10 Tips to Reduce Importing Business Costs

10 Tips to Reduce Importing Business Costs

More information in the form of a straters ebook to importing and selling online may be found at http://www.importingforauctions.com

We have used many if not all of the business expense reduction tips found here, for setting up our Importing Business, that allows us to sell on eBay and other auction sites. Some work quickly, some work a little slower. However, by and large they do all work.

1. Borrow/Rent
Have you ever purchased business equipment you only needed for a small period of time? You could have just borrowed the equipment from someone else or rented the equipment from a "rent-all" store. I know a business owner, who did buy a piece of machinery, new. After using it he resold it as used and recouped all of his investment.

2. Search
You can always be searching for new suppliers for your business supplies and equipment. Look for suppliers with lower prices and better quality. Don't just be satisfied with a few. Ask some of your business associates, who they get their supplies, etc from. Then drop the referring businesses name to the person your talking to about buying supplies.

3. Negotiate
You should always try negotiating a lower price for any business equipment or supplies. It doesn't hurt to try. Pretend you are talking to a salesman at a car lot. Use the honest approach. I share with the person I am talking to and just let them know. We are small, but growing. Work with us now, and as we grow we will still buy from you. Then keep your word

4. Barter
If you have a business you should be considering the exchange of goods, bartering goods, and services with other businesses. You should try to trade for something before you buy it. Barter deals usually require little or no money.

5. Online/Offline Auctions
You can find lower prices on business supplies and equipment at online and offline auctions. I'm not saying all the time, but before you go pay retail for these items try bidding on them first. As with any online purchase, do your homework.

6. Free Stuff
You should try visiting the thousands of freebie sites on the internet before buying your business supplies. You can find free software, graphics, backgrounds, online business services etc. As in the case of Internet Marketing, there are many items, articles, and e-books that are free. Often they may want your email address. Just because you give it to them once, does not mean you have to stay on their lists.

7. Used Stuff
If your business equipment and supplies don't need to be new, buy them used. You can find used items at yard and garage sales, used stores, used stuff for sale message boards and newsgroups etc. Unless your in a business setting where the image of new is important, used or refurbished will work as well as new, and for less money.

8. Plan Ahead
Make a list of business supplies or equipment you'll need in the future. Keep an eye out for stores that have big sales. Purchase the supplies when they go on sale before you need them. Often times in some stores you can put what you want on lay-a-way. You may be able to keep it on layaway until you need it and can pay for it.

9. Wholesale/Bulk
You can save money buying your business supplies in bulk quantities. You could get a membership at a wholesale warehouse or buy them through a mail order wholesaler. You may even go in with other businesses that use some of the same products and then split out what each of you needs.

10. Networking
Try networking your business with other businesses. There could trade leads or mailing lists. This will cut down on your marketing and advertising costs.

A Plan to Import and then Sell Online

A Plan to Import and Then Sell online
In this series of paragraphs we shall attempt to spur your interest in starting to develop an import plan. It is not as hard as some may tell you it is. Anyone can do it. All you need to do is try and do not stop trying. Plan on how to plan your plan and then sell on eBay.
An important component of an import plan is market research. Identifying and evaluating the target market will enable you to: Understand the industry structure, Predict product demand, Identify competition, Determine product modifications needed. Research your industry sector in the import market, finding out the opportunities and growth areas, as well identifying any barriers. At this stage, it is also a good idea to create a basic customer profile for your product.
Importing game plan and/or strategy is the next step is to develop an import strategy, defining how you will enter the foreign market and find trade leads. Decide whether you will be importing indirectly through intermediaries - which will require finding overseas representation - or doing it yourself. The latter option means you'll have to consider how to promote the products abroad and what type of after-sales support you will be able to provide.
It is important to consider product pricing and quotes, methods of payment, shipping terms and costs in order to accurately calculate your expenses and budget for them accordingly. Next, ensure that you understand and comply with the rules and regulations of international trade. Being aware of such rules will help you convert them from barriers into benefits.
Financing considerations are how you will finance your import plans, including calculations on your expenses such as salaries, travel, advertising, distribution, production, etc. State whether the daily operations will be funded from an outside source or internally. Include a projected sales forecast in your export plan - this will help you to measure success.
Implementation and planning are the last step is to identify milestones or time frames for key tasks. This will help you to evaluate your progress and communicate expectations your staff. Your import plan should include dates for major tasks and identify parties responsible for the tasks. Ensure that employees and partners are able conduct their specific duties, employ people with relevant import qualifications and/or provide training to existing staff. The key personnel involved in the importing process should also have involvement in building and agreeing the import plan, as they will help execute it. At the outset your import plan will probably be quite simple and brief since some areas may require further research. However, the import plan should become more detailed and complete as you and your team become more experienced.
As we have attempted to share with you how you can start to plan your import plan and the sell on eBay, and any mother auction. We hope you will plan to plan, and then work your plan.

Importing for Auctions or Quick Start to Importing

Quick Start to Importing


This book may not be for you.

However, have you wondered whether importing and selling on eBay, Yahoo, etc. really works? The truth is importing and selling on EBay, Yahoo, etc., does work, but I tried it and I did a quick start to importing, and every time I place an order or sell an item on eBay, I think about the self proclaimed exports who will tell you how hard and expensive it is. This quick start to importing that I am sharing with you really works, and that I used it to give the fast results that I wanted. Most of the quick start to importing courses that I used, failed, and cost me a lot of money

However, there is one (1) quick start to importing that does works. I found that The Quick Start to Importing, had the best information on how a beginner can start importing and easily. This quick starting to importing focus on simple but easy ways to find suppliers and import the goods ASAP, that worked like magic for me. The quick start to importing also comes with a lot of information, mainly for beginners, but us ole times can learn something too.

For all the quick start to importing on the market today, this one is the most popular and effective, and it is designed by a real person. You can find out more information on the quick start to importing that work for me: http://www.importingforauctions.com/