As The Workhouse Approaches....How To Do Everything To Avoid It, the Old Style Way

Uniscots97

grandma247 wrote: »

ladies I have been mulling over an idea for a tiny cottage business and would appreciate any tips or comments. I have identified a need in the UK market and can import the product at a very good price.
Because the item is small I wondered about starting a blog that ties in with it and selling it from there. It would be a few weeks, four at the earliest, before I could do it. I have ideas for expanding in time but want to start small and affordable. Am I making sense?

if its something people need and you are supplying it at a good price then it will work. Talking about it makes sense too, I've seen a lot of online retail sites take off through them being recommended on forums/blogs etc

grandma247

The only UK manufacturer of this sells at an extortionate price which puts people off doing what it is for. Sorry to be so cryptic.

Does anyone here use their blog to sell from?

ginnyknit

I know a lot of people use their blogs to show their work and link it to a sales site. Thus keeping their blog as a personal diary and helping their business's.

unixgirluk, fab idea, Im sick of dripping hems! Just bought a very nice jersey skirt in the sale from Evans, black of course, and some fabric to make a jacket as I looked in the mirror and noticed the back hem of my jacket is really worn (somehow?) May as well cut up the old jacket and make a pattern from it as its perfect other than being a bit shabby.

Had an urgent call from DGS's childminder as he was poorly, she couldn't get DD on the phone. Took the little man home, he was feeling very below the weather, and found his Mum searching the house for her mobile, apparently Dgs had hidden her phone thats why it had 200 missed calls on it- well 7 ! Anyway last I heard he had a few naps and was splashing in the bath, so the jury is out on whats up with him - 1. teeth 2. (hopefully not) chickenpox 3. he had a headache. Im sure time will tell.

Last night found 2 rather large hedgehogs sneaking into the depths of our shed which made me very happy as there is tons of slimy slugs around my poor garden for them to live on. they have lived with us on and off for years but hadnt seen them for a while.

Ah well of to bake a cake cos we have no nibbles in and I need something nice to eat.

jediteacher

greent wrote: »

How about going to the library to register an account there from their IP address? And use a different email addy of course - jt @hotmail or something

Thanks for that. That's basically what hubby is going to do for me - IP address by proxy. Great minds.

annie123

jediteacher wrote: »

Basically over the last year 5 people have said that I have not posted items quickly enough and have given me a low score for that!

I used to buy a lot from ebay (when I had a job!) and most items were posted within 48 hours.
I have bought things from people saying " I only post on Thursday" I may have won it on a Friday so I know it won't be sent for nearly a week and 10 days before I get it) or "I will dispatch within 7 days of auction closing, please don't bid if this is not acceptable" etc
Buy yourself some dispatch time with new listings. Always better to be honest about when you can send, then if anyone complains you can point out it you stated clearly in your terms and conditions and if you're quicker then email the buyer and let them know first, they may want a longer time as they could be away for a few days etc.

HTH

floss2

grandma247 wrote: »

The only UK manufacturer of this sells at an extortionate price which puts people off doing what it is for. Sorry to be so cryptic.

Does anyone here use their blog to sell from?

Be careful that they don't have any licensed exclusive rights to sell "it" in the UK....

grandma247

Floss how would I find out. I don't think they would have exclusive rights and I would be selling generic anyway. Interest in the thing is growing here.

Hardup_Hester

I thought you weren't allowed to sell via google's blogger, but although I blog, I don't use it to sell anything.
Hester

Seakay

I've noticed that a lot of people who sell on Etsy etc have a blog with an advert and a link to etsy and/or a sales site on it. They can mention if they are making or ordering when they write their blog.

floss2

grandma247 wrote: »

Floss how would I find out. I don't think they would have exclusive rights and I would be selling generic anyway. Interest in the thing is growing here.

Why not check with the original manufacturer and also the manufacturer that you will be buying from (not necessarily the same company). If the current UK distributor has exclusive rights for that item, you may be scuppered before you start....I guess you have done a lot of research into the product's history & background?

Also, make sure that the ones you will be buying are "CE" marked (means that "it" can be sold in the EU and that their manufacturer is fully compliant with safety & quality standards). The CE mark should have a code next or below it - this is the identifying code for the certifying body (such as UL / BSi / UKAS etc).

Finally, I would suggest that you get in touch with your local Business Link for more detailed advice.