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View Full Version : Where to get products to sell?


Matt
08-24-2003, 01:35 PM
I'd like to sell some stuff on a site, but I don't want to deal with inventory, shipping, etc. I'd like to take the orders and money, and then get the product drop-shipped (I think that's the right term).

Are there many (any?) sites that offer this? Or would I have to set it up with a retailer myself? I'd like to try selling something in a niche I'm interested, to hopefully make some money, but also gain experience (never done ecommerce stuff before.)

Thanks!

Matt
Chris
08-24-2003, 05:30 PM
It is hard to find a legitimate drop shipper. Many of them don't give you true wholesale prices.

I'd recommend taking the plunge and buying inventory -- you don't need much when you first start out though.

When I started my sword site my initial investment was probably around $1250. ($200 for the merchant account etc (including a couple months of fees), $50 or so for SSL certificate, and $1000 worth of inventory).
Matt
08-24-2003, 08:08 PM
Hmmm, maybe I'll scrap the drop-ship idea then.

I guess I would be looking for a wholesaler then, right? Any wholesalers you'd recommend? a quick google brought up http://www.wholesaler.com/ and i'm sure there's many more..

Also, how much time does it take you to fulfill orders?

I'll probably have to hold off on this for now, but it's good to know for the future. Maybe I'll have enough money to start out after school's done in April :)

Thanks,

Matt
Chris
08-25-2003, 06:14 AM
I'd say the first step is to find a product -- they next step is to find out who makes it.
aaandy
08-26-2003, 05:41 AM
Hey Chris:

I'm wondering about your ecommerce scheme. Did you actually had all the inventory for your swords site delivered to your house? Do you do shipping yourself if you get orders from your website?

Andy
Chris
08-26-2003, 06:01 AM
Yes and Yes.
Mike
08-26-2003, 06:07 AM
Is the shipping expensive?
Chris
08-26-2003, 07:05 AM
From the manufacturer? I get it for free if I order more than $750.
Mike
08-26-2003, 07:15 AM
Do you sell to countries outside the US? If so, is the shipping there expensive?
Chris
08-26-2003, 08:10 AM
Very.

UPS refuses to ship weapons internationally but if they did I'd be around $120 for the UK.

The postal service is about 60% cheaper though -- still pretty expensive.
Mike
08-26-2003, 08:57 AM
:O Didn't realize it would be that much.
Chris
08-26-2003, 10:55 AM
Ya I just shipped Glamdring to the UK today -- $50.
Mike
08-26-2003, 12:19 PM
Still a nice profit though:)
Chris
08-26-2003, 12:42 PM
Ya well my profits don't change, the customer pays for the shipping.
Mike
08-26-2003, 01:27 PM
Oh, great deal that:)
s2kinteg916
10-22-2003, 02:38 PM
once you find a product and who makes it ?

whats the next step?

do u need a business license or anything ?
Chris
10-22-2003, 02:54 PM
Usually you need to have an official business formation (DBA, LLC, whatever) and proof that you have registered with your state for sales tax.
s2kinteg916
10-22-2003, 03:11 PM
what are usually the requirements from manufacturers ?
Chris
10-22-2003, 04:24 PM
Those are the requirements.

They don't want to sell to consumers so they make sure you are an actual business and that you've registered with your state for sales tax.

They also often have minimum order requirements, they don't want you placing orders for 1 item.
Prince
10-30-2003, 01:49 PM
Yup, I agree.

I finally set-up a shopping cart, merchant account and SSL certificate on my site, and just placed an order for two products that I felt I could sell successfully. I went straight to the company that makes them, had 18 units shipped right to my house.