Online Merchants

[houseboy]

Napapansin ko, ala pang ganitong thread sa TF pero maraming members ang online merchants dito.

Online merchants, any pointers?

Net traders, unite!!!;)

Baka meron kayong matulungan na makapagpatayo ng kanyang sariling business.:cool:

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Paging MAKULIT san............ PC Builder Sam................. ...;)

[amir]

I am not sure what the TF Members involve in business already using E-currencies, I am using it for my online bussiness ventures, w/ Merchant the high fees, charge backs, long time of processing/receiving clear payments, etc, are some of negative aspects unlike E-currencies no chargeback and realtime transactions, in minutes your deal is done.

Napapansin ko, ala pang ganitong thread sa TF pero maraming members ang online merchants dito.

Online merchants, any pointers?

Net traders, unite!!!;)

Baka meron kayong matulungan na makapagpatayo ng kanyang sariling business.:cool:

-----------------------------

Paging MAKULIT san............ PC Builder Sam................. ...;)

[d_southpaw]

Houseboy-san, I think the short answer to your question is online merchandising has a big similarity with the typical merchandising. One has to have ① the product/services/ideas/information to sell, and ② can sell it.

The first one is the more important. Ang maghanap o mag-develop ng something na kailangan at magugustuhan ng target market.

If you are referring to selling here in Japan, to the Japanese customers, the second requirement - can sell it - will require that one is Japanese language capable - reading/writing/speaking; particularly for 'individual' businesses. Yong medyo malalaki, pwede silang mag-hire ng Japanese employees.

Mediums to sell: iba-iba. Pwede sa Yahoo Japan Auction, may yahoo jp stores rin, o sa mga online marketplace (ichiba) like Rakuten. Kung talagang sellable yong product, kahit siguro magtayo ng sariling online shop (own website) pwede.

The question boils down to what we can sell. ie: Filipino products/ideas/services that the Japanese want and need, na hindi pa nakukuha ng mga existing companies

The long answer will probably take lots of time to discuss, and someone with the knowledge (which is not me :D ) I think there are books around that put together ideas how to do it. Book-Off is a good place to start looking for one, for those who want to learn doing online business here.

[houseboy]

Houseboy-san, I think the short answer to your question is online merchandising has a big similarity with the typical merchandising. One has to have ① the product/services/ideas/information to sell, and ② can sell it.

The first one is the more important. Ang maghanap o mag-develop ng something na kailangan at magugustuhan ng target market.

If you are referring to selling here in Japan, to the Japanese customers, the second requirement - can sell it - will require that one is Japanese language capable - reading/writing/speaking; particularly for 'individual' businesses. Yong medyo malalaki, pwede silang mag-hire ng Japanese employees........... .................... ...............

Thanks for the nice input, Southpaw san.

How about eBay merchants here? I was once an eBay merchant, but just a "small time" seller.

Do you collect your "sales" online?

Inputs are welcome here.;)

[makulit]

hi houseboy.

u need to have the idea and the guts to make the idea a reality. first do some research. figure out what products/services that you think will appeal to the public. consult JETRO, there are consultant who speaks english will answer all your why's and how's.

then you decide if you really want to do business. think if you will need to be a koujin jigyoubu or yugen kaisha. register the business and at the same time scout for your suppliers. if you are into selling clothes or any items, it is suggested that you go and visit your supplier first and see their setup, see if they can be trusted.

you can opt to be a merchant at yahoo shopping or rakuten. this is good for business cause you will have exposure to japanese consumers and are trusted sites. however, if you have limited financial resources, this wouldnt be a good idea specially if you cant speak and write japanese as you will need to hire japanese employee to handle these tasks. to become a merchant of yahoo and rakuten is costly and is paid monthly, but they require deposit/advance payment and contract is yearly basis.

in case you have limited financial resources, you can build your own site if you are able and target the foreign community. start from there and take baby steps at a time. if you can not make your own site, look for free online store system which you can tweak here and there to fit your requirement.

i hope i have given useful information.

[d_southpaw]

Thanks for the nice input, Southpaw san.

How about eBay merchants here? I was once an eBay merchant, but just a "small time" seller.
Do you collect your "sales" online?
Inputs are welcome here.;)

As what you have already done and know, I think ebay is also 'doable' as medium to sell products. In that case, I guess that the main products to sell are Japanese made ones, for those amongst us who live here in Japan. If there are unique products made by small companies, or perhaps individuals within your reach, those can be attractive to ebay buyers worldwide. Yong mga known products, they are already being handled by larger trading companies.

The challenges in doing side business in ebay:
1/ listing fee is expensive
2/ charges (on a sold listing) is also high
3/ shipping from Japan to the buyer, who is most probably someplace else,
is not cheap either. that will add up to you listing price
4/ moving your money from paypal for instance will also mean
high charges and you will incur currency exchange loss, which
again will add up to your cost also.
5/ even if you have a unique product, someone else can easily sell it too.
true for any business, those done online specially. so you have to move
quick.
6/ paypal charges is high

From the 'potential' perspective, at ebay, you have a larger potential market. worldwide.
Kaya pag nakakita ka ng niche product, magandang side business siguro.

Receiving payment? I guess it is always good to be able to receive payment too thru the most convenient method - ie: paypal.... IPMO (International Postal Money Order) or check can also be used but it takes time to complete the transaction.

My dalawang singko :)

[houseboy]

As what you have already done and know, I think ebay is also 'doable' as medium to sell products. In that case, I guess that the main products to sell are Japanese made ones, for those amongst us who live here in Japan. If there are unique products made by small companies, or perhaps individuals within your reach, those can be attractive to ebay buyers worldwide. Yong mga known products, they are already being handled by larger trading companies.

The challenges in doing side business in ebay:
1/ listing fee is expensive
2/ charges (on a sold listing) is also high
3/ shipping from Japan to the buyer, who is most probably someplace else,
is not cheap either. that will add up to you listing price
4/ moving your money from paypal for instance will also mean
high charges and you will incur currency exchange loss, which
again will add up to your cost also.
5/ even if you have a unique product, someone else can easily sell it too.
true for any business, those done online specially. so you have to move
quick.
6/ paypal charges is high

From the 'potential' perspective, at ebay, you have a larger potential market. worldwide.
Kaya pag nakakita ka ng niche product, magandang side business siguro.

Receiving payment? I guess it is always good to be able to receive payment too thru the most convenient method - ie: paypal.... IPMO (International Postal Money Order) or check can also be used but it takes time to complete the transaction.

My dalawang singko :)

Nice pointers there, Southpaw san.

Paypal fee is "shoganai". Are there any alternatives to Paypal? Worst thing about Paypal is they will not increase your sending limit if you are not a verified member. You can lift the sending limit if you have a credit card (from Japan); chances of getting a credit card here in Japan is very low thus lifting this limit is near zero.:p

[houseboy]

in case you have limited financial resources, you can build your own site if you are able and target the foreign community. start from there and take baby steps at a time. if you can not make your own site, look for free online store system which you can tweak here and there to fit your requirement.

i hope i have given useful information.



Makulit san, thanks!

I followed the link in your signature. Very nice site! Hope you can help us by giving pointers on how to start your own e-business.;)

[TR250]

Maraming klase o style ng net biz at dipende sa ibinebenta. Sa akin ay Nasa vehicle biz ako at matagal ko nang nakita at ginamit ang net para sa negosyo at masasabi kong OK din naman. Isa dito ay yung pakikipagpalitan ko ng e-mails sa mga buyers na nagtatanong tungkol sa mga sasakyan at pag nagkasundo kami ay tuloy ang deal (na matatawag kong isang klase ng net biz). Araw-araw din akong tumitingin sa mga dealers auc through the net bagamat pumupunta talaga ako sa mga auc sites dahil iba ang net at iba ang nakikita ko ng personal ang mga binibili ko. Sa Yahoo Auc ay matagal na rin akong bumibili o naghahanap ng mga paninda pero kadalasan ay ako ang nagtitinda. Mga used vehicle parts, mga audios, navigation system, gulong, engines, damaged vehicles at mga buong sasakyan. Hindi lang sa dealers auc ako kumukuha ng mga paninda kundi sa mga kakilala ko ring car shops at mga shita dori shya na galing sa mga pinagbentahan ko ng mas bagong units. Karamihan dito ay inilalagay ko rin sa net auc pag hindi ko maibenta sa direct customer o hindi ko mai-export.

Di katulad ng iba na wala akong paypal at ang ginagamit ko ay banko pero mas prefered ko ang kaliwaan (punta ang buyer sa akin, bayad siya, bigay ko kotse at papeles, bye-bye). Hindi naman kasi kasya sa box ang karamihan sa mga binebenta ko at kadalasan ay kailangan ng malaking crane truck para sa pick-up kaya kadalasan ay pumupunta yung nanalo sa bidding para sa pick-up. Yung mga maliliit naman ay through kuroneko or ems at pag maliliit na piyesa for export ay ems ang gamit ko. Hindi ako gumagamit ng paypal at net bank at banko lang ang gamit ko. Ilang beses ng nag request ang buyer ng paypal daw ang gamitin ko dahil yun daw ang prefered nila pero medyo iba ang ugali ko na ayoko ng pinapaikot ako kaya no deal. Ang ayoko ay ayoko... period!

Ang style ko parati ay pag natanggap ko ang full payment ay duon ko lang pinapadala ang mga naibenta pero pag kotse ay kaliwaan nga ang kadalasan. Galit din ako sa mga nambabarat na pagkatapos makipaglabanan sa bidding ay babaratin ako dahil daming arte ay pinapauwi ko ng emty handed at pag nainis ako ay baka may sipa pa silang abutin sa akin.

Hindi lahat ay good experience ang naranasan ko sa net biz at meroon diyang manggagancho, mautak, window shoppers na walang pera na uubusin ang panahon sa kakatanong. Hindi ko pinapansin ang mga ganitong customers. Meroon namang iibahin ang usapan at papatakbuhin para sa kanilang pabor EX: meroon kumontak sa akin galing sa ibang bansa para sa ilang units. Sabi ko ay 100% full payment lang ako pero iniba ang usapan nung halos ready na ang mga units kaya sinabi ko sa kanyang go fk yourself... Ang isa ko pang style ay no claim, no return at meroon ding nag rereklamo pagkatapos ng deal ay sinasabihan ko rin ng go fk yourself... minsan nga lang ay talagang malas na unexpectedly palpak yung ibinenta ko bagamat nilagay ko ang lahat ng datas/infos/pics pero nagkamali ako sa ilang infos. Yun ay tinatanggap ko ang reklamo at pinapalitan ko ng mas mahusay na unit o dikaya ay full payment return para wala siyang masabi.

Sa tagal ko sa net biz ay marami na rin akong naging regular customer na diretso na sa akin at parating nakabantay sa mga binebenta ko. Meroon din mga nakilala mula sa net na ngayon ay naging katropa na. Ang masaya lang sa net biz ay dumami talaga ang mga kakilala ko at maski mula sa malalayong lugar ay nagkaroon ako ng koneksyon. Syempre all over Jpn at all over the globe. Ganyan kasaya ang net biz. Basta may mahusay kang produkto ay sigurado naman akong may katapat itong buyer. Tatandaan mo na hindi lahat ng produkto ay naibebenta. Kailangang handa ka rito. Kung kapareho ko naman ang babalakin mong pasukan ay mahusay na magaling ka sa makina at well connected ka dahil iba medyo iba ang style ng vehicle biz. Karamihan sa mga nakikilala ko ay mga "yaro" kaya di pwede ang lalambot-lambot. Syempre ang pinaka importante ay mahusay ka sa linguahe nila dahil sa napansin ko na marami sa naging buyers ko ay hindi foreigner friendly. Isa pang napansin ko na pag nakahalata ang buyer na atat kang makapagbenta ay babaratin ka. Huwag na huwag ipapakita sa buyer na bimbo kusai... akala ng karamihan sa mga buyers ko ay naglalaro lang ako dahil bagamat nagbebenta ako ng mga sasakyan ay puros laruan ko ang inaatupag ko (race bikes) at di ako atat sa pagbebenta. Syempre ang nakakaalam lang talaga ng sitwasyon ko ay yung malalapit na katropa ko at alam nilang kung gaano kahirap at kung gaano kabagal ang negosyo.

Tulad ng marami ay naghahanap pa rin ako ng mas malakas na produktong maibebenta at mga bagong style na pwedeng pagkakitaan. Yan ang masarap sa negosyo dahil araw-araw ay bagong challenge. You win some, you loose some... na talagang nakaka addict pero kadalasan din ay gusto ko na ring iumpog ang ulo ko sa pader...

Tatandaan mo sana na madaling kumita ng 10000Yen pag ang puhunan mo ay 1000000Yen pero mahirap pakitain ng 100000 Yen pag ang puhunan mo ay 10000Yen. Mahirap pumasok sa negosyo na wala kang suberidome. Mahirap magbenta ng one time good deal at ang pinakamatigas ay small profit pero regular. Siguro ang sinasabi ko ay hindi lang para sa net biz kundi sa anumang negosyo rin. Ang golden rule ay: how to get a good/popular at the cheapest price possible dahil sigurado ka na walang talo. Ang pinaka kalaban ng ano pa mang biz ay katamaran, walang guts, walang puhunan, at kabobohan. Syempre andiyan nga talaga ang malas pero naandiyan din naman ang swerte diba.

Parati akong patingin-tingin at pag nakakita akong opurtunidad ay mabilis pa ako sa mabilis kung kumilos... time is cash ika nga!

[houseboy]

Wow, salamat sa tip TR250 san!!!

Pareho nga kayo ng sinasabi ni Makulit san, kailangan ng guts.

So kung bank to bank ang transaction ninyo, ang customer na ang bahala sa transaction fee or ibabawas pa rin niya yun sa final price?

Sa eBay kasi, or Paypal, ang merchant ang mababawasan ng kita.:mad:

[makulit]

Wow, salamat sa tip TR250 san!!!

So kung bank to bank ang transaction ninyo, ang customer na ang bahala sa transaction fee or ibabawas pa rin niya yun sa final price?

Sa eBay kasi, or Paypal, ang merchant ang mababawasan ng kita.:mad:

bank to bank transaction, bahala ang customer sa bank charges (furikomi fees). regarding paypal, i have dealt with some people in china who charges 5% processing fee. and am okey with it kasi mas maliit pa rin compared naman sa telegraphic transfer fees.

as long as you dont use the term surcharge or claim that paypal charges you some money for accepting payment via paypal, its legal :D

[TR250]

Wow, salamat sa tip TR250 san!!!

Pareho nga kayo ng sinasabi ni Makulit san, kailangan ng guts.

So kung bank to bank ang transaction ninyo, ang customer na ang bahala sa transaction fee or ibabawas pa rin niya yun sa final price?

Sa eBay kasi, or Paypal, ang merchant ang mababawasan ng kita.:mad:

Sa Yahoo ay hindi ako nagbebenta ng pang international kaya hanggang dito lang sa loob ng Japan. Pag maliliit ang produkto (small parts like head lights, ECU, audio, navis, pati na rin bonnet, bumper, tail gate, doors, engine, gear box, via kuroneko, sagawa, postal service...) ay net bank o bank to bank. Pag sasakyan (kotse, truck, motorsiklo, jet skies, power shovel, etc. ay via car transport, sakanila ang pick-up, o ako ang magde-deliver) ay kadalasan ay kaliwaan.

Pag export naman ay bank to bank only pero ilang beses na rin kaliwaan lalu na't pag naandirito ang kausap. Syempre 100% or no deal. Natural na lahat ay ang buyer ang magbabayad at pag napagkasunduang EX: 500000Yen ay 500000Yen ang dapat kong matanggap walang kulang (pero pwedeng lumabis na kadalasang nangyayari at idadagdag na lang para sa susunod na unit) Sagot nila ang lahat ng bank fees mula sa kanilang banko hanggang sa fees ng bankong ginagamit ko. Yan ang rule namin. Paminsan-minsan ay may mga order na maliliit na piyesa na ipinapadala ko via EMS pero ganuon din ang sistema EX: 40000Yen Subaru ECU, sagot niya ang lahat ng bank fees at postal fees kaya malamang ang 40000Yen niya ay mahigit sa 60000Yen ang gagastusin niya pag idadagdag ang bank fees at EMS. Karamihan naman sa mga buyer ko sa net na galing sa ibang bansa ay through shokai ng katropa kaya't siguradong pro din siya. Medyo ilag ako sa hindi pro dahil daming computation at gusto pa akong pag bukasin ng paypal... eh ayoko! Kung ayaw niya sa transfer fee ay bahala na sila... Minsan naman ay kaliwaan dahil paminsan-minsan ay paumapasyal din dito yung buyer na nakilala ko sa net.

[d_southpaw]

Nice pointers there, Southpaw san.
Paypal fee is "shoganai". Are there any alternatives to Paypal? Worst thing about Paypal is they will not increase your sending limit if you are not a verified member. You can lift the sending limit if you have a credit card (from Japan); chances of getting a credit card here in Japan is very low thus lifting this limit is near zero.:p

For the case of doing business thru ebay, I am not aware of alternatives that may be as convenient and safe as paypal. Isa pa, ebay ang owner ng paypal kaya talagang papadaliin nila ang paggamit ng paypal for ebay transactions, at gagawa sila ng kung anu-anong sistema para maprotektahan yong mga legitimate na nag-e-ebay.

Marami ring mga cases na madaling kumuha ng credit card. Recent trend nga, ang daming stores na tina-tie -up yong sariling cards nila sa mga credit card companies kagaya ng mga video rental shops, electronic shops, gasoline stand etc...

[Firipinjin]

You can lift the sending limit if you have a credit card (from Japan); chances of getting a credit card here in Japan is very low thus lifting this limit is near zero.:p

I will disagree with you on this. Most banks now offer all-in-one bank cards (i.e. cash card+credit card+point card). If you simply open an account with the bigger banks (e.g. Mitsubishi UFJ, Mizuho, Sumitomo, etc.) it comes with the all-in-one ATM IC card. I just recently opened a new account with Mizuho and they gave me the Mizuho Mileage club card with my account. It looks like this:

http://www.mizuhobank.co.jp/mmc/card/img/index_m03.gif

[houseboy]

Sir, good to hear na madali kayo nakakuha ng credit card dito. Subukan ko po mag apply sa mga cards na naka tie up sa mga specialty stores, etc.

Hindi kaya nasa laki ng deposit yun Sir? Or sa length ng stay? Sinusubukan ko nga mag apply sa joint cards ng Post Office. Sana ay ma approve ako para naman maging ok kung sakali mang gusto ko na maging legitimate ang aking Paypal membership.


I will disagree with you on this. Most banks now offer all-in-one bank cards (i.e. cash card+credit card+point card). If you simply open an account with the bigger banks (e.g. Mitsubishi UFJ, Mizuho, Sumitomo, etc.) it comes with the all-in-one ATM IC card. I just recently opened a new account with Mizuho and they gave me the Mizuho Mileage club card with my account. It looks like this:

http://www.mizuhobank.co.jp/mmc/card/img/index_m03.gif

[syd101]

Good day po sa lahat:)

Bukod po sa mga vehicle parts ano pa po ang iba nyong binebenta? Baka naman po may alam kayong pwedeng kuhanan ng mga circuit breaker dito sa Japan, kahit po mga kilowatthour meter and other electrical products na pwede pong mabenta sa Pinas. Kung may alam po kayo, PM nyo po ako or email nyo po ako. Salamat po
karen_kyan_syd@yahoo .com:)

[lakambini]

gusto ko po sanang magbukas ng online retail store. maalam naman po ako sa business pero hindi po gaano sa web. medyo kumuha lang po ako ng knowledge sa mga articles lang din na nabasa ko po sa internet.

gusto ko po sanang makahingi ng advice sa mga batikan na negosyante na dito sa timog. plan ko po is to go live by january.

meron po akong ilang mga bagay na inaasahan sa business, syempre positibo naman po ang pananaw ko. pero gusto ko rin pong makirinig ng mga first hand experiences mula sa mga ka-timog natin tungkol sa mga advantages and disadvantages ng online retail store.

salamat po :)