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Beginning of an online sports goods retailing

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SCFC

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Nov 12, 2008
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Hi guys,

*carrying on from the other thread so we didn't take it off-topic. Thanks to Ling and everyone else for support and advice so far*

I really am interested in starting my own online sports good retailing shop but don't want to get to excited and rush into things. So I'm just wondering if there are any people who do run any sort of online retailing business that could give me some advice in starting out?

Things that are worrying me most at present are:

1. Storage.
2. Postage costs (What services do companies like Fedex offer for businesses?)
3. The good themselves. I was thinking of importing from places like China and Pakistan, but not totally sure because I'm concerned about the quality and worries over if they are illegal. Stuff like that. I think Ling could help here, she is from China. And another note: I simply refuse to buy any goods for young kids from abroad. Although they probably are safe, I just don't want to take the risk in putting a young kids life at risk with dodgy goods. (You know of all the dodgy items that have been taken by trading standards, that sort of thing).

There are more, but those are the main concerns/worries for the time being.

Thanks.
 
Ok, I'm first! I'm first!!!! To reply.

EDIT: No I'm not, Gillie beat me to it, i'm second :(

I would say:

Never mind all those questions, a website can sell anything from novelty gifts to jewellery to flowers to dolls houses (sir Earl), to cars (meeee).

So, find a website you like the look of that seems to work reasonably well (not mine), but one that sells the price point and to the similar market of customer.

Because, at this stage you could throw any product into it if you find sports goods are just too hard to do (eg you may find lower value items more suitable due to cashflow).

Tell us a couple of addresses of websites.

The next stage would be to figure the cost of building/copying (well, i am Chinese) them and how much to SEO them for your goods (whatever goods).

I really would not get into all those warehouse questions yet. You may end up selling sex toys or stationery or beach towels. Who knows?

Glad we are now more of friends than enemies.
 
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Gillie said:
Have you looked into dropshipping? You market the goods and get some money from it and someone else stores and delivers the good for you?
Click to expand...

I've heard that mentioned once or twice but just had a good read about it. It seems to be a good thing for starting out for sure. I would need to find some company that does this then look into it further. Thanks.

LINGsCARS said:
Ok, I'm first! I'm first!!!! To reply.

EDIT: No I'm not, Gillie beat me to it, i'm second :(

I would say:

Never mind all those questions, a website can sell anything from novelty gifts to jewellery to flowers to dolls houses (sir Earl), to cars (meeee).

So, find a website you like the look of that seems to work reasonably well (not mine), but one that sells the price point and to the similar market of customer.

Because, at this stage you could throw any product into it if you find sports goods are just too hard to do (eg you may find lower value items more suitable due to cashflow).

Tell us a couple of addresses of websites.

The next stage would be to figure the cost of building/copying (well, i am Chinese) them and how much to SEO them for your goods (whatever goods).

I really would not get into all those warehouse questions yet. You may end up selling sex toys or stationery or beach towels. Who knows?

Glad we are now more of friends than enemies.
Click to expand...

Thanks, Ling.

I know I could sell anything, but I can't see how I would be able to keep changing because of the domain name. If I chose a good sports name, then it wouldn't look right if I was selling something else. I'm probably missing the point here?

And Ling, do you know of any good, reliable suppliers in China? I've been browsing http://www.alibaba.com/ and it seems to have some good deals on there. Anyone ever used it?

Thanks again. :)
 
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SCFC said:
Thanks, Ling.

I know I could sell anything, but I can't see how I would be able to keep changing because of the domain name. If I chose a good sports name, then it wouldn't look right if I was selling something else. I'm probably missing the point here?

Thanks again. :)
Click to expand...

Briefly because I am going home, you need advice from people with successful web businesses. Unlike me, many run various versions of the same site, and many have diversified sites.

You simply have more than one domain name. More than one site.

If you pay attention and follow the steps people say, everyone would enjoy to adopt you as a project to show how to set someone up as a web-business from scratch.

I'm pretty simple, I think you need to find a site you like and copy the layout. Don't re-invent the wheel.

If you want to see a successful seller with a not very nice site (sorry) ask Sir Earl. He knows more than most have forgotten. And that is selling Dolls Houses (for God's sake). He makes a few quid! Click his links. If he can do it, you can.

When you have found a site design you like, you can discuss databases.
 
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The choice of business will depend to a large extent on you initial budget. How much do you have to get you started, and can you support youself with no income for say 6 months?
 
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This is sort of template I'm looking at: http://osc3.template-help.com/cre_21769/. I would customize it, new logo, more products on first page, ect. Then I would upgrade the software to the pro version.

You simply have more than one domain name. More than one site.
Click to expand...

Right... but what about actual sock? I find it pointless having a site if I haven't got the stock. :\

I would start low. Like, I would have small items to start with, you know trainers, some clothing, ect the see how that goes. If all goes well, I would bring in bigger and better items and slowly grow. That's the plan anyway. I just need to think of a good sports name... give me a few days. :)

I have to pop out for a while. Back later.

Thanks again.
 
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For general advice I would say ask yourself why you want to do this. Write down some goals and reasons behind it. Think about what you know or have done, who you know too and see if that helps answer any questions.

My general advice is only go in to something when you know it but then I didn't know anything about vending when I started but I was quick to learn and enjoyed taking it all in. As time went on, I learned that some deals were not so good as others and I built on my experience.

Drop shipping is a possibility but that generall would put you in to the teritory of designing a front page for someone elses shop and earning a commission. It does not give you quite so much in the way of sourcing and full marketing ability.

Designing a website is easy. Easy in as much as you pay a professional to do it. It is one process or product your business buys and ueses early on. You don't need to worry about this.

What you need to worry about is the engine of the business. Stock in, stock out, cash out, cash in, personell issues, HMRC etc and your marketing.

We cannot tell you where to store products but there are self store places with very competative rates. However, I would assume you need perhaps 40 distinct products in 3 sizes and 3 colours and at least 3 of each SKU (stock keeping unit) so you need over 1,000 items just to begin. If they sell at £25 each inc VAT, that is £21.28 and with a 25% margin the cost price to you is £15.96 and therefore while you can negotiate all sorts of "terms" you are holding £16,000 worth of stock in this unit.

You will spend a long time researching the courier companies, all have slightly different business models and one may well suit you more than another.

When importing, speak to the brand owners to check the legallity if you are worried.

Good luck.

As they say in carpentry; measure twice, cut once!
 
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Thanks for that, Adam.

I'm just going get on with my business plan and report back in a few days or so. I've still got a couple ideas in my head, so if I have a long hard thought, I think I'll be able to come up with something good.

Can I just ask one quick question: I'm looking at places like China for some products, but can anyone tell me what PCS means? I asked the price for the MOQ of a product and they said 10PCS... I don't understand that. :|
 
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Things that are worrying me most at present are:

1. Storage.

A common mistake retailers make is over-stocking slow moving lines thus tying up capital. A better approach is to run initially with low stock levels even if it means taking a bit longer to fulfill some orders until you have a better understanding of what you can buy in larger quantities that you know will convert back to capital quickly through sales.

2. Postage costs (What services do companies like Fedex offer for businesses?)

As long as your postage (and packaging) costs are covered in each sale you'll be fine using Royal Mail / courier. You might want to consider whether you want to appear generous by offering really low or free shipping to UK addresses and build some of the p&p costs into the product pricing, or try and compete on product prices and charge realistic p&p.

3. The good themselves. I was thinking of importing from places like China and Pakistan, but not totally sure because I'm concerned about the quality and worries over if they are illegal. Stuff like that. I think Ling could help here, she is from China. And another note: I simply refuse to buy any goods for young kids from abroad. Although they probably are safe, I just don't want to take the risk in putting a young kids life at risk with dodgy goods. (You know of all the dodgy items that have been taken by trading standards, that sort of thing).

The biggest problem with dealing with traders in China and especially Pakistan is finding out who are the manufacturers and who are just middle men of which there are thousands.

For any product run you MUST see samples and ideally get samples from several manufacturers. First order payment use an escrow service to protect yourself from being ripped off.

Your local Chamber of Commerce should be able to help you track down some genuine manufacturers in your Country of choice.
 
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quikshop said:
Things that are worrying me most at present are:

1. Storage.

A common mistake retailers make is over-stocking slow moving lines thus tying up capital. A better approach is to run initially with low stock levels even if it means taking a bit longer to fulfill some orders until you have a better understanding of what you can buy in larger quantities that you know will convert back to capital quickly through sales.

2. Postage costs (What services do companies like Fedex offer for businesses?)

As long as your postage (and packaging) costs are covered in each sale you'll be fine using Royal Mail / courier. You might want to consider whether you want to appear generous by offering really low or free shipping to UK addresses and build some of the p&p costs into the product pricing, or try and compete on product prices and charge realistic p&p.

3. The good themselves. I was thinking of importing from places like China and Pakistan, but not totally sure because I'm concerned about the quality and worries over if they are illegal. Stuff like that. I think Ling could help here, she is from China. And another note: I simply refuse to buy any goods for young kids from abroad. Although they probably are safe, I just don't want to take the risk in putting a young kids life at risk with dodgy goods. (You know of all the dodgy items that have been taken by trading standards, that sort of thing).

The biggest problem with dealing with traders in China and especially Pakistan is finding out who are the manufacturers and who are just middle men of which there are thousands.

For any product run you MUST see samples and ideally get samples from several manufacturers. First order payment use an escrow service to protect yourself from being ripped off.

Your local Chamber of Commerce should be able to help you track down some genuine manufacturers in your Country of choice.
Click to expand...

Wow, great information, thanks! :)

I'll leave this thread for a while now... I need to get doing something.
 
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I know you are going to plough ahead with establishing a sports empire but please consider this.

There are many sports outlets in the UK selling discounted sports goods. They have big high street shops. I walked past one yesterday with 'big liquidation sale'. I can get Nike polo tops for £5 and trainers for £20. People like to try stuff on and check the quality, difficult to do online. One company does sell online though, mandmdirect, but they have big buying power and contacts with all the major labels.

Basically these discount companies buy up stock from Nike, Addidas, Diesel etc. Can you compete with this buying power - no.

A lot of 'label' stock (Nike etc) from China is likely to be fake. Sell this and you are in big trouble.

Let me suggest some ideas if you are determined to sell sports stuff:

Find a niche - pick a sport. Only sell products for that sport. You will have to establish contacts with all local clubs for that sport. You get a reputation then of being associated with that sport. For example import gum guards for rugby players. Many schools now insist that school team players wear gum guards as they are afraid of law suits incase of injury.

Resell other goods - Decathlon buy loads from China and are dirt cheap. Not everyone lives near a Decathlon. Offer a service to people who don't offering to buy Decathlon products and they add on a delivery fee for you.

Ebay - there's a sports warehouse seller on Ebay who sells off surplus stock from the big boys. Often these auctions are for 50 footballs or 50 Size 7 football boots. Cheap prices but can you sell 50 Size 7 football boots and make a profit.

Please understand that I am just trying to help.
 
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SCFC said:
Thanks for that, but I was asking them how much for the MOQ and they just get replying 10PCS ... never mind.
Click to expand...

U-TURN!!!

Okay I started being really nice but now the gloves are off!!!

Are you really sure this is right for you?

You are using your own abbreviations and playing with the big boys asking MOQ instead of minimum order quantity or even "how much do I need to buy" and when they reply 10PCS you can't even separate the number 10 from the PCS which if you read it out loud virtually says pieces!

I am not wanting to crush your dreams, the harsh realities of the real world will do that unless you are prepared.

Going out without an umbrella when it rains for instance is one of the most common times when failing to prepare leaves you buggered. Well wet at least.

Do you have assets, income, experience in the industry or anything else like that behind you?

We can't be here every day to answer each and every question. Please think carefully and consider what you should do.
 
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adam said:
Do you have assets, income, experience in the industry or anything else like that behind you?
Click to expand...

Bah, you don't need any of that! All you need is to really believe in yourself, and really want to achieve your goals. If your heart is pure...

Now stop being discouraging and tell him how well he's going to do.
 
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I have to agree with Adam on this. I've been in the game for twenty years, have all the contacts etc and still find it challenging.

Okay, if you find the cash to finance the first set of imports, how are you going to get it here, QC'd, cleared, how much import duty are you paying and how will you market it? Then throw in the effects of your competition slashing prices to pay the bills and then the pound plummeting against the dollar and you start facing a few problems.

The problems are endless and are often solved by using experience and contacts of which you are lacking both.

I admire your enthusiasm and willingness to succeed but I really do think that you need to think very carefully about what you want to do. As somebody else has said, dropshipping maybe the answer to you short term aspirations.

Eitherway, good luck with it:)

Mister B
 
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Okay I just had a little look here.

Jason I think your name is, by all means ask some questions but think about your situation and what you are getting in to.

You are 16, you have just started your first job and didn't even know how to get a bank account. Then you have decided to start a football magazine to rival Match with its million pound budget and now you are starting a sportswear company to rival the likes of JJB Sports and JD sport.

I think your posts should all come with the disclaimer that this is still a bit of funny and general info. I started a TINY business at 15 that made a couple of hundred pounds a month and I am all for helping young people start up.

In fact, I help a Young Enterprise group and will talk to any young person that has some reall firm ideas but if this was not online, I simply couldn't give the time I give to writing these responses to every young person who should be at school just because they want someone to tell them everything.

If you really want to start, get a parent to rent a market stall or do car boot sales with some small, cheaper football related products like scarves, hats and promo gear and see what that teaches you.
 
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To the Op give up. You seem to lack any common sense stick to your warehouse job. over the last 2 days you must have had 3 totally different ideas.

What is it next? dont tell me your going to start the next lottery up right!
 
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This is because the OP refuses to take one step at a time and continually discusses stock, delivery minimum order quantity.

If a template for a web business (selling anything) was built by the OP including a reasonably functional database then he could experiment with various product lines (the BEST one IMHO being information).

Instead, he is running before he can walk, discussing stock etc.

There is no reason why the OP cannot be up and running selling SOMETHING within a month, given a level of energy and enthusiasm. But not when he is discussing minimum order quantities of trainers and making himself look foolish by asking what PCS means.
 
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My sports teamwear and coaching retail shop is due to open in early December so I can associate with your ideas. Be aware that if you plan to go directly to the manufacturers most dont deal with Internet only companies. You must have a shop or warehouse in most instances. If you plan to import then the advice mentioned earlier about problems with stock holding numbers and tying up your cpaital is very relevant as is the problem with people trying garments etc.

Its not an easy market to get started in as Ive found but hopefully one that will be rewarding.
 
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LINGsCARS said:
This is because the OP refuses to take one step at a time and continually discusses stock, delivery minimum order quantity.
Click to expand...

I do rush into things I know, but I've always believed in this: "Fail to prepare, prepare to fail".

I am setting up a website as we speak so I am doing something.

Thanks for the replies.
 
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you will not be able to buy stock at a good price more directly because you need a brick and mortar premises. I think even if it is just a storage warehouse . I suppose its to keep competition fair for people who run actual sports shops.
 
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