Opening an online supplement store?

_Underdog_ · 02-13-2006, 01:17 AM

Hey. I was wondering if the online store reps or owners who support IRONMASS could tell me what I could expect or need to do if I were to open an online supplements/bodybuilding equip't store?

I don't know about the majority of you Canadians (or other internationals) but I'm kinda tired when i'm ordering a really good product in the states at a price that's really really tough to beat, here in Canada, but then having to wait 2-3 weeks for it to arrive. I mean, I expect my products to arrive at my door to what the online store says: 2-3 days. I want to accomplish this, not for myself, but for everyone else as well.

So to sum up into a nice short question, what do I need to do?

:nosthumbs:

DarkFalcon · 02-13-2006, 01:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by _Underdog_

Hey. I was wondering if the online store reps or owners who support IRONMASS could tell me what I could expect or need to do if I were to open an online supplements/bodybuilding equip't store?

I don't know about the majority of you Canadians (or other internationals) but I'm kinda tired when i'm ordering a really good product in the states at a price that's really really tough to beat, here in Canada, but then having to wait 2-3 weeks for it to arrive. I mean, I expect my products to arrive at my door to what the online store says: 2-3 days. I want to accomplish this, not for myself, but for everyone else as well.

So to sum up into a nice short question, what do I need to do?

:nosthumbs:

Cool get a great online Canadian store with matching prices and I'll buy from you. :yes:

**Sholiz** · 02-13-2006, 01:34 AM

Find a wholesaler, register as a business, exempt yourself from legal implications, get some bulk boxes for shipping ...

It takes a LOT of money to start, especially with having to invest in the products out of your own pocket (or investors). Advertising will cost 'ya aswell ... in the end, it's all worth it and usually would be pretty profitable. But from a starting position, it's a long journey to heavy profitability.

_Underdog_ · 02-13-2006, 02:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sholiz

Find a wholesaler, register as a business, exempt yourself from legal implications, get some bulk boxes for shipping ...

It takes a LOT of money to start, especially with having to invest in the products out of your own pocket (or investors). Advertising will cost 'ya aswell ... in the end, it's all worth it and usually would be pretty profitable. But from a starting position, it's a long journey to heavy profitability.

Yeah I'm aware of that. But no worries, I won't be going solo into this project but with a group of others. Not exactly as dedicated as I am but with various abilities and skills that I think is essential. Money is an issue right now but I'm looking at this at a long-term perspective. Thanks for your reply.

Trick D · 02-13-2006, 04:07 AM

Yeah, I would say that opening a store in the US would be death. I know little about the Canadian market other than it takes forever for things to arrive. The US market is past saturation.

matpal · 02-16-2006, 05:26 PM

Capital, Capital, capital. You'll need cash to get started unless you have a great hook that other Canadian stores do not. Find yourself a Canadian Distributor (I do not know of any) and get in good with them so they'll ship you 1'a and 2's of things instead of cases to save cash. Hire an attorney and tax specialist to save yourself headaches down the road. Trust me on that. See what has worked for other people and impliment what you can of that, improving when possibel and/or neccessary.

**Grunt76** · 02-17-2006, 12:01 AM

I have studied this question and discovered that the amount of capital required to make a Canadian operation profitable is pretty damn high. I dropped the idea altogether. Although if you have $50,000 to invest, it can be done.

**Peaked_18** · 02-17-2006, 12:10 AM

Ask Lee Hayward, he runs a Canadian supplement store.

_Underdog_ · 02-17-2006, 02:08 AM

I appreciate all your help to all who posted. I've gathered myself a team and we're starting to calculate all the costs. We'll continue to strive onwards towards an online supplement store that will offer the lowest prices in Canada with guaranteed on-time and low-cost shipping.

So again, thanks.

02-13-2006, 01:17 AM	#1
_Underdog_ Pro Stature Join Date: May 2005 Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba Posts: 262 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 6	Opening an online supplement store? Hey. I was wondering if the online store reps or owners who support IRONMASS could tell me what I could expect or need to do if I were to open an online supplements/bodybuilding equip't store? I don't know about the majority of you Canadians (or other internationals) but I'm kinda tired when i'm ordering a really good product in the states at a price that's really really tough to beat, here in Canada, but then having to wait 2-3 weeks for it to arrive. I mean, I expect my products to arrive at my door to what the online store says: 2-3 days. I want to accomplish this, not for myself, but for everyone else as well. So to sum up into a nice short question, what do I need to do? :nosthumbs: __________________ Current lifts / My goals (end of August): Squat - 135 / 215+ Bench - 130 / 160+ Barbell Rows - 105 / 150+ Deadlift - 235 / 300+ So I’ll stand with arms high and heart abandoned, in awe of the One who gave it all. I’ll stand, my soul Lord to You surrendered, all I am is Yours.

02-13-2006, 01:34 AM	#3
Sholiz Soldier In Progress Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Michigan Posts: 3,431 Recipes: 3 Rep Power: 230	Find a wholesaler, register as a business, exempt yourself from legal implications, get some bulk boxes for shipping ... It takes a LOT of money to start, especially with having to invest in the products out of your own pocket (or investors). Advertising will cost 'ya aswell ... in the end, it's all worth it and usually would be pretty profitable. But from a starting position, it's a long journey to heavy profitability. __________________ You hear me before you see me, I got King Kong in the trunk

02-16-2006, 05:26 PM	#6
matpal Pro Stature Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 149 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 5	Capital, Capital, capital. You'll need cash to get started unless you have a great hook that other Canadian stores do not. Find yourself a Canadian Distributor (I do not know of any) and get in good with them so they'll ship you 1'a and 2's of things instead of cases to save cash. Hire an attorney and tax specialist to save yourself headaches down the road. Trust me on that. See what has worked for other people and impliment what you can of that, improving when possibel and/or neccessary. __________________ www.OmegaSportsSupplements.com Get Omega at Supplement Kings The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?

02-17-2006, 02:08 AM	#9
_Underdog_ Pro Stature Join Date: May 2005 Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba Posts: 262 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 6	I appreciate all your help to all who posted. I've gathered myself a team and we're starting to calculate all the costs. We'll continue to strive onwards towards an online supplement store that will offer the lowest prices in Canada with guaranteed on-time and low-cost shipping. So again, thanks. __________________ Current lifts / My goals (end of August): Squat - 135 / 215+ Bench - 130 / 160+ Barbell Rows - 105 / 150+ Deadlift - 235 / 300+ So I’ll stand with arms high and heart abandoned, in awe of the One who gave it all. I’ll stand, my soul Lord to You surrendered, all I am is Yours.

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02-17-2006, 12:10 AM	#8
Peaked_18 a la commode Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 4,247 Recipes: 2 Rep Power: 96	Ask Lee Hayward, he runs a Canadian supplement store.