After you've imported then what?

[Rally]

So let's say I've received my sample, im happy with it, decide to order a quarter of a container of this item. its arrived, and been delivered to my door!

Now what??

Do you guys do your market research before buying the shipment? Do you have buyers ready already? Do you sell on ebay? I'm just wondering how you go about selling your freshly imported goods? I understand a lot of it might be repeat customers but what about in your early days of importing?

Did you just store your stuff in your garage or unit and then slowly try and sell it?

 

[WebTrust]

How you sell something depends on what it is.

You really should of taken the sample to some stores and got some feedback on it first.

 

[BLintl.]

Usually people do research before ordering a quarter of a container. Otherwise your car can be parked outside for a long time...

 

[red-source]

Research your market, see which avenue`s are open to you and choose wisely. I highly suggest getting a/some customers for your first imports. Guage thier interest and if possible have an order on paper before you even part with any of your cash.

I remember my first import job many years ago, I found the customer I needed, offered them a deal they could not refuse BUT on the back of that they had to pay me 50% upfront, which basically covered my import costs.

Cover your back where ever you can, otherwise you may have a large metal box on your front lawn for quite some time.

 

[Vardan 89]

So let's say I've received my sample, im happy with it, decide to order a quarter of a container of this item. its arrived, and been delivered to my door!

Now what??

Do you guys do your market research before buying the shipment? Do you have buyers ready already? Do you sell on ebay? I'm just wondering how you go about selling your freshly imported goods? I understand a lot of it might be repeat customers but what about in your early days of importing?

Did you just store your stuff in your garage or unit and then slowly try and sell it?

I am also in my early days and the only difference between you and me is , I have yet to import my first container.

Have you already imported ?

Can I PM you to understand more about the importing process?

Thanks in advance,
Darshan

 

[Vardan 89]

Research your market, see which avenue`s are open to you and choose wisely. I highly suggest getting a/some customers for your first imports. Guage thier interest and if possible have an order on paper before you even part with any of your cash.

I remember my first import job many years ago, I found the customer I needed, offered them a deal they could not refuse BUT on the back of that they had to pay me 50% upfront, which basically covered my import costs.

Cover your back where ever you can, otherwise you may have a large metal box on your front lawn for quite some time.

Hi Red Source,

Looks like you have got good experience in importing.
Do you mind if I PM you understand more about importing and things to consider pls?

Thanks and Regards,
Darshan

 

[jcm2009]

guys you must research your product before you take the plunge in importing. Have you taken in account of the costs? Import duties, vat, transportation etc. Get a sample, show potential customers. Is your price competitive?

 

[Vardan 89]

guys you must research your product before you take the plunge in importing. Have you taken in account of the costs? Import duties, vat, transportation etc. Get a sample, show potential customers. Is your price competitive?

Thanks JCM. Would you be able to help me to categorised all the cost involved in shipping the goods from the seller to our door please?

 

[Rally]

I am also in my early days and the only difference between you and me is , I have yet to import my first container.

Have you already imported ?

Can I PM you to understand more about the importing process?

Thanks in advance,
Darshan

Darshan

I have not yet imported anything. in fact i havent even imported my sample yet. Im currently communicating with a freight forwarder whos giving a very good outline of the costs i should expect. its proving helpful which will help me to price up my items appropriately.

im about to order my first sample through courier which will be expensive.

From the responses received, I appear to be doing the right things. Im going to use my sample to show to potential buyers and try and get orders from them. but im already doing my freight research beforehand so i have an idea of how it will cost me so then i can tell potential buyers how much i will sell it to them for.

if im showing my sample product to retailers/warehouses, their first question will be "how much?" i need to have an answer to that hence the prior research.

 

[Vardan 89]

Darshan

I have not yet imported anything. in fact i havent even imported my sample yet. Im currently communicating with a freight forwarder whos giving a very good outline of the costs i should expect. its proving helpful which will help me to price up my items appropriately.

im about to order my first sample through courier which will be expensive.

From the responses received, I appear to be doing the right things. Im going to use my sample to show to potential buyers and try and get orders from them. but im already doing my freight research beforehand so i have an idea of how it will cost me so then i can tell potential buyers how much i will sell it to them for.

if im showing my sample product to retailers/warehouses, their first question will be "how much?" i need to have an answer to that hence the prior research.

Hi Rally,
Thanks for reply. If you don't mind. Would you also share with me the breakdown of the cost involved once you buy goods in China eg shipping, duties VAT etc any thing that is involved to arrive to a selling price.

I would appreciate it.
Cheers,
Darshan

 

[Rally]

Hi Rally,
Thanks for reply. If you don't mind. Would you also share with me the breakdown of the cost involved once you buy goods in China eg shipping, duties VAT etc any thing that is involved to arrive to a selling price.

I would appreciate it.
Cheers,
Darshan

Darshan

I dont think the answer is that straight forward. it depends how much you are ordering. Its size and weight. and if you're going to do it FOB or CIF.

Drop Rob an email from Power Forwarding. he should be able to provide you with some useful advice. robert at powerforwarding dot com ( i cant post his proper email address because i dont have 15 posts!)

 

[Vardan 89]

Thanks Rally for sharing the info. I will try him however I not specifically looking for a £ amount but just want to know the name description of the cost components once we buy goods FOB.

Cheers,
Darshan

 

[Rally]

Hi,can you tell me the items you are looking for
Maybe i can supply for your reference
:redface:

I'm sourcing from pakistan and already have a supplier, thanks.

 

[Rally]

Thanks Rally for sharing the info. I will try him however I not specifically looking for a £ amount but just want to know the name description of the cost components once we buy goods FOB.

Cheers,
Darshan

Robert will be able to tell you the name and description of the cost components also.

Please thank my posts if theyve been helpful!

 

[Vardan 89]

Robert will be able to tell you the name and description of the cost components also.

Please thank my posts if theyve been helpful!

I have thanked your post, hey if you don't mind what are you planning to get from Pakistan? Is there anything you would need from India that I can be of help

www.vandsint.com this web page of mine is just that starting products that I am dealing in but can source other products too

Thanks
Darshan

 

[GraemeL]

Cashflow is critical. Remember you will have to pay VAT at 20% to get your products released from the UK port. Plus duty that might be applicable.

G

 

[jcm2009]

Cashflow is critical. Remember you will have to pay VAT at 20% to get your products released from the UK port. Plus duty that might be applicable.

G

Agree. Vat can be a killer as you have to pay up front and you won't get back till your next returns if your vat registered.

 

[cnjingjing97]

Dear:
I'm Christine from shenzhen China,(7years experience in logistics) If you already import the products in your area, the best things to do is very sample try to sales it as much as your can.
Next order. You have order 1/4 container from supplier. They sure will be acount shipping cost and import duty els for you,

If you have any question about shipping, welcome to contact me.
Best regards
Christine