Thread: Importing japanese tools

Good idea, please advise when catalogue is available.

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.

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?

Interested.

Interested too

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

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 it

Hi Eric, This venture sounds good. Just one question, where will you source your tools from, the manufacturer or bargain price off retail? Damien

I'm interested.

Shapton stones kudasai!

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

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.

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

Why not have a chat with this member https://www.woodworkforums.com/members/6179-schtoo
he might have some good contacts as well

Cheers