2012 Business Plan.

[tec0]

Hi Tec0 - with due diligence and good QC procedures, this can be alleviated quite well. If your suppliers know from day 1 that they will be inspected DUPRO or pre-shipment, the quality standards can be raised naturally. Add to that if you add in your contracts that failed quality inspections will lead to rejected shipments (and re-inspection fees on suppliers account), things can be quite positive.

Rgds,
Max

Now this I like a lot… Really a brilliant way to insure quality

[Blurock]

Welcome to TFSA Nilu

[Blurock]

If you are buying an imported product from a local middle man, then importing yourself may be an option.

There are many pitfalls though; getting a trusted supplier, exchange rates, reputable and efficient shipping company etc. The most daunting is the impact on cash flow, having to pay 30% on order and the balance on FOB. Then wait 3 weeks for the ship to arrive before you can sell on 30 day terms. You need really big pockets!

You may consider trade finance, but it can be very costly if your volumes are small.

[wynn]

It will require some admin but what if a few independant users like yourself formed a co-op to buy these items like the farmers did to break the monopoly of certain suppliers in the old days.

You can start by all buying from one local importer and when the numbers allow you can import directly.

I know it will be like trying to get a shoal of mullet to stay in one place but if you get it right the original members will benefit enormously.