International Distribution

[ikosuave]

First off - I live in Canada, so this may prove slightly more challenging!

So, this is my FIRST post here and I'm super excited about this. I just turned 30 and read the book while on a WEAK long vacation...

Realizing, actually a long time ago, that life was gonna suck if I had to adhere to the 9-5 paradigm that we've all been thwarted into, I was always looking for a way to get out of it. It seems like automation and muses will be my way out.

Here's what I didn't mention... A few years back, I came up with an ingenious idea for a product, but never actually got it done. I went on vacation and saw something that I could slightly change to accomplish what I wanted. That got me looking at the manufacturer's website, and then noticing that they don't distribute to the USA.

I'm okay with much of the online stuff, that's partly what I do for work now, so that's not the part that will stop me. What I'm having difficulty with (and this is so ingrained in me - knowing EVERYTHING) is that I don't know how to make something like that work and how to leverage a European company to dropship to the United States (I choose the USA due to the maturity in just about all aspects of this type of Muse).

Has anyone done this? Other than shipping, is there much of an issue for something like this? Will I have to warehouse the product (which I really don't want to do)? And finally, how to you procure larger distribution contracts with another reseller (like a physical store to carry your products)?

[ikosuave]

Anyone have any comments? I would really appreciate a bit of guidance on this topic.

[Sven]

The same old problem, not enough info... Not even for very general answers.

I have this idea for a muse, buying a product somewhere and selling it somewhere else. What should I do? Come on! And not just you, it seems that everyone on this forum (well, allmost everyone) is scared to post details. Fair enough, don't post details get no response.

If I say, hey, I've got something to sell!

Do you think you'd buy? GET REAL!

[ikosuave]

Being as this was my first post, I wasn't sure what needed to be general and what had to be specific... Here is an edited version of my post then, with details:

First off - I live in Canada, so this may prove slightly more challenging!

So, this is my FIRST post here and I'm super excited about this. I just turned 30 and read the book while on a WEAK long vacation...

Realizing, actually a long time ago, that life was gonna suck if I had to adhere to the 9-5 paradigm that we've all been thwarted into, I was always looking for a way to get out of it. It seems like automation and muses will be my way out.

Here's what I didn't mention... A few years back, I came up with an ingenious idea for a product, but never actually got it done. This product is a small-space solution hamper, basically it vanishes from site when not in use, back into the wall - it is basically a towel-bar that extends to be a hamper.

Anyway, I went on vacation and saw something that I could slightly change to accomplish what I wanted. This product is a telescopic towel and laundry bar. It extends and retracts to show or hide up to 8 bars in a small form factor. That got me looking at the manufacturer's website, and then noticing that they don't distribute to the USA.

I'm okay with much of the online stuff, that's partly what I do for work now, so that's not the part that will stop me. What I'm having difficulty with (and this is so ingrained in me - knowing EVERYTHING) is that I don't know how to make something like that work and how to leverage a European company to dropship to the United States (I choose the USA due to the maturity in just about all aspects of this type of Muse).

Has anyone done this? Other than shipping, is there much of an issue for something like this? Will I have to warehouse the product (which I really don't want to do)? And finally, how to you procure larger distribution contracts with another reseller (like a physical store to carry your products)?

I hope this gives you enough information.

[kamakiri]

Don't waste your time chasing pie in the sky plans. Come back down to earth, make a plan and follow it. You are still too general. Everyone wants to have an easy time drop shipping in the USA. Well, I hate to burst your bubble, but it is not gonna happen overnight.

Go back and read the book. Especially the parts about starting a muse. I will outline the process;


Make a web site
Test your idea
Order a small amount of product
Ship from your house
Build the business
Get the volume up to 20-50 units a week
Then, and only then should you need to oursource this


Jumping to phase III is a sure way to not get past phase I.

[DaveinHackensack]

Kam, just tried to send you a PM but got an error message that your box is full.