Competitive Advantage

[QLADisciple]

Practically every product on Alibaba is listed on Amazon and eBay at more or less that same price, or at 10% or less profit margins.

I don't understand how you're able to succeed with importing, especially with the delivery costs that stack up.

And even if you find a goldmine, won't it be short-lived once others catch on and see the opportunity? How are you supposed to build a real, sellable business in such an environment with such low barriers to entry?

 

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[tafy]

Its also getting easier for factories to sell directly on amazon and ebay and skip the importer/reseller.

 

[sle3pyguii]

Some of the companies you find on Alibaba will offer customized versions of their existing product.

Also branding is huge. There are multiple listings of the exact same product all over Amazon. The difference between them are the names, descriptions, and pictures. To most consumers, although the product looks EXACTLY the same, they seem different because they have two different names and descriptions.

 

[jazb]

There are always products you can find with demand and a great margin.

 

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[QLADisciple]

Some of the companies you find on Alibaba will offer customized versions of their existing product.

Also branding is huge. There are multiple listings of the exact same product all over Amazon. The difference between them are the names, descriptions, and pictures. To most consumers, although the product looks EXACTLY the same, they seem different because they have two different names and descriptions.

Thanks, I'm looking into this... sounds like a good idea, though I'm thinking you'll need more than just a logo to differentiate yourself. Still, this is something I'm going to think about. I just watched StartupBros' video on importing.

There are always products you can find with demand and a great margin.

You obviously didn't read all of my post...

 

[sle3pyguii]

Yep. And for a quick example, look up "Safety Razor Stand" on amazon.

There are about 3-4 listings on the first page that are the exact same product. The difference between them (outside of pricing, although they're all priced pretty similarly) are the names and descriptions.

 

[QLADisciple]

Thanks. If I'm going to embark on anything, I want to build something that's sellable and not have to go from product to product, trend to trend. I was actually considering starting a preppy clothing brand, but maybe that'd be too risky... ultimately I've had a bad history selling products that turned out to be illegal in the UK (dental whitening products) and so now I HAVE to avoid using Amazon/eBay etc. as I pretty much have a lifetime ban (a little silly, but there you go).

So I need something to build a brand around, with my own store and so on. The benefit of clothing is the high margin potential, high brand potential and the limited regulations (not edible, no substances, etc.) BUT I bet a LOT of clothing brands never gain traction... should I choose something lower-risk or go for it?

 

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[Kak]

Use alibaba to determine a manufacturers ability to manufacture what you are looking for. Don't sell off the shelf stuff!

 

[QLADisciple]

If I were to build my own clothing brand, absolutely it would all be custom and quality... I just don't know whether I should go for a clothing brand, or just choose another product and brand it... I've always had an idea for a quality clothing brand capturing a certain market, but concerned about the risks associated with fashion companies. It wouldn't be crazy innovative, more of a classic, "preppy" brand, but still. Undecided! Does anyone here have any experience in fashion?

 

[CommonCents]

IMHO, ebay is missing out on huge growth by not enabling product specific feedback like Amazon does. It is the lynch pin of credibility to have verified buyers rating and giving feedback on products. There is a WEALTH of information on all that Amazon product feedback that could be used to make improvements to existing products. Ebay is still stuck in generic vendor feedback which has some value showing the reputation of a seller. But little or no product feedback. Decent sellers can sell some crap products. Especially now that manufacturers and reps overseas are selling direct.

I rarely buy anything, especially of value from ebay because there is really not a consumer friendly cost effective way for customer service/returns, especially for the influx of overseas direct sellers. Simply providing feedback would slash the riff raff and crap on ebay and bring many more loyal buyers. Maybe there is an API and application opportunity to provide this.

 

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[Jakko]

If I were to build my own clothing brand, absolutely it would all be custom and quality... I just don't know whether I should go for a clothing brand, or just choose another product and brand it... I've always had an idea for a quality clothing brand capturing a certain market, but concerned about the risks associated with fashion companies. It wouldn't be crazy innovative, more of a classic, "preppy" brand, but still. Undecided! Does anyone here have any experience in fashion?

They are a few people on this forum trying to start a clothing company - 1) https://www.thefastlaneforum.com/co...s-f-startup-3-fend-streetwear-clothing.44359/ 2) https://www.thefastlaneforum.com/community/threads/help-with-clothing-manufacturing.49758/. Maybe you might want to get in touch with them.

Also, check out books by Daymond_John (founder of FUBU) and Marc Milecofsky (founder of Ecko Unltd) to see how they hustled and got their brand off the ground.

 

[throttleforward]

Believe it or not there are manufacturers who refuse to sell directly to Amazon, and also strictly enforce MAP. These are the brands you should go after.

 

[SeanKelly]

Any schmuck can order a manufacturer's standard products on alibaba easily. Buying those products is a surefire way to either make little to nothing or get stuck with product. Raise the bar by innovating, customizing, branding, etc. Work a little harder.

Like @Kak said, basically just use that site to source manufacturers. The barriers to entry with any business (in your case importing/ecomm) are not standard across the board. Executing things better (i.e. raising the bar) also raises the barriers to entry for people who want to have a chance competing with you.

 

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[Kak]

If you go read the china travel thread I started I go into this a little dealer. How to find manufacturers etc...

It doesn't require Chinese travel, but it does require a keen eye.

At the very least you need to be private labeling. I still recommend physical changes in the design specific to your brand. I would also make sure your manufacturer will play ball and not sell your new design to other buyers. This doesn't need to be groundbreaking shit that requires prototypes etc, it just needs to be unique to your company.

 

[tafy]

If I were to build my own clothing brand, absolutely it would all be custom and quality...

Its hard... very hard to bootstrap with clothing. You need a tonn of cash to start. Like 50k+. MOQ are high, quality is hard to get and have to get lots of samples. Dont bother unless its your passion.