|
|
|
A New Job Opportunity
HR Lady stared at me across the desk. She was trying to size me up, to understand what makes me tick. I had explained that I wanted to work for MegaCorp, and that I was the perfect person to fill a position that had not even been advertised.
...
Creative Visualization: How to Supercharge Your Goal Setting
Do you know the single best way to "supercharge" any goal setting program you use is through visualization?
What is visualization? And how do you do it for maximum goal achievement?
Actually, it's quite simple and something you do all the time....
Five Ways to Be More Generous Through Your Business
O ne of the themes for my New Year's resolutions from last
year was to become more generous. I was motivated by wanting to
break a general feeling of entrepreneurial financial anxiety, as
well as to begin fulfilling a childhood dream of becoming...
How Our Home Based Business Saved Us
If you had asked me two years before my wife and I began our home catering business whether I would consider being my own boss, I would have laughed out loud and scoffed at the idea. The company I worked for seemed to be doing well and I was...
Why Late Night Brainstorming Could Be E.S.P.
I’m sure at some point in your life; you have awaken from a dead sleep, scurried to your office or kitchen to grab a notepad and pen, and wrote down something inspirational.
You spent all day trying to come up with ideas, but nothing worth...
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
New Habits, Growing Economy Help To Sell Giftware And Collectibles
New Habits, Growing Economy Help to Sell Giftware and Collectibles
By Opal R. Gilbert
Just a few years ago, when one thought of a home-based sales business, Tupperware, Avon and a host of multi-level marketing schemes might have come to mind. Today, however, changing market conditions and evolving consumer habits have converged to make home-based selling businesses a realistic opportunity with real profit potential.
This is especially true in the world of collectibles and giftware. In years past, collectors—who are among the most discerning shoppers—had few avenues for conveniently finding and then purchasing the items they were seeking. They would have to visit specialty shops and expensive boutiques. They often waited for the right specialty event or show, and then would drive many miles to attend so they could look for that exceptional piece. With Internet retail sites, online auctions, and a growing body of home-based entrepreneurs, these shoppers now are able to take advantage of many new resources.
For those considering home-based businesses, there are many avenues. There are franchises, partnerships and other business relationships that involve other people. Many of these require an investment in someone else’s business, and unfortunately, many of them turn out to be scams. For those looking to sell collectibles and giftware from home, the only investment that is made is in that person’s own business. The start-up costs depend on how much inventory the entrepreneur can afford to have at first.
With our economy poised for what some economists are calling a potentially unprecedented recovery, those searching for high-quality collectibles and giftware will have more money to spend on those items they cherish, and they will be looking for convenient and inexpensive ways to collect them. Selection, price and superior customer service will differentiate the successful entrepreneurs in this area.
Collectibles and giftware are sold by home-based entrepreneurs using several marketing programs: retail sites on the Internet, online auctions such as eBay and others, swaps and flea markets, mail-order, catalogs and in-home parties. Some people sell collectibles and giftware for supplemental income, and some make a business of it. Either way, selling collectibles and giftware is a proven way to immediately improve cash flow. Collectibles and giftware are also often sold or auctioned to raise funds for nonprofit organizations.
Entrepreneurs often get into the business of selling collectibles and giftware in stages by setting up a small Internet retail site, or attending flea markets on the weekend, or putting a few items up occasionally at an online auction site. Because the profit margin in selling these items can be great, in many cases these people soon “quit their day jobs” to sell collectibles and giftware full time.
Dee Sponsler of Mt. Shasta City, Calif., has been selling collectibles and giftware for more than 20 years to supplement her income. “In the flea markets, people who do this always have a love of it,” she said. “They’re always in search of the Holy Grail, and they’re selling all of their little treasures on the way to their search for the Holy Grail. That’s the way I look at it. It’s like being on a treasure hunt all of the time, whether you’re buying or selling, and it’s fun.” She also has another goal in mind soon for her sales. She plans to “gear up for retirement” by selling collectibles and giftware to build a nest egg.
As we stated before, collectibles and giftware shoppers generally know what they’re looking for and they now have many more options for finding what they want. Entrepreneurs who want to succeed need to do four things:
Stand out from the crowd by selling the types of collectibles giftware that people are buying.
Offer some exclusive items that cannot be found anywhere else or that cannot be found easily.
Be a
resource for your customers.
Keep prices low.
Home-based sellers of collectibles and giftware need to keep on top of what their customers are buying so they can stand out by selling popular items. Tastes and trends in collectibles change over time, so these entrepreneurs need to do their homework, using research tools such as the Internet and keeping a close eye on the competition. We offer more than 3,000 items on our retail Internet site, and specialize in collectibles that are known for their high-quality, including items from Celebrate America, Shabby Chic Elegance, Ebony and African Heritage, Far Eastern Treasures, American Heritage, African American Legacy collections. We also offer exquisite doll collections, safari patchwork, extensive collections of fragrance and candles, and toys galore.
Offering exclusive or hard-to-find items is another way to stand out in the collectibles and giftware world. We are constantly looking for such items for our retail and wholesale customers so we can differentiate ourselves from our competition. We offer an exclusive line of inspirational items called, “Divine Inspiration,” which is growing and has become popular with collectors. Entrepreneurs should keep in mind that collectibles encompass a mind-boggling number of items, since the term refers to anything that people might collect. Often, specializing in a certain type of item can be profitable if there is a large enough demand and there are few sources for the item.
Even with all of the technological tools at their disposal today, collectors still have trouble finding an item that they desire. Some collectors may not be Internet-savvy, or may not be familiar with sources in their areas. The more adept that home-based sellers of collectibles and giftware become at finding specific items for customers, the more they will be relied on as a resource, and the more customer loyalty they will develop.
Even if an entrepreneur does provide all of this added value to the customer, prices should be kept low. Customer loyalty can quickly turn if they realize that the items of a certain seller are obviously overpriced. The profit margin for collectibles and giftware is generally high, so prices can be kept low while the profit margin can remain relatively high for the seller. Keeping prices low will help the collectibles and giftware seller attract many more customers.
One of the best aspects of selling collectibles and giftware is that it is a year-round business, unlike the huge seasonal highs and lows seen in other retail areas. At the same time, the Christmas, Mother’s Day and Valentine’s Day shopping seasons always bring a big boost to the collectibles and giftware business.
Selling collectibles and giftware can be a rewarding home-based business in which the entrepreneurs are truly their own bosses. Because of the changing habits of collectors and the impending economic upturn, selling collectibles and giftware is perhaps one of the brightest opportunities in the world of home-based businesses today.
Opal R. Gilbert is the President of O.R. Gilbert Enterprises. She operates Global Specialty Gifts, which is her own online and catalog retail and wholesale business, specializing in gift items and collectibles. Global Specialty Gifts may be found online at www.globalspecialtygifts.net. Sub-wholesalers may purchase items there at below-wholesale prices. For more information, contact Opal R. Gilbert directly at (212) 685-1729, toll free at (888) 241-3267 or by fax at (212) 686-1742. Email: lendingog@aol.com
About the Author
Opal Gilbert is the author of "New Habits, Growing Economy Help To Sell Giftware And Collectibles". She is the President Of O.R. Gilbert Enterprises.
She operates Global Specialty Gifts, an online catalog and wholesale business specializing in gift items and collecibles. Visit the website at:
http://www.globalspecialtygifts.net
Email To: lendingog@aol.com
|
|
|
|
|
| Afterhours Inspirational Stories |
| Collection of inspirational and motivational stories, poems, parables, and jokes. |
| www.inspirationalstories.com |
|
| inspirational |
| mamarocks.com. Inspirational. Google · What Would You Do · An Angel For You · Angels · Amazing Grace · In The Valley · Deck Of Cards ... |
| www.mamarocks.com |
|
| INSPIRATIONAL FLASH MOVIES |
| LATEST MOVIES. Let there be Peace (30 Nov 06) Life on the Train (4 Nov 06) I'm Alive (20 Oct 06) Sea of Life (9 Oct 06) ... |
| www.inspiringthots.net |
|
| Inspirational - An Angelina Jolie Fan Site |
| http://www.makepovertyhistory.org. Would you like to receive free update notices in your e-mail? Then please join the mailing list below! Beowulf Filming ... |
| angelinaj.net |
|
| Quotable quotes, famous sayings, motivational stories ... |
| Welcome to the Motivational and Inspirational Corner, where the winning begins. Check out the Power Performance Program © - America's System for Success. |
| www.motivational-inspirational-corner.com |
|
| INSP - The Inspiration Network |
| Ministry Resources. Daily Devotional · Convoy of Hope · Inspirational Mall · Stewardship And Planned Giving. Additional Resources ... |
| www.insp.com |
|
| Motivational and Inspirational Quotes |
| A collection of inspirational quotes on topics including success, life, leadership, teachers and more. |
| www.inspirational-quotes.info |
|
| Inspiring Quotes to move and inspire you |
| Quotes to move you towards fulfillment - helping yourself and helping others. |
| www.heartsandminds.org |
|
| Inspirational Messages, Poems, Stories, Humor, Cartoons, Quotes |
| Christian poems and Inspirational poems, stories, messages, humor, cartoons, quotes. Over 3000 Inspirational and Christian pages, new daily content, ... |
| www.skywriting.net |
|
| The page of Inspirational Poems and Stories |
| Your web browser is NOT capable of playing Music. Subscribe to Mr. Mom's Mailing List for updates, Inspirational poems and stories Click Here ... |
| mrmom.amaonline.com |
|
| Star Trek Inspirational Posters |
| BASED ON THOSE DELIGHTFUL INSPIRATIONAL POSTERS WHICH HAVE BECOME A FIXTURE OF DENTIST'S OFFICES EVERYWHERE. Terms of use: You're welcome to save these ... |
| echosphere.net |
|
| GoodQuotes.com - Funny and Inspirational Quotes |
| GoodQuotes.com lists thousands of funny and inspirational quotes: bumper stickers, proverbs, funny thoughts, silly quotes, Murphy's laws, gravestones, ... |
| www.goodquotes.com |
|
| Motivational Posters at AllPosters.com |
| Motivational Posters at AllPosters.com. Choose from over 300000 posters and prints. Professional custom framing available. |
| www.allposters.com |
|
| Inspiration Peak: Inspirational Quotes, Poetry and Short Stories |
| A beautiful collection of inspirational quotes, poetry and short stories. Updated weekly with a new inspirational message. |
| www.inspirationpeak.com |
|
| DaySpring Christian E-Cards |
| Free Christian E-Cards | Christian Gifts & Products | Inspirational Movies | Find a Store | Contact Us | Job Openings | FAQ | Site Map | ... |
| www.dayspring.com |
|
| Inspirational Fiction |
| Please note: The books listed here cover a wide variety of genres and types, from traditional inspirational fiction authors such as June Masters Bacher and ... |
| www.ci.irving.tx.us |
|
| Inspirational Christian Poems and Stories |
| Inspirational poems and stories with photos and art which seeks to help Christians in their walk of faith. |
| www.promiseofgod.com |
|
|