I want to start a small local store, handling a variety of reasonable items. Years ago my family was in business so am experienced in sales but not the purchasing. I know there are markets held in different parts of the country but how to find the right one and...is this the best way to connect with other countries and purchase products.  Any information you can give me would really be appreciated. Thank you
127101
I used to work for the United States Commercial Trade Service in San Francisco, and we deal with this sort of thing all the time. We connect small businesses here in the US with international vendors. Plus, it's a free service offered by the government, for the most part. If you want specific information, then they start charging you. Their website is www.export.gov \n\nGood Luck!
11664
best bet is to your local Better Buisness Burea.  They can pass the information along both nationally and internationally.
569355
how do you compete with http://www.alibaba.com plus hundreds of thousands americans and other foreigners going to China's annual exhibition?\n-what product guarantee can you offer? products from china are mostly cheap, but very low on quality (not all, but mostly)
548453
It depends where the stall is, and what the market is (What kind of people walk by).\nA market stall relies solely on passing trade - people do not travel specifically to buy from your stall, if you follow.\n\nChristmas is coming. Go to the wholesaler and get Xmas decorations, crackers, lights etc (Try to avoid electricsl stuff though). Make sure they are good quality and things that people can buy at the bigger shops. Sell these items cheaper than people can buy them for at the big shops. This is vital.\n\nSweets - buy loose sweets in those big plastic bags, or big plastic jars (Like wine gums, jellies etc) from the wholesaler. Break them down into small lots, bag and seal them, and sell them as individual (Small) amounts - 1/4 pound used to be the best weight.\nThe kids will pester their parents to buy these from you, and while they are there - do a sales pitch on the parents to buy your other stock.\n\nYou asked for new ideas, and these are not really new, so maybe I haven't helped too much? Sorry if that is the case.\n\nMaybe stick to the best sellers, and add new ideas in addition until you find the one you are looking for.\n\nGood luck!
365892
All of those you list are possibilities.  The easiest way to enter a market is doing it with the least expense.  For a clothing store, you will need minimal equipment and interior finish.  Merchandise inventory depends on local tastes, customs, budgets, styles.  Advertising should be the easiest and cheapest.  Newspapers still reach the most people.\nThe most expensive start ups are fast food restaurants and ice cream stores.  The costs to buy and use equipment are high.\n\nThe most important thing is to do a comprehensive market study to find out if your product or service will be received.  You cannot sell pork in Teheran, for example.
322491
As stated above, your location has a lot to do with the business you choose. If you are near a Large Latin community, I would focus on opening a store that is missing in that community. By us there are clothing shops and travel etc. If you want to combine that with cheap start-up cost, do a Latin consignment shop, or EBay seller. Take advantage of your Heritage right now. Good Luck!
273984
Hi There you could try toboc it is free to join and it has a lot of trade links from around the world. Or why dont you build your own online store and sell direct to the public there. I have a great piece of software that will show you how to do this from start to finish. Check it out. I hope this helps you. Good luck
651688
LOL . . . Me too\n\nI browsed alot of affiliate network websites, including cj.com, vstore.com and found that my country is not listed there - as well. Even some software developers from which I bought several software never replied me because of this reason.\n\nThis is what I did then. I find out what I need. Then I browsed the net to find out what are available. Though this takes longer, but there are still chances.
175913
Yeah, I see 3 problems with your question.\n\n1. You don't give enough information. (buyers for what?  from where?)\n2. Your comments are completely different from your question.  You ask about buyers, then make a personal ad??  What's that about?\n3. This ad could all too easily be misintrepted (I hope!) as you wanting to sell YOURSELF.  I assume that wasn't your intention.
10891
Along the same lines as the ebay comment, starting your own business is the way to go. It is a lot of work and you need ideas that would be profitable. America is the land of oppertunity.
49216
If it still trades in Spain, try setting up an account at http://www.interactivebrokers.com/en/main.php . I have heard that they do a good job. Pretty much an online experience however, not much hand holding.\n\nConsider importing Olive Oil and creating your own brand. I love the stuff, but don't see any US traded commodities. You could also hit the supermarket and copy down all the brand names. Then look for companies that have Olive Oil as the major product.
534030
are you selling online???\n\nthe begining you will loose a lot of money selling them until you build up the company i would work with local stores at first call the companies directly and ask to speak with a sales represenative in marketing
62827
Listen.  If you are out of state, and you are looking for a legitiate homebased business, you have to ask what kind of business you want to do.  Do you want to market on the internet?  Do you want to do MLM?  Do you want to do real estate?  These are all legitimate questions.  Since my background is in MLM, that is all I can advise you on with confidence.  If you are looking for a home based business in MLM or network marketing, you have to look into several things. \n1. First thing you want to do is see if a specific opportunity is licensed to work in your specific area. A great place to start is google.com or yahoo.com and place in the words home based business.  There will be plenty of home based businesses that catch you eye.  Sign up to some of their mailing list for more info, and save the ones you really like to your favorites. \n  \n2. Next, Chances are you will be forwarded to a sight that will tempt you to buy, or someone will call you, and tery to get you involved in their opportunity.  Resist all temptaion and DO NOT SIGN UP ON THE SPOT.  Even if every bone in your body tells you to, you will want to check with either the FTC, or the Better Business Bureau to see whether or not they are legitimate.  Another great place to check is with mlmwatchdog.com.  They specialize in letting people know what is or is not a scam in this specific industry. Trust me, the opportunity will still be there after you do your research.  Also, if a person tries to pressure you into an opportunity or a buy, without saying it is a good idea to research, then there is a chance it my be a scam.  \n\n3. Then, you are going to want to check on how a specific team builds their business.  You want to make sure that they have a system that you would be comfortable with.  If they are not willing to show you exactly how they build their business, or they say their system is "top secret" you DO NOT want to work with them (chances are they will make you build a list of friends and family, and work from there).  While there is nothing wrong with speaking to friends and family, I have found that it can be very difficult to build a massive downline using this method alone. So, you want to be sure their marketing system make since to you, and you feel confident that you can make money using this system.\n\n4. Ask if there are any additional cost in doing the business.  Remember, you do NOT want to join an opportunity that will be to expensive for you to market.\n\nOpportunities I would stay away form:\n\na.  Groundfloor opportunities:  These are usually the most unstable of opportunities to join.  you want to join something that has been around for a few years, and has gained some sort of credibility in the field.  Some guys will claim that you will not be able to build a good business in an older company, and that you need to get on before the business explodes.  THAT IS A HUGE CROCK OF BULL. There is no difference in marketing an older opportunity then there is marketing a younger, accept for the fact that you have a chance to check their credibility.  I would recommend a company that has been around for at least 8 years, and has some experienced people who can coach you on what to do to be successful.\n\nb.  Opportunities with no address or phone number on their home page:  This should be a huge red flag here.  If you cannot contact the corporate office, there is a good chance these people are not who they say they are.\n\nc.  Opportunities that say that you have to do no work:  If there is no work involved on you part, then why do they need you?  THIS SHOULD BE A HUGE RED FLAG.\n\nd.  Opportunities that offer you instant riches(example:  $100,000 dollars in one week):  These are often referred to as get rich schemes.  These are always scams, and you should stay away from them.  Business is a systematic process that requires time patience and consistency to get a sizable income.  Now, it is very possible in any industry to make several hund
15785
for someone to get started with very little I would suggest them to first have capital. a freind is on his way by making first a go with  with e-bay by just knowing a few people with items and has blossumed like you would not believe.it can be a money maker for some and some excellent finds for other, whichever you choose.\n\nfor some that may not know how much fun it is to browse and/or shop on e-bay-here are some instructions to a very good spot to start out finding excellant products at very reasonable prices. this fellow starts out at very low starting bid prices on knives, i-pods, all tools, fishing equiptment, computers, printers and changes his items maybe every other day.how I think he makes it so good on there is he guarentees his items, sends to any country, and he keeps a 100 percent feedback which means the customers have all been happy.\nsome folks dont know how to dig in there so here is how to get to his site fairly easy and from there click around to an entire new trend for shoppers and sellers alike and.b.t.w., (2000canary is his i.d.)--just get to e-bay and click "buy" then under "buy" theres 2 boxes (go under them)is a search option--click "e-bay stores" search and put in the "2000canary"(dont worry about filling in the other blanks)then click search again. you will notice that its also known as his "liquidators companys" because he has done so well hefeatures a store spot on ebay as well. then happy hunting!!gradually you will learn to watch on ebay and deal with folks that have lots of great feedback to avoid problems, which is tricky at first until youve learned the ropes. this I know, will at least send you to an awesome spot to start with some great deals daily.\nthe items also display a current picture of the product that is up for sale as well. I have alot of fun in there myself. I love to buy fitness c d's because I get bored so easy and I mostly pay 2-3 bucks for them if you catch them on a good day where theres few bidders on line. thats when you can scoop up on the deals, my freind!! \n\niso it seems to me that perhaps to buy and resell if one is agressive enough could prosper well. ywe all have to start somewhere!!\n\n\n \n\nWhat kind of company (with the minimum investment) would be successful ing some type of capital backup.
129157
I want to open my own business someday. I had troubles thinking about what is good to open, but then I figure if its gonna be my business, open something I know I would enjoy for the rest of my life.  And since its the business you know you'll love, it shouldn't matter if you can start it in your town or have to move across the state because you need to be in a place where your business is demanded. OH, make sure you know all the finacial stuff or find someone who does :)
340499
I think I would start by contacting local businesses which you would want to sell your product. Ask them how they get the goods they sell. If it's from a warehouse ask for the name and some contact details. I think I might try and avoid some of the big chains because they may be expecting a large quantity and a regular supply of goods.
307333
Prices can be helpful when you're looking around online for a place to go. Any specials that you have going on would be good to have on there. You should link to a map website that can give customers driving directions, and give ways to contact you.\nmaybe a message board? It could start a community that likes to hang out at your place, and you would also get feedback.