does anyone have any electronic manufacture contacts?

More information is needed.

What kind of volume are you looking to order?

Are you looking for a manufacturer or supplier that will dropship the items for you, or will you be stocking your own inventory and handling the logistics?

Are you looking for any top brands, or just generic stuff?

As you may already know, the problem with electronics, is, the margins are already so low, and when you're competing with folks that aren't able to order in huge, bulk amounts, and are having to pay more to order from a supplier or some other middleman, you're essentially left with micro-profits (or worse) because everyone and their brother is going to try to undercut the other guy to make a sale.

However, I do know someone that earns a pretty good profit with RC toys, importing from china - but he stocks his stuff. He is also targeting E-cigs now, which seem to be doing alright.

i wasn't really going to say what i was thinking of, as i like to play things close to the chest, but what i want to do will take a good deal of work and money, so i doubt to many people will try it.

So here i will clarify.

adobe has software called "adobe reader" its used for things like the "nook" and "kindle"

anyone can license out this software.

I want to have a nook like or kindle like knock off made.

i then want to have all my affiliate IDs imbedded in the adobe software, so when purchases are made, i make money.

I figure i can sell them for a small amount over cost, and/ or give them away to customers as a thank you.

any way that's the "jist"

for me, it all comes down to cost of the license and manufacturing costs.
or so i think ...

I can't tell you where to look, as this will depend on what you're wanting to make. However, most of the time, you will probably be looking to China.
It is not uncommon to give your design(s) to a Chinese manufacturer and have them build a sample for you. Only they will be able to tell you what the production costs/per unit cost will be, bulk discounts, time frame etc.. If you are really serious about it, you would visit in person. At the very least, you will need to hire a good, reputable agent that is local to China (they are worth their weight in gold if you can find a good one).

Regarding designers; it's too late now, but you should always try to get them on a commission-based arrangement...at the very least, to minimize the upfront costs. So, $3,000 now + commission % etc.

Contact John Spiers (How Business Happens). He can guide you. Although, if he decides to help you, he will probably tell you not to waste your time with patent/protection etc. for your own products.

Good luck.

Why would you design another ereader? Your costs to do this would be ridiculous for a one person gig. There are plenty of factories in China making Android based ereaders. Simply go to Alibaba and find a few and get some samples and try them out. Start with a small order and see what it takes to configure them.

I was in the hardware biz for years and the make versus buy argument always comes up. There is no way you should design your own. It's simply not worth the expense and aggravation. There will be dozens (if not more) of companies making Android like tablets/ereaders.

In many cases you can get a sample DHLed to your door in a few days with a credit card payment. Import duties on this sort of thing are likely zero and if you like what you get find a customs broker and get an order placed.

I have to agree with redlegrich.

My last post was written prior to knowing what you were wanting to build. After reading your post, I have to say that you definitely do not want to reinvent the wheel here - especially for this particular purpose. Simply contact a manufacturer that will allow you to create your own brand on their generic reader - super simple. Then, the only thing you might have to do is hire a programmer to implement the affiliate links/ads.

I was playing a free game on my brother's cellphone the other day, and between turns, an advertisement would pop up. Let me tell you, some of those advertisements were VERY tricky and even had me 'almost clicking buy' by accident.