Ask HN: What are some middle man businesses in the market?

5 points by Retailslave 15 years ago | 4 comments

I'm young adult and I'm looking to start a business. I'm particularly interested in businesses which let me enter the market and become a middle man. I just need some ideas for products that I can buy from whole sale suppliers and sell to others. If any of you have ideas but wish to discuss them privately please contact me.

Can you help me HN?

CyberFonic 15 years ago |

Your business idea is somewhat "before internet". Unless you add some real value to the supply chain, your buyers will go to your wholesale suppliers directly.

Retailslave 15 years ago | |

I distribute it to them, they don't have time to go and buy from the whole salers because, A. Not enough space. B. they can't buy wholesale

But what are some internet ideas that I can use? I know hacker news is more focused on internet/programming related businesses.

CyberFonic 15 years ago | | |

Read your other submissions. You seem to be really looking for something worthwhile to do.

1. You really need to get a handle on what you understand and like. Without that you will get trapped in doing something because the money is there, but your heart isn't.

2. Retailers sell what their customers want. If you can get ahead of the curve then that is a big win. To succeed at that you need to understand some market segment well and have an affinity for it.

3. The internet makes it very easy for retailers to locate products. Those that don't will expect the representative (you) to beat a path to their door with samples. The big chain retailers will not buy from some bit player.

4. Anybody can buy wholesale. Those that can't have a credit worthiness problem. Do you want to take them on?

5. Those who don't have the space. Well are you going to be running an inventory and then ship in smaller quantities?

6. You did say in one of your earlier posts that you have some considerable capital. You could always fund some excellent ideas by bing an angel investor. That could provide better ROI than shuffling stuff around.