I am thinking about starting up a new business. Kind of like Melting pot, but with better prices. I need to guage interest before my trip to Japan to decide if I arrange a business partner over there.

OPTION 1

I would import whatever JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) was requested, charging the current exchange rate, shipping, plus a small markup for myself.

These would be the type of products I'd sell:

http://www.pioneer.co.jp/carrozzeria/index_av.html

http://www.alpine.co.jp/

http://www.addzest.com/

The difference between me and Melting pot would be, I'd offer ANYTHING that you want to get. You just request it, I'll get a price, and you place your order.

OPTION 2

Now, if it doesn't look like enough people would be interested in this as an ongoing business, I may take shopping requests and ship everyone's order direct from Japan while I'm there.

A little trust will need to be involved - so Paypal with credit card acceptance would be in order. That way you always have the option to just dispute the charge and have Visa / Mastercard come after my @ss.

OPTION 3

If all other options don't appear to float, then I may just buy a bunch of stuff and sell it on eBay - either way, I'd like to guage the things people would be most interested in.

Personally, I'm picking up this unit when I'm there:

http://www.pioneer.co.jp/carrozzeria...0md/index.html

 

How much(estimate) does meltingpot markup? I heard stuff like this is still expensive even in the motherland.

 

What about Eclipse?

 

Sure, any JDM brand. I just showed those links for people who are unaware of the JDM market.

Regarding markup - I don't know exactly yet - however, I was able to initially estimate one of the Alpine's a few hundred less.

 

Any idea on what an Eclipse AVN9904HD would cost?

 

I don't know prices yet since I haven't set up any sort of business arrangement. I'm just trying to do a bit of market research - guage interest . . . but I could definitely get it.