starting a catalogue

[domino]

I would like some advice on starting my own catalogue please.

I know i need a good wholesaler who can deliver to the customer directly
but i want to buy at cost price not some reduced retail price, i have looked
on the web but cant define good wholesalers from scams and bad wholesalers.
Can anyone help?

Does anyone know any sites that are safe and will deliver direct to customers
and any advice on starting a catalogue would be most appreciated thank you.

[fisicx]

What do you mean by a catalogue? Are you hoping to produce something like the argos catalogue or the next directory?

[domino]

Obviously not on that scale but a small independent catalogue say in the line of nightwear or clothing of some description not sure what yet i am just checking my options at the moment..............

[fisicx]

Gosh! Somebody not relying on a website for a change!

Finding the wholesaler shouldn't be a problem - have you looked here for help: http://dropshipforum.co.uk

The problem you are going to have is attracting customers. Are you going to pay someone to trudge round every house in your town delivering catalogues, or are you going to shell out thousands of pounds to get some newspaper/magazine adverts?

I'm not saying your idea won't work but I know people who work for avon or bettaware who actually make very little profit - they spend hours and hours drumming up new custom, it's far easier for someone to go online and order anything they want from a huge number of online catalogues. As an example, I use the argos catalogue to look for something then either go online or pop into my local store to get it. I don't actually order anything from a catalogue anymore.

Another issue is your catalogue costs. You are going to have to pay someone to take the pictures, write the descriptions, format the pages then print, bind and distribute the thing. It's not going to be cheap. And you are going to have to produce a new catalogue every couple of months to keep your existing customers happy.

It's a great idea, but not cheap.

[domino]

Of cause your right money is an issue but this is the way i see it.

I know there are wholesalers out there that have already taken pictures of there
items which they allow you to use in a publication either on the web or in a
magazine so picture issue not a problem putting an ad in a local paper say about
A4 size will limit the amount of catalogues i have to print or even direct them to
a web page to order the catalogue or even phone to make an order if i use a
premium phone number that should cover some costs for printing.

What do you think or am i on a wild goose chase because this is my first time of
doing this?

PS. i live in a big city so have a lot of people to hit in a local paper...........
if i start small and grow as the business grows..............