selling products

[brandman]

I want begin a website selling products. I know what products I want to sell. How does one contact these manufacturers about selling their products(becoming a middleman) ? What are some effective methods of selling these products without carrying inventory if possible.

jack !!!

[sadcox66]

Looks like you want to become an affiliate.

Search for 'affilate' on the merchants website and also on Amazon and ebay.

You will need to contact the merchants for specific details.
As for effective methods search the web for forums on affiliates there are many.

[brandman]

Thanks for your reply but no I 'm not looking to become an affiliate. I want to sell actual products from my site.

[sadcox66]

Originally Posted by brandman

Thanks for your reply but no I 'm not looking to become an affiliate. I want to sell actual products from my site.

Just contact the merchant of the product. Most merchants will refer you to a wholesale agent if the volume of your sale is low.

Ask the merchant if they will 'drop ship' the product for you. That way you do not have to keep inventory. By the way affiliates can also sign up to drop ship the product.

Your asking a very broad question about how to sell that product. It really depends on the market for that product and your ability to tap this market.

There is no single answer to this. I would recommend you do a business plan and do the research in answering the questions in a typical business plan that way you will know if you will make a profit and if the business is worthwhile for your.

[brandman]

Thank you Sadcox66. A most helpful reply. I'll begin focusing on a business plan and mission. I feel strongly that my target market is wide open for this idea. By the way, see my thread in introductions. I would appreciate any further advise you have.

[sadcox66]

Originally Posted by brandman

Thank you Sadcox66. A most helpful reply. I'll begin focusing on a business plan and mission. I feel strongly that my target market is wide open for this idea. By the way, see my thread in introductions. I would appreciate any further advise you have.

Your welcome Brandman !

May I recommend the Nolo Small Business Handbook located at office depot.

There you will find templates for Business Plans and several other resources and hopefully questions that you should ask yourself before getting into a business but have not thought about asking.

[brandman]

Originally Posted by sadcox66

Your welcome Brandman !

May I recommend the Nolo Small Business Handbook located at office depot.

There you will find templates for Business Plans and several other resources and hopefully questions that you should ask yourself before getting into a business but have not thought about asking.

Thanks again Sadcox66. I will go check it out.

[S-T]

Hi Brandman,

A good route for you to explore would be to find dropshippers. Dropshippers (they each vary a bit, but..) generally tend to house the product for you and ship to your customer location. The better ones will even put your packing slip on the box and handle returns for you as well.

Do a google search on dropshippers - there are many such directories...

[brandman]

Originally Posted by S-T

Hi Brandman,

A good route for you to explore would be to find dropshippers. Dropshippers (they each vary a bit, but..) generally tend to house the product for you and ship to your customer location. The better ones will even put your packing slip on the box and handle returns for you as well.

Do a google search on dropshippers - there are many such directories...

Thanks S-T. I'll follow up on that.

[irinam]

Here is something I came accross
http://www.mydssd.com/
They seem to have a lot of info on Drop-Shippers.

Disclamer though - I did not look into it in details