[Dave Willis]

Just a thought. You said you have a batch coming in soon and you will be selling them.

I just wondered ............. how can you make any money if we've all been given the links to buy direct from China?
Whatever price you sell them for we can buy them cheaper direct from the supplier. Surely your business plan has a teeny weeny flaw?

Surely you've also pretty much wrecked Aqudapters sales too?

Gardiners probably not so because they appear to have their poles specifically built to their requirements but any other importer won't be too impressed.

[Jonny 87]

Bearing in mind poles from china don't come with hoses or brushes.

Someone could probably make a little profit By buying poles in bulk, brushes and hose in bulk, then assembling them together and selling as one.

[Dave Willis]

Yes but the biggest saving is on the poles - only we can buy them direct - the exact same poles. Get our spares in five days and talk to an english speaking guy in China - Why would anyone use Windywasher?

[Jonny 87]

Mayb less hassle?

Not sure, I don't even know if you bought in big quantity that you could get them even cheaper?

[Michael Peterson]

It all depends on the size of the order I think

[♠Winp®oClean♠]

I'd like to see him on Dragon's Den!!

[Clever Forum Name]

It will be joe blogs on eBay who will buy em.

[windiewasher]

Just a thought. You said you have a batch coming in soon and you will be selling them.

I just wondered ............. how can you make any money if we've all been given the links to buy direct from China?
Whatever price you sell them for we can buy them cheaper direct from the supplier. Surely your business plan has a teeny weeny flaw?

Surely you've also pretty much wrecked Aqudapters sales too?

Gardiners probably not so because they appear to have their poles specifically built to their requirements but any other importer won't be too impressed.

if thats a case how does the other suppliers carry on then?
They all come from China.

[windiewasher]

I'd like to see him on Dragon's Den!!

why buy a pole from anybody in the uk as they are all from China.
Nobody makes them here and the clamps are designed and manufactured in china too.

[Alex Gardiner]

I'd like to see him on Dragon's Den!!

why buy a pole from anybody in the uk as they are all from China.
Nobody makes them here and the clamps are designed and manufactured in china too.

Just to be accurate (for those who are interested) not all poles/clamps are designed and made in China.

Our website clearly states - http://www.gardinerpolesystems.co.uk/acatalog/The-New-SLXII-NEWPOLES.html that the Gardiner clamps are "UK Designed & Manufactured for high quality and reliable construction".

Also our completed pole assemblies are 100% UK designed and currently have components from 6 different countries, 12 different factories and are all hand assembled in the UK.

[deeege]

I havnt been following the recent 'polegate' scandal very closely, have been far too busy spending time with my family over the festive period, but:-

Does anybody seriously think the WW is going to successfully set up a pole supply chain from china? Of course he isn't. Just like he didn't get the window cleaning app to market that was 'almost complete' for week after week.

With due respect to WW but who on earth is going to buy a £300 / £400 (?) pole from somebody when 1) they will be buying an untested product 2) there is no guarantee of continuity of supply 3) the savings will likely be marginal and 4) the unethical way that 'competitors' have been slated.

I am by no means a Gardiners fanboy, I'd happily buy quality, value for money products from any supplier who offers all of the above, I just don't see it being offered by WW anytime soon.

If I wanted to take a punt on saving a few quid I'd just buy a pole direct from china like Kempy did and save myself paying WW his commission in the process.

Happy new year to all!

[windiewasher]

I havnt been following the recent 'polegate' scandal very closely, have been far too busy spending time with my family over the festive period, but:-

Does anybody seriously think the WW is going to successfully set up a pole supply chain from china? Of course he isn't. Just like he didn't get the window cleaning app to market that was 'almost complete' for week after week.

With due respect to WW but who on earth is going to buy a £300 / £400 (?) pole from somebody when 1) they will be buying an untested product 2) there is no guarantee of continuity of supply 3) the savings will likely be marginal and 4) the unethical way that 'competitors' have been slated.

I am by no means a Gardiners fanboy, I'd happily buy quality, value for money products from any supplier who offers all of the above, I just don't see it being offered by WW anytime soon.

If I wanted to take a punt on saving a few quid I'd just buy a pole direct from china like Kempy did and save myself paying WW his commission in the process.

Happy new year to all!

Ive not seen other suppliers slated.All I said was it can be all bought from China.
Right I have had enough of all this as its getting so boring with everyone getting there knickers in a twist.
Happy new year everyone.

[David Kent @ KentKleen]

How did you know I was wearing knickers!!

[windiewasher]

How did you know I was wearing knickers!!

lol

[Dave Willis]

I've never been a retailer but even with my small brain there's a few things I'd have to get right first.

1. I'd need to source my product at the cheapest price possible (and protect the details of where I got them).
2. I'd need to factor in the postage costs including taxes/import duty
3. spares availability and warranty
4. lead time and storage facilities
5. Staff? outgoing postage
6. Income tax/vat
7. profit margin
8. competition

To sell it  it would need to be different/better than the competition to ask decent prices or cheaper than the equivalent which means selling in bulk.


To be honest, just cleaning windows has a lot of appeal for me

[♠Winp®oClean♠]

So, we can definitely assert that all poles DO NOT come from China then.

deeege- we know that, that's the joke!

[Nathanael Jones]

I've never been a retailer but even with my small brain there's a few things I'd have to get right first.

1. I'd need to source my product at the cheapest price possible (and protect the details of where I got them).
2. I'd need to factor in the postage costs including taxes/import duty
3. spares availability and warranty
4. lead time and storage facilities
5. Staff? outgoing postage
6. Income tax/vat
7. profit margin
8. competition

To sell it  it would need to be different/better than the competition to ask decent prices or cheaper than the equivalent which means selling in bulk.


To be honest, just cleaning windows has a lot of appeal for me

+1

There is also a HUGE hurdle with minimum order quantities from overseas suppliers, so you have to spend a small fortune on stock which you need to sell fast enough to maintain cashflow, pay your wage, cover warranty issues AND invest in future stock. I personally cannot see it being successful with an investment below 100K - even then there's no guarantees!

[♠Winp®oClean♠]

Just a thought- you aren't WindowWashers are you?? 

this time next year Rodney..................................

[tlwcs]

I've never been a retailer but even with my small brain there's a few things I'd have to get right first.

1. I'd need to source my product at the cheapest price possible (and protect the details of where I got them).
2. I'd need to factor in the postage costs including taxes/import duty
3. spares availability and warranty
4. lead time and storage facilities
5. Staff? outgoing postage
6. Income tax/vat
7. profit margin
8. competition

To sell it  it would need to be different/better than the competition to ask decent prices or cheaper than the equivalent which means selling in bulk.


To be honest, just cleaning windows has a lot of appeal for me

+1

There is also a HUGE hurdle with minimum order quantities from overseas suppliers, so you have to spend a small fortune on stock which you need to sell fast enough to maintain cashflow, pay your wage, cover warranty issues AND invest in future stock. I personally cannot see it being successful with an investment below 100K - even then there's no guarantees!

+2
Thats why the fog wash is no longer available due to the volume he was required to buy
Tony

[Mitchellmoxo]

I would probs buy from windywasher if the price was right.