[AMA] Importing & wholesaling for resale on eBay.

[z6Evolved]

I'm looking into importing some items from DHGate and I think the item would sell decent enough, but it would REALLY fly off the shelves with a quick rebranding - new product name, new packaging, etc. I've seen a couple threads around here where people talk about rebranding generic products for resale for the same reasons. Is there anything more to it than slap it in a new box and call it a day? Are there any hangups with the manufacturer (as in, do you need their permission to rebrand their items when reselling)?

Looking forward to going into this head on, I have a feeling it'll be quite a learning experience no matter what the outcome is.

 

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[Ecom man]

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I'm looking into importing some items from DHGate and I think the item would sell decent enough, but it would REALLY fly off the shelves with a quick rebranding - new product name, new packaging, etc. I've seen a couple threads around here where people talk about rebranding generic products for resale for the same reasons. Is there anything more to it than slap it in a new box and call it a day? Are there any hangups with the manufacturer (as in, do you need their permission to rebrand their items when reselling)?

Looking forward to going into this head on, I have a feeling it'll be quite a learning experience no matter what the outcome is.

The only rebranding I have done is when the manufacture asked if I wanted to brand it under my own. I would suggest just contacting the manufacture and making sure that it is ok to do so.

 

[z6Evolved]

Thanks. That's sort of what I figured. I shot an email to the one supplier I'd like to use but haven't heard back yet regarding samples, but when I do I'll ask them about branding. The good news is if they say no, I found three other suppliers of similar items at around the same price, and I'm sure out of the four one will say yes.

 

[Ecom man]

Thanks. That's sort of what I figured. I shot an email to the one supplier I'd like to use but haven't heard back yet regarding samples, but when I do I'll ask them about branding. The good news is if they say no, I found three other suppliers of similar items at around the same price, and I'm sure out of the four one will say yes.

At least you've got tons of options to go to if all else fails.

 

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[s168]

Thanks. That's sort of what I figured. I shot an email to the one supplier I'd like to use but haven't heard back yet regarding samples, but when I do I'll ask them about branding. The good news is if they say no, I found three other suppliers of similar items at around the same price, and I'm sure out of the four one will say yes.

I always ask suppliers up front what's their best price for "x" quantity of samples. The sample quantity is based on what I think I need to sell enough of to get an idea whether I should pursue this product or not. That is usually 5-30 items depending on what I expect the cost to be, as that is risk capital.

In the same email / message, I also ask up front for pricing for future regular orders for shipments in 500, 1000, 5000, 10000 units. That hopefully spices it up for them to consider giving me a decent price for samples if on the back of that they get big regular orders from me. That's my carrot and stick trick.

If I later decide to order volume figures, I know that I can play them off each other to get better pricing. That's standard negotiations and I tend to order the lower end of those volume figures anyway for cashflow management and inventory control reasons. I hate having too much money tied up in stock.

 

[Villain]

The item that I thought was faulty turned out to be fine, I just didn't know how to put it together

The sample of 10 pieces sold on ebay in a week! I sold at a loss since I paid a high price for the sample. I was told a sample fee would be refunded if I order in future.

I want to order say 100 of them but want to negotiate on the catalogue price. How should I go about negotiating a good price?

 

[ZCP]

Short term.....Find a friend who is good at negotiating..... Role play with them. Get them to really rake you over the coals for practice and alternatives.

Mid term...... Get some books. Learn about increasing your BATNA and decreasing theirs.

Long term..... Begin to negotiate everything in your life. Pattern yourself after the 'and??' Commercials.......

 

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[CarrieW]

The item that I thought was faulty turned out to be fine, I just didn't know how to put it together

The sample of 10 pieces sold on ebay in a week! I sold at a loss since I paid a high price for the sample. I was told a sample fee would be refunded if I order in future.

I want to order say 100 of them but want to negotiate on the catalogue price. How should I go about negotiating a good price?

haha!!! I thought that may be the case! totally awesome!! tell them you sold out so fast it wasn't an adequate sample size you need 100 to do a larger test...

 

[s168]

The sample of 10 pieces sold on ebay in a week! I sold at a loss since I paid a high price for the sample. I was told a sample fee would be refunded if I order in future.

I want to order say 100 of them but want to negotiate on the catalogue price. How should I go about negotiating a good price?

Ask yourself this... if you were the supplier, under what conditions would you consider dropping your prices and to what level? Figure those reasons and use them in a coherent and consistent manner to negotiate.

 

[ProblemSolver]

Interesting thing happened to me. 2 days after my first item is listed, this guy contacts me and points out that I say I am offering 3 day shipping but am only offering First Class mail. Tells me I should change it before I get in trouble. I look at the guys sales history and he is selling the same item as me and still offers me solid advice rather than letting me get hit by something negative. I was completely surprised by that!

 

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[mosdef]

there is good people out there also

 

[tminch55]

Is anyone having a problem with these suppliers not responding to questions about samples? I sent out a ton Thursday and have yet to hear anything. Am I impatient, or is this a common issue with Alibaba?

 

[z6Evolved]

Is anyone having a problem with these suppliers not responding to questions about samples? I sent out a ton Thursday and have yet to hear anything. Am I impatient, or is this a common issue with Alibaba?

I sent a bunch of emails friday and I'm still waiting too. Maybe we just picked a bad week to inquire haha

Sent from my SCH-i705 using Tapatalk

 

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[CarrieW]

I reached my message limit WTH? I only requested about 10 places for each product maybe I did more... lol back tomorrow I guess. now I have to see if the other 2 platforms have message maxes LOL

 

[Ecom man]

I reached my message limit WTH? I only requested about 10 places for each product maybe I did more... lol back tomorrow I guess. now I have to see if the other 2 platforms have message maxes LOL

Wow never knew there is a message limit lol! That's nuts!

 

[CarrieW]

Wow never knew there is a message limit lol! That's nuts!

yeah it was alibaba... I keep having issues on aliexpress... I can rarely do a search there without my laptop freezing up

 

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[ProblemSolver]

yeah it was alibaba... I keep having issues on aliexpress... I can rarely do a search there without my laptop freezing up

Windows or Apple? If Windows, try a different browser. Chrome/Firefox/Internet Explorer.

 

[CarrieW]

I use internet explorer. I usually always do... do you really think its a browser issue? I detest using other browsers (creature of habit and all) but if you think that will help I am willing to try just about anything.... I am stuck in bed (back went out) so I cant use my desktop and its been freezing up the last dozen or more times I go(over past few weeks)... every once in a while I can go thru 1/3 page before it locks up... so annoying

 

[Tyman]

I use internet explorer. I usually always do... do you really think its a browser issue? I detest using other browsers (creature of habit and all) but if you think that will help I am willing to try just about anything.... I am stuck in bed (back went out) so I cant use my desktop and its been freezing up the last dozen or more times I go(over past few weeks)... every once in a while I can go thru 1/3 page before it locks up... so annoying

Definitely give Chrome a try, I haven't had any problems with it and it is very quick.

 

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[z6Evolved]

I always ask suppliers up front what's their best price for "x" quantity of samples. The sample quantity is based on what I think I need to sell enough of to get an idea whether I should pursue this product or not. That is usually 5-30 items depending on what I expect the cost to be, as that is risk capital.

In the same email / message, I also ask up front for pricing for future regular orders for shipments in 500, 1000, 5000, 10000 units. That hopefully spices it up for them to consider giving me a decent price for samples if on the back of that they get big regular orders from me. That's my carrot and stick trick.

If I later decide to order volume figures, I know that I can play them off each other to get better pricing. That's standard negotiations and I tend to order the lower end of those volume figures anyway for cashflow management and inventory control reasons. I hate having too much money tied up in stock.

Thanks for the advice. The first supplier I contacted ended up being a bust - the product is lacking the very thing that I think would make it sell. I emailed 10 other vendors of similar or identical products, and on top of asking them the same questions, I also lead in with a request for the best price on a small sample order and prices for two larger quantities. I also asked about rebranding right up front.

I think I'll probably get a better response this time since the first vendor not only didn't have what I needed but also sort of blew me off by stating absolute MOQ was what was listed and no less. I'm not buying 100 units to see how your product holds up, sorry.

 

[s168]

Just a side thought...

In the past, you could order much smaller quantities from China for much cheaper prices too. Then the bigger players go involved and more buyers globally did the same thing, and the MOQ and prices went up. Suppliers have more choices to pick and choose now. I have friends who ran clothes stores and were middlemen to large nationwide UK clothing stores state they noticed this trend over the years. I wonder what the new China is? Some say places like Vietnam, Bangladesh, etc.

 

[PHD]

Is anyone having a problem with these suppliers not responding to questions about samples? I sent out a ton Thursday and have yet to hear anything. Am I impatient, or is this a common issue with Alibaba?

In my experience I have had about 80% of suppliers on Alibaba/aliexpress reply to requests, although a supplier told me that recently a lot of the emails from Alibaba have been going to their junk so this may be part of the problem.

 

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[z6Evolved]

I'm glad I emailed all my "backup" choices. They all got back to me within 12 hours, all of them were willing to do OEM product or allow me to rebrand on my end (which the first supplier wouldn't do), all of them would allow a smaller sample order to test the product, and all of theirs contain the thing the first product was lacking.

So, lesson learned - email ALL the suppliers, not just the one that stands out the most.

Also, half of these guys sent me picture options for variations on the product that look 100x better than the original item. Definitely glad I didn't just give up when the first supplier refused to play ball. I really think I found a winner here and my margins might even be better if it sells due to the price negotiations I'm working on now with these other guys.

I just wanted to thank everyone who has been giving me feedback so far, it's been really helpful.

 

[s168]

Well done and good luck z6Evolved. Keep us informed of the progress you make.

 

[Mike.B]

I woke up this morning to some great emails! It seems that the manufacturer of my first product has a bit of a dilemma because the model and color of the product that they sold me is also being sold to another supplier in another country "under contract".

They are worried that they are going to be in trouble for breach of contract and they want me to stop selling the product on Ebay. They also state that they are worried that the specs that I posted on Ebay will be used by other manufacturers to copy the product's capabilities.

The emails also state that the price at which I'm selling the units is way to cheap and that it'll hurt the business of the other suppliers.

In the end they threatened to stop selling the product to me if I don't remove my listings from Ebay.

I find all of this laughable and I'm glad I'm done with this product after I sell off the samples.

 

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[Nik Krohn]

@Ecom man I am getting a few suppliers that will send me product but the best shipping is always around $65. I dont mind if it comes via flight but is there a cheaper way so it does not eat profit margin?

Also, some suppliers want me to pay for their paypal fee. Any suggestions?

 

[MMatt]

I woke up this morning to some great emails! It seems that the manufacturer of my first product has a bit of a dilemma because the model and color of the product that they sold me is also being sold to another supplier in another country "under contract".

They are worried that they are going to be in trouble for breach of contract and they want me to stop selling the product on Ebay. They also state that they are worried that the specs that I posted on Ebay will be used by other manufacturers to copy the product's capabilities.

The emails also state that the price at which I'm selling the units is way to cheap and that it'll hurt the business of the other suppliers.

In the end they threatened to stop selling the product to me if I don't remove my listings from Ebay.

I find all of this laughable and I'm glad I'm done with this product after I sell off the samples.

That's a new one, ha.

@Ecom man I am getting a few suppliers that will send me product but the best shipping is always around $65. I dont mind if it comes via flight but is there a cheaper way so it does not eat profit margin?

Also, some suppliers want me to pay for their paypal fee. Any suggestions?

Go on aliexpress and find your items. They usually ship e-packet which is dirt cheap for them to sell smaller samples. Send them an e-mail negotiating and they are usually willing to lower the prices, and they don't charge an arm and a leg for shipping costs as you're usually working with a middle man.

 

[Villain]

Am I likely to get a cheaper price if I ask for a product without packaging? I believe this is called OEM?

The product I am trying to get comes in a colourful cardboard box but it is too big for me to ship anyway. I have been taking the product out and putting it in a padded envelope.

 

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[crownbjj]

I'm curious about that also villain do you prefer poly bubble mailer or kraft padded envelope when shipping out products. Most of my items are very small , light weight and not fragile.

 

[Villain]

My items are also small, light and non-fragile. I have been using Mail Lite D/1 envelopes that I had lying around the house. I think these are like the kraft ones and have only one layer of bubble wrap on the inside.