posted on July 21, 2002 01:19:10 PM new
Hi Folks
I have three outlet malls within 2 hours drive of my home. And there are some smaller ones here and there.
I notice that some folks must be buying and reselling from these folks.
Is it worth it? I would have to pay WA State Tax. I have a business license, but it's not a retail one.
Am also thinking of hitting the local gift show in August. Suggestions? I don't know what would sell on ebay for the same retail price of the gift shop trade, but any thoughts would be most appreciated.
Thanks!
Japerton
posted on July 21, 2002 02:48:48 PM new
I'm going to my first home and gift show this weekend. I'll let you know then if I find that it's worth it - I hope so! As far as outlet stores go, I know some people that do ok, but I haven't tried it.
posted on July 21, 2002 04:16:06 PM new
there is a big outlet mall near us I have bought things there and sold them for a profit.
the thing is you have to be knowledagable in the item you are selling.
most items you would be lucky to get what you paid for them
some items you can do very well with.
Ebay makes it easy , go to the mall make a list of thing s you think you can make a profit on go home and do a ebay search and see what they are going for .
or you could make a list of the items call and have someone do a search for you and decide that way.
spock here......
Live long and Prosper
posted on July 21, 2002 04:50:42 PM new
Most of those people who are selling name brand clothing are buying it wholesale by the pallet, not from discount malls. You can get it as cheap as $1 to $3 an item if you buy a truckload of discontinued or store returns.
posted on July 21, 2002 05:56:27 PM new
Okay,
New Question:
I have found a business that is folding because of ill health.
I can get the item for approx 1/4 of the retail cost.
I would have to factor in some repackaging.
(it would add about a 1/2 a percent of the total cost)
Any thoughts?
Edited to add this is 1/2 Ebay retail, not dept store retail and it's a craft/art item.
Thanks folks...what a group of brainiacs!
Japerton
[ edited by Japerton on Jul 21, 2002 05:57 PM ]
posted on July 21, 2002 06:30:33 PM new
Depends what the item is, and if you are talking about a few dollars or a few hundred dollars (or a few thousand if you are lucky)
posted on July 21, 2002 07:33:04 PM new
Research the heck out of the items you plan to buy. Research THIS weeks prices realised as prices are coming down on eBay in many areas.
You can do well with outlet items but you must get them at about 5% of departement store prices (that's a huge discount) to make a decent profit. Be really careful of what you buy or you might be disapointed. Good Luck.
posted on July 21, 2002 08:47:49 PM new
I have found very few well priced items at the wholesale trade shows in New York (the biggest) Atlanta, Dallas, LA or San Francisco. I have had some success at the Variety Merchandise Show which has dollar store, cheap imports and liquidation items.
The problem is most gift retailers are upscale, and the manufacturers go through reps who add 15-25% to the wholesale cost which is already figured in.
I discovered a popular item for my real store a couple of years ago. It cost $5.50 and I was able to move quite a few at $10.95 until a chain picked up the item. They also sold it at $10.95 but only had to pay $3.10 for the same item.
What I try to get is distributor pricing but that is very difficult since they want to know who you're reselling to and don't like to hear "online". However, sometimes talking in terms of thousand dollar orders instead of hundred dollar ones will get their attention.
Good luck and let us all know whether you think it was worth your time!
