I want to start an import export business of used computers and hardware where can i find the stock?

Answer 1

I wouldn't worry about finding stock. There are plenty of used computers looking for a home. You should worry about finding buyers first.

Answer 2

hmmm

I had some old computer components - enough for 3 working systems - most of the hardware was circa 1998 so think P2/3's etc.

I tried looking everywhere for a service that recycled old computer equipment. And this is where the problem arises...

There are very FEW comp recycling businesses in the UK and this stands for reason - old computer components are generally worth very little money. This means the TRANSIT cost often outweighs the sell-on price.

Every comp recylcing service wanted ME to pay for transit costs to them - that would have been at least £70 and thats assuming i could go through all the effort of packing everything up. Neither option was worth the time/effort OR the cost. The equipment itself was probably only worth around £50...

This is why i think you'll find it excrutiatingly difficult to make any kind of profit at all; most businesses do not get rid of perfectly good, working, capable systems - they will be offloading OLD equipment which often has problems or does not work or at best has very little resale value. You can pick up a modern-day computer for <£300 these days, so you can imagine how much 4yr+ old computer equipment will be worth....

If transit was free, you might be able to make a profit. This is highly unlikely since no business will want to pay for something (transit costs to YOU) which they can dispose of for free.

In terms of finding stock, you could mail shot every business, school and college in the country. But then once you find the stock, how can you get it sent to you cheaply? I would be very surprised if even a big business would want to go through all the hassle of arranging (and more importantly PAYING for) transit; it's easier for them to just dispose of it with their local municipal disposal partners.

This is why this service is usually non-existent; transit costs simply makes it one hell of a false economy. If you have any doubts about what i have said, just try searching the net for computer recycling websites and then look at the policy on actually GETTING the equipment to them.... Transit costs versus computer resale costs is the reason why it's usually local councils which deal with computer recycling; in other words its good as a charity idea, not a business one...

Also, if you can pick up a very decent modern PC system for less than £300, how much are you actually going to sell what WILL be old computer equipment for and make a realistic profit? Why would anyone want to buy old refurbished equipment as well? And just how the hell can you make a profit on such tiny value items if you will have to pay for transit AND export transit costs??? The idea is balls if you ask me - the only person who would benefit from this "business" would be the couriers and some third world children...

Answer 3

If you live in California there are any number of Ewaste recyclers that can provide a usable supply try 1-877 PC Recycle or 1-888 Clean LA for available sources. Good Luck!