liljohn1368
Member
I have a chance to buy pen kits and accessories wholesale. What I'm wondering is would it be worth the hassle trying to get started selling them?
Comments welcome.
Comments welcome.
wholesale Is It Worth It
- Thread starter liljohn1368
- Start date
Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
Do you have a business plan? a clear goal of what you will do to succeed?
There are several vendors already that sell kits and accessories but there is always room for a better answer. What will make you a better. more competitive answer than the ones that are out there now? Price? Product?
There are several vendors already that sell kits and accessories but there is always room for a better answer. What will make you a better. more competitive answer than the ones that are out there now? Price? Product?
You posted pics of the first pens you made a little more than 2 weeks ago.
Hmmm .... I am thinking of the people who are already doing what you are now contemplating. From what I see, they have tons of experience, they are extremely dedicated and they work extremely hard. It's not something you can be successful at on a part-time basis, IMHO.
What would you offer in order to win me as a customer ?
Hmmm .... I am thinking of the people who are already doing what you are now contemplating. From what I see, they have tons of experience, they are extremely dedicated and they work extremely hard. It's not something you can be successful at on a part-time basis, IMHO.
What would you offer in order to win me as a customer ?
Lucky2
Member
John, it would help if we knew what you intend to sell? Will you be selling already turned pens, or, will you be selling pen kits and other components?
Len
Len
thewishman
Member
JP, it looks like you are already knowledgeable about selling things, based on your website. If you want to give it a shot, there are lots more penmakers than just those here on the IAP, so it may be a bigger market than we know. Check around and see if there is a place for the things you'd like to offer.
There have been several businesses that have opened in the last year or so that offer new things that were not available from other companies. You never know...
There have been several businesses that have opened in the last year or so that offer new things that were not available from other companies. You never know...
liljohn1368
Member
Thanks for the advice everyone. I am just thinking of adding more to the business that I already have. If I do this it will be pen kits, pen blanks, a few tools, and accessories for pen making. I'm just in the thinking about it stage right now.thanks for your help and support that you've given me already....
mecompco
Member
It is much easier to sell stuff than to make stuff! Back when I owned my own computer store (back before the big box stores came to town) the highest profit items were things like printer cables and the like. Profit on custom-assembled computers was much less (though much more than now, which is pretty much zero). We'd easily make tons on those things, buy them for .79 and sell them for $29.95 all day long.
liljohn1368
Member
I've got 3 different companies that im talking to about buying from..
Keep in mind that there are always people/businesses with more buying power than you, and with more experience....buying power equals lower prices, and established vendors have already spent on infastructure and stockpiles of goods.
So to stay ahead, you'll have to spend more, and/or give more, than the established vendors...
I think you'll find that that's tricky, unless you're filling a niche that needs filling. Keep an eye out for what you need to sell them for to make a profit - and whether that's feasible if you have returns and/or defective merchandise in the mix.
So to stay ahead, you'll have to spend more, and/or give more, than the established vendors...
I think you'll find that that's tricky, unless you're filling a niche that needs filling. Keep an eye out for what you need to sell them for to make a profit - and whether that's feasible if you have returns and/or defective merchandise in the mix.
liljohn1368
Member
I am leaning more toward pen blanks than pen kits. And I may not do it at all. I can get mandrels, drill bits, barrel trimmers, tuning tools. Just about anything to do with pen turning. All but the lathe. Still don't know for sure yet what I'll do.
Pen blanks will be extremely difficult, since the commercial blanks are available from just about every vendor that sells pen supplies.
There are several people making their own blanks, and the blanks that are perceived as being the best thing yet, already have vendors selling them.
You would have to have something that the majority of pen people want, and no-one else has. Or have the same thing, with much better pricing.
It seems the pen market, is a flooded market. Just having blanks (unless something elusive) won't draw purchasing customers. The cost of shipping for just blanks vs. shipping for blanks and all the other supplies from the same vendor, would work against you.
You would have to offer a full line of products, and I'm sure there isn't any vendor (at least not here) that jumped in and purchased a full line of supplies. I'm sure it took time to build their inventory, along with a reputation that keeps people continuing to go back.
liljohn1368
Member
I started out buying pen kits and blanks direct from manufacturers at wholesale prices. My plan was to resell enough kits and blanks to cover the cost of those I used in making pens which I also planned to sell. It didn't work out. I still resell kits occasionally, but mostly I buy from IAP vendors and spend my time making the finished pens I sell.
Some things to keep in mind.
1. Pen turners have high standards, they don't have much tolerance for component sets that are not perfect every time. They expect fast delivery, very fast. Do it well or don't do it. You can earn a lasting bad reputation overnight.
2. Decide where you want to compete; best prices, best selection, most unique offer or elsewhere. Don't start unless you know where you are going.
3. Know your audience, know what excites them and what bores them.
4. Make sure you have deep pockets that you are willing to empty along the way. Patience helps as well. Developing a viable business is a big investment with a long time span.
Some things to keep in mind.
1. Pen turners have high standards, they don't have much tolerance for component sets that are not perfect every time. They expect fast delivery, very fast. Do it well or don't do it. You can earn a lasting bad reputation overnight.
2. Decide where you want to compete; best prices, best selection, most unique offer or elsewhere. Don't start unless you know where you are going.
3. Know your audience, know what excites them and what bores them.
4. Make sure you have deep pockets that you are willing to empty along the way. Patience helps as well. Developing a viable business is a big investment with a long time span.
liljohn1368
Member
Thanks for the advice. I think I may sell the ones I turn for now. I really enjoy turning so I can have fun while I work.. :biggrin: I have turned 5 pens so far and sold everyone of them. I've been in the retail business for 7 or 8 years and I love it. I enjoy talking to people. I think I'll offer a few blanks along for now. And see what happens.....