Hello John,
Recently I came across this web site (www.importgenius.com). What do you think? Could this replace or complement the steps we take when we research to find the best place for our products??
Hey Ergin,
The site is very well produced, and here goes my review...
Right off the back, I don't like the crude offer...
Watch Competitors
Penetrate your competition.
***Eeeeew...***
Analyze their import activity and identify their suppliers.
***Not interested...can get it elsewhere for free...***
Discover their new endeavors.
***I get their catalog for that...***
Watch Suppliers
Monitor your suppliers by watching their inbound shipments.
***What am I looking for...? I already know they sell to my competitors. I have no exclusives, so what do I worry?***
Identify threats ***???*** and opportunities.
***I rely on my customers, not my suppliers, for opportunities...***
Nab cheating factories.
*** I don’t work with cheating factories. If I were to nab one, then what do I do? What do they do that is cheating? If this is a purpose of importgenius.com, and I subscribe, will my good factories get the idea that I am chekcing up on them, that I suspect them of cheating?***
So I do not see much benefit in their offer... moving on to the website..
The scrolling import info on the bottom of the pages that name importers strangely note companies that do not have websites... I checked about half. (Made up names?)
One google search for a names match refers back to importgenius.com, and a breathless story based on trade data that suggests, hold on, Apple is importing a new generation of iPhones. Well, ok. It would be weird if they weren’t.
The article states: “By analyzing thouands of US Customs records for Apple Computer...” hang on, if true somebody is going to jail. If it is customs records, forms 7501 or 3461, those are private and are illegal to access. or pass around. I’ve emailed importgenius.com regardng this on their “fast reply” connection an 6 hours later, no reply.
It appears their dataset is merely steamshipline manifests, which have been around and availble forever and at no cost, (and the Census data at USITC, as outlined at www.johnspiers.com/NTDB.html is vastly superior).
This article also leads me to believe the website is just reselling PIERS or other Journal of Commerce data, since the dtaset is no better than what is available anyway, elsewhere, at no cost.
Also, a more subtle point, what importgenius.com takes to be secrecy or subterfuge in the decription Apple uses is just a common practice of doing your own thing on bills of lading description, which shows at importgenius.com, just like in PIERS or the DIRECTOY OF US IMPORTERS, importers can hide anything they want from such prying eyes.
Two more points..
There are no references from satisfied customers...
They do not identify themselves.
There is nothing new here, in a pretty package. I wouldn’t waste my time.
There is still a service to be created, tracking trade in services worldwide, by tracking payments thereof through banks worldwide. That is where importgenius would have designed something new and useful.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Ergin Wants importgenius.com Reviewed
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
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
Cops Forbid Free Market Solution
So help me here...
Storeowner cannot get help from cops with shoplifters...
Storeowner confiscates one shoe from shoplifter...
Shoplifters do not return...
Cops say this is not permissible... you see, although if the cops make an arrest, the thief returns in a few hours to steal again... for some reason, taking a shoe keeps thieves from returning... but the cops say that is like saying "gimmee $20 and I won't call the cops..." (Blackmail...) The storeowner, threatened by the police, no longer defends his property from shoplifters.
How can "I'll call the cops" be a credible threat if shoplifters know the cops won't really do anything? If it is no credible threat, how can the storeowner be blackmailing shoplifters?
On the other hand, if a storeowner peacefully protects his property from shoplifters, using a novel means, the police threaten to destroy his business. Now that threat is credible.
Who is blackmailing whom?
Monday, May 26, 2008
Important To Study History
So you can spot patterns, like piling laws on top of laws... history can be like a map that allows you to avoid getting lost...