On Jun 20, 2009, at 9:10 AM, r.org wrote:
I know I'm looking for modern style furniture and accessories, but I guess I haven't "invented" the designs in my mind or on paper.
Would it be a good idea to perhaps browse through a bunch of design magazines (since we"re in the business, we have a bunch that are sent to us), and select few loose furniture items and accessories that I like and feel would sell here, and then talk to factories?
***Yes, except talk to expats, not the factories... the factories do not care what YOU think, they want to know what you customers think...***
I am able to get a million links to furniture, household products etc on hktdc, but it all seems so generic and the items aren't something that I fancy.
They all have that "enquire" button which u click on and type in ur info etc.
***Reduce your search terms to furniture onl, you can also sign up at HKTDC and send an inquiry to say 50 at nce, in which you note "wooden apartment furniture only, tables, chairs beds, do not reply with any other offers.******
I am unable to find an agent who perhaps would represent some good factories online, I'm not sure if that kind of specific info would be available through the site.
***they are there... you must just be aggressive and patient....***
PS: sorry to bug u like that, but its just that I'm so close to spending my money and going there, that I wanna make sure I talk to the right people and the whole trip would be fruitful.
***Why be in a hurry...? Take your time, measure twice, cut once. You are only setting yourself up to get ripped off if you are in a hurry.***
Have already lined up a clearing and fwding agent here. Spoken to a couple of them. Turns out bribing customs officials in India also has to be factored in the cost :-)
***Finding agents is an easy part, as to whether or not there are bribes is none of your business, except to say it could be untrue, and the agents just malign the govt workers in order to have an unknown variable with which to oppress you. I'd check with Kuehne and Nagel or Expeditors International and ask them if they are obliged to bribe, or if it is an variable expense.***
John
Saturday, June 20, 2009
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1 comments:
"I haven't "invented" the designs in my mind or on paper.
Would it be a good idea to perhaps browse through a bunch of design magazines (since we"re in the business, we have a bunch that are sent to us), and select few loose furniture items and accessories that I like and feel would sell here, and then talk to factories?"
So basically there's no grand idea for how your line of furniture is going to be different from the rest, something to characterize your line, in the way you could tell a Louis Vuitton bag, for example. Or, alternatively you're not solving a problem with your new fan dangled desk that revolves and has a unique storage system..
AH, so it's 'off the shelf' items you're looking for.
It's always seemed to me to be VERY DIFFICULT to get feedback on an item such as furniture from retailers where the problem it's solving is mainly in aesthetics.. because you actually need to see it before you know whether it solves the problem.
Or as I've been asked for, you need to give them a 'look book' (catalogue).
If you're going to a retailer with a new furniture line, usually they won't be able to say whether they think it's a good idea without actually seeing it. There would be exceptions such as if you're using a new material, or using patterns from some part of the world that have never been seen before. Or putting old designs on a new medium. But if it's just furniture, my style, it's difficult for them to envisage before seeing a real sample or some pictures.
With existing 'off the shelf' items the argument is: what's to stop the retailer going around you and buying from a cheaper source? Well... since you're distributing tha minimum order amongst all the retailers perhaps there wont' be enough demand for another importer to take on a minimum order, so you're effectively crowding out the competition. I do see importers all the time taking off the shelf items and basing their business on it. Some who have good products and distribution deals, usually who've been around for a while, make millions. Others seem to build their company product by product such as https://www.shortgrass.co.uk/catalog/index.php
You could always go in with some pictures of furniture from the internet that you don't see in stores and ask the retailers if they like it. Then you could become the importer, and have a distribution deal with the manufacturer.
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