Online suppliers
are often seen as a curse for traditional retailers but they can also be a
great source of unusual and profitable goods for market traders.
There is a
huge and diversified range of goods available from online marketplaces like
Ali-Express. In the past, retailers have relied on wholesalers to bring them
goods but now it is much easier to go direct to the supplier yourself.
Often you
don’t have to purchase large quantities so experimentation is easy. But even if
there are substantial minimum purchases, you can often find a similar product
on eBay to test customer reaction, and then go direct to the
manufacturer/supplier once the product has been proven.
Many traders
have found very profitable products using online buying, and even if customers
know that your product can be purchased cheaper online, the fact that you have
it available now is a strong buying incentive.
One trader
has suggested that you keep your purchases under $1,000 to avoid goods being
embargoed by Australian Customs. He says that is not to avoid tax or customs
payments but simply to streamline delivery. A one week delivery can stretch out
to one month by the time Customs write to you (bizarrely they use snail mail),
ask you to fill out customs forms, and then release the goods.
There are a
number of guides about buying wholesales from sources like Ali-Express and
simple product searches using the term “wholesale” may give you other useful
leads. “The world is our oyster” and the online enemy can become the market
trader’s friend with a little research. Good luck!