Wholesale Gift Products

Online Shopping Gift Ideas for Father's Day

2009-01-05T21:48:00.001-08:00

Father's Day will be here before you know it, so it's time to start thinking about what to get that special man in your life. Here are eight great ideas to get you started:

Image By BLUE/MARCO

1. GPS Systems. Global Positioning Satellites (GPS) have made getting around that much easier. GPS systems scan the satellites and pinpoint exactly where you are on the earth's surface. Although some cars have built-in GPS-based navigation systems, handheld devices also come in handy. If you think your dad might like to play detective, get him a GPS receiver that will enable him to take up the new "sport" of geocaching.

2. MP3 Players. If your father is a man on the go, consider getting him portable music. MP3 players and Apple iPods will allow him to take his tunes wherever his travels may lead.

3. Digital Cameras. If you're dad is still stuck in the world of film, it's time to move him into the twenty-first century. If he has a digital camera, it may be time for an upgrade. Today's digital cameras have all sorts of special settings, from eBay settings that maximize the quality of pictures for items he might want to auction, to YouTube settings, so he can take short videos and upload them for all to see.

4. Pedometers. Experts say that we should walk 10,000 steps a day to stay healthy. Whether your dad is a couch potato who needs a little motivation, or a fitness buff who likes to keep score, pedometers make wonderful gifts.

5. Cordless Phones. In this day and age, no one needs to be tied to a phone cord. Cordless phones are the perfect gift for dads who want to multi-task while they're talking.

6. Jewelry. Granted, jewelry is low-tech, but it makes for a memorable Father's Day gift. A beautiful watch or a set of cuff links is something that dads will treasure forever.

7. As Seen on TV Items. We've all seen the commercials, and you have to admit that some of the products advertised on TV and in infomercials are compelling. The truth is that some of them are ingenious. The chances are good that your dad won't buy himself the Pocket Fisherman, so why not buy it for him?

8. Automotive Products. Most men love their rides, so why not get some car accessories for dad? There are a variety of cool products available, from LED lantern car chargers to laser parking systems - anything a man could want.

Great Holidays Gift Ideas for Kids

2008-11-23T21:34:00.000-08:00

* Personalized gifts are always a hit, particularly with kids ages three to eight. Have a child's name printed or embroidered on everything from piggy banks, sleeping bags and beach towels to pillow cases and T-shirts.

* Art supplies, like a big pad of blank paper and a case of colored pencils or markers, are an inexpensive way to encourage creativity and keep kids busy on cold, wet winter days.

* Gifts that occupy kids' time, like games and books, are great because you can purchase one and kids can play and read together.

* Get creative with a trunk full of dress-up costumes. Custom-made dress-up clothing for kids is expensive, but a trip to the secondhand store to fill up the trunk with hats, dresses, coats and accessories is an inexpensive way to spark the imagination.

* Classic toys like ant farms and magic kits aren't high-tech, but they are high-touch and interactive.

* Purchase a book of gift certificates for treats from a child's favorite restaurant and share an ice cream cone or hot dog. Gift certificates are also available for local movie theaters.

* Give an experience. Take kids on an outing to a holiday parade or to see the light displays and store windows.

Read in more Detail at : Affordable Holiday Gift Ideas for Kids

Gift for the Traveler

2007-12-27T02:34:00.000-08:00

Well-to-do people looking for a novel holiday gift have an uncommon option available to them: a plastic card loaded with 10, 20, or 25 hours of flight time on a business jet.

Jet cards have become increasingly popular since 2001.

The private aircraft that jet card holders fly on can operate from thousands of airports in North America and other regions where airline service is either non-existent or infrequent.

Source / Read More The perfect gift for the well-to-do traveler

Billionaires Are Still Seeking the Ultimate Gift

2007-12-14T03:16:00.000-08:00

With a record number of billionaires in the U.S. alone, and even more consumers who want to spend like them, retailers are dreaming up ever-more-outrageous and excessive holiday gift ideas for the new Gilded Age.

Neiman Marcus is offering a luxury Triton 1000 submarine. The price tag: $1.4 million.

According to a survey done by Prince & Associates, a Connecticut-based wealth research firm, shoppers worth $10 million or more plan to boost their holiday spending by up to 67% this year.

Source / Read More : Billionaires Are Still Seeking the Ultimate Gift

Christmas Flower Gifts

2007-10-30T00:33:00.000-07:00

Since the early days, flowers have been offered during religious ceremonies. They are also a popular option for decorating homes or offices. Over the years, the demand for flowers has increased and they are now used for almost every occasion. People use them as a congratulatory gesture, for weddings, anniversaries, birthdays or festive celebrations. Christmas is a festival that brings a lot of joy to people who like to celebrate the festival with friends and family members. They gift one another Christmas trees, wreaths, flowers or floral gift hampers.

Christmas flower gifts symbolize the happiness of the festival and are gifted to friends and relatives. A story about the birth of Christ narrates that it was flowers from two little poor children that surpassed the gifts that three wise men had brought for Lord Jesus.

Women love beautifully decorated flower baskets, and they make excellent gifts to remind them about their beauty and grace. The ideal flowers to gift a daughter or a mother are cheerful flowers such as tulips, Gerber daisies and carnations. Red roses have always been a popular choice. However, for a mother or daughter, pink, yellow, orange or white roses are more appropriate as red roses signify romantic relationships. The flowers are beautifully arranged in a basket or vase and carry a small tag with a Christmas greeting.

Men too, enjoying receiving floral gifts on special occasions. The ideal flower gifts that are presented during Christmas include bright and vibrant flowers in colors of red, orange and yellow. A beautiful bouquet or basket of red roses is the ideal Christmas flower gift for a husband or boyfriend. They are as appropriate for men as they are for women and represent the love and passion in their relationship.

People like to present their friends beautifully decorated flower gift hampers that express their joy and are an ideal way to wish them on the occasion of Christmas. Apart from bright colored flowers, plants and bonsai trees are also a popular choice.

by Eddie Tobey

About the Author
Flower Gifts (http://www.e-FlowerGifts.com) provides detailed information on Flower Gifts, Flower Gift Baskets, Thanksgiving Flower Gifts, Birthday Flower Gifts and more. Flower Gifts is affiliated with New York Flower District (http://www.e-newyorkflowers.com)

Source : http://www.sendflowersgift.info/article/87/christmas-flower-gifts.html

Romantic Gift Ideas

2007-10-10T03:59:00.000-07:00

When Cupid strikes, gifts follow. That extra flutter, that veil of mystery… you just have to react. Whether in love for the very first time or celebrating strong relationships, romantic gifts come from within. It may be for your lover, family or friend-romance mirrors carnal, secure or truly sublime. You touch the clouds and shout, 'Wow!” Let your heart do the buying.

For the dynamism of platonic or familial ties, gifts of the heart come easily. You know the person and you know the value attached. Romancing the ride always enchants. Raindrops on roses or cats' whiskers apart, bake a cake, picnic together, do nature trips, league matches, ice cream and popcorn. Walk in the rain, pillow fight and tickle life silly.

An affirmation of that spark within, romantic gifts reflect the age, experience and personality of the giver. Love notes and poetry say it best for some, trinkets, tulips and perfume work for others. Amorous notes by email/mobile are a great kiss of surprise. Engravings, keepsakes, memorabilia spell forever.

With its promise of eternity, romantic gifts also image the depth and commitment of relationships. An aphrodisiac that grows, romantic gifts take a whole new meaning, once it is “official”. The flood of teddy bears and chocolates (heart-shaped!) dances on to sensual erotica, spicing up gifts like only fantasy can.

Unconditional love is perhaps the best romantic gift possible. But dead ends and tired minds surface at every turn. Jewelry, designer ware, wine, bed linen and Hawaii are the perfect triggers. Not to forget exclusive restaurants, music and serenading. It all depends on the mood, impulse and budget,

Gift Ideas provides detailed information about gift ideas, corporate gift ideas, birthday gift ideas, christmas gift ideas and more. Gift Ideas is the sister site of Christmas Gift Baskets.

Unique special gift ideas suitable for Everyone

2007-09-20T00:41:00.000-07:00

Instead of scouring the mall for gifts this holiday season why not consider using your cherished photos to create a unique personalized gift for family and friends?

There are so many ways now, made easy with online sites and programs, to create unique personal gifts using your digital photos. Calendars are always a perfect little gift or stocking stuffer, what Grandmother would not love a calendar of her precious grandchildren ?

A calendar for the grandparents, using pictures from throughout the year and a few themed collages. New baby in the family ? A baby collage printed on a mousepad for the new mother or father to have for their office. A collage of wedding photos for a newlywed couple, matted and framed and tied with a red ribbon makes a lovely gift

Unique and special gift ideas to perfect express options are ---

1. Unique glass candy dish filled with candy
2. Collectible sports cards
3. Books check for clearance books or online for deals
4. Personalized Set of dish cloths and dish towels
5. Basket filled with kitchen gadgets and time savers
6. Gift certificates for free movie or video game rentals
7. Handwritten copies of your favorite recipes
8. For the pets, doggy bones, catnip balls, should do nicely
9. Gift Certificates for their favorite restaurant
10. Hand decorated keepsake box for their little treasures.
11. Designer sticky notes with colorful designs.
12. Personalized Address book with their name written on it.
13. Serving bowl or platter with a holiday theme.
14. Decorative basket with jams, bbq sauces, mustards, etc.
15. Themed Cloth Napkins and Napkin holders.
16. Flower seeds, or a small plant, throw in gloves for a complete package.
17. Personalized and hand decorated photo album.
18. Old fashioned cookie mix with baking instructions.
19. Unique coffee cup filled with candy.
20. Fancy magazines tied together with a pretty ribbon.

Source : http://www.statssheet.com/articles/article7463.html

Wholesale Gift Packaging : Cost-effective Way to Differentiate Your Retail Store

2007-09-04T01:59:00.000-07:00

Gift packaging is an effective, affordable way to show your customers that you go the extra mile to serve them. You can find gift packaging materials including gift bags, gift wrapping paper, gift boxes, and tissue paper at wholesale prices through a number of providers. Not only does gift packaging differentiate your store, but it offers your customers an added convenience that they can’t find in the large retail chain stores.

Gift packaging is one of those specialty services that can’t be assigned a value. To the stressed out holiday shopper, or the husband buying an anniversary gift at the last minute, these services are priceless. Customers appreciate having a place where they can shop without all of the crowds and noise that has become the retail shopping experience.

While Christmas is still obviously the time when wholesale gift packaging is most value, it is a good idea to keep a variety of gift wrapping paper, gift bags, and tissue paper on hand throughout the year. In addition to the holidays, events like birthdays, anniversaries, and weddings will bring in customers year-round. By offering them the convenience of gift packaging in the off-season, you are also more likely to have a customer when the holidays roll around.

Here are a few pointers for store owners who would like to add gift packaging as a specialty service in their shop:

• Gift Bags and Boxes Make it Easy. Go through your inventory and determine a couple of sizes of boxes and bags you are most likely to use. Purchase each of these sizes wholesale in a few select colors, maybe to match your company’s colors. Boxes and bags are an easy way to offer customers the convenience of gift packaging without causing you a hassle.

• Gift Wrapping Apparel Boxes. Rather than selling apparel on the hanger, you could keep wholesale gift wrapping paper on hand and wrap apparel boxes in the store for your customers. By gift wrapping the box, you save your customer the time required to find a box at home and wrap it themselves.

• Don’t forget the tissue paper. Tissue paper is an affordable extra that can do so much for your gift packaging. It is easy to use tissue paper to dress up a gift bag or wrap a fragile item in a box. It also protects the product from rolling around in the package. Again, choose a few base colors (perhaps based on the colors of bags you offer) and buy in wholesale amounts to save money and avoid having to order every 2 weeks.

Gift packaging can be a very effective way to differentiate yourself in a world of retail similarity. As a small business, it is not hard to get lost in the clutter. For a wide variety of wholesale packaging ideas, visit Nu-Era at their online store, www.nu-era.com.

Christopher Weis is the marketing director for Nu-Era. Nu-Era and http://www.nu-era.com are services of The Nu-Era Group, LLC -the industry leader in store fixtures, supplies, and fulfillment. Nu-Era has been providing its customers with competitively priced quality products with customer-oriented service since 1949.

http://nu-era.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christopher_Weis

Gift Idea Help - Gift Ideas Unique and Unusual

2007-08-12T23:51:00.000-07:00

Gift ideas unique minds like to explore usually involve some sort of original, creative element. Some of the best gift ideas invoke some sort of memory, whether it be seen, heard, smelled, or felt. Homemade gift ideas usually serve as brilliant creative and unique gifts to give to people to accomplish this goal. Gift ideas unique in presentation can most often be the simplest things, resulting in the sincerest gestures.

Consider a book publishing kit to give a young child for his or her birthday. Available at retailers such as The Discovery Channel Store, these kits allow creative young minds to piece together a story of their very own and its corresponding illustrations. After your child is finished with the creation, send it in to the Discovery Channel Store, and in a few weeks you will receive a professionally bound book that is not only personalized but original. This is an imaginative, one-of-a-kind gift that both you and your child will enjoy for years to come.

When looking for homemade gift ideas, unique family recipes are a great way to share some memories. The gift of good food is a welcome addition in any house, and your friends and family members will reach for your family cookbook repeatedly. Simply filling out index cards and putting them in a brightly colored box works well, or creating a scrapbook filled with family pictures and recipes can be especially touching gift for a special family member.

For a grandmother who loves showing pictures of her family, find gift ideas that incorporate pictures of her grandchildren are a good idea. How about placing a photo in a coaster, a coffee cup, or even a mouse pad? To include more than one picture of grandchildren, look into putting different photos onto a photo tote bag that the grandmother of your child can carry around with her and show off to her friends while she is out. These days, there are shops at your local mall that can provide these personalized items and services inexpensively.

Gift ideas unique people like to share, are sometimes gifts that connect people to each other. They are not just a connection between the gift giver and the recipient, but a connection that can go around the world.

Gift ideas unique for a friend or family member that suffers from a disease such as AIDS, cancer or diabetes is to volunteer to raise money for an organization that performs research or promotes awareness of the disease. Many events such as Relay for Life allow volunteers to walk to raise money and show their support for the organization. If you are unable to walk, donating a monetary gift to a worthy cause in honor of your friend or family member is a nice gesture. Some of the best unique gifts are those that require you to give your time and talents.

FloraStand – Online And Wholesale Florist In Bangalore Now Offers More Gifts

2007-07-30T01:20:00.000-07:00

(1888PressRelease) July 24, 2007 - Florastand – Bangalore florist and wholly owned online and retail flower outlet of Rayer Flora (India) Private Limited, now offers Ooty chocolates, Cakes along with usual flower arrangements. New gift items are added to meet the growing demands of its customers. Now customers can order Cakes including Birthday cakes of various flavors like Pineapple cakes, black forest etc. Even egg less cakes are available online. These cakes are freshly baked ones from very popular bakeries like Nilgiris and Sweet chariots.

Florastand online http://www.florastand.com now had built a strong patronage from consumers both from India and from USA and UK with its quality flower supply.

FloraStand also supplies flowers like Roses, Gerbera, carnations, gladiolas, Anthuriums and Heliconia etc. to other florists and wholesalers in Bangalore. Apart from supplying flower arrangements to corporate offices restaurants and hotels in Indiranagar area, FloraStand also undertakes decoration assignments like Bridal decoration, ATM / Office inauguration, Car decoration etc.

Rayer Flora (India) Private Limited (www.rayerflora.com), is a grower and exporter of high quality roses with farm in Hosur, 35 KM form Bangalore international airport. Rayer Flora with 4 hectares of hi-tech green houses growing over 7 million roses of various colors including red, pink, yellow, orange, white and bicolor roses, is exporting quality roses and ornamental flowers since 2004, to customers in Dubai, Sharja, Abu Dhabi, and in Australia. Rayer Flora also supplies to florists and wholesalers in Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Delhi and Kerala. Rayer Flora is a registered member of APEDA (Agriculture and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (India) - www.apeda.com and also registered member of DGFT India and member of Tamilnadu Horticulture Board

Wholesale Paper Company Keeps Contact by Providing Reward Points

2007-07-09T04:25:00.000-07:00

/24-7PressRelease/ - STILLWATER, MN, June 24, 2007 - WholesalePaperSite.com is now sending monthly statements to customers to remind them of reward points they have earned, offering additional savings on everything in the company's vast catalog, from pre-printed stationary and party invitations to glossy photo paper.

Every time a customer makes a purchase, that customer earns reward points. Each point is worth 10 cents. Over time, these points build up and save return customers even more money on already-rock-bottom prices.

They've also added tons of new products to their constantly changing catalog.

One of their biggest selling products is pre-printed stationary, which includes everything from party invitations and envelopes to thank-you cards and letter seals.

"This is the perfect season to earn and use your reward points," said Jeff Corbo, the company's marketing director. "There are summer birthdays, Father's Day, the Fourth of July, and graduation parties all the time, so people stand to save a lot of time and money picking up all their pre-printed stationary in one spot."

They also offer free shipping and discounts on large orders.

For more information on reward points and monthly statements, visit http://www.wholesalepapersite.com or contact Jeff Corbo at (800) 280-6926, or jcorbo@quantumsite.com.

WholesalePaperSite.com is part of Quantum Digital, an independently owned, diverse Web-service provider based in Stillwater, Minn.

Source : http://www.24-7pressrelease.com/view_press_release.php?rID=30075

Wholesale Secrets Revealed: The Holy Grail Of Wholesale !

2007-07-02T04:50:00.000-07:00

Like the legendary search for the Holy Grail, the cup that Jesus drank from at the Last Supper, the same "holy crusade" goes on today by veteran and newly anointed business owners for the perfect wholesale, surplus, and drop-shipping resource. They believe that divine intervention will lead them to suppliers that can defeat the economic laws of "supply and demand."

There are more than a few people who try to build an enterprise based on the weak premise that they will able to "score" in demand retail items for their new business, or auction, at either below wholesale prices, or "pennies on the wholesale dollar."

Trying to ride the wave of popular retail products brings out the greed monster in all of us. Pursuing the "deal of the century" has lead some aspiring business owners to risk their startup capital on fraudulent deals and offers.

In this article I want to discuss three of the more sought after sources of product supply, and the "Pros & Cons" of each. I also want to shed a little light on some of the misconceptions people might have about buying “products for resale.” The reality is that not every product will be available through wholesale, surplus, and drop-shipping venues.

Wholesalers: Typically, one of the better places to purchase products for your new found venture. Most true wholesalers will require that you have a "Certificate Of Resale" before you can purchase from them. A Certificate Of Resale, or "Tax & Use Certificate," is not hard to obtain, and costs anywhere from five to twenty dollars depending on the state you live in.

Some states do not require that you even have one. You can obtain the certificate from your State Department of Revenue. To see if your state requires you to obtain such a certificate, and for a complete listing of the Departments Of Revenue in all fifty states go to this website:

Roisyn.com/certificates.html
http://www.roisyn.com/certificates.html

Depending on your states procedure, once you fill out the paperwork you can get your "Certificate Of Resale" number the same day. You do not have to incorporate in order to obtain a certificate. You need to be a Sole Proprietor (at the very least) and have an address where you plan to conduct business. Once you have your number you will be able to open a business checking account at most local banks. Most do not require more than a few hundred dollars to get started. Wholesalers will require a minimum purchase price that can range anywhere from 100 to 1000 dollars.

A true wholesaler is usually one step away from the original source of the product. For instance, a manufacturer produces blue widgets and wants to get their product into the marketplace. They will then employ a sales representative to get the product into the market, or they will assign a wholesale distributor the exclusive rights to carry and sell their product line. Some companies are import wholesalers. While they do not necessarily manufacture a product, they will import products from manufacturers in the United States, and from countries like China. A great example of such an importer/wholesaler is the Bnfusa.com:

Bnfusa.com http://www.bnfusa.com/

There are a few ways to find wholesale products. Just about every product that is in the distribution chain will usually have a dedicated trade association, organization, or trade publication attached to it. You can find such trade information with the help of the following directory information:

National Association Of Wholesale Distributors

http://www.naw.org/Content/NavigationMenu/About_NAW/Associa tions/About_Associations.htm

The above website address will lead your toward associations, ranging from Advertising to Woodworking. You should be able to solicit them for wholesalers within a particular industry. If you want to purchase their membership list (separate from the association listings), you will have to get in touch with them to check their current prices. Other good sources are:

Encyclopedia Of Associations By: The Gale Group

The Encyclopedia Of Associations lists over 100,000 different nonprofit American organizations. If you cannot find what you are looking for from the National Association Of Wholesale Distributors in terms of trade associations, then this is the directory for you. However, you will have to go to your library to find this research gem. You can usually find it in the reference section of any large University, or Public Library.

Publist.com http://www.publist.com/

In addition to trade associations, trade magazines are another good source. Publist.com allows you to: "Search our database of over 150,000 magazines, journals, newsletters, & other periodicals. Find FREE in-depth information on familiar and hard-to-find publications from around the world, representing thousands of topics."

Tradepub.com http://www.tradepub.com/

Tradepub.com allows you to subscribe to trade periodicals from their web site for FREE! No hidden trial offers to qualify.

ThomasRegional.com
http://www.thomasregional.com/

If you are looking for industrial product manufacturers, then this is the directory for you. The Thomas Regional directory will give you access to services from over "550,000 industrial distributors, manufacturers, and service companies."

The Thomas Regional will help you find suppliers in your own state or region. Registration is required, but you can use the directory for FREE! Other free online sources of wholesale information and offers are: Wholesale411.com, Wholesalecentral.com, Wholesalegopher.com, Bizbb.com, Wholesalegopher.com.

PROS AND CONS OF WHOLESALE SUPPLIERS:

Wholesale is the backbone of product supply for any type of new business venture. Large and small wholesalers are usually one step away from the manufacturer. They have the advantage of buying large quantities, and, depending on the type of merchandise, are able to pass along savings to those who are looking for "products for resale." With wholesalers (in most cases) you can be assured of purchasing new product. I can't think of too many "cons" when dealing with wholesalers--other than pricing. There might be items that could be too expensive to sell in the Ebay auction marketplace. Remember, true wholesalers will require that you have a Certificate Of Resale in order to purchase from them.

Surplus & Salvage Merchandise: Another sought after source of supply is retail surplus, closeout, overstock, liquidated, and salvage merchandise. Surplus dealers, and brokers, purchase shelf-pulled, returned, overstock, closeout, liquidated, and salvage merchandise from manufacturers, retail stores, reclamation centers, bankruptcy sales, and just about any business who has slow moving or salvage merchandise.

Surplus dealers buy these obsolete items in large quantities, and then resell them to just about anyone who wants them for their Ebay Auction, Flea Market, Dollar Store, or Retail Store outlet. One of the largest trade associations for the surplus industry is the International Marketing Association Of Surplus Dealers: http://www.surplus.net. You can find dealers throughout the United States.

Other sources of finding Surplus, Salvage, Closeout, and Liquidated merchandise include the following: Closeoutcentral.com, Liquidation.com, CWSMarketing.com, Commoditysurplus.com, and National Retail Equipment Liquidators (Nrel.com).

PROS AND CONS OF THE SURPLUS & SALVAGE SUPPLIERS:

The "Pros" of the Surplus & Salvage merchandise is that they can offer you a variety of products at below wholesale prices. However you "market your merchandise," you should be able to find a product, or price, that will fit into any business advertising model. In most cases, you do not need a "Certificate Of Resale" to buy products from Surplus & Salvage Dealers and brokers.

The downside is that you have to do some investigative work. Some dealers will want you to buy merchandise in quantity (a pallet minimum, truckload preferred) and you have to visit the company you are buying from to make sure that the product is, as advertised. Also, more than a few S&S dealers want payment in the form of wire transfer which can be very risky. Also, dealers and brokers will sometimes misrepresent the quality of the merchandise they are are selling. Before you consider doing any business with a surplus dealer, or broker, you must read "The Ten Tenets Of The Retail Surplus And Salvage Business." It can be found here:

The Ten Tenets Of The Retail Surplus And Salvage Business
http://productsforresale.com/articles/index.html

Drop-Shipping: Supposedly the perfect business model. No inventory, no trips to the post office or UPS. You just set up shop, take the order, pass it along to the wholesale drop-shipping company and they send it out for you. Some drop-ship distributors will even send you ad copy and pictures to help you advertise their products. They can even put your return address on the package! A lot of Retail Catalog companies use drop-shippers as their means of supply.

PROS AND CONS OF DROP-SHIPPING:

There is one obvious advantage to drop-shipping. It is basically a "product less" venture. No need to tie up your money in inventory. Drop-Shipping can fit into any business model, or advertising method you happen to use. However, if you are an Ebay Auction seller you might want to rethink that position.

Finding a drop-shipping company that can deliver on a consistent basis can be tough. Drop-Shipping companies have been known to run out of merchandise. If they happen to run out of the product you are auctioning, asking buyers to wait on their product because it is "backordered," does not inspire confidence.

Your negative feedback rating can pile up real quick. The other problem is expense. Some drop-shippers require a sign-up, or "entry fee" before you even start marketing their products. You might also have to pay for support materials, such as pictures and advertisement brochures for the product you choose to sell.

In addition, when you sell a product from a drop-shipping distributor there are processing fees that have to be paid, in order to get the product out the door and in the hands of your customer. That price can range anywhere from 5.00 to 10.00 dollars and up depending on the item. After Ebay and drop-shipping fees, you can wind up loosing money, or at best, breaking even. Bottom-line, drop-shipping and auction selling don't mix. The best bet for any auction venture is to "own what you sell."

EVERYTHING CAN BE HAD FOR A PRICE-BUT THERE IS A PRICE TO PAY FOR EVERYTHING!

Now that we have reviewed the "big three" let me put them into perspective. There are products that can be obtained through a few of featured supply chains, and then there are products that will never make it to the surplus, wholesale, or drop-shipping market. Example: To get Louis Vuitton handbags through a surplus dealer is almost impossible. Surplus dealers that are promoting LV Handbags are misleading you.

Same is true for people who are selling designer handbags on Ebay in mass quantities. The likely scenario is that they are Chinese knockoffs. Over 80 percent of popular retail products here in the United States are copied in the People's Republic Of China. Those products include Nike, Reebok, Puma, Adidas, Louis Vuitton, Calloway (Big Bertha) golf clubs, and just about any product that enjoys popular merchandising status.

There is no plan by the Chinese government to stop "knockoff" activity because it is a thriving industry that provides employment for the masses. Despite the pleas from American companies to "cease & desist," there is a tepid response from Chinese officials to do address the issue. When raids are conducted, they are "ceremonial" public relations stunts to appear as if they are actually taking action against the counterfeiters.

Another indicator of authenticity is price. You will not find any authentic Louis Vuitton handbags for 30, or even 100 dollars. Most are 500.00 and up. To illustrate this point even further, just think about the popular celebrities of today who are clothes and handbag aficionados. Jennifer Lopez, Britney Spears, Jennifer Aniston, Angelina Jolie, all sport around town with "Louies" that can fetch up to 10,000 dollars for an exclusive style of handbag. Do you think you will ever have access to these items in the wholesale, surplus, or drop-shipping market?

Forget it! You might not even get these in some upscale boutiques! There are people so well connected that they buy up "hot items" like LV Handbags before they even hit the stores. They know who wants these items, and they will purchase whatever is available just so they can have an exclusive for their celebrity clients. Don't get me wrong. It's not that you can't get "designer duds" or handbags at wholesale prices. You will not get high end clothes and accessories that are featured in the latest issue of Vogue, Cosmo, as a "product for resale," in any wholesale environment, unless you spend thousands for the right to distribute such a product.

Even if some of these items made their way beyond the connected channels of purchasing, exclusive clothing and handbag items like Louis Vuitton will have limited distribution in "hand picked' boutiques, and well connected purchasing agents. In addition, there are people in the fashion industry, as well as other branded industries that would rather have their merchandise burned, or buried before it would reach the wholesale, surplus, or drop-shipping market! For more information on designer clothing, and to learn about designer "fakes," please refer to the following websites:

http://fashion.about.com/cs/tipsadvice/a/fakingit.htm

http://www.handbag.com/fashion/howtolookgood/spottingfakes/

http://www.fakediesel.com/

For a healthy does of honesty, and an eye opening perspective concerning the realities of purchasing designer clothes for resale, the Clothing Broker will definitely explode some popular myths about obtaining such items:

The Clothing Broker http://theclothingbroker.com/

THERE IS GOLD UP IN THEM THERE HILLS!

Now lets address the Surplus & Salvage Industry. When people first encounter some of the offers from Surplus dealers, or brokers, they tend to suffer from what I call the "I just found Gold" syndrome. A feverish excitement permeates their brain cells, and reduces them to a quivering pile of jelly, leaving their reasoning skills inoperable! A few thousand dollars later, and after coming to the conclusion that their "Golden Opportunity" turned out to be bars of lead, elation, then turns to anger.

It is a cliche, and I hate using it, but it is more than appropriate when it comes to surplus and salvage products. "If it sounds to good to be true, it probably is!" Some Surplus dealers will hone in one at least one of seven deadly sins--greed! As with wholesale, you will never get certain products for "pennies" on the dollar. One type of surplus product category that has some people loosing their minds is surplus and salvage electronics.

The problem with electronics is that they have a low profit margin even when they are brand new. Finding surplus dealers with working, undamaged, electronic products can be a daunting task. Most salvage electronics can be in pretty rough shape. See Techliquidators.com: http://techliquidators.com

What you are getting from most Surplus Dealers, or companies who specialize in electronic salvage is someone's customer returns, i.e., "junk!" Unless you are a electronics technician, or recycler, then I would stay away from "salvage" electronics.

Even product that is not damaged, and still in the box or retail blister pack, can have a pretty high surplus price. If you find that someone is offering you a electronics item, be it a DVD Player, or Xbox, for eight dollars a unit, then "buyer beware."

For a further explanation of the surplus industry, and how you can avoid "purchasing pitfalls," I would suggest that you read the: "The Ten Tenets Of The Surplus and Salvage Business" found here:

The Ten Tenets Of The Surplus & Salvage Business
http://www.productsforresale.com/articles/index.html

GETTING DROPPED BY DROP-SHIPPING!

My last critique, and word of caution is about drop-shipping. You might have access to information about drop-shipping companies that would prove me wrong. I will not argue with anyone who is dealing with a dropshipping company who is serving them well. However, I will tell you that dropshipping is a risk. I really can't recommend any type of guide, or information that would lead you to a reliable source of drop-shipping companies.

Unlike surplus and wholesale, where you physically own and control the product, that option has been taken out of your hands. You are entrusting a company to ship products directly to your customers. If you get involved with a company who cannot deliver, or who is back ordered, you can find yourself with some very irate customers. Sign up fees, shipping fees, and expenses for support materials can really affect the bottom line.

Also, most drop-shipping companies like to send out product in volume. If you are selling just a few items per week, or per month, it might not be worth if for a drop-shipping company to deal with you. Large retail catalog companies use drop-shipping or "fulfillment" houses, but these companies cater to large scale operations.

The bottom line is this. When it comes to finding product supply for your business it pays to do your homework. Visit the company facility when you can. Never wire any money into a company account. Use a credit card, or Escrow service to protect yourself should your supplier not deliver, or send you defective merchandise.

Understand that you will not be able to get the latest and greatest technology or fashions at surplus and below wholesale prices. If you follow all of these rules, and you use common sense as your "crusade" you just might be able to find your own "Holy Grail," of wholesale product supply!

Robert C. Potter is a wholesale and retail surplus products specialist. He is the author of “The Ultimate Guide To Products For Resale!” Over 300 Wholesale & Surplus Supply Sources For Ebay Auction Sellers, E-Commerce Websites, Flea Market Vendors, and Retail Store Owners! You can find his 160 page ebook at: http://www.productsforresale.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robert_Potter

Blue Diamond Jewelry, A New Trend in Diamond Jewelry

2007-06-29T05:03:00.000-07:00

The majority of all diamonds that are bough are usually clear or white colored diamonds. Now there is a new choice and that is blue diamonds. If you are looking for something that will stand out more than the usual clear diamonds, you might want to consider taking a look at blue diamond jewelry.

What are blue diamonds?

Blue diamonds are very rare and have a blue color to them. Blue diamonds are not new and they have actually been around for quite awhile, but they are extremely hard to find. Due to their scarcity, the price for blue diamonds has risen. But if you are able to locate a piece of blue diamond jewelry for a reasonable price, it is sure to make a wonderful addition to your jewelry collection.

Where do blue diamonds come from?

Traditionally, blue diamonds came from India, where they have been worn for many years. However, many blue diamonds now come from South Africa and blue diamond jewelry can be bought in countries across the world in various settings and styles.

What types of blue diamond jewelry can be purchased?

Earrings

The most popular type of blue diamond jewelry is earrings. Blue diamond earrings have a very unique and beautiful look to them and after a little research online; you can easily find a pair for under $100.

Bracelets

One of the most popular bracelet designs is a white gold bracelet with blue diamonds in it. These diamond bracelets have an elegant and sophisticated look due to their delicacy. A light colored setting of platinum or white gold is, in most cases, one of the best settings to go with because of the piercing look that blue diamonds gives them. Of course, platinum will raise the price considerably and a white gold setting will be lower in price.

Rings

Another popular choice is blue diamond rings. Rings that feature a blue diamond in the middle of two white diamonds can produce a very eye-catching piece of jewelry. These rings are often priced very reasonably in the $300 to $800 range. This is only one type of ring design and there are many more that produce a striking look.

Necklaces

Blue diamond necklaces are another trendy selection. They come in a large variety of styles, but a few of the popular choices are a flower shape of blue diamonds and also a heart shaped with blue diamonds in the middle or around the edges. Blue diamond necklaces range in price from $100 all the way up to $1,000s.

If you want to purchase a piece of diamond jewelry that stands out from the others, you may consider buying a blue diamond bracelet, necklace, earrings or ring. They are sure to garner attention from anyone who notices them.

If you really want jewelry that stands out in a crowd then take a look at Iced Out Bling Jewelry. You can choose from many different styles including iced out bracelets which come with all types of bling. Or you can also buy custom hip hop jewelry which allows you to personalize your iced out jewelry to your own style.