cymru78 started this topic @ 16:05 on 21/05/2004
I will try to keep this short ( i have had a quick read through the work from home post below)
I have found a fantastic supplier (ok dropshipper) of boys toys, gadgets & gizmos. Some of the prices are very profitable (pool tables, air hockey etc)
As most of you are aware, it is hard to sell these on ebay & ebid etc.
What I want to do is set up a mail order business from home (it will just be myself running it with maybe some help from partner).
luckily i will not have any stock to hold.
I am thinking of distributing a free cdrom with my catalogue installed and obviously i need to set up a website with shopping cart or just paypall for the time being.
I do not really want to have to pay for hosting but would i have to do it this way to get a shopping cart? I can do basic webdesign.
I don't think that i will make enough money right away to be liable for tax payments but should i still go to the IR?
Under the section 'company info' on my website is it legal to put my name and home address even though it may not be a 'proper' company for some time?
How would i go about using my home address as the business address? Would it be worth registering a business name right away or just see how it goes for 6-12 months?
What about with regards to insurance and council for me to work from home? I will not have any visitors (customers/suppliers)
If anyone has a similar, quite successful business feel free to give advice!
If anyone would prefer to email me direct please do - mark.ch@virgin.net
So many questions to ask...!
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RE: Another work from home q - mail order
Adam | 18/06/2004 11:37 PM
Ricky, perhaps you could drop ship for me with a site that is not live at www.leatherandtoys.com?
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RE: Another work from home q - mail order
ricky_s | 19/06/2004 12:48 AM
Hi Adam,
I think I didn't word my message properly, I am not a dropshipper, I am looking for a dropshipper to handle boys toys etc, though I currently have a sex toys site. If you are interested, I use http://fulfillment.sexshop365.co.uk/ to do my dropshipping for me.
regards
Ricky
http://www.pleasureforme.com UK Sex Toys with Free Delivery
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RE: Another work from home q - mail order
bizgifts | 19/06/2004 09:54 AM
cymru78,
Sounds like a great idea, however, maybe a rethink about your stratergy before you dive in.
You will be targetting the same type of potential customers as the likes of Firebox, Gadget Shop etc etc. Yet you plan to do this very much on the cheap ie. free hosting and maybe a self build website. Why would a customer buy from you instead of the established players in the market, will your website 'cut it', even if you discount your prices it doesn't mean peoplw will buy from you. They need to feel comfortable with who they are parting with their money to.
What about marketing, if sales are via a website you will be competing in one of the most competitive areas in online shopping. If you plan to market offline ie. sending your catalogue out then you will need a big budget. Calculate the cost of sending about 1000 catalogues out, if the catalogue is good you should expect to get 5-15 sales from that, more likely the lower amount in the early days, will the profit on sales cover your costs and still leave you in profit.
Why are these products hard to sell on Ebay, is it because of price, or is it because people know they can go direct to someone like Firebox? Why would they buy from your website instead?
Maybe not the magical answer you are hoping for, but I hope it gives you food for though before comitting your time and money.
I am in a similar situation with an online store I will be launching. I will be competing against very established stores in one one of the most popular sports in the country. My stratergy is to sell the products within the sport that the existing stores are not. Using search engine tools I have found that there are several thousand searches per month for these products so I know there is a market that isn't already being exploited.
Good Luck
Mark
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RE: Another work from home q - mail order
Richy | 08/07/2004 03:04 PM
quote:
[i]Originally posted by ricky_s[/i]
[br]Hi Adam,
I think I didn't word my message properly, I am not a dropshipper, I am looking for a dropshipper to handle boys toys etc, though I currently have a sex toys site. If you are interested, I use http://fulfillment.sexshop365.co.uk/ to do my dropshipping for me.
regards
Ricky
http://www.pleasureforme.com UK Sex Toys with Free Delivery
Hi mate,
How are you getting on with these people?
I am looking at using them myself. Do you have to go on there site and make an order for each purchase?
RE: Another work from home q - mail order
ricky_s | 08/07/2004 04:32 PM
Hi Richy.
I haven't had any problems with the Service, You do have to order everytime, but they keep you credit card details etc. So you just need to supply your customers address.
They don't con you by making you pay any joining fees etc. like some of the dropship companies around.
cheers
Ricky
http://www.pleasureforme.com UK Sex Toys with Free Delivery
------------------------
What is a Rampant Rabbit?
Do you want some adult company tonight?
RE: Another work from home q - mail order
Adam | 09/07/2004 02:18 AM
I'm going to look at it now. Thanks Ricky.
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