Amy Checks In: India or Peru?

Hi there John,

I took your class online awhile back and I'm looking at going to India in the next few weeks for a vacation/possible starting a import business. I'm keeping my options open, I may buy, I may not buy. I want to buy clothes, jewelry and textiles. I'm also considering taking a trip up north to Nepal.

***My objection is: sell to whom? Much better if you come up with your own designs before you leave... you will be loved by all of the vendors overseas...***


I have a few questions to you:

#1. How do I get the goods back to the states...do I pack them with me? I keep thinking If I'm going to be traveling for 6 weeks, my backpack is going to get heavy really quick!! If I'm buying from a street vendor or a large shop, do they arrange the shipping back to the states for me, or is that something I need to take care of myself while I'm there? If I do have to arrange that myself, is it difficult? I can only imagine so?? I picture myself walk around the street of Mumbai whit a arm full of goods and being this big target for thieves! Then I wonder about the goods...will they even make it there? I know It's all part of the risk involved in importing!

***Packing and shipping from a post office is quite do-able, but the length of time you will wait for your goods can be say as long as 6 months... and may get lost... of course you can haul it all back and declare it as you come in thru US Customs...**

#2. How can I protect myself being a women alone in those markets with alot of cash? What's the best way to buy, do you usually use cash or credit?

*** In the good old days you could just pack a pistol... now that is frowned upon...It sounds like you will be shopping bazaars... multiple wallets and in multiple pockets... but why are you travelling alone? I don't think that is ever a good idea... at least join kindred spirits early in the trip and caravan...***

#3. I'm not the best person when it comes to writing out and sticking with a plan when I travel, I like to sort of fly by the seat of my pants. I know that this will not be the case for this trip. Are there any big concerns, things that you have learned over the last 30 years, that you think I should know and really watch out for? I'm going to Folk Life here in Seattle this weekend, I know there should be a good amount of vendors there that have all been doing the importing dance for awhile, I hope to learn a few things from them!

***Well, keep in mind I do import as a lifestyle, but my lifestyle is more conventional than the wanderlust trader... my guide is always get customers first... that is most important... getting the product right is the hard work... beyond that, it is all adventure...***

#4. Do you think it's to late in the year to be going to buy jewelry, textiles, and etc. right now? I know from past conversations, alot of the importers will go Dec-April.

***Your volumes are so low I do not think it will matter...***

#5. I've also been throwing around the idea of going to South America instead of India for 2 reasons. Number one being that it's alot closer to home, it doesn't feel so intimidating! The language I know little bit. I think that maybe it would be a great place for me start this importing that I want to do.


***Nothing is intimidating when you are serving customers... so I get back to the fundamental...***

Number 2 being that airfare is half as it is to Peru, than to Mumbai. Peru's weather is heading into the winter right now, so that would be good to get nice hats, pants, scarf's and etc there. I've thought that might be nice stuff to get considering the time of year I'd be coming back here (late July).

***there is a logic there...***


#6. Is there a way I could hire an escort to assist me in the markets? If so, how do I find them?

***Contact USA consulate for list of names, or local chamber of commerce...***
Let me know how things go..!

John

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