What does it take to become an online retailer?

[Bob_Gnarley]

So I was thinking of making a online store that you can purchase ski shit from (I would give mad discounts to NS). My question is how do I contact the companies and get registered to become an online outfitter? Do I need to contact the companies and tell them I am starting an online store? thanks

 

[morocco_mole]

you would have to give me employee pricing because i was the first to post in this thread

 

[tomahawk]

idk, you should hire me though.

 

[Bob_Gnarley]

Its all going to be run out of my house. And I will be the only employee unless business gets out of countrol.

 

[morocco_mole]

yeah then youll have to hire a coke whore and a babysitter like in goodfellas

 

[tomahawk]

i really need a job, ill clean the online store ya know. like the toilets or something andl sweep and what not. i got a really good work ethic so you wont be

 

[tomahawk]

oops, you wont be mad if the place gets dirty.

 

[Bob_Gnarley]

heh, sounds like last job at Krogers. Wow, I fucking hated that job.

 

[tomahawk]

ha its my kinda job, how much ya payin me?

 

[TOAST.]

i have no idea i have never started an online business but I would suggest emailing some companies to get information or find a dvd for starting an online business that will make you rich like the guy who made the dvd.

 

[no_steeze]

if you become successful i'll work with you, i've been doing the same thing on a smaller scale

 

[Silence]

Need to contact the retailers and get a distribution/retail agreement..It's not that easy though - many companies are quite strict with who they allow to sell their products..

I'd say the best thing would be to design a website, Write up a proposal, provide good information on areas such as positioning, distribution, marketing, staffing, company philosophy etc and then contact the marketing/sales manager of each brand of interest and work from that point using their feedback as a gauge to work off for the next company?

 

[Bob_Gnarley]

I was thinking maybe starting with small companies on NS, like EC headwear, switch gloves. Some local companies if they are interested.

 

[prontocuts.com]

Starting a buisness is alot harder then just having good intentions and wanting to start something. First you need trademarks, copyrights, tax IDs, federal IDs, and to buy stuff from businesses you need to set up a wholesaler account with them, but that isnt easy either, most of them require LARGE orders (for example new era is 10,000$ min.) and you need to show them business plans, etc.

I suggest you take some business classes first, then decide if its right for you

 

[tomahawk]

ya your gunna need some cash to invest in all your stock to even start. do you have much?

 

[Ghost]

I'd recommend taking the route of dropshipping or doing a BANS to get your feet wet.

http://www.buildanichestore.com/

In essense with bans, you become an ebay affiliate.. So you don't have to worry about warehousing, setting up merchant accounts, processing credit cards, etc. So you have no overhead besides your costs for hosting it (which is pennies), and advertising it (which that cost is up to you

With BANS you create a website storefront and design it around a niche, so in your case you could do it around skiing. It automatically updates your page with products being auctioned at ebay right now.

If someone clicks through your link and ends up buying it.. you get a commission. straight across. that simple

And it saves you alot of headache. You can establish a STRONG online presense through BANS, and once that happens companies will be coming to you asking you to sell their products... Instead of you having to chase them down. which is definitely a great position to be in.

I know a few guys netting millions with bans, so it's definitely a viable solution I'd recommend checking out!

 

[Alex=God]

nooooo connor you got fired from krogers

 

[TechnoPotamus]

you should talk to Josh Bryant from Jibbij, ask him about how he does it