A Little Advice....

[made-in-colorado!]

   We have a nice little wholesale biz here in Colorado USA.  You can see a few of our listings to see what we sell here...  We also produce many other customized souvenir type products for tourists.

   We are considering moving to Australia and would like to open a gift shop plus sell on Ebay down there.  We are curious about how popular Ebay is there. Are most sales to Australians or are most of you selling internationally?

   Thanks In Advance!!!!

[phorum_junkie*]

It isn't just a question of saying "I want to move to Australia" The immigration laws here are quite tight and you have to be able to prove you have the funds to support yourself and your family as well as the qualifications for a job that is in demand down here and cannot be filled by locals. Or you have to have a solid business plan with the capital to back it.

Our health system has no equal anywhere in the world - imo

At a price, the health system in the UK is just as good as it is in Aus but the difference is that it is free for everybody, there is never a need to pay to visit the doctor or go into hospital unless you choose to use private health care. For any one on a low income prescriptions and dental treatmant cost nothing or very little,

[made-in-colorado!]

  It's interesting to hear that you have the same problem there as we have here in the U.S.  (China)     Somehow we have managed to match China prices with our custom products.  We cut out ALL the middlemen....  There are lots of hands in the pot with all imported products!  Cut them out and you have a chance...   That's been our niche here and I think we can do the same there!  We only use raw materials and can customize everything.

   When a tourist from say, London, flies into Vail to ski and they see "Made in Colorado" on an item, they will buy it even if they had no intention of purchasing something.  It's amazing!

[nonny_muss]

Yes, There is something lovely about buying something locally made, you feel you've bought a little of the place home with you, and the personality of the artisan

with it! 

[made-in-colorado!]

Phorum-Junkie....  Your country is smart to have tough immigration law....  Mine, not so much!

   I know we will have a tough go of it just getting in!     That's my next headache.....

[austeam]

There are lots of hands in the pot with all imported products!  Cut them out and you have a chance... 

Not anymore. The online world has forced businesses to cut out the middle man to stay competitive.  Even our supermarkets have created a number of food brands/labels of their own and then slowly cut out the well known brands of the past. Definitely happening in electrical appliances in a big way.  If it hasn't happened in giftware yet it is sure to happen eventually.

Target in Australia got in trouble not so long ago because it turned out the cosmetics they were selling were fake.  Target honestly thought they were buying direct from the manufacturer in China. Anyway this is just another case of a retailer cutting out the middle guy... the Australian Distributor.

[made-in-colorado!]

It sounds like pain for all, everywhere!!!!    I'm nervous here!  So it can't be any worse being nervous there....   I think Australia has a more stable economic future than the US!   I'm betting the ranch on it!

[austeam]

It sounds like pain for all, everywhere!!!!    I'm nervous here!  So it can't be any worse being nervous there....   I think Australia has a more stable economic future than the US!   I'm betting the ranch on it!

I think you might mean that literally too 😮

Australia's economy is currently run by the mining companies. Our Govt had promised a surplus for the 2013 budget, so to prove a point for a short time the mining companies put a hold on new projects and then the Govt had to apologise for breaking another promise, admitting that we are no longer on track for a surplus. Our mining companies want cheaper labour, and if they can't get them in Australia they want to bring them in from overseas on working visas .... our unions are screaming.  Eventually the current govt will be forced out and the mines will get what they want. Might be good for business if you supply the mines either directly or indirectly, but no guarantee that it will be good for the rest of the economy.  Fly in / Fly out labour travel light.  Souvenirs are prossibly not high on their buying list.

Right now our dollar is far too strong, which means tourism and higher education (international students) are not attractive.  Add to that a string of natural disasters in Qld and we are sure to see many more tourist based businesses close.  I imagine this would be your target market.

Normally I would suggest trying to move to the east coast to target tourism, but honestly if you are worried about the economy then look for work in a mining town because tourism is doing it tough. 😞

[putney32]

It sounds like pain for all, everywhere!!!!    I'm nervous here!  So it can't be any worse being nervous there....   I think Australia has a more stable economic future than the US!   I'm betting the ranch on it!

hate to sound negative but you'll need more than the price of a Colorado ranch to set up home in australia.

have you at the price of real estate here?  3-4 bedroom homes in Sydney or Melbourne will cost you a good chunk of $1m Aussie Dollars.

a decent family car is $25,000 to $50,000 and petrol/ {gasoline} is around $1.50 a litre

[austeam]

two sites to look at for property prices (both buy and rent)

domain.com.au

realestate.com.au

I was shocked to see the price of a 3 bdr apartment in Honeysuckle Drive Newcastle: $979,000 😮

Only two years ago my friends were saying I should buy property in Newcastle because it is dirt cheap .... well not anymore.

[extra-keen]

I think it would be a good idea to hire the RV, we call them motorhomes, travel around a bit and have a look before deciding. All the above has good advice.

Good luck!