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Thursday, March 31, 2011

I am REDS Global, LLC

REDS Global, LLC is the name under which I've chosen to register my business. It's inception was inspired by my family's first name initials, R for Rendel (yours truly), E for Efren (my late beloved dad), D for Delia (my mom), and S for Seigfred (my brother). My then girlfriend helped me figure out the business name that I wanted with the idea of something that has an impact, a name that sounds big time and at the same time credible. I actually had thought of combining our names but fortunately with the help of my ladylove we've both prevented the creation of a business name that's more like what one would normally name a sari-sari store. Then came REDS Global which I registered as a Limited Liability Company.

I have three ongoing businesses in the Philippines, all of which i started in 2008. I started with growing bananas in a small piece of land, a lending business, and an export business spearheaded by my mom wherein we send US items to the Philippines and are sold in our two retail outlets. I thought of putting everything in order and last year I felt the want for a formality for the business. I researched for a type of business setup that will in the future put me to a great advantage, especially in terms of filing taxes. Seemed to me that a Limited Liability Company was the best option.

The Department of Trade and Industry in the Philippines though only allowed me the business name REDS Global Marketing for the Philippines. I have great ideas and plans that I would like to initiate. Currently thinking of something for more money...

Sunday, March 27, 2011

iPad Smart Cover

Whoever was the proponent who first invented an accessory for something? I wonder what was the first accessory ever invented for mankind because I really feel that we owe our precious possessions of almost all sorts the need to be accessorized. I feel for you iPad 2 owners.

As the demand for iPad 2 was on its peak, so is also the undeniable demand for these cool iPad smart covers. I have posted iPad smart covers on eBay the day after iPad 2 was released, and it was two days after posting when I received an order for a color red. It seemed to me that the red one was the most saleable as people are most easily attracted to that color, and I had a headache when I couldn't source it out anywhere after I sold 2 pieces on eBay and the customer already paid. Problem was, I posted an authentic Apple Smart Cover accessory with a full Apple product description on eBay and it was out of stock and I have a five-day only handling time. I was afraid to tell the customer that the product he just bought from me was sold out, because in the first place I should have only posted products that are on hand, or if not on hand, products that I could easily source out easily if somebody places and order. Just look at this precious in-demand smart cover:

Everybody wants a color red really. I called every Apple Store around to inquire about its availability but only to no avail. It was reported that the manufacturing for iPad 2 and all its accessories were affected largely by the uneventful tsunami that hit Japan early this month.

So you might be wondering how I handled my eBay customer?

I always remind myself to treat customers with utmost priority because they give life to my business. I decided to tell the customer with all honesty and sincerity that iPad Smart Cover color red is currently sold out, but I gave him an option for another color for a discounted price. I was like letting some couple of dollars out of my hands for the sake of compensating for my customer's expectation. It was good to note that the customer was good-natured and thus opted a refund but I promised him I would be of service and get back at him as soon as the color red is made available again.

Now, does anybody know when will it be available?

Saturday, March 26, 2011

People Lining Crazy for iPad 2: The So-Called Scalpers

For whatever personal or business reason, the people seem to have grown in numbers as the days go by. Competition for the iPad 2 is getting tougher.

A week after its release, the lines seen in the Apple store were overwhelming. A lot of locals have already seen the advantage of sourcing this latest hype locally and selling it international. We couldn't keep up with the competition because people are actually lining up in groups! We then decided to contract more friends and acquaintances to line up on our behalf in as early as 9 p.m. the night before to avail of the new iPad 2 shipments the following day. During the first few days this system has worked for us and we were no doubt successful in bringing home a few more tablets, but just lately there is just nobody who would dare line up anymore as the groups started to line up as early as 5 p.m. Its getting real crazy.

At the peak of this iPad 2 craze comes some written posts about "US" Asians or Russians being termed as scalpers. Wow. Scalpers it is, but this is how you do some business you haters!

I would like to make my official written statement, and this is to tell to the world that we, the so called scalpers, are entitled to our opinions and/or ideas also.

First of all, what we are doing is nothing illegal. Buy and sell is a long time trading practice for the business-minded that we have just chosen to pursue. Apple reserves the right to allow or disallow repetitive purchases of its products, and last time I've heard, Apple have been accommodating and lenient. Point is, we scalpers are not breaking any rule here. We are just simply doing buy and sell as we were born with this talent for business.

It shouldn't be taken against "US" Asians or Russians if you couldn't get yourself an iPad 2 at the time you want and at the price you want.

It is not our fault that we were born aggressive and competitive. We decided to make our money work for us in our own legal little way.

By the time I publish this post, people are no longer lining up for iPad 2, but business is still alive.

Friday, March 18, 2011

iPad 2 Craze: Another Business Opportunity!

March 11, 2011 was the day Apple officially released its new and improved tablet iPad 2 in the US market! Announcement was made on March 10 about the official sale to happen at 5 p.m. the next day across the 236 Apple outlets in America and at select authorized dealers.


Me and my friend set up a plan on what to do on March 11 so we could get more iPad 2 as possible. Like everyone else, thinking about business, we need to have more than sufficient iPad 2 in stock so we can supply a large demand from our international buyers. What's good about being here in the US is that we are way way ahead of other countries in almost every aspect. We have the advantage of supply, the advantage of price, and the advantage of being a trusted supplier selling 100% authentic stuff! We have the edge whichever way we look at it, and that means money baby! Here is a new opportunity that we would like to hit big!

On March 11, we formed two groups to line up at the Apple Store and in Best Buy. The line started shortly after 12 noon where it was so amazing to see people of all ages and style lined up for this new tablet innovation. It was a long line, and it was a cold day but we endured it. We have a goal we kept in mind and we were on to hit it in every way we can. The Apple staff were upbeat to keep people alive and interested by sharing more information about the new iPad 2 while patiently and/or impatiently waiting for the gates to open. Complimentary mineral water were given to those who lined up and an open free overflowing coffee was sitting right in front of the then closed Apple Store in Oakridge Mall, here in San Jose California. Finally, the clock hit 5 p.m. and chaos from the people's tension was overwhelming! At Oakridge, there was a 2 tablet limit per person and everybody wanted to have the 16Gb white iPad, but unfortunately at Best Buy, only 1 tablet per person was allowed, and the most number of our group lined up in Best Buy! The adrenaline rush at that very moment was unexplainable, we had a target of 50 iPad 2 for that day, plus there was the possibility of stock shortage which could have meant failure for our goal that day.

At the end of the day we gathered a total of 17 tablets, a mere 35% of our overall target. Lesson learned: focus on the Apple Store!

The next steps we took were far more bloody as compared to the release date as we were on to line up as early as 11 p.m. the day before to avail of the next iPad 2 shipment the following day. More of this story in my next post.

Business from iPad 2 is sure to be doing just great!

Already have your iPad 2? You may want to check out these following accessories to dress it up!

Snugg iPad 2 Leather Case Cover and Flip Stand for the Apple iPad 2 (Black) - Pre Order for 8th AprilTargus 360 Degrees Rotating Stand/Case for Apple iPad 2 - 16GB, 32GB, 64GB, WiFi , WiFi + 3G THZ045US (Black/Blue Interior)NEW! PINK! Protective Leather iPad Case with Magnetic Flap for Security and Ease of Use. BUILT IN KICKSTAND great for Movie Watching and Book Reading!!splash Masque Screen Protector Film Clear (Invisible) for Apple iPad 2 2nd Generation (3-Pack) NEWEST MODELEMPIRE - Apple iPad - 2 Pack of Premium Soft Silicone Gel Skin Cover Cases (Jet Black, Royal Purple) for Apple iPad3 Pack of Premium Crystal Clear Screen Protectors for Apple iPad

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Electronics for eBay

Now here's an E for Electronics in eBay...
I saw the potential of electronics in eBay, but thanks to my friend who I give a lot of credit for seeing the electronics market ahead of me. Almost everybody is always sold out to a new techie gadget, and I guess it is evident that the world is on for more techie unimaginable gadgets to come. A lot of new techie stuff are being created and it makes people crazy for the want of having it ahead of others. From simple mobile headset to hands-free devices, regular cellular phones to smart phones, from desktop computers to laptops and now to tablets, the electronics department in eBay has got to be the most profitable online business right now!

I sell smartphones, tablets, and other electronics accessories in eBay. There is only one consideration for me to keep selling this stuff consistently, and that is for the fact that I never cease to close a sale while I am on my official daytime job! Just how convenient is that? 57 stars to date by the way.

Unlike the old days, most people are willing to change their phones or computers for a new model eventhough what they currently have is still functional. There is always this excitement to get the latest model, because, it is cool and it is IN! Here is my opportunity to source out this demand locally and sell it online and people just buy it at the price I set! The only hassle I get is sourcing the stock, but selling is no sweat, it is almost effortless if not for the posting that I also have to make sure is a standout among other sellers.

Here is iPhone, the phone that is considered to have changed the world. Almost everybody in the world is on the go to have this smartphone. I am not in awe why people instantly loved the iPhone when it was launched, but here I'm showing you a study conducted that shows the level of satisfaction people get from using iPhone which is probably why they just love it! It's the iPhone's smart usability! People live in an online world, important emails need to be checked form time to time, a social networking that needs to be updated, plus lately the need to shout to the world by tweeting! The iPhone is just the perfect convenient phone fit for all these online activities because of its unique interface. Everybody is tuned-in to the latest development in iPhones that everybody patronized it since the original iPhone, to iPhone 3G, until iPhone 3Gs, and now the latest which is iPhone 4.

What's good in my market is that, I still have buyers of iPhone 3G and 3Gs. I know how to play this iPhone wars ongoing online and I see to it that if I do not fair well in the price, I will turn them down by making a good post and a promise of good customer service, and by far I am doing good at it.