What Your Country Can Do For You: Sourcing Products Via Government Liquidation
In the search for cost effective suppliers for your eBiz, you may never have considered the U. S. government as a possible product source. But government auctions offer online sellers and small business owners a wide range of goods to enhance their regular product lines.
Locating REAL Government Liquidators
While a Google search for ?government surplus? will bring back hundreds of thousands of results, you need to be careful from what sites you choose to purchase. Many of these surplus sellers are merely buying goods from real government liquidators, or from military surplus stores or outlets, and presenting themselves as ?wholesalers? of government merchandise.
Look for sites with established reputations. Some sites, like http://GSAAuctions.gov, are run directly by federal agencies. ?Other sites have contracts with different government departments, granting them exclusive rights to resell the goods that department no longer needs,? explains Tom Burton, COO of http://GovLiquidation.com. ?For instance, we are the sole liquidation outlet for the Department of Defense.?
?Everything but the Kitchen Sink
The goods you can find on a government auction site are as diverse as the functions of government: textiles, clothing, electronics, and the list goes on. Whether you have your own web site or sell on a platform like eBay, you can most likely find products that complement your usual wares and appeal to your target audience. For example, if you sell camping gear, you can find a wealth of merchandise that you can use to create special promotions and bonuses, or package with your regular products to create unique, value-added bundles.
Most auction sites will post items several days before the bidding begins, and allow several additional days of bidding. You need to use this time to do your homework:
? Research the market for any items of interest, look at the demand and competition, and find out what kind of retail price you can realistically expect to charge.
? Study all the information the site provides about the lot. Most will show the condition, original acquisition price, and basic technical information, and post photos as well.
? For more detailed information on a specific product, you might also check out the product manufacturer?s web site.
? Find out what the shipping costs will be. Most sites won?t arrange shipping for you, but they?ll often provide you with several options for transporters they?ve worked with in the past. You need to contact each one to see who can give you the best deal, and with whom you feel most comfortable. (When you contact them, you need to give them the weight and cubic dimensions of the lot, so make sure to note those from the web site.)
Any reputable site will allow you to inspect the property when it?s posted, and during the time it?s up for auction. Particularly for big-ticket items, you might consider having a screener preview the lot on your behalf. Often the auction company can recommend local companies that offer this service.
The Price of Progress
Lots are generally sold for a small fraction of their original acquisition price ? anywhere from six to ten percent, on average. That means you?re getting, in some cases, a ninety percent discount when you?re buying ? and as every retailer and e-tailer knows, that?s when you make your money. Government auctions can?t provide a steady, consistent stream of like products to resell. But, as Burton points out, ?They make an excellent source for loss leaders, cross-sellers, up-sellers, and promotional items that any online seller can use in their eBiz.?
Product Sourcing Radio is Created and Hosted by Chris Malta and Robin Cowie of http://WorldwideBrands.com, Home of OneSource: The Internet's Largest Source of Genuine, Factory-Direct Wholesalers for online sellers. Visit http://www.WorldwideBrands.com for more FREE E-Biz & Product Sourcing info!
How To Arrive And Thrive In The Uk.
The Only Complete Guide To Uk Immigration. Learn Safely How To Successfully Emigrate, Live And Work In Any Part Of Britain.
Related Articles:
Howard Nestler Enumerates the 'Passport' Abilities that can Widen Horizons for Executives in a Job Search
Howard Nestler, CEO of Executive Options, used the occasion of a business luncheon speech to marketing professionals today to enumerate the 'Passport' abilities that can serve to widen the horizons for upper level executives involved in a job search.
How To Apply For Free Government Grants
You know there are free government grants available for so many uses. But how does one apply for it? Well, it all depends on what you want the grant for. The first thing you need to check for is your eligibility. Remember, government grants are just one of the options when it comes to financial assistance.
The Chinese Government Insures Continual Growth
Tony Sagami takes a closer look at how Beijing will do everything in its power to ensure that China's economy keeps booming. In this issue of Money and Markets, Mr. Sagami also discusses how capitalist greed, when combined with some moves by Beijing, could lead to a frenzy of mergers and acquisitions, along with a major rally in the Chinese markets.
Government Benefits ? For The Unemployed
The government provides a range of benefits and allowances for those who are unable to support themselves financially, whether they are unemployed and looking for work, on a low income, ill, injured or disabled, bringing up a family, caring for someone or retired. The financial and practical support that you receive from the government will depend on your personal circumstances ? there are various different options. This series of guides provides concise and practical information on key government benefits. In this guide we look at benefits available to those who are unemployed and looking for work.
Caring Hands, Specializing in International Adoption, Visa and Passport Services, Launches Web Site
Caring Hands Services, Inc., specializing in document authentication for International Adoptions, corporate transactions, as well as visa and passport services, announces the launch of their new Web site, www.Caring-Hands-Services.com.
Infoglide Software CEO Joins 'Identity Resolution Daily' as Featured Commentator; Blog Covers Government, Insurance, Financial Services and
Infoglide Software announced today that President and CEO Michael Shultz is joining the "Identity Resolution Daily" blog (www.identityresolutiondaily.com) as a featured commentator. The company created the blog to provide a place of dialog for issues and events related to identity resolution. The blog will focus on the government, insurance, financial services and retail markets as well as address issues related to the balance between security and privacy.
Wireless Service RV Accessory Options Now Available Through Passport America, WiFiRV
RV accessory options have become greatly advanced with the announcement that WiFiRV is now the preferred WiFi wireless service provider for Passport America.
Finding Legitimate Private & Government Grants
If you are considering college, want to start a new business or even if you wish to consolidate your debt, there may be an available grant to help you in achieving your goal. A grant is offered by both government and private institutions to those who qualify or meet certain requirements. In order to receive a grant, you must first know where to look. There are many books and websites dedicated to the subject of grants, how to find them and how to apply. One of the most important aspects of your search, however, is making sure that your pursuit is worth the effort. This means making sure that the grant is legitimate and is one that you are qualified to receive. Below are a few tips to help make your search a little easier.
Passport Expeditor Service Receives 5-Star Rating From TopConsumerReviews.com
Passport Visas Express.com, an expediter service that can deliver new passports in as little as 24 hours, receives a best-in-class 5-star rating from TopConsumerReviews.com.
Passport Preparedness 2
Beginning January 23, 2007, all persons including US citizens, traveling by air between the US and Canada, Mexico, Central and South American, the Caribbean and Bermuda need a valid passport, air NEXUS card, US Coast Guard Merchant Mariner document or an Alien Registration form 1-551 if applicable. These new travel regulations mean more papers to carry with you. You will still need a driver's license, your boarding pass and return ticket information, baggage claim checks, hotel information, etc. How do you keep all of this information organized and easily available? It's also recommended that you keep a copy of this important information in a separate place, just in case any information is lost, stolen or misplaced.