Where to start

[Fruitman95]

Hi all I'm 19 years old, got a job with a basic wage, I'm thinking of setting up an online store selling clothes, I know I'm not going to be a millionaire or driving a farrari but I just want to earn an extra few hundred pounds a month to start saving for a house, The thing is I don't know where to start with it all really and was hoping you could help any advice would be amazing! Thanks

 

[Maximum Media Solutions]

So many questions to ask but I'm going to start with what budget do you have? What sort of clothes, And do you have any knowledge of setting up a website?

 

[Fruitman95]

My budget isn't great at all I'll be using bits of my wage then using the profit to buy more, I'd be looking at shirts, t shirts fashionable clothing targeting age 17-24, I have no idea about setting up a website I was thinking about using Amazon, eBay etc

 

[Turnkey Businesses]

amazon and ebay is a good way to start. it helps to build up your brand while giving buyers the comfort of knowing they are covered by a bigger name if they don't get what they expected. You will want to go with your own site eventually though as it will help with your profit margin. We offer start up business packs, one of them is an e-commerce pack if you need help to set up your company and online business. feel free to visit the website in my sig or pm me if you need any help.

 

[LowPrices.uk]

Why do you want to setup an online store instead of something else?

Is it mens clothing you want to sell? What made you choose this?

 

[Fruitman95]

Well at the moment I'm looking to sell big brands, buying them in bulk, I was sold a Ralph Lauren top in work for £20 and a lot of people in the office bought them to, I've asked the person who sold it to me where did he get it from and he told me and I can make a good profit if I buy in bulk, I choose clothing because everyone needs it, everyone likes a brand, just not everyone can afford it, so I thought it would be a good start

 

[Fruitman95]

And I wanted to do an online store because I have a job 9-5 I need something that I can leave in the day check if anything has happened and sort it when I'm home, I know it's not as easy as that but you get the jist lol

 

[Maximum Media Solutions]

Amazon and eBay are good places to start off! Make sure you factor in Amazon/eBay/Paypal fees, shipping charges, packaging when working the markups on your stock.
Have you worked out an initial budget you have to spend on stock?

If you are working 9-5 when will you post orders out? is there a post office near to work?

Have you done a search on eBay and Amazon to see how many people are selling these types of clothing? It may seem like a simple thing to do but if you're making £5-£10 profit just think how many you will have to sell to make it worth while.

 

[Shopclicks]

I was sold a Ralph Lauren top in work for £20 and a lot of people in the office bought them to, I've asked the person who sold it to me where did he get it from and he told me and I can make a good profit if I buy in bulk

Probably the first thing you should do, is learn to tell the difference between legitimate brand names, fakes, factory seconds and stolen goods.

 

[Fruitman95]

I didnt think of that see I need to look at all these things before thinking of a prices thats both profitable and competitive

and how would I tell the difference between Legit, fake and stolen

 

[Shopclicks]

and how would I tell the difference between Legit, fake and stolen

I seriously doubt that any of the major brand names will be interested in supplying you without a shopfront, otherwise we'd all be flogging Ralph Lauren & Calvin Klein on eBay. Contact Ralph Lauren's UK office and ask them who their authorised distributors are. Then contact the distributors. If the bloke who sold you the T-Shirt answers the phone, you're on a winner

Seriously, the very first thing you need to do is find legitimate distributors who are willing to let you have an account. If you get past that step, then think about how you're going to sell your clothing. Don't put the cart before the horse.

 

[Maximum Media Solutions]

If the bloke who sold you the T-Shirt answers the phone, you're on a winner

Pass on his number to us too if he's an authorised distributer too!

Amazon/Ebay would come down on you like a ton of bricks if you are selling unauthorised goods. The brands are all over these things nowadays.

 

[Shopclicks]

Fruity, I'll share something with you that might help you get started.

Make a list of all the smaller shops in your area that sell the types of brand names you want to sell. Visit these shops one by one and talk to the owner. Ask them if they have last season stock they would like to liquidate. Offer them 25% less than their invoice price and tell them you'll take everything they want to get rid of.

I did this some years ago, sold it all on eBay and made my living from it for 3 years. Then two of those businesses decided that they wanted their own websites and wanted me to create and run the sites. That was 7 years ago and it's all I do.

That might get you started if you're ambitious

 

[Fruitman95]

ok thank you both for your advice it is much appreciated

 

[LowPrices.uk]

Give a lot of thought to what product you are going to sell. It is critical that you get this choice right. Look for a product that has decent profit margins and is easy to deal with. Then sell on eBay.

 

[Fruitman95]

After the last comment, I've put extra thought into on what I want to do and I've now got second thoughts has anyone got any suggestion on here of things I could look into selling or services I could provide, like I said it's only to make roughly £300-£500 extra a month to start saving for a house, I'm not looking into being a tycoon of anything lol

 

[Maximum Media Solutions]

Let me know if you find anything to make £300 - £500 in your spare time

 

[antp__]

like I said it's only to make roughly £300-£500 extra a month

This is a great goal to achieve. However we need to walk before we can run.