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MrMrLuckyKhan

Hello all!!

Just a random question really. Thought this would be a good place to ask, since you are fellow English Teachers who might have multiple incomes...

I plan on teaching in Sumatra, but it would also be nice to make money on the side.... I have an eBay account, and sold used cellphones (and other random money makers, guess those helped me take my 2year holiday here, lol), and was wondering if you all knew ANY profitable things to export from here on eBay??? Small stuff, NOT FURNITURE, lol... My other friends have suggested things from antiques, stamps, jewelry and video games (i think they were probably thinking of Japan when they said videogames, lol). Are any of those good ideas????? I see stuff all the time that is cheaper here than back home, but I ASSUME that shipping is astronomical!!!

Or other ways some of you make $$$$ on the side?? I assume that giving private lessons are a big and obvious one, lol..

What are some of you ideas???

THANKS a MILLION (rupiahs that is, lol) Laughing

MrMrLuckyKhan · Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 4:04 pm Post subject:

And feel free to PM me if you prefer...... Cool

sherlock · Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Posts: 72

If I knew of such items that would sell well abroad I would be doing it myself and hardly tell you.

In any case...

You are right, you'll probably find the greatest challenge will be postage costs which will push the price up on all items....regular mail is very unreliable, especially here in Sumatra.

I'd give it a miss, many have tried and failed before you.

MrMrLuckyKhan · Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 4:32 pm Post subject:

guruengerish · Joined: 28 Mar 2004 Posts: 424 Location: Australia

I think planning to post anything might not be wise.

We often tried to send things back to family in Indonesia from Australia, such as calendars and small gifts.

Firstly, the post office clerk said they only use printed stickers for mail to Indonesia, never stamps, as they get stolen.

Secondly, very little of what we sent ever arrived. We then used registered mail which was not cheap, but the goods did arrive.

You might like to look at transport costs using a freight forwarder such as DHL, Titipan kilat, etc.

tanyakenapa · Joined: 06 Feb 2007 Posts: 180 Location: Batavia

I'll just comment on DHL...

I used their services on Monday to send a 6 page legal document to Australia. It has already arrived there today.

The price to send it was 250,500 rupiah. Thats for anything under 500 grams, after that the prices went sky high!

laughing_magpie06 · Joined: 14 Sep 2006 Posts: 282

Still on DHL and sending gear abroad, how about taking excess baggage on the next visit back home? Would that work out cheaper and easier? I am going to Australia in April and face the same issues.

MrMrLuckyKhan · Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 4:02 am Post subject: Re: post!

MrMrLuckyKhan · Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 4:04 am Post subject:

Chester · Joined: 15 May 2004 Posts: 383 Location: Australia

ya cant run an export business in the mail, dude. containers or bulk air freight are the only realistic options because of stuff being stolen by the post office and because of costs.

DHL bulk freight rates from Indonesia are not bad, and DHL are famous for tracking their consignments inhouse.

then you need an export licence, which means you need to be Indonesian or have an Indonesian partner.

loads of bule teachers have tried and are trying to make their fortune by running a business or by acting as middle men.

very few succeed, because it is already being done by experienced business professionals, with lots of internatinal trade experience, with loads of international contacts including buyers and distributers and importers, and lots of capital backing. also local businessmen are notorious for cheating foreign partners.

also many suppliers are more viable from Vietnam, thailand and china. cheaper, fewer disputes with suppliers, and more reliable.

dream on and good luck.

can I get an I-phone?

MrMrLuckyKhan · Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 5:02 pm Post subject:

guruengerish · Joined: 28 Mar 2004 Posts: 424 Location: Australia

No more phones left, lol... I was actually pissed I sold all my Razr's and come to SE Asia with about 10 old flip motos.... EVERYONE here seems to take great pride in thier phones... See someone with no shoes and no shirt eating from a trash can, talkin on thier iphone, lol...

Check the brand and model - and I'll tell you if it was the one stolen from me back in '89! Laughing

tanyakenapa · Joined: 06 Feb 2007 Posts: 180 Location: Batavia

I saw an IPhone in plaza semanggi the other day for 7 million...

jondeg · Joined: 30 May 2007 Posts: 27

You can try use EMS. There are 2 type of EMS. EMS by Air Freight Or By Ocean. And they are type of register mail, cheaper and door to door post office service.
A friend of mine sent my stuff last year to Korea by EMS Ocean, and its arrived safely. You will get the register number for your stuff you mail, and the person abroad can trace it on their post office with the number.

According to my husband, there are plenty of beautifull stones from Indonesia that many people from International still do not know their name yet ( unlike Ruby/ Emerald/ Diamond... etc). And Batik for house decoration, This can be a good business to start with. Good luck.

malu · Joined: 22 Apr 2007 Posts: 1344 Location: Sunny Java