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Thread: Importing japanese tools
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27th April 2006, 06:07 PM #1Senior Member
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Importing japanese tools
Hi there,
This is just a quick survey to see if some of you would be interested.
A japanese friend and myself would like to start a small business to import mainly japanese products
we have some local japanese contacts over there so we could access a great range of products
all the products would be imported directly from japan either straight to your doors or to myself and then redispatched in Australia
We don't know yet how we will do it.
anyway to cut a story short, I would like to know if so of you would be interested in such a service
We would import first japanese tools like chisels, handsaws, etc...
To give you an idea, my friend brought me back a japanese tenon saw that is sold for $85 at carbatec (same model , brand, etc...)
I paid 3200 yens which at that time was around $35
Other examples are the economy chisels carbatec is selling.
$30 on average here compared to $10 or even less
they are the same products
since it will be a legitimate business with running costs, the price will be a bit higher of course but nothing compared to australian prices when it comes to japanese tools
It seems that everything with the word japanese in it is an excuse to inflate prices
The item will be shipped directly from Japan and as I said either to your door or here then redispatched
It will all depend on the shipping costs
anyway I just wanted to know your points of view
Eric
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27th April 2006 06:07 PM # ADSGoogle Adsense Advertisement
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27th April 2006, 06:40 PM #2
Japanese Tools
Good idea, please advise when catalogue is available.
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27th April 2006, 06:46 PM #3
Emistral
Great idea. I doubt you'll ever get rich, but if you go the E Commerce route (with a phone for enquiries) you should make a quid. Only a part time business but its got legs. Advise you quickly see what sells and hold some stock. People in general hate, or won't, wait. Its the age of instant gratification.
Incidentally if the chisel etc retails for $10 then you will buy at $5-6.50. It will also be free of Jap taxes, which may (not sure what applies) make it even cheaper.
Two key points, your Jap mate should be able to cut a decent deal and have a bit of energy to make the rounds, and secondly you should be able to market your gear.
Don't get too greedy until you have established yourself.
Good luck and I'll have a King 1000 waterstone out of the first shipment thanks.Bodgy
"Is it not enough simply to be able to appreciate the beauty of the garden without it being necessary to believe that there are faeries at the bottom of it? " Douglas Adams
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27th April 2006, 07:14 PM #4
Certainly worth doing some research and business planning on.
I'd imagine that you'd find a rich vein of potential customers here, especially for backsaws, waterstones & chisels; possibly also other edge tools.
I'd certainly be interested to have a rummage through an on-line catalogue: I assume that you will be considering an e-store?
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27th April 2006, 07:24 PM #5
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27th April 2006, 09:29 PM #6
Interested too
The beatings will continue until morale improves.
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27th April 2006, 09:32 PM #7SENIOR MEMBER
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Count me in too, I'd be interest in chisels.
Maybe you could setup Skype instead of a phone.
Dont forget with the new customs rules you can ship <$1000 AUD and not have to pay GST
joez
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27th April 2006, 10:10 PM #8
Backsaws , definately interested
For me if its the same or close price I prefer to deal with a local, ie forum member.
But my wish list is small
In the long term to substain you may have to look at supplying retail outlets.
Rgds and the best of luck
BTW go for itAshore
The trouble with life is there's no background music.
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28th April 2006, 01:37 AM #9
Hi Eric, This venture sounds good. Just one question, where will you source your tools from, the manufacturer or bargain price off retail? Damien
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28th April 2006, 06:31 AM #10
I'm interested.
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28th April 2006, 08:52 AM #11Senior Member
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Shapton stones kudasai!
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28th April 2006, 11:42 AM #12Senior Member
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Hi guys,
thanks for your answers and the tips of the <$1000AU
I was still on $500
Happy to see that most of you are interested
To answer some of your question:
There will be a website with an online catalogue and like any other tools shops, an order form or a way to place order online
I am not doing that to become rich (that will never happen )
I am doing that because I am frustrated each time I see a "japanese" product with an inflated price and because I know that like you guys there are a lot of people looking for reasonably priced japanese tools
After paying what I paid for avery good saw and good economy chisel, it made me realized how much all those tools shops are ripping us off when it comes to japanese tools.
Regarding the stock, I am not so sure if I should have things in stock here or maybe a very minimal stock
People on this website have no problem ordering tools in the Us and are prepared to wait 1 week, 2 weeks or even more
The website should offer different shipping options to accomodate different budgets.
According to a first estimate, my japanese friend told me that a 2 days shipping for up to 500g should be around $15 which is not too bad but all these prices need to be confirmed
Now guys, one more question:
what tools would you expect to find on such a website?
I am guessing:
- chisels
- saws
- hand planes
- carving tools?
- water stones
Any brands in mind?
Thanks for your help
Eric
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28th April 2006, 12:28 PM #13
Eric
I would question this:
People on this website have no problem ordering tools in the Us and are prepared to wait 1 week, 2 weeks or even more
They do (or at least I do) but often there's no choice. You will also loose the impulse buys if there's a wait.
I'd agree with your selection, but the market will soon let you know what it wants. Maybe add turning tools?
If the above tools indeed become the most popular, you're looking at less than a $K to carry a few of each. I'd think this is a good investment. Your freight per item will drop too.Bodgy
"Is it not enough simply to be able to appreciate the beauty of the garden without it being necessary to believe that there are faeries at the bottom of it? " Douglas Adams
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28th April 2006, 12:33 PM #14Senior Member
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I think 1 week wait is not a long wait
I have waited for more than a week from item ordered in Australia
I have the carbatec catalogue which could be useful to guide me in the type of tools to import
also my japanese friend will surf the net and will probably come across some tools never heard or sold here
We have had a quick look at some japanese craftmen's websites for chisels and some are magnificent and half the price of carbatec
some are very and I mean VERY expensive ($56,000 for a set of 12 chisels)
We are going starting investigating the type of tools and quality to import and if it is a feasible projects
The contact in Japan will also start contacting wholesalers to get the best prices
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28th April 2006, 12:51 PM #15
Why not have a chat with this member https://www.woodworkforums.com/members/6179-schtoo
he might have some good contacts as well
CheersThere was a young boy called Wyatt
Who was awfully quiet
And then one day
He faded away
Because he overused White
Floorsanding in Canberra and Albury.....
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