non-refundable fee(to cover your cost) then if they like the work they can pay for it before you ship to them. Artwork is labor intensive taking maximum advantage of the labor rate. You would do every thing via internet including the scanning of the finished product for people to view online. Only ship if they like and it and have paid for it.

As for buying in bulk, I think it is a risk sitting on inventory. Good luck.

[4strings]

chemicals, textiles, oil/gas/commodities, and all other non consumer products

stop thinking about consumer products

you mission is to supply US industry with wholesale items

what do you mean. in the context of this question, the thread starter was planning to possibly sell on ebay.

you buy the product in bulk which makes it cheaper and sell at a higher markup.

people run businesses this way just through ebay.

[akula]

I mean that I don't want you to go selling goods to consumers (i.e. pottery)

I want you to sell automobile parts, factory equipment, or hospital disinfectants to multibillion/million dollar customers who will order these things in bulk from you

also, fuck ebay. it's just one way to sell things, and for your purposes, it may not be the best way.

you need to be in a situation where just one customer account can sustain your business. you do not wanna be in a situation where you are constantly chasing customers and trying to outwit dozens of competitors only a click away.

1 customer. expensive/exclusive products. no substitute products.

[4strings]

I mean that I don't want you to go selling goods to consumers (i.e. pottery)

I want you to sell automobile parts, factory equipment, or hospital disinfectants to multibillion/million dollar customers who will order these things in bulk from you

also, fuck ebay. it's just one way to sell things, and for your purposes, it may not be the best way.

you need to be in a situation where just one customer account can sustain your business. you do not wanna be in a situation where you are constantly chasing customers and trying to outwit dozens of competitors only a click away.

1 customer. expensive/exclusive products. no substitute products.

i agree for the most part.

but fuck ebay? i think ebay is a great way to raise some capital that can eventually be used for a greater goal or purpose to further your ideas. and you arent chasing customers and outwitting competitors.

if the thread starter is interested in such things as you mentioned:automobile parts, factory equipment, or hospital disinfectants.....then he should look into reverse auctions. the exact opposite of ebay.

[akula]

very good points there

obviously, I don't think madman1611 has any busines trading in prodsuct outside his circle of competence, but I do suggest the man ought to move down the supply chain

pottery? fine. but not to retailers. importing kilns, or paint from china? that's a less uncertain proposition.

[quiteshirty.com]

why would multibillion dollars go through you to purchase large quantities of parts, rather than going straght to the manufacturer in india, where they can get it without your mark up?

[akula]

good question

there's a lot of reasons why agents exist to facilitate transactions between manufacturers and end users

one of reason is that the manufacturer does not have a salesforce to push their product - hence they need agents

as far as assurances go, the distributor will normally get an undertaking from the manufacturer saying that they won't get cut out

again, because agents pushing high value items need less customers to break even - they are less prone to failure that agents that need a lot of customers to stay afloat

when a business needs a lot of customers to make a profit, it creates enourmous financial and operational difficulties (i.e. marketing, admin systems)

[madman1611]

Thanks for the replies everyone. Akula, I have thought of importing oils, chemicals, textiles, etc.. (cement, minerals, industrial supplies). The reason why I didn't come through was because I'm sort of confused as to how I should approach a company and market my product. I mean, how would I persuade big businesses to purchase from my inventory? And as one of the posters had said, the businesses also have the option of just buying straight from the manufacturers then me. Personally, I don't prefer business on eBay since its bid driven, but I'd at least have a client base to sell my inventory to.

[akula]

well..that's a valid question and it has an answer

everyone starts of with shops not knowing how to sell

then individual founders go through the sales learning curve and figure out their individual approaches for how to close and upsell prospects

you're gonna have to go do surveys, find out a problem your prospects are experiencing and then deliver your solution in a way that best meets your clients expectations (which they'll reveal to you in the surveys and discussions you'll be having with them)

my role here to tell you based on my experience for how I think you will make the most money. you'll do it by actually selling stuff to people rather than getting to do the legwork for you. you wanna take it easy? sure, go ahead and list your stuff on auctions, but it's certainly not a way to have a shot at making a million dollars

[zoobie]

Try to visit this site------------> http://www.alibaba.com/

This site offers all kinds of stuff. From house furnishing to automobile parts.
They also sell clothes, shoes and gadgets.

Well, I guess they sell almost anything and the plus is they are selling their stuff in very low prices especially if you buy it on bulk.

[allysa]

well, i think it cost you large investment for that. But, it is a nice idea to buy goods from Asian countries because aside from it is cheap, it is also have a good quality with great styles & designs. I have known a lots of Philippine products exported to other countries especially the handicrafts & furnitures.