2,500%+ PROFIT - YOU MUST BE JOKING!
MONEY FROM JUNK!
You will read many 'schemes' for turning rubbish into money
and sadly, most of them are unworkable. But, here is such a
business that is completely workable - indeed, it's already a
successful business. And, what's more it has not been
published before and it is just waiting to be exploited in
all areas!
You will often have seen upholstery retailers offering to
take upholstery in part exchange for new - for example '$200
allowance for your old 3 piece'. You might also have
wondered just what happens to this part exchange upholstery -
the shops don't sell and it is often too good to tip. Well,
the simple answer is that it is sold through the trade,
refurbished and resold as top quality secondhand furniture!
When you consider a good quality dralon suite might sell for
$2,000 - there's sure to be lots of buyers for a good quality
reconditioned one at $6-400! The cheaper refurbished suites
sell to poorer people - and the better quality ones enjoy
lots of demand at the top end of the scale. It's not
everybody who wants - or needs a brand new suite. Especially
those with pets or children!
Anyone can easily start a business (part time if you like),
buying these suites for a few dollars, cleaning them up and
selling for 100's of times what they cost you. You work from
home. what's more this is not a fanciful 'plan' - several
people are already making big profits just doing this. But,
this scheme is new in concept and there is still plenty of
opportunity for new business to cash in. Surely it must be
one of the few remaining opportunities to buy a valuable
product for next to nothing!
FINDING SUPPLIES
You will need a little capital to buy your first suite for
refurbishment - $20 should do it easily if you know where to
look. You can then sell this and use the profits to
re-invest in your business - maybe even start your own
furniture showroom with time!
It is possible to go direct to the larger upholstery
retailers and ask if they sell off part-exchange furniture.
Make it clear you are a trader or they may pretend not to be
interested. Usually though they will be keen to dispose of
this furniture and you can offer to pay a little over the
odds and still make big profits. They take part exchanges
not because they want to - but as a sales gimmick and usually
you will be doing them a service by removing unwanted
exchange items.
If you cannot buy direct from a retailer you will have to try
an auction. There will be many auctions of 'household
effects' in your area and you will need to make a habit of
visiting some. Rarely will they all sell 3 piece suites
exclusively - but you will soon find the ones which tend to
attract most of this type of furniture. take some time to
learn how the auction works and you will not find it hard to
snap up a bargain.
However you buy your stock it is not possible to identify the
most profitable items. Concentrate entirely on 3 piece
suites since these are most readily saleable. Don't buy odd
chairs which will be difficult to sell. Don't consider badly
torn or damaged upholstery. But, you should consider
anything that is just dirty - no matter how badly soiled it
is. Or, anything with a few minor faults e.g. castors and
buttons missing. Look particularly at dralon suites as these
are the very easiest to handle and the dirtier they are the
more profit you will get!
You will be able to pick up some good stock from as little as
$6-4 (realistically!) for a full suite. But, you should be
prepared to pay up to $60 (if you have the money) and still
be confident of making a big profit.
If you are successfully in bidding for a suite the auction
rooms will usually keep it for a while until you can arrange
transport. If you don't have suitable transport hire a large
van (e.g. a Transit or Luton type van). These can often be
hired by the hour for self-drive (a little more with driver)
from as little as $8-5 per trip. Once you get the suite home
you will need somewhere to store it. A spare bedroom is
fine, but a garage or garden shed will do. Cover the suite
to protect it and provide some heat if the weather is cold
and damp.
Once you have purchased a suite it must be refurbished as
soon as possible for maximum profit. But, an average suite
should not take more than 2 or 3 evenings work to bring to
easily saleable standard.
THE REFURBISHING PROCESS
Refurbishing an ordinary suite is not a difficult process and
a good quality job can be effected by the average DIY person.
Do not employ professional upholsterers since this will cut
into your profit and they may catch onto the idea themselves!
The first step should be to repair any actual, physical
damage to the suite. This can come in many forms but even
severe damage can often be restored to near new condition.
Obtain an upholstery repair book if you are particularly
interested in this.
A common problem is that buttons come adrift on buttoned
suites. These can be easily repaired and most are secured by
a piece of thick cotton to the back of the furniture. Repair
or replace cushion zips where necessary. Sometimes fringes
or rouches fall from older suites and these can be restitched
or glued or removed completely. You will find it handy to
build up a small stock of upholsterers supplies and tools.
Whilst major tears cannot be repaired it is possible to use
discreet patches in some circumstances. Matching material
can be obtained from underneath cushions. The material taken
from here can be replaced with the linen type material which
is usually found on the underside of suites. Obviously, any
repairs of this type will have to be very carefully done if
you want to get a good price for the finished product.
Where cushions or upholstered sections sag or bulge simply
add or remove stuffing to suit. Avoid over-stuffing which is
a common fault and makes the furniture very uncomfortable!
The majority of suites taken in part exchange are not
seriously defective and it will not be hard to achieve a good
job. Many repairs will be undetectable - and even if they
are noticeable the customer will often not mind due to the
bargain selling price of the finished suite.
When the suite is physically repaired it must be very
thoroughly cleaned. The best way to do this is to steam
clean it. Steam cleaning machines and all the necessary
chemicals can be hired from local shops. Or, you would soon
find it worthwhile to buy a machine. Good used steam
cleaners are available from $200 up.
It is easy to obtain an excellent result with steam cleaning.
Many different types of upholstery, especially dralon and
other synthetics, will clean up like new fabric! In most
cases you will find the armchairs dirtier than the sofa, so
clean accordingly. Apart from obtaining a good appearance
use plenty of special cleaning perfumes and deodorants on the
suite. A clean, fresh smell is all important in selling.
Customers often do not mind buying upholstery which is not in
the best physical condition, but dirty - or smelly -
furniture will not sell well, even to the person with very
little to spend.
Be sure to allow the suite plenty of time to dry out.
Finally, replace any missing castors or legs and cover the
suite with a clear protective sheeting to give a factory
fresh look!
SELLING
When you are sure the suite is in a saleable condition you
can proceed to selling it. You will need to decide on a
selling price first. This will usually be much higher than
you think. Compare with the value of similar quality new
upholstery and similar upholstery being sold by private
individuals. Remember that your suites can sell for more
than this due to the fact that they are fully refurbished.
Some traders would set the suite up in their own living room
and sell as if a private sale. This means the suite should
sell fast and for a high price as a 'one careful owner' piece
of furniture. Really though, this is less than honest, and
you are better declaring yourself as a trader. In keeping
with this theme keep usual trading records.
Your furniture can be inexpensively sold using classified
advertisements in newspapers. Another good way is by placing
cards in shop windows. If you do this then enclosing a
photograph should attract more attention. Be sure to give
full description of your suites, e.g. color, material,
style, etc. You do not have to quote a price, but if you do
put 'o.n.o.' (or near offer). This always attracts more
attention, and you can put your price up a bit to allow for
this! A mid-range suite might sell fast at $240-250. Not
bad for something that cost only a tenth or twentieth of that
price - even allowing for costs of refurbishment and
advertising!
If you can deliver suites once sold this will get you much
more business - and you can easily deliver one suite when
going to buy the next one!
EVER INCREASING BUSINESS
By far the best way to start is to buy just one 3 piece suite
and refurbish and sell it at home. Your costs are little and
your profit can be several thousand percent. But, there is
easy potential to develop your venture into a very big, maybe
even full time venture.
You can expand from home as long as you have the space,
taking into stock as many suites as you have room for. Or,
you can take on small workshop or shop premises. Apart from
the extra space you can also display suites and this will
generate much more business. This can still be done part
time by employing an assistant on commission.
A good alternative is to get second hand goods shops to stock
your suites. Provide them with one or two and pay them a
commission once they are sold. The low purchase price of the
part exchange suites mean very little cash is tied up in
stock. You could build up a network of agents throughout
your region. If each of 20 agents sold one or two suites per
week you could build up a very high turnover - at a vast
profit margin!
Whilst many suites will be sold to those who cannot afford
new, there is also good scope for selling high quality
upholstery. Some of this is hand made 'work of art' and is
quite desirable and sought after. You can even specialise in
this 'quality end' of the market - not that the cheaper end
is any less lucrative!
Whatever part of the market you decide to exploit, you can be
sure of a plentiful supply of upholstery at bargain prices -
and customers at high prices. And, can start safe in the
knowledge that you will be one of the first to start in this
new venture. As furniture gets more and more expensive it's
sure to boom every more - and starting now will mean you can
be ready to cash in!
