I am thinking about starting an import business. anyone have any experience or advice?
348310
1-the most important thing in export and import business is\nnot to use your money to buy or sell use the seller or the buyer money specially now.\n2-cove all the details ,information , spec, method of payment , delivery , study your cost ( shipping ,etc..)all the details \n3- Panama is excellent place to start it's a great business center for import and export .\n4-build your network. \n good luck
187311
I am running an import and export company out here in Shanghai. I can provide a huge range of products if you are interested including textiles, automobile spare parts, belts, bags, etc etc. \n\nDrop me a mail and we can chat.
1017667
yes, as a matter of fact, I've been looking into starting a business with my sister, fashion jewelry, purses, ceramic art from various cultures.  The idea is there, but the actual initial step as to how...is the problem, lack of guidance...I'm interested in any info you have to offer...thanks. \n\ncontact me at cnas_dsgns at yahoo
422279
First you would have to apply for a business license, before that though you should make sure to really research your items that you sell...or that your rental space will allow you to make a profit.  Its a good idea to make contacts with your suppliers now, that way you can see if its profitable business or something that will stress you out and barely keeping your head above water.
779412
Dear friend\n\nNormally export business is an expansion of the domestic business. If you have products which you feel are acceptable abroad you must have got some information of the market. Not only you should have knowledge of the market and of the product that you propose to export you must also have the capacity to procure the product in a marketable lot. If you are exporting in small quantities you may not get a good price and the economics of the order will not be favourable to you. \n\nHowever if you have a product you can take the help of the Chambers of Commerce who will assist you in finding the probable markets for the same. Take part in some international exihibitons to display your products. May be you will be required to send some products to your prospective buyers as free trade samples.\n\nBetter still, if you can find an exporter who is actually exporting the product, please make an entry in the market by exporting your product thru him. This will ascertain the acceptability of your product abroad and with the experience you can venture on your own.\n\nBest wishes
736196
Which country you are located now? In which field you wish to set up your business? What is the tentetive size, i mean is it large scale, medium scale or smaller one?\n\nFeel free to write me back...
482414
Honestly, I would stay away from the the “wholesaler’s” game. What once was a great idea has now spread so everyone and their mother is doing it. Margins are razor thin at best and I suspect non-existent when you factor in most drop shippers or wholesale clubs "Membership fees" along with eBay and PayPal's cut.\n\nTake something that you're knowledgeable about and wait for a bargain. For example, lets say you know a lot about purses and one weekend you stumble across a shop having a clearance sale - $200 purses for $30 bucks (or whatever). Take it home and list it for $75. Your customer thinks they saved $125 bucks and you made $45. Now multiply it by 100 sales and you are in business. I do about $2K a month in sales and I profit about $500 and that’s from just working part time. It's not "easy money", you do have to work at it, but if you're willing to invest the time and effort, you can do it.
267185
This courier business is not a simple venture. You need to have a network of couriers in other parts of the country where you have things safely arrived at their destinations. Unless you limit the couriers to within your hometown to start with. Just pass the message around that you are starting this service and as time goes by,with your reputation  establised, people will get you to be their courier man. I would suggest you start a somewhat similar service like paying utilities bills or any other bills as a service for people around your hometown, for a charge. But please be honest and maintain your integrity if you decide to stay long in this business. Good luck to you in whichever busness venture you may decide to go into.
338634
Depending on a few factors really:\n\n1. Does the company you are talking to have a rep or distributor in US already?\n2. Do you have the volume to actually interest the manufacturers or should you be talking to one of their distributors?\n3. Do you know how to import into US as toys?\n4. Are you planning to be a rep or disty?\n\nYou can always talk to an import agent about the regulations (painting it bright orange or red, and the exit velocity limits etc.) who has experience in doing so.\n\nQuite a few newer "manufacturers" are now outsourcing their design and does not have their own facilities. They are also what you call as start-ups and they are easier to clinch a deal. However, if you are not in this for the long haul, your customers will suffer for lack of parts and support. These are just some of the aspects you need to think about. Of course there are more, but let's go with these for starters.
55672
decide what you want to import into nigeria and find sources for that. do a bit of research beforehand though...is what you want to import a good product. a suggestion would be to look for a chamber of commerce near you, they usually provide good information.\n\nMy 2 Cents Worth!!!
1032282
Firstly you have to evaluate yourself that you have the super talent of selling goods! Why? Because you are going to sell a second hand goods, especially computers! If you have the ability, then you have the capital to buy in bulge, because you have to buy the whole lot if a company is going to renew their computers!\nThen you have to have a "sharp nose" where a company wants to renew their computers!\nThen you have the ability to clean, and to repair those computers to appears as new as possible. Usually you will end up to 75%~80%, because you have to salvage the bad one! Less than that you loose! Then another problem arise, the unsaleable became junk. If you can find a way to recycle it maybe you could have good profit here!\nIf you have exporting experience you can exported it to the third world countries with a good profit. But be honest if you want to have repeat orders!\nGood Luck, God Bless You!
896003
yup, it's ok. maybe you could try this: \n\ni want to source and import the following goods: jewels, watches, slippers (you name it).\n\nor \n\ni will be sourcing out (name the goods) and importing them by (date).
18027
I would say: Get on the internet and find UK sources of the type of business you want to deal with. Email them directly with your resume. I would make sure you have long distance to call them. I would also make sure you know the cost for a minute of conversation to the UK....IT is very very expensive. I know for I have been there several times. Make sure you write everything down, internet websites that you have gone too and make sure that you have your "selling hat" on. A positive attitude is the key. GOOD LUCK!
293965
I think it is a good idea if you are really involved and want to do it. I would suggest starting by doing a few parties for free, and then once you get some business, start charging. Good luck!
503442
There are several ways to go about it:\n\n1. Research existing publications. There is a publication called EUROPE TRADE DIRECTORY OF IMPORTERS (2006 edition), which consists of 3 printed volumes with 1,480 pages of 54,000 importers from Western and Eastern European countries. Check the commodities you are interested in and find out what countries these importers are located.\n\n2. Go to the embassies of the companies you are interested in dealing with. Embassies have trade attaches, and their goal is to promote trade within their country. They have listings of importers and exporters in their country. You can ask them for information on the importers of that particular commodity in your country.
990506
You've got a couple of issues here -- let's tackle one at a time.\n\nRE: Retail Sales of the trading cards\n\nThe best routes to take are to research the process of starting a business as well as the industry you're interested in.\n\nI recommend checking out the SBA, Entrepreneur, The Start Up Journal & Nolo. All 4 are great informational resources for the new/small business owner. I posted links for you in the source box.\n\nAssociations may be a good avenue to explore as well. These organizations will address many of the thoughts, questions and concerns you'll inevitably have as well as many you haven't anticipated yet. See the source box for some relevant links. \n\nResearch, research, research – this cannot be stressed enough. Read as much as you can about the industry. Here are some book titles that are relevant:\n\n* Start and Run a Profitable Retail Business by Jim Dion, Ted Topping\n* Retail Business Kit for Dummies by Rick Segel \n* Specialty Shop Retailing: How to Run Your Own Store Revised by Carol L. Schroeder\n* So You Want To Own The Store: Secrets to Running a Successful Retail Operation by Mort Brown\n\nThere are plenty of free informational resources out there. Check the source box for links to articles.\n\nRE: Copyright\n\nYou would apply for a copyright, not a patent, for any original designs.\n\nCopyrights can be obtained for things of an artistic nature. This includes, of course, poetry, films, sculptures, music, fiction, etc. But can also include things that may not necessarily seem "artistic" in the general sense of the word. Copyrights can also be obtained for advertising copy, games, software programs and blueprints, to name just a few. \n\nYou can do this at the US Copyright Office – see the last 2 links in the source box. The application is fairly simple & the cost is $30 per application (it will likely rise to $45 by July 1).\n\nHope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!
38677
Start with something you or someone you know already own. \n\nI started a business making leather goods with only $300 investment. I already had most of the tools and supplies but I needed a wider range of leather. My first time selling netted $700 profit and I still had 3/4 of my supplies left. I turned it into a $80G a year business in two years.\n\nOne important factor in creating a business is passion. You have to love what you do.\n\nFrom a cleaning service (everyone has enough supplies to do at least the first house or two..then you reinvest your money to grow), to house painting (more supplies but can be bought at dollar stores for the first house), and the list goes on.\n\nI have built and sold 7 businesses in my life and am on business 8. Don't feel that once you start, thats where your stuck forever. Feel free to learn and grow with life. Get the book "Who moved my cheese" to help you learn how to move through tech changes.\n\nTake a piece of paper and draw a page sized T on it. The right side is cons the left is pros. Write your abilities down on the pro side then pencil in the cons to having a business doing that ability. You will find one or two strengths to work on.\n\nOnce you find what you want to do, find someone who is doing it and ask some questions. You will need to know how long it took to become established. Does the business support them and or their family. Do they like what they do. If not, why.\n\n2 out of three privately owned businesses fail the first year. They tend to work best when you have another job the first year or even two so you can reinvest your money to build the business. Its hard work but worth it if it makes you happy.