NEW WEB STORE

[Prof.]

Hi all, I'm going to set up a new web store using Magento. On the technical side I'm busy uploading Magento right now, but I need to know a few things first:

Firstly, what is the most efficient way to ship packages to my clients? I should add that my store will be local only, so I need a company that will ship in South Africa quickly and cheaply.

Secondly, how do I find a wholesale supplier for my products? I will be selling things like cell phones and laptops. I researched a bit on this topic, but I couldn't find any info. Suppliers should stock Nokia, Samsung, LG, HP, Dell... and the list goes on.

While my store is still new I was thinking about not immediately buying the product and keeping it on site with me, but ordering it from the supplier and then shipping it out. In this way I won't have to buy stuff I won't be selling, because this store will mainly be a hobby... until later.

 

[Schwartz]

Finding a supplier in SA that stock all that and is cheaper than china and USA is gonna be hard!

 

[Prof.]

Okay, then I'll make the site local only. It's not like I'll need to change my site, it's not even up yet.

 

[RSkeens]

I would focus on the local community first before the international one. It is going to need a lot of capital to compete with the likes of NewEgg, etc.

 

[Prof.]

Finding a supplier in SA that stock all that and is cheaper than china and USA is gonna be hard!

You've got a good point there.

 

[Prof.]

I would focus on the local community first before the international one. It is going to need a lot of capital to compete with the likes of NewEgg, etc.

Yeah, NewEgg is out of my league. Editing my first post now...

 

[Rosaudio]

I'd recommend Berco as a courier

 

[Prof.]

I'd recommend Berco as a courier

I checked out their website and they look really good. I think I'll be using them. Thanks!

 

[guest2013-1]

+1 for Berco as a courier, they do Kalahari.net's deliveries as well and I've used them before.

If you want to sell things like cellphones etc it's going to be pretty tough getting a supplier, you might want to try contact CellShack from the Massmart group. Maybe also contact Shield (also Massmart group) and check to see if they have stock of what you want. I've worked with/for them for 7 years now, and basically they wholesale buy from suppliers and resell to smaller guys who can't afford bulk buy. Bulk buy = cheaper prices (always)

If Furnex is still around (I highly doubt it, worked with them as well but last I heard they had major issues with SARS and declared (or was going to declare) bankruptcy). Furnex dealt with a lot more electronic stuff (like cellphones) also bulk buyer. Shield is more like spaza shop stuff, but I've got no idea what their product ranges are like these days with their Cellshack branch (which is mostly cellphones)

Personally, I'd secure a supplier first and get the shipping in order and then launch your website.

 

[Prof.]

+1 for Berco as a courier, they do Kalahari.net's deliveries as well and I've used them before.

If you want to sell things like cellphones etc it's going to be pretty tough getting a supplier, you might want to try contact CellShack from the Massmart group. Maybe also contact Shield (also Massmart group) and check to see if they have stock of what you want. I've worked with/for them for 7 years now, and basically they wholesale buy from suppliers and resell to smaller guys who can't afford bulk buy. Bulk buy = cheaper prices (always)

If Furnex is still around (I highly doubt it, worked with them as well but last I heard they had major issues with SARS and declared (or was going to declare) bankruptcy). Furnex dealt with a lot more electronic stuff (like cellphones) also bulk buyer. Shield is more like spaza shop stuff, but I've got no idea what their product ranges are like these days with their Cellshack branch (which is mostly cellphones)

Personally, I'd secure a supplier first and get the shipping in order and then launch your website.

Thanks, I'll check out the suppliers you mentioned. I'm just uploading the website now to set it up and get it ready, but my home page will be an under construction page until everything is organized.

 

[dequadin]

You could always buy Digital Addiction

 

[Prof.]

I think I'll drop Cell Shack an e-mail, maybe Shield too if they have the kind of products I want, but I can't find any contact details for Shield.

 

[Prof.]

You could always buy Digital Addiction

ROFLMAO!!! No Money.

 

[guest2013-1]

Thanks, I'll check out the suppliers you mentioned. I'm just uploading the website now to set it up and get it ready, but my home page will be an under construction page until everything is organized.

Page Under Construction = Lame (and by lame I mean it's 1995 type internet)

Rather not have a website up than have something up that says "Page Under Construction"

It'll look more professional when you launch instead of people getting there seeing "We will launch soon, page under construction, last update 27 Nov 1997"

 

[MisterBigglesworth]

Must be suppliers out there. How else do Prophecy, Sybaritic and DA do it then? I mean...they dont have all items in stock all the time. Must be dealers etc out there?

 

[Prof.]

Page Under Construction = Lame (and by lame I mean it's 1995 type internet)

Rather not have a website up than have something up that says "Page Under Construction"

It'll look more professional when you launch instead of people getting there seeing "We will launch soon, page under construction, last update 27 Nov 1997"

I think I'll put up a more exciting coming soon page now.

 

[guest2013-1]

I think I'll put up a more exciting coming soon page now.

Porn?

 

[Prof.]

Porn?

LOL

 

[Prof.]

I'm having serious problems with Magento, can't get it to work on 3 different web hosts and XAMPP, WAMPP or a traditional home web server install. I think I'm gonna look into a new shopping cart system.

 

[Prof.]

Okay, my site is working with Zen Cart. I installed a few addons and I am busy uploading the products available right now. I decided on using Cell Shack (Thanks, AcidRaZor), their prices are not too high. When I'm launching my site, I'll let you all know. I searched around on Jump.co.za, and my prices for cell phones in the sub-R2000 category are by far the cheapest, but for the more expensive phones I usually have the second best price because Cell Shack's more expensive phones, are really expensive.

I just need to know how much does Berco Express usually charge for delivering Economy Freight packages. Does anyone know?