Why don't we pay GST on imported stuff?

[ducatilover]

I need an office lady who knows MYOB and can keep a track of everything more efficiently but no way can I afford a wage even for myself at present. It will be at least a year before I can think of employing someone.

I'll do it just for giggles mate, but you may go broke?
I'm currently gathering what I need to start my own small business, how that'll go, I have no idea.

Some people do take the piss though, no doubt. But some people (in my opinion) are worth their weight in gold.
I wouldn't go trying proper suspension work (rebuilding is as far as I go, no internal mods) if I needed that stuff, I'd send it to Robert Taylor.

[Edbear]

At that 80% GP we were actually undercutting 3-4 competitors in the same product segment. It's also very unlikely that any of the customers of my former employer would ever import this product range directly simply due to the nature of the product (lots of different sizes & relatively small turnover at store level).

That margin is dreamland for me but I understand your point. I have to stock the full range even though most of it is slow, or slower than some models, to sell and cannot just bring in the high volume models so I carry last year's turnover in stock. I need to carry three times that now.

[98tls]

I'll do it just for giggles mate, but you may go broke?
I'm currently gathering what I need to start my own small business, how that'll go, I have no idea.

Some people do take the piss though, no doubt. But some people (in my opinion) are worth their weight in gold.
I wouldn't go trying proper suspension work (rebuilding is as far as I go, no internal mods) if I needed that stuff, I'd send it to Robert Taylor.

Xactly my point in previous post.

[98tls]

You do wonder at times! If I do triple or quadruple turnover I will be in a strong position and making money so it is an exciting business to be involved in. Everything else is doing better this year as well though it is the batteries leading the charge for sure. Best investment I could have made!

Chuffed for you ED,all the best and will continue to reccomend you to anyone re batteries etc.

[Edbear]

I'll do it just for giggles mate, but you may go broke?
I'm currently gathering what I need to start my own small business, how that'll go, I have no idea.

Some people do take the piss though, no doubt. But some people (in my opinion) are worth their weight in gold.
I wouldn't go trying proper suspension work (rebuilding is as far as I go, no internal mods) if I needed that stuff, I'd send it to Robert Taylor.

To get a viable business you need one or more of three things. A better paper clip, which is a product everyone uses regularly without thinking about until they run out and go buy some more. It will be a cheap consumable that works better than what they have currently. We did that by importing a plumbing sealer from the manufacturer in Germany and it is becoming the industry standard because it is competitive cost-wise, but safer, cleaner and more versatile. It can replace three other products.

And/or you need a unique marketing angle that catches people's attention and imagination to compete with other similar products. You can't rely on a price advantage because the bigger players will drive you out.

And/or you need the latest technology in a product everyone needs that is so superior it makes the competition obsolete and that also must be value for money. People will pay more initially for a better product that is better value over it's expected life.

Finally you as a person/business must be open, honest and completely reliable. Back up your product with service that impresses the customer even if it costs you initially. People remember how you dealt with them and if they don't like you it doesn't matter how good your product is.

[ducatilover]

To get a viable business you need one or more of three things. A better paper clip, which is a product everyone uses regularly without thinking about until they run out and go buy some more. It will be a cheap consumable that works better than what they have currently. We did that by importing a plumbing sealer from the manufacturer in Germany and it is becoming the industry standard because it is competitive cost-wise, but safer, cleaner and more versatile. It can replace three other products.

And/or you need a unique marketing angle that catches people's attention and imagination to compete with other similar products. You can't rely on a price advantage because the bigger players will drive you out.

And/or you need the latest technology in a product everyone needs that is so superior it makes the competition obsolete and that also must be value for money. People will pay more initially for a better product that is better value over it's expected life.

Finally you as a person/business must be open, honest and completely reliable. Back up your product with service that impresses the customer even if it costs you initially. People remember how you dealt with them and if they don't like you it doesn't matter how good your product is.

I am going to be doing something I can offer at more than reasonable prices, at high quality.
But there's an advantage I have, I'll do it because it's something I love, my overheads will be next to none and I won't be drawing a wage unless it works out. I also won't be disappointed if it doesn't work out for me, as I'm a realistic chap.
It's also something that not many people are making, probably because if it was done large scale there's not much profit to be made (setting up a huge workshop/production line) and I can always do it as a hobby/on the side.
I'm a polite person (rather unfathomable, I know) and honest, if my product sucks, I won't go all Quasi on my customers

[98tls]

Finally you as a person/business must be open, honest and completely reliable. Back up your product with service that impresses the customer even if it costs you initially. People remember how you dealt with them and if they don't like you it doesn't matter how good your product is.

Amen to that,How many older motorcyclists like myself rarely bother even going into a motorcycle shop these days after to many times walking through the door after advice which would lead to a purchase once given the right advice only to when after asking a question relevant to the motorcycle brand the whole business premises you just entered is built around you receive a blank stare surrounded by pimples.Next time you want something would you even contemplate going back.

[Edbear]

I am going to be doing something I can offer at more than reasonable prices, at high quality.
But there's an advantage I have, I'll do it because it's something I love, my overheads will be next to none and I won't be drawing a wage unless it works out. I also won't be disappointed if it doesn't work out for me, as I'm a realistic chap.
It's also something that not many people are making, probably because if it was done large scale there's not much profit to be made (setting up a huge workshop/production line) and I can always do it as a hobby/on the side.
I'm a polite person (rather unfathomable, I know) and honest, if my product sucks, I won't go all Quasi on my customers

Sounds good! And your point about loving what you do is bang on!

[ducatilover]

Amen to that,How many older motorcyclists like myself rarely bother even going into a motorcycle shop these days after to many times walking through the door after advice which would lead to a purchase once given the right advice only to when after asking a question relevant to the motorcycle brand the whole business premises you just entered is built around you receive a blank stare surrounded by pimples.Next time you want something would you even contemplate going back.

Try dealing with my local shops, the wombats behing the counters couldn't find me some fork seal circlips/retaining clips, I had them in the mail to me within 15 minutes and from an NZ company

[Robert Taylor]

To be fair RT in your defense of local business you tend to generalise yourself,theres plenty of them out there taking the piss.

Yes that is correct and Im not apologising for them

[Edbear]

Amen to that,How many older motorcyclists like myself rarely bother even going into a motorcycle shop these days after to many times walking through the door after advice which would lead to a purchase once given the right advice only to when after asking a question relevant to the motorcycle brand the whole business premises you just entered is built around you receive a blank stare surrounded by pimples.Next time you want something would you even contemplate going back.

Perzackery! Your frontline staff is crucial to your success. They need to be knowledgable, friendly and interested in the customer.

[mashman]

Damn this thread is making me ill

[Edbear]

Chuffed for you ED,all the best and will continue to reccomend you to anyone re batteries etc.

Cheers mate! Thanks!

Damn this thread is making me ill

Can you just feel the love..?

[98tls]

Perzackery! Your frontline staff is crucial to your success. They need to be knowledgable, friendly and interested in the customer.

If thats not possible then petite big breasted and Asian would suffice.

[Edbear]

If thats not possible then petite big breasted and Asian would suffice.

Darn, I don't qualify...

Mind you, Mrs. Bear did real well at one race meet in her T-shirt and cap... She's my secret weapon...