Best way to approach a company in regard to import/export?

[Russ]

of cocaine?

only kidding, i want to start buying things in bulk from the US that aren't available here in the UK at the moment. become there official distributor via the way of UK ebay. any body got any tips, would an email expressing my plan be the best/only option?

[b0redom]

Yeah a good way to start at least. I was talking to someone about doing something similar, but in the end it wasn't worth doing when you add on the price of shipping and the inevitable import duties.....

The firm in question were extremely happy to have another reseller though - as long as they're selling, they probably won't care who to....

[mart_haj86]

Im not very business orientated but you would need to make sure that you inform (or atleast have a notice) on your ebay site. Notifying your customers of the inevitable Duties and Taxes they will receive. Good luck to you though

[Russ]

but if i am importing these "things" say 20 at a time, then surely i'd pay all the duties and taxes and jus add that onto the resell value?

[BUFF]

I don't know what you are talking about importing but 20 at a time doesn't sound a lot ...
I was the UK agent for a German company & to get the right pricing etc. after shipping you had to be realistically looking at £10,000 orders.

[Lucio]

Well, my company the sole distributor for a manufacturing company, and I'd have to agree with the others here, you have to be serious about this. This means being able to lay your hands on some decent investment capital for your initial stock order and then on your repeat orders, talk about getting discount based off your expected sales based on your initial lot.

So for example, you invest in 100 of the item, and you sell them at 20 a week. After the first lot is nearly gone, you can go back to the manufacturer and say "I have a demand of 20 a week here, what discount will you offer me and how many do I have to buy?"

A lot of American companies prefer to offer cash back deals, based on your spend at the end of the year, so be prepared for that. It's not a bad deal really, as they can make nice end of year bonuses and some even pay out just in time for Christmas.

[Russ]

I don't know what you are talking about importing but 20 at a time doesn't sound a lot ...
I was the UK agent for a German company & to get the right pricing etc. after shipping you had to be realistically looking at £10,000 orders.

your right 20 isnt a lot, but for a product that would only appeal to a select market anyway, i wouldnt want to buy anymore than that to start at least

[ikonia]

Your approach is flawed.

This model only works buying on in bulk.

People give you distrubution rights with either

a.) a load of cash up front
b.) a confirmed selling reputation.

Juding by your comment of ordering 20 up front unless these items are 10K each your just another guy buying 20 of an item to them.

To make this sort of thing worth while you'll have to buy in mass bulk, get an "importers" license (I can't remember the exact phrase for that which gives you discount on import through UK customs). Plus there are also rules about selling "grey import" goods, so you wouldn't just be able to wack them up on ebay.

Speak to UK customs, speak to an insurance company as being a distributor of a USA product is different in terms of legalilities to selling a one off UK product. You'll also possibly need a confimed business address and credit line as most companies won't look at you without either.

Add all that up and the time and effort dealing with the grey import sales rules and decide if its worth it.

[Dareos]

My company deal with a lot of US imports, and what BUFF says is completely accurate, you are looking at a massive amount of units if you want to make any profit at all on it. You have handling charges, carriage charges, duty, tax etc etc etc

its not an area for a small business

[Brucelles]

There is a break-even point where it's just worth doing. If the product (which sounds like some kind of sex-aid, perhaps butt-plugs) is priced at £10 to the end-user you probably need to buy them for around £3. If, on the other hand, you are thinking of importing Swiss grade Rolex copies, you can buy them for say £300 and hope to sell for £400-500. Then it's possibly worth your while.

[Dareos]

why on earth would you immediately think of such an item?

methinks you have unresolved childhood issues

[Hans Voralberg]

LOL why would you immediately think of unresolved childhood issue ? Like Freud ?

Sry for spamming, IMO it depends very much on the nature of the goods you're importing, unless it's something special it'll be hard to import small amount legally AND make a profit off it

[Dareos]

i mention childhood issues and you immediately think of Freud??? you miust wish to sleep with your mother!


and on a serious note : You may wish to look into other companies importing into the UK from whichever supplier you are looking at, and piggyback your cargo with them, there will of course be a fee but it may well be worth your while

[Russ]

ok you've all put me off

brucelles, i've cacnelled your order

[Rev_Hill]

We all agree bulk is the only way.

I looked into starting a similar side line business with just over £5,000 and after a month doing all the calculations, looking at competition and the marketplace it just wasn't worth it. Even with what I regarded as a great product.

It all sounds great to start with but you soon realise that it will be a full time job which does require some serious capital.

Before you do anything think..... Is there a demand / market for what I am going to sell? What is the competition like ? How will I market the product ? How am I going to sell my product and why will people buy from me ? (ebay is not really the answer). Oh and importantly, make sure you know what legislation exists for what you are selling i.e. contact lenses etc can only be sold by licensed opticians, and also how you are selling.

This type of business is very difficult because you can never judge demand without making some investment in the first place. You can always get orders in before buying from the distributor but this will require marketing etc which all costs money and would usually require bulk orders rather than one or two a week to work.

Good Luck anyway.

REV

[Rev_Hill]

So, come on....what were you going to sell ?????????