Thread: Vendors: Give it to me straight!

I think I need help! lol

Any advice you could give to someone starting a small business with Egyptian imports would be great! We really want it to expand to furnishing that the general public will want to buy, but until then, we have clothes, clothes, more clothes, and shishas!

I've been doing a lot of reading for the paperwork(tax) side of it but I want to make sure that I don't miss anything.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Well, being a vendor myself. I can tell you vending or selling almost any kind of specialty product in this economy is going to be difficult. I would recommend you do your homework now and wait a bit until things start looking up. People just aren't buying right now.
Most of the other vendors I talk to at events are barely making it.

Besides that....I have had a hard time getting people to explain the ins and outs of importing. I've heard that import taxes are really high (sometimes = to the costs of the goods), but I've also heard that people somehow get around that by how they classify the goods that are coming in.

Maybe someone will chime in and tell us both, what to expect and how to go about importing...I'd really like know.

I wish I could wait! However, it's my friends business. She just moved to Egypt and I'm in charge of everything here in the US. She started all this before I could tell her that she should probably wait! ..cr.:
That's why I need help! lol

We don't have a lot of culture here and the place it would do the best is in an area that is outrageously expensive to rent/lease space.

I'm determined to make this work but it's so frustrating in this economy! If only this had happened 2 years ago...or maybe a year or two in the future. Oh well. It's some great stuff. I can't wait to start getting decorative items and tapestries. *sigh* lol It's so pretty. Just hard to sell to people who are having trouble just paying the bills!

Vendor here!

Going along with what Anna said - many vendors are folding right now because of the economy. That being said - you can still be successful.

Renting space may not be the best right now. My suggestion is to just sell out of your house/apartment. You can provide "visit by appointment" options to interested parties.

Also - get a website and fast. That is the best way to get people familiar with your offerings. You do not have to sell online - just offer pictures of your goodies.

Advertise here in Bhuz in the retail section!

I can tell you that running a retail business is a lot of hard work. I spend about 20-30 hours a week on website, advertising, mailing packages, inventory, shows, etc. On top of this - I have a full-time job in IT! This is def. a labor of love!

As far as import/export. Every situation is different. I have had large shipments come in that cost near nothing in import fees. I have had very small packages come that cost me a lot of $$. It seems so subjective sometimes.

If you have any other questions - email me at info@ravenadesigns.com

Happy to help.

a lot of commuity colleges offer classes in import/export certification. Also, your local SBA office will have info on how to get started. (That's what they are there for.) best of luck on your venture!

Originally Posted by lotus

a lot of commuity colleges offer classes in import/export certification. Also, your local SBA office will have info on how to get started. (That's what they are there for.) best of luck on your venture!

*hand palm* I didn't even think about the local SBA. *sigh* This is why I ask for advice. I always forget the obvious! ..l;,

Originally Posted by ravenadesigns

Vendor here!

Going along with what Anna said - many vendors are folding right now because of the economy. That being said - you can still be successful.

Renting space may not be the best right now. My suggestion is to just sell out of your house/apartment. You can provide "visit by appointment" options to interested parties.

Also - get a website and fast. That is the best way to get people familiar with your offerings. You do not have to sell online - just offer pictures of your goodies.

Advertise here in Bhuz in the retail section!

I can tell you that running a retail business is a lot of hard work. I spend about 20-30 hours a week on website, advertising, mailing packages, inventory, shows, etc. On top of this - I have a full-time job in IT! This is def. a labor of love!

As far as import/export. Every situation is different. I have had large shipments come in that cost near nothing in import fees. I have had very small packages come that cost me a lot of $$. It seems so subjective sometimes.

If you have any other questions - email me at info@ravenadesigns.com

Happy to help.

I'm trying to get a website up as fast as possible. Luckily, I'm only part time/on call at work so I have a lot of time to devote to this. I don't know how I would do it if I had a full time job! You must be Super Woman! ..l;,

As for import/export costs, we had our first shipment confiscated due to the shishas. They said they were drug related and took the entire shipment (which included tons of clothes). ,m:: I'm not a fan of customs right now.

Originally Posted by Rya_of_Indiana

*hand palm* I didn't even think about the local SBA. *sigh* This is why I ask for advice. I always forget the obvious! ..l;,

What I remember from my classes is that the US govt prefers to see goods exported than imported, because that is more to their advantage. So there are all kinds of little perks that go out if you export things. My teacher had thrown it out there at one point that it might be a good idea to consider doing a very small part of one's business as export to qualify for these benefits. Just a thought.

ETA -
helpfuk links
Import Export Guide | Business.gov
Interactive Guide for U.S. Small Business Exporters, Index - Ex-Im Bank

International Trade Administration - trade.gov

Becoming a Customs Broker - CBP.gov