Buying stuff from China and reselling it in your own country?

[Paul&John]

Hi there!

Does anyone do it here? Saw some nice deals lately and I thought it could be pretty profitable...
for example bridal dresses for a few hundred dollars (w free shipping) -> http://www.BenefitBridal.com (loads slowly), where renting one here costs at least 300-400euros (~400-500 usd).
or ordering stuff from alibaba.com (first just a few samples then bigger volumes).

If somebody does it here, can you post some nice tips how to start and some do/donts?

Thanks

[NALEM]

Email me directly at [email protected]. In the email remind me of this GFY post, and let me know what country you are in. I will give you some advice specific to wedding gowns.

- Alex

[Nicky]

I do It in Sweden for neon signs. Clothes/dresses can be risky though as the quality usually sucks.

[redwhiteandblue]

I can't see anything going horribly wrong with this at all.

[Voodoo]

Yeah, Vera Wang Wedding Gowns for $200. You should totally sell them in the U.S. You'll make mad money!

Unfortunately, the second Vera Wang finds your site, you'll have to give her 5x what you made. So you may want to stick to ordering them and getting a stock supply, then selling them at flea markets on the weekends.

[weecey]

import taxes/charges are something to bear in mind, got stung by this first time round..

[JFK]

lot of complaints about alibaba.com If the deals sound to be too good.........

[XD2]

I have a couple of clients who do this, one of them goes out to China to meet with the manufacturers before he buys so i doubt that is relevant to you. Another has done a lot through AliBaba, he gave me quite a lot of good advice on it, but to much to write here.

Remembering Import Tax is very good advice though especially if you are importing a lot, and also remembers they decide what the value of the item is for tax, doesn't matter what you paid or YOU think it is worth.

Apart from that, do background checks on the company and probably only go for companies on AliBaba who are like 3+ Years Gold suppliers.

Getting samples is a good idea to before a big order.

[Operator]

omg import/export. Shipping Containers. Omg!

[Paul&John]

first of all thanks for all the answers

Originally Posted by Nicky

I do It in Sweden for neon signs. Clothes/dresses can be risky though as the quality usually sucks.

and you are selling them via a regular shop or internet etc?

Originally Posted by redwhiteandblue

I can't see anything going horribly wrong with this at all.

like with every business ;)

Originally Posted by Voodoo

Yeah, Vera Wang Wedding Gowns for $200. You should totally sell them in the U.S. You'll make mad money!

Unfortunately, the second Vera Wang finds your site, you'll have to give her 5x what you made. So you may want to stick to ordering them and getting a stock supply, then selling them at flea markets on the weekends.

I'm not in the US

Originally Posted by weecey

import taxes/charges are something to bear in mind, got stung by this first time round..

yes I know.. it adds at least 30% to the price, but it's still cheaper

Originally Posted by JFK

lot of complaints about alibaba.com If the deals sound to be too good.........

i haven't done much at alibaba yet, but it seems similar to ebay, so if the reviews/feedbacks are good then I think it can be ok..

Originally Posted by XD2

I have a couple of clients who do this, one of them goes out to China to meet with the manufacturers before he buys so i doubt that is relevant to you. Another has done a lot through AliBaba, he gave me quite a lot of good advice on it, but to much to write here.

Remembering Import Tax is very good advice though especially if you are importing a lot, and also remembers they decide what the value of the item is for tax, doesn't matter what you paid or YOU think it is worth.

Apart from that, do background checks on the company and probably only go for companies on AliBaba who are like 3+ Years Gold suppliers.

Getting samples is a good idea to before a big order.

hm about this one: Remembering Import Tax is very good advice though especially if you are importing a lot, and also remembers they decide what the value of the item is for tax, doesn't matter what you paid or YOU think it is worth.

- doesn't they include an invoice or something with the order?

Originally Posted by Operator

omg import/export. Shipping Containers. Omg!

omg

[Sunny Day]

Don't know about shipping, but next to my post office box, is a bridal gown store and you can get dresses for almost nothing. $10-$300
Beautiful dresses.
Welcome to America.

[V_RocKs]

Was thinking about this too... hmm...

[mafia_man]

Originally Posted by XD2

I have a couple of clients who do this, one of them goes out to China to meet with the manufacturers before he buys so i doubt that is relevant to you. Another has done a lot through AliBaba, he gave me quite a lot of good advice on it, but to much to write here.

Remembering Import Tax is very good advice though especially if you are importing a lot, and also remembers they decide what the value of the item is for tax, doesn't matter what you paid or YOU think it is worth.

Apart from that, do background checks on the company and probably only go for companies on AliBaba who are like 3+ Years Gold suppliers.

Getting samples is a good idea to before a big order.

You need to be registered for VAT or you'll be getting a nice 20% bill when you import.

[Captain Kawaii]

Originally Posted by JFK

lot of complaints about alibaba.com If the deals sound to be too good.........

I signed up to test the alibaba waters...and got email slammed by Nigerians almost right away, offering to sell low and give free shipping...

the alibaba people themselves seem nice but i get a bad feeling about the whole thing...
at first they said no porn but i posted some dvd covers anyway...then they said, please do not stop loading them. lol.

[Nicky]

Originally Posted by Paul&John

and you are selling them via a regular shop or internet etc?

Through internet. Swedish ebay, a couple of more auction sites and a website. I also do tin signs but those I buy from the US.

[Phoenix]

i used to import shoes with wheels in the heels...we did alright with them for awhile, didn't get rich off of it, but it was a nice learning experience.
It is best if you know someone from where you are buying, we have connections in Korea and China. We don't do that anymore, my wife watches our kids and i do what i do.

how are you planning to sell the items? in an actual storefront? or online?

[Paul&John]

Originally Posted by Phoenix

how are you planning to sell the items? in an actual storefront? or online?

it depends what will i choose to sell.. if some small items, then the best approach will be using groupon clone sites. for example once i saw a 'deal' for men's ties -> 15 euros instead of 30euros, where the guy left the SKU numbers on the preview images. So I did a search on ebay and the same stuff was available for ~4euros (not wholesale, just one piece) with free shipping. And that's a pretty nice profit on one piece...

The only downward is the warranty.. we have a mandatory warranty of 2 years here in EU.. so what if I sell a bunch of stuff and the costumers will come back after a year and a half complaining

[SlutsBukkake]

Import Duties
Other Distributors/Competition
Taxes
Warehousing/Storage
Postage/Shipping (both sending and receiving)
Currency Exchange
Economies of Scale

Are just a few things for you to think about

[AllAboutCams]

alibaba.com is about %95 scammers you are better off getting a flight to china and going to the factory direct

[HerPimp]

Make your connections in person.

Garment district in Manhattan is where I would start.

Here

[Biggie Smalls Web Writing]

Seems like profitable business..

[The Ghost]

Who do you think you are. .... Walmart? ;)

[Deputy Chief Command]

I am actually thinking of importing things into China ;) over here there is a large market for luxury goods

buy a bag in europe for $400 sell it here for $700 = easy money

[BIGTYMER]

I import from HK. My main contact was found on AliBaba. Always do a small test order to test your contact.

[Paul&John]

Originally Posted by BIGTYMER

I import from HK. My main contact was found on AliBaba. Always do a small test order to test your contact.

And maybe can you tell us the type of goods you import?
Thanks

[BIGTYMER]

Originally Posted by Paul&John

And maybe can you tell us the type of goods you import?
Thanks

I buy all sorts of stuff. Anything I can turn a good profit on. Mainly small items that I buy in bulk.

[Django]

what is the minimum order?

[Wilbo]

I was looking at this place to buy Chinese products. http://www.dhgate.com/

They seem to be like Escrow.com. You buy the stuff and pay them, they release the funds to the seller when you let them know you have received your goods.

I HAVE NOT USED THIS SITE YET!!! Don't blame me if something goes wrong.

[Paul Markham]

If you're in the EU look into wedding dresses here. They are reasonable. Also great for hiring. In the UK I was told hiring a wedding dress was very hard and people were flying here to get them for the week and shipping them back.

We hired a bridesmaids dress for our daughter, to go to my niece's wedding in England. Cost very little, we had the dress for a week and my daughter looked like a princess in the outfit.

[BIGTYMER]

Originally Posted by Django

what is the minimum order?

Depends on the item and seller. One of my contacts has no min but another one has a 1,000 item min. Always try to haggle the item price. They post the item is x amount but with some haggling you will always get it cheaper. Only fools pay the prices listed.

[Paul&John]

Originally Posted by BIGTYMER

I buy all sorts of stuff. Anything I can turn a good profit on. Mainly small items that I buy in bulk.

And you sell it via internet (e-shop, ebay..) or do you have a regular store?

Big thanks for the input!

Originally Posted by Wilbo

I was looking at this place to buy Chinese products. http://www.dhgate.com/

They seem to be like Escrow.com. You buy the stuff and pay them, they release the funds to the seller when you let them know you have received your goods.

Looks good, btw aliexpress.com (like alibaba only for smaller orders) uses escrow also.. not sure how it works.

Btw if somebody is not familiar with the shop dealextreme.com then it's worth checking out for cool gadgets, with free shipping on everything

[Slick]

A friend of mine has a source where he orders sports jerseys for and he makes some really nice profit and he can sell the jerseys for pretty cheap to. I'm not sure how they get away with it though because they have the "Official Merchandise" tags on them to. Some of the styles are better than others, but overall, they're pretty nice.

[seeandsee]

dx.com , nice list of cheap stuff you can resell, best of all they give free shipping...

[Deputy Chief Command]

Originally Posted by BIGTYMER

Depends on the item and seller. One of my contacts has no min but another one has a 1,000 item min. Always try to haggle the item price. They post the item is x amount but with some haggling you will always get it cheaper. Only fools pay the prices listed.

not really always true.. problem with this "I want it lower" attitude is that to get that price lower and for the seller to still make a profit he has to lower the quality

you get what you pay for

[BIGTYMER]

Originally Posted by Paul&John

And you sell it via internet (e-shop, ebay..) or do you have a regular store?

Big thanks for the input!


Looks good, btw aliexpress.com (like alibaba only for smaller orders) uses escrow also.. not sure how it works.

Btw if somebody is not familiar with the shop dealextreme.com then it's worth checking out for cool gadgets, with free shipping on everything

Internet only. Website, eBay, Amazon Marketplace.

[L-Pink]

Originally Posted by Slick

A friend of mine has a source where he orders sports jerseys for and he makes some really nice profit and he can sell the jerseys for pretty cheap to. I'm not sure how they get away with it though because they have the "Official Merchandise" tags on them to. Some of the styles are better than others, but overall, they're pretty nice.

I'm sure the NFL doesn't care.

.

[cherrylula]

Originally Posted by Voodoo

Yeah, Vera Wang Wedding Gowns for $200. You should totally sell them in the U.S. You'll make mad money!

Unfortunately, the second Vera Wang finds your site, you'll have to give her 5x what you made. So you may want to stick to ordering them and getting a stock supply, then selling them at flea markets on the weekends.

There is a huge problem with people selling these shit bridal dressed from China on Etsy. The pictures fool them, but when the dress arrives it isn't going to work out. lol

I see shops go bye bye all day now. Too many people trying to do the same thing. Chicks who buy designer for the most part sniff it out. Some get suckered though.

[Paul&John]

Originally Posted by BIGTYMER

Internet only. Website, eBay, Amazon Marketplace.

Thanks for the info ;)

Originally Posted by cherrylula

There is a huge problem with people selling these shit bridal dressed from China on Etsy. The pictures fool them, but when the dress arrives it isn't going to work out. lol

I see shops go bye bye all day now. Too many people trying to do the same thing. Chicks who buy designer for the most part sniff it out. Some get suckered though.

I thought the quality wouldn't be the best, but will order one and by GF will check it out

[Operator]

Originally Posted by Voodoo

Yeah, Vera Wang Wedding Gowns for $200. You should totally sell them in the U.S. You'll make mad money!

Unfortunately, the second Vera Wang finds your site, you'll have to give her 5x what you made. So you may want to stick to ordering them and getting a stock supply, then selling them at flea markets on the weekends.

[mudsaliva]

Not sure if this is relevant, but selling products/gadgets from US to Philippines is pretty profitable too, US products/gadgets are aw'fully expensive here in Phil

[DBS.US]

http://www.alibaba.com/

[seeme]

Originally Posted by Wilbo

I was looking at this place to buy Chinese products. http://www.dhgate.com/

They seem to be like Escrow.com. You buy the stuff and pay them, they release the funds to the seller when you let them know you have received your goods.

I HAVE NOT USED THIS SITE YET!!! Don't blame me if something goes wrong.

I have used it, really have to be selective and check the reviews. 1st experience was great, got the items in 1 week. The other time I had to wait 3 months

[Paul&John]

Originally Posted by DBS.US

http://www.alibaba.com/

mentioned in my first post lol

[The Duck]

Import tax is a big problem.

[Paul&John]

Originally Posted by The Duck

Import tax is a big problem.

That adds around 10-20% to the price, so if the thing you import is cheap, then it's worth it..

[iv@n]

Originally Posted by Paul&John

Btw if somebody is not familiar with the shop dealextreme.com then it's worth checking out for cool gadgets, with free shipping on everything

cool gadgets will work few weeks and die. everything I bought there is piece of shit. cheap, but shit.

[Paul&John]

Originally Posted by iv@n

cool gadgets will work few weeks and die. everything I bought there is piece of shit. cheap, but shit.

not really, almost everything (still) works what I bought from there..
For example I got two cheap shit watches from there and are still working fine (bought them like 2-3 years ago)..

[brassmonkey]

you have to buy in bulk or its not worth it because they charge for it to enter the country. im not giving away any tips ill just say i buy electronics to resale

[iv@n]

Originally Posted by Paul&John

not really, almost everything (still) works what I bought from there..
For example I got two cheap shit watches from there and are still working fine (bought them like 2-3 years ago)..

you are happy then
I bought two vga-dvi covertors and both are piece of crap, worked two weeks and went gone. and there is no real warranty becouse of high postal charges when you want to send it back.
My wife bought a lot of stuff there, but everything what i have seen is crap - toys, clothing, gadgets.
I know there is a lot of reselers of those stuff in SK, take a look at mimibazar or bazos.sk and you will see.
But I'm not satisfied as a buyer with those things, it's cheap and it looks like cheap, works like cheap.. a lot of complaint from customers.

[Paul&John]

Originally Posted by iv@n

you are happy then
I bought two vga-dvi covertors and both are piece of crap, worked two weeks and went gone. and there is no real warranty becouse of high postal charges when you want to send it back.
My wife bought a lot of stuff there, but everything what i have seen is crap - toys, clothing, gadgets.
I know there is a lot of reselers of those stuff in SK, take a look at mimibazar or bazos.sk and you will see.
But I'm not satisfied as a buyer with those things, it's cheap and it looks like cheap, works like cheap.. a lot of complaint from customers.

you are correct about the warranty, however if you find out that the item is defective right after arrival, then you can let them know via their contact form and they will refund the amount (last time I ordered a led light with motion detector which was producing strange noises, so I just wrote them via the form that it's crappy and they refunded it)
you are also right about bazos/mimibazar.. sometimes I just order some toys to test out/play with 'em and I sell them for at least 2x more then I bought