How do I set up at furniture import business & sell on the internet? Where do I start?
367909
Start by researching your product first. The cost of importing can be astounding. Are you in a financial position to order a container of furniture from a foreign country, pay the shipping costs, warehouse costs, import taxes, cargo fees, customs fees, etc.? Then where are you going to warehouse all this furniture. Get a reputable company to build your website ($1,000 to $5,000) and then wait for orders to come in. Okay, now that you have orders, you have to ship that furniture to the customer. Furniture being too big for UPS, is going to have to be delivered by truck. And don't forget, that once you've sold everything, it usually takes 4-6 months before you get your next shipment in from overseas. But before all that, ask yourself, who buys furniture on line without being able to see the quality of the product first?
146357
You need to outsource your Internet Operations.\n\nI know a consultant that can help you manage your Internet Sales so you can concentrate in your business.\n\nDrop me a line if you want to know more.
171253
One thing you will need to learn a whole lot about is called "Freight Forwarding" and it may be a good idea to go to work for one.  Not willing?  Then you will have to study up very thoroughly all details of this subject on your own.  Pay particular attention to payment procedures.\n\nYou are in great danger going into import/export without this knowledge from my point of view.  See what existing importer/exporters have to say...\n\nDoesn't take too much to start once you have the knowledge.  You will need a website, Uncle Sam will be proud of you if you help export U.S. products, thus increasing employment here and helping to reduce the trade deficit.\n\nYou will need to familiarize yourself with the United States Department of Commerce and all their rules and regulations on this subject.  Custom House procedures.  Banned imports, banned exports.  If you do not, you could get yourself in enough trouble to actually end up in prison.\n\nGo for it, but do this preliminary footwork so that you can avoid pitfalls.  In a business, never promise anyone anything that you are not absolutely sure you can deliver on, taking unforeseen events in mind as well.\n\nDon't tie a lot of money up in one big transaction.  Start small and move cautiously while you are learning the ropes.\n\nBeware of con artists in foreign nations.  Learn about letters of credit and good references.  Beware of brand new companies and people.  Keep track of reliable and unreliable contacts.  Keep excellent records of everything.\n\nI have not actually done this work, just an older person with broad knowledge.  Someone else may do better on your answer, friend.
619051
Hi there you try toboc.com they are great. Based in canada but they have contacts around the world. It is free to join as well.\nOr you could try out my software that will take you by the hand and show everything you need to start up online. If you can watch a video and click your mouse your on the way to make a lot of money to help your friends out. Hope that helps you. Best Of Luck.
822521
I've done some online,but mostly I go where the stuff is I need & that could be anywhere..from farm stores to boutiques..Even a garage sale may have something I need\n( I refinish furniture)..auctions..\nclassified ads..Kmart etc..anywhere is good for me! =)
510315
I recommend reading the articles:\n\nStarting a Home-Based Exporting Business \nhttp://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol8/exporting.htm\n\nLaying the Foundations of Your Home Based International Trading Business\nhttp://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol21/trading.htm\n\nCheck out the following websites \n\nFederation of International Trade Association http://fita.org/index.html\nCMTAC Trade Information Database http://latrade.cmtac.org/trade_info/index.cfm\nDon'ts of Importing \nhttp://www.gattiassociates.com/CM/Articles/Articles1277.asp\nFlowchart of the export process http://www.export.gov/exportbasics/index.asp\nGoing Global http://www.going-global.com/articles/\n\nYou may also want to check out the following books:\n\n- Import/Export: How to Get Started in International Trade \n- Exporting, Importing, and Beyond : How to 'Go Global' With Your Small Business \n- Selling to the World: Your Fast and Easy Guide to Exporting and Importing \n- Start and Run a Profitable Exporting Business \n- Start Your Own Import/Export Business\n\nI am importing a few products from the Philippines. Shipping cost is high, and a large box of items could set you back P15,000-25,000 pesos (around $300-$500). If you talk of crates, so much more expensive. I suggest your fiance, aside from looking for products, actually start looking for brokers that can help them.\n\nIn my experience, eBay is not the best marketplace for them, especially if you talk of handicraft items. I've never had much luck selling Philippine products on ebay. Buyers are not familiar with the products, there's little demand for it. Shell jewelry boxes from Cebu for example, with matching picture frames are great looking - but I can never sell them on the first listing. Sometimes it takes me 5-10 relists to dispose of the item. I even tried selling papaya soap which is very popular in the Philippines, only to find limited buyers on ebay.\n\nThe only thing that sells fast for me from the Philippines are vintage Philippine postcards (circa early 1900s), freshwater and South Sea pearl jewelries, and antique items (Ifugao, Maranaw, and other ethnic tribes).\n\nThailand is a better place to get products. I have no problem selling pewter liquor holders from Thailand or their jewelries. I also import a lot of benjarong jars, and I can sell them real fast. Even batik paintings sell faster.
512227
Build a online website and market that. Hire a S.E.O to get traffic to your site. Since your not in the U.S your probably going to have to offer long runs of 100k and above to get any business. It doesn't make sense for anyone to order from you except those living in India to print from you becuase of the turnaround time and the shipping cost. So larger runs are what you are looking at.\n\nAlways test the waters in your area before taking on the world. Make sure the press is color calibrated, cutting machine are in working order, customer service is trained and all the other things needed to run a printing company.
947155
You should start with the FTC, Federal Trade Commission and the BBB, Better Business Bureau..\n\nhttp://www.ftc.gov/\n\nhttp://www.bbb.org/\n\nAnd go from there.
134479
You could google high end furninture and where to buy it...then click the links. Plus, you could limit your search by saying where in a general area you would like to buy this furniture. Ex. You could put "Expensive Love Seat from commercial furniture businesses" plenty of hits will come up. You could also type your question into Ask Jeeves. (www.ask.com) Many hits will come up.
131652
Hi! I dont know much about selling it online..perhaps u cud open up a website and put up ur stuff on it! If you wud like to try ur hand overseas.......I cud help you! Im from India and if you send me sum pics( of the handicrafts) on my mail wild.flower_india@yahoo.com i cud let you know more
96958
Get on eBay and sell info-products; start your own dropshipping business by selling what you want or trade currencies online. You'll be amazed at the results.
373202
You have to be old enough (18 I think), and then set-up an account. Make sure you have pictures of the things you want to sell. Have good explanations of the quality and what kind of shape the item is in. Then set a reasonably good starting bid, then hope for buyers!
548809
check ur country's rules on importing and stuff. then consult some good dealers who can give u gud prices. then a lawyer. and then a bank and then set up shop. gud luck
1059113
Start by learning more about the business.  One paper I strongly recommend that you read are the following US Bureau of Custom's papers \n\n"Importing into the United States: A Practical Guide for Commercial Importers" http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/toolbox/publications/trade/iius.ctt/iius.doc\nHow Cargo Flows Securely into the US http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/import/cargo_summary/cargo_flow_map.ctt/cargo_flow_map.pdf\nUS Import Requirements http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/toolbox/publications/trade/usimportrequirements.ctt/usimportrequirements.doc\n\nHere are some steps to help you get started on an import and export business:\n\n1. Select your product - the more you know about your products, the better you can run your import/export operations. Start with what you know, but be open to opportunities you see as you go along.\n\n2. Research, research and research. If you are based in the US and wants to start an import/export business here, then you need to learn all customs laws, trading restrictions and quotas, international trade data, and more. Find out where you can find good information about the products you plan to trade.\n\n3. Identify potential contacts. From your list of products, identify the countries that supply those products. Then find the producers of your target products in those countries. \n\nI recommend reading the following:\n\nStarting a Home-Based Exporting Business \nhttp://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol8/exporting.htm\nLaying the Foundations of Your Home Based International Trading Business\nhttp://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol21/trading.htm\nHow to Start an Import/Export Business http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/0,4621,290657,00.html\nCMTAC Trade Information Database http://latrade.cmtac.org/trade_info/index.cfm\nDon'ts of Importing \nhttp://www.gattiassociates.com/CM/Articles/Articles1277.asp\nFlowchart of the export process http://www.export.gov/exportbasics/index.asp\nGoing Global http://www.going-global.com/articles/\n\nThese trade association websites also have loads of information on how to start an export import business:\n\nFederation of International Trade Association http://fita.org/index.html\nProfessional Association of Exporters and Importers http://www.paei.org/\n\nYou may also want to check out the following books:\n\n- Import/Export: How to Get Started in International Trade \n- Exporting, Importing, and Beyond : How to 'Go Global' With Your Small Business \n- Selling to the World: Your Fast and Easy Guide to Exporting and Importing \n- Start and Run a Profitable Exporting Business \n- Start Your Own Import/Export Business
1070911
You've got a few avenues to explore, as I can see it -- magazine publishing, online informational site and the travel & vacation industry. Let's tackle one at a time.\n\nRe: Publishing a magazine \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* Publish Your Own Magazine, Guide Book, or Weekly Newspaper: How to Start Manage, and Profit from a Homebased Publishing Company by Thomas A. Williams\n* Starting & Running a Successful Newsletter or Magazine (4th Edition) by Cheryl Woodard\n* How to Start a Magazine by James Kobak\n* Producing Successful Magazines, Newsletters and E-Zines: Great Ideas, Practical Help, and Straightforward Guidance…by Carol Harris\n\nI also posted links to some free articles in the source box.\n \nRe: Online informational site \n\nThere are a few issues & I wasn't sure what you exactly needed assistance with so I'll address the ones I can think of --\n\nWeb Site Design:\n* Make Your Small Business Web Site Work: Easy Answers to Content, Navigation, and Design \nby John Heartfield\n* Small Websites, Great Results by Doug Addison\n* The Complete E-Commerce Book: Design, Build, and Maintain a Successful Web-Based Business by Janice Reynolds \n* Six-Week Start-Up: A Step-By-Step Program for Starting Your Business, Making Money, and Achieving Your Goals! by Rhonda Abrams\n\nOnline Business:\n* Starting an Online Business For Dummies, 4th Edition by Greg Holden\n* How to Start and Maintain A Successful Online Business by Kelly Thornton\n* The Complete E-Commerce Book: Design, Build, and Maintain a Successful Web-Based Business by Janice Reynolds\n\nMarketing:\n* The Complete Idiot's Guide to Marketing Basics by Sarah White\n* The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing by Al Ries, Jack Trout\n* Creative Advertising: Ideas and Techniques from the World's Best Campaigns by Mario Pricken\n* Entrepreneur Magazine's Ultimate Small Business Marketing Guide: Over 1500 Great Marketing Tricks That Will Drive Your Business Through the Roof by James Stephenson\n* 301 Do-It-Yourself Marketing Ideas: From America's Most Innovative Small Companies by Sam Decker\n\nRe: Travel & Vacation Industry\n\nDefinitely check out your competition:\n\nFrommer's \nConde Nast Traveler\nTravel & Leisure\nTimeOut\nNational Geographic Traveler\n\nWhat do you like about them? What do you not like? What do you want to offer to your readers? Who are your readers? \n\nApproach this from the point of view of a consumer -- what would your ideal consumer want in a travel & vacation magazine?\n\nAgain, associations are a good place to start -- check below.\n\nHope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!
1049164
If you plan to sell only to other businesses, then you do not need to register for a sales tax certificate with your state tax office.\n\nBut, if you want to sell to the end users (consumers) then call your state tax office to register for your sales tax number.\n\nThen start looking for wholesalers in places like the Thomas Register, or find organizations in the product area that you are interested in working. For instance, if it is furniture, look for furniture manufacturers associations. They will have a list of suppliers on their web site.\n\nIf you are a small business, you may do better buying from a local wholesaler. They will usually work with you, as they want to help you develop your business - It's good for them. The benefit of a local supplier is that you do not need to keep a large inventory, and you can get a quick delivery from the local wholesaler (or even pick it up yourself).\n \nLook in the yellow pages to start.
64507
If you want to be up and running ASAP:\n\nhttp://smallbusiness.yahoo.com