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So I am building my e-commerce website. I have decided against drop shipping as I cannot find any suppliers that have prices worth the profit margin. I also only want to sell quality brand name products so my site can build some authority with clients and will hopefully build a strong client base and some social media presence.
Just a couple of questions to bounce off you all.
How do people find reputable suppliers? Or how do you know they won't rip you off before you make an order?
Also I have chosen magento as a platform, can anyone point me to any free tutorials on this platform? I have watched some youtube videos and have started to put it together.
#reputable #suppiers
  • Profile picture of the author Importexport
    If you want to sell brand name products don't even think of buying them from China.

    They will lead you into terrible trouble.

    Never ever try to import branded goods either for personal use or especially for resale.

    One thing often overlooked is that unbranded copies of big brand goods can also land you in big trouble. Designs are copyrighted, so if it looks even almost identical to the real thing it is illegal to buy or sell it. If the knockoffs carry big brands, you are taking a huge risk -Confiscation and destruction by Customs - fines - in serious or repeat cases sometimes imprisonment - flagging of your name and address by Customs resulting in delays on every shipment you ever receive -, and if Customs don't get you, the brand owner could sue you into bankruptcy.

    A second point overlooked is that rebuilt, renovated, repaired, or refurbished genuine branded goods can also land you in deep water. One of the reasons is that in virtually every case, the parts used for the refurbishment will be non-genuine, but the main reason is that Customs in every country have automatic alerts that flag anything with those brands, so a single refurbished item is likely to come to their attention.

    You will never win an argument with them about the goods being second hand, and do you want the hassle and likely loss of your money anyway? Once you have come to the attention of Customs, even if you were not committing an offense, chances are all of your imports will be delayed from then on.

    The only safe way to obtain supplies of branded goods is to buy them from local authorized distributors, and then you will find the margins are very thin.
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    Use emotions and perceptions to build a great brand. Ask me about my book LabelsThatExploit. For safe sourcing and easy importing from 41 countries globally, see https://provenglobalsourcing.com
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    • Oh really. How do you find the authorized distributors?
      I have found one that I like the look of and the prices seem fair enough but that is only one of the products that I want to sell.
      Thanks for your advice, I was looking at buying some things from china but it does sound a little bit dangerous now you have said that
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      • Profile picture of the author Importexport
        Originally Posted by My Space Suit Split View Post

        Oh really. How do you find the authorized distributors?
        I have found one that I like the look of and the prices seem fair enough but that is only one of the products that I want to sell.
        Thanks for your advice, I was looking at buying some things from china but it does sound a little bit dangerous now you have said that
        Finding the authorized distributors can sometime be easier said than done. The best chance is to locate the head office in Australia of the brand owner. The world head office may be overseas, so if that is the case contact them. Just ask who their distributors are.

        First contact with the distributors is critical. Many will not deal with online retailers. If they do they will want evidence that you are a genuine business, not just someone looking for cheap samples.

        If you tell them you are new in business they may not even reply. As you are in Australia they will want an ABN number and probably a GST number.

        Many people find the process frustrating, and give up. Of those that do, quite a lot finish up selling unbranded goods which can be obtained more easily, but remember what I wrote in my earlier post about knockoffs etc.

        Buying from China some of the millions of kinds of products that are not copies of branded goods is easy and can be extremely profitable if you find the right niche. Manufacturers there will welcome you with open arms provided you use the right approach.
        Signature
        Use emotions and perceptions to build a great brand. Ask me about my book LabelsThatExploit. For safe sourcing and easy importing from 41 countries globally, see https://provenglobalsourcing.com
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  • Profile picture of the author arghya139
    Originally Posted by My Space Suit Split View Post

    So I am building my e-commerce website. I have decided against drop shipping as I cannot find any suppliers that have prices worth the profit margin. I also only want to sell quality brand name products so my site can build some authority with clients and will hopefully build a strong client base and some social media presence.
    Just a couple of questions to bounce off you all.
    How do people find reputable suppliers? Or how do you know they won't rip you off before you make an order?
    Also I have chosen magento as a platform, can anyone point me to any free tutorials on this platform? I have watched some youtube videos and have started to put it together.
    May I Know your line of products ?
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  • I I already have an abn. I'm nit registered for gst though as you don't need to be until you are making 70k a year.
    Thanks for your advice I will start investigating from the top down.
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