The Wholesale Forums

[Paul_Farnham_uk]

Well we have just taken the plunge and ordered 3 pallets of Scented candles, vases and other gift type stuff for 1000 pounds and we got free delivery too.

Apparently the retail value is 15k so hopefully we should make a decent profit on this, the main reason we decided on this is the fact that christmas is now coming and its the sort of stuff people buy for presents for people they dont like lol

Would welcome you comments on whether you think this was a good move or not?

Cheers

Paul

[hardwareheroes]

The retail value means nothing on ebay - if you could get a website and build up a specialist reputation, you will make more in the long term. But nothing sells quicker than ebay if you need an immediate, if somewhat smaller return.

[Paul_Farnham_uk]

Ok but is this type of stock a good move with christmas coming or have a i made a massive blunder?

[Pete]

Only time will tell. You can always sell candles at car boots and markets. The trick with them is the top pour. Most candles are poured in layers and if there is strong scent in the top layer the candles will sell.

It really depends on the other things. To tell you the truth, when I had my gift type kiosk in a mall by 6 PM Christmas Eve when closing down, there was nothing left on the shelves. Every stupid buy I had made through the year got purchased - at full price. A desperate husband on Christmas Eve will buy anything.

And, I hate to say it, so will kids buying something for Granny.

The two weeks between Christmas and the 8th or 10th of January were literally "selling from an empty wagon", as most wholesalers close down the week between Christmas and New Years and they don't start shipping again until January 2 or later.

Unless it's real junk, you should do OK.

Keep us informed....
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[NickyDee]

Got my fingers crossed for you Paul, let us know how you get on. We're thinking of taking the plunge with some watches - same idea, ideal christmas pressies. becareful with packaging for breakables, we sold some Emma Bridgwater mugs last week and the thought we had packaged them well, lots of newspaper and bubble wrap, one bidder had won 3 so we packaged hers together and when they arrived two were smashed so we're having to refund her (once she returns the broken ones!), it's a shame cos she's really diasspointed and so are we. They sold really well too!

[Paul_Farnham_uk]

nightmare!

Well we are expecting to sell most of the sales for these items at car boots and maybe set up a market stall.

with regards to fragile items my wife already does personalised glasses eg champagne flutes with messages on and she sends them on a regular basis and nowadays never has any broken on arrivals.

I hope your watch idea goes well, i have a good feeling about our venture so fingers crossed for us all eh

Paul x

[Neal]

Hi Paul.

Quick question about the logistics of getting a pallet delivered (as I am considering a similar thing).

I'm assuming you are working fom residential premises?
How do you go about unloading the goods to your house?
Do they drop the pallet off on your premises and you then split it up yourself and take the goods in piece by piece?

I just wondered how it worked in practice as I have visions of them turning up wih a pallet on a lorry and expecting you to do the rest (i.e. expect you to have the equipment to take it from the lorry to your premises).

Cheers,
Neal.

[Paul_Farnham_uk]

Originally Posted by Neal

Hi Paul.

Quick question about the logistics of getting a pallet delivered (as I am considering a similar thing).

I'm assuming you are working fom residential premises?
How do you go about unloading the goods to your house?
Do they drop the pallet off on your premises and you then split it up yourself and take the goods in piece by piece?

I just wondered how it worked in practice as I have visions of them turning up wih a pallet on a lorry and expecting you to do the rest (i.e. expect you to have the equipment to take it from the lorry to your premises).

Cheers,
Neal.

Hi Neal

In actual fact we have now rented a storage room in one of the storage facilities you get in all towns nowadays, they have even given me my first month free so that is a big help when trying to get set up

So from here on in we will be getting our pallets delivered there and will pick up stock when ready to sell it at either carboots or ebay listings etc

As for previously the one pallet we had delivered we asked for a tail lift so they could lower the pallet to the pavement which you could either drag into the garden, if you have a gate wide enough, or you have to split the pallet and lug it all into the house.

To be honest the storage option although it costs some money each month allows bigger deliveries to be taken and generally allows for better deals to be had

Hope this helps

Paul

[Neal]

That's great - thanks for the advice Paul.

I'll probably start with home delivery / store in the garage (and remember to ask for a tail lift!), but if it works out I'll try the storage option next.

Cheers,
Neal.

[Pete]

Originally Posted by Neal

That's great - thanks for the advice Paul.

and remember to ask for a tail lift!

Cheers,
Neal.

The alternative is to reverse quickly and slam on the brakes. Works every time.
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