How to ask for money?

[PBM]

Hi,

I am very new to sales and marketing and to this forum as well. It all started when I travelled to the far east last month and bought a shirt which I liked both its style and price. When back in my country of residence, it hit me to try out marketing clothes for overseas manufacturers or merchandisers. So I talked to someone I know who owns a clothing shop about buying from this company, and showed him the shirt. He asked me to get him some samples and whole price lists. He said he'd give me some bonus as well.

I wrote to the company, but I'm not sure which of their products moves the best and also would like to bring up what I'm going to get from them. I thought of connecting them directly to the shop owner so he can choose better. What do you think? and how to bring up the money issue with the overseas company?

Thanks lot for help,

 

[Scalloway]

Your contact is with the local shop so I would get them to pay you a commission for supplying the garments.

 

[Annoying Donkey]

You need to tie up the distribution rights before anything else. Otherwise there's nothing stopping the clothes store owner from going direct... Or the manufacturer from undercutting you or cutting you out altogether...

 

[Lloyd N8N]

If you connect them directly, you lose control and could be cut out of the loop.

If you trust the shop owner and tie up an agreement, i.e 20% of profits, then it's easy money!

 

[Krystsina]

First of all, don't share the contact in any case as you will cross yourself from the picture by yourself - what for to do that? Right now they both depend on you, so make the best out of this situation.

Then, offer this company from the east to make yourself as their official distributor and promoter at your country, and look for more opportunities (more shops) to sell their products. You may ask for the salary or negotiate an agreement on percentage from every sale.

Another idea - why won't you open up an internet store to sell their products in your country? Just because why not?

 

[PBM]

Thanks guys for sharing your views. I am still not sure what my next step should be. The issue I have is that I have a job which is restricting me from travelling whenever I wish and I don't have enough money or experience to buy a stock and then distribute it. And this is my first step ever in something like that. So how would I go with asking the overseas people for a contract? I kinda trust the shop owner, but I cannot tell for sure.

 

[Scalloway]

If you are going into this line I would suggest the best thing to have is a brass neck that gives you the confidence to approach complete strangers and persuade them that you alone can get them the sales they need to move their business forward.

More practical information here

https://spirohq.com/the-secret-to-g...how-not-to-blow-it-when-introducing-yourself/
https://spirohq.com/the-secret-to-g...how-not-to-blow-it-when-introducing-yourself/
https://www.agentbase.co.uk/sa_factsheet1.php

 

[jefhasmi]

Work with people you trust and those who trust you

 

[HighProxies]

I like the idea of selling their products on an internet store. Would you consider doing this? It would be a win win for both parties.

 

[PBM]

Thanks guys for the helpful insights, especially Scalloway for the handy articles.

@HighProxies how do you do that? I hope it doesn't require money.

 

[Scalloway]

If you want a low cost solution I would suggest selling on ebay.

 

[PBM]

Do you mean, I need to buy a quantity and then put on ebay?

 

[Scalloway]

You could buy some and put them on ebay. Another avenue to explore is drop shipping.

https://www.shopify.co.uk/guides/dropshipping/understanding-dropshipping

 

[Scott-Copywriter]

If you're confident enough in this idea, then save up money to buy the stock or take out a loan.

You seem to be asking how you can make money from this without spending any of your own money yourself. That's very difficult to do, and if you don't do that, then what are you bringing to the table?

Just start off small and work your way up. You don't have to buy thousands of pounds worth of stock right away.

 

[Rockpapercopy_biz]

don't buy bulk stock without downpayment. Ask for a printed catalog from the store abroad and go through it with the local business owner - he / she can pick styles but needs to pay upfront! Otherwise you buy stock for $$$, she doesn't pay, you then sell it for pennies and that's when she buys from you [sorry to be gloomy, been in business for too long lol!]