[GeoExKat]

Hello to all. I am starting my import export business (as a commissioned agent) and would really appreciate meeting with someone who knows about the business and would be kind enough to offer some advice...a mentor so to speak. Anyone experienced and knowledgeable out there interested in helping making a dream come true? Thank you very much in advance! Regards.

[mmice]

Hi,

I'm no longer based in HK, but have some experience in the area. Let me know what assistance u need and i'll try to help out.

cheerios

[GeoExKat]

Hi there!

Well basically, I am starting a new career as an import export agent. I have ZERO experience, but a good head and I never shy away from hardships and challenges.

At this point I already have met with a few interesting suppliers but am a little puzzled as to how to find buyers for them, in the US and Canada.A visit to TDC has helped me to identify importers that I can contact, which I will do soon. Any other advice on how to find them? How to prepare to talk and meet with them? I have visited Alibaba.com and other websites of that kind, but I don't find them to be very professional.

Anyhow, any sort of advice would be appreciated. I find that my research have led me to a wealth of information, and I know a lot more now than I did 3 weeks ago. Questions pop up along the way and I have no one to turn to for answers. If you have any useful tips, please pass them on!

Regards,

Kat.

[jimbo]

Where to find buyers.

Well it all depends on what the product is and how many units you're actually looking at, Maybe start off small scale and use ebay or try and locate who the buyers are for say a retail chain store if they stock similar products.

[GeoExKat]

Thank you Jimbo!

Retail chain stores are definitly on my list.The products are decorative antique imitations ming pottery, and regular (but original) tableware. As for the the tableware I know it will be much "easier". For the antique imitations, that's another story. I am curious about your Ebay idea. Do you assume that I should buy the product myself and sell it (and ship it) through ebay? Or is there another way to do this without investing my dime in it for the supplier I want to sell for?

I am aiming at a USA and Canadian market-- form Hong Kong. I really like your ebay idea (and have never tried selling anything on ebay) although I had in mind starting with a very small capital investment on my part. I have yet to discover the wonders of ebay. Could you explain a little further?

Thank you very much for your reply!

Katia

[jimbo]

Sure not a problem, I dabble in ebay myself so I'm used to the workings of it.

The Joys of Ebay is that you don't actually need any physical stock as long as you have some decent quality photo's thats enough to get them interested and as and when they've paid you thats when you go out and get the product and arrange shipping etc.

And the customer pays for shipping as well on top of whatever it sells at, So the only thing its going to cost you as such is the ebay listing fee which is not that high depending on the sort of price you want to sell at.

Try and target companies such as sears in the states and see if they may be interested.

[GeoExKat]

You're awesome!

Thank you for your input! I'll try a few things. Another friend just advised me to try Ebay as well. Sears? that's a gond one too. But I think Pier 1 Import could also be interested since the product is more...let's say ethnic.

I'll keep you updated!

Have a prosperous year my friend! K.

[Eddy Mundo]

hey Katia, so are u located in HK or in NA? I am in Canada, starting out on the same thing... as a commissioned agent for a supplier in China.

I'm also thinking of ebay as well. One thing about ebay tho... its still better to have stock in hand rather than looking for it after you've been paid by a buyer. ebay works on your seller's rating, and to be succesful, you must be fast and reliable when it comes to delivery. otherwise you'll end up with bad feedback and your reputation will be ruined.

[GeoExKat]

Hello Eddy! I am also a Canadian (Montreal, French Canadian) but am based in Hong Kong for now, however I move around every 2 years so I am trying to stay as virtual as possible to avoid further complications for my business.

As for Ebay, I am receving a lot of encouragements from different people about it. It does sound like a good first step to build capital and grow.

I do have a few questions though. Since I am in Hong Kong, and will export products to USA or Canada, how do you calculate the duty on products you send to your buyer? I mean, If the buyer wants to buy -say a pottery vase- for 40US$ + 10$ for shipping fee, don't we have to add a certain duty value as well in the price? I have not figured that one out yet. Canada is especially renowned to impose duty on anything, even your own stuff that you send back home (would you imagine) so how do you deal with that? Do you let the buyer figure it out or do you personnally deal with it?

As for stocking products, this means more personnal capital investment on your part right? You mean that in your case you buy the product, stock it and sell it right? My original idea was to try to start my business the easiest way possible (less risk, less investment) say low personal capital investment and act as a match maker only. However, I am more and more considering trying to merge the two ideas, say asking my supplier to "keep" stock for me -garanteed- so I can sell it with a profit to a foreign buyer and pay the lower price agreed on with the supplier, and send the product to the buyer.

How do you deal with your income and the law when making money through Ebay? That's a tricky question I guess. Is this type of transaction still in the grey zone as pertaining to revenue made online on small, individual sales? You declare what exactly?

OK, sorry last, on delivery, you use regular mailing system or a shipping company? My product is quite fragile, it's antique imitations pottery. Do you include the fee to insure your product in your mailing fee or not?

Many many questions, but I surely know more every day!

Thanks to everybody's help!
Just starting in the business ...

K..

[jimbo]

Katia

The recipient is liable to any customs duty on it and its there responsibility to pay it, Usually the shipping company won't release the item until the buyer pays them the necessary import fees due.

Seasoned buyers from ebay know and understand this issue so they expect it, Another thing is don't sell to people with less than 10 positive feedback or recent negative feedback due to non payment etc.

You don't need to stock products as such all you need to work out is how long it takes for the company to make the vase from your initial order and also contact a shipping company and ask them how long it would take them to deliver a vase from china to canada, So say if it takes 5 days say on the ad delivery within 7 days to factor in any delays that could occur.

Ask your supplier for size and weight dimensions when packaged and then ask the shipping company for a quote, If they say $40 then advertise it on the ad as say $50 for that little bit of extra profit as ebay won't charge you for the extra value of shipping, They charge you what the item sells at and not the total price including shipping.

As for tax delcaration umm I won't go down that road on an internet forum but I'll tell you maybe in person!