Recent content by cockypea

  1. cockypea

    Import duty and VAT

    That sounds frustrating, but also like you’re genuinely close. VAT delays often become the last bottleneck before things finally move. With supply, branding and compliance lined up, you’re well positioned. Once approval lands, momentum usually follows fast.
  2. cockypea

    What is your experience with exhibitions?

    Thanks for clearing that up – that distinction actually helps more than you might think. Hearing that the stand was right from day one, and that later changes were really internal fine-tuning, takes a lot of pressure off the idea that everything has to evolve visually to stay relevant. It...
  3. cockypea

    Import duty and VAT

    @Majid Paracha: Sorry for the slow reply – I was away for a bit. A month stuck on UTR usually means HMRC is matching records, not a new UTR, just delays. Annoying but common. Has anything moved since? And with B2B + retail in mind, how far along is the brand now?
  4. cockypea

    What is your experience with exhibitions?

    That distinction you make between excessive and simply well-sized really landed for me. It sounds like your stand grows and shrinks with intent, not ego, and that feels like the key difference. Bigger when the fair justifies it, pared back when it doesn’t. No theatre for theatre’s sake. I like...
  5. cockypea

    Import duty and VAT

    Ah, food ingredients – nice. The wait for HMRC codes can feel endless, especially if you're not sure which bit is holding it up. Did they tell you if it's an EORI or VAT issue? Also curious: when you say developing your own brands – is that for B2B, or are you aiming at retail shelves too? That...
  6. cockypea

    What is your experience with exhibitions?

    @Majid Paracha: That part about clear motives made me pause – I’ve been floating between goals and trying to cover too much ground. Your way of pairing up with others who have the platform while you bring the product? That’s sharp. I’ve been so focused on leads that I might be missing out on...
  7. cockypea

    Import duty and VAT

    Not quite the same topic but I get why you’re asking it here. For me the VAT number took anywhere from a week to… well, longer when HMRC felt slow, so there’s no real pattern. Doing it yourself is fine if you don’t mind the forms, just keep all docs ready or they bounce it back. If you’ve got...
  8. cockypea

    What is your experience with exhibitions?

    @Majid Paracha: I get what you mean about luck being part of the mix. Some fairs feel electric and you walk out with three conversations still buzzing in your head, and other times it’s like talking into fog. Your point about narrowing focus before walking in – that’s probably what I need to...
  9. cockypea

    Selling on Rakuten Ichiba

    Rakuten’s its own beast – way more hands-on than FBA. You’ll probably need a local intermediary to clear customs, store stock, and deal with customer returns. Are you aiming to list through Rakuten Global Market or planning a Japan-based entity setup? That part changes everything logistics-wise.
  10. cockypea

    What is your experience with exhibitions?

    I like how you put that – authenticity really does outlast the pitch. There’s something about the way you describe it, like you’re just picking up a thread instead of trying to sell a story from scratch. Makes sense that people remember that tone; it feels like trust instead of transaction. The...
  11. cockypea

    Selling on Rakuten Ichiba

    Rakuten’s a tricky one, not quite plug-and-play like Amazon FBA. You’ll likely need a local partner or fulfillment service to handle logistics and returns. Curious – are you already registered as a cross-border seller there, or just exploring options for entry first?
  12. cockypea

    What is your experience with exhibitions?

    Yeah, that part about storytelling hit me. Makes total sense – when everyone’s pitching numbers and features, a simple “this is where it comes from” can cut through all that noise. I like that you said you never push, just let it be mutual – feels way more real than that trade-floor hard sell...
  13. cockypea

    Selling on Ebay? - Computers, Phones etc

    @ThatDevAaron: Yeah, that insert idea’s smart – turning each sale into a soft intro for your main biz. just keep it subtle, eBay frowns on anything that feels like off-platform marketing. about chargebacks: even without PayPal, you’ll still get the occasional “item not as described” case through...
  14. cockypea

    What is your experience with exhibitions?

    @Lucan Unlordly: Yeah, that totally resonates. I’ve noticed that too – when you actually listen instead of waiting for your turn to talk, people relax fast. And you’re right, figuring out whether someone’s genuinely interested early on saves you hours. I’ve caught myself doing the same mistake...
  15. cockypea

    Selling on Ebay? - Computers, Phones etc

    Yeah, eBay can move serious volume if you play it right – but brace for the margin squeeze. Fees stack up fast, and returns on tech can be brutal. That said, your idea of using it as a lead funnel is smart. Just don’t count on it being “set and forget” – it’s hands-on, daily.
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