Customer Reviews

Building an Import/Export Business, 2nd Edition

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Finally, a dynamic and realistic source for the entrepreneur who is taking a peek at launching an import / export enterprise.

Kenneth D. Weiss is careful when to offer realistic scenarios, facts and features over and above the theory taught in school. The newcomer to this industry will be coached by a teacher from the "university of hard knocks," learn about potential problems that will happen, and apply damage control when problems do arise.

For example, rather than scrambling about on all the different steps to be taken before opening an import business (which raises costs), he wisely suggests how to quickly negotiate samples and just "send the money order, with your letter ordering samples, and by registered airmail" (keep initial costs low). He's right! There is always a chance that the exporter won't reply and you will lose your money. So what. Next time, use better judgment. It is part of the learning curve.

Step one: Start VERY small. Do not get snarled on a maze of procedures.

Step two: Take it slowly and be meticulous and methodical about your new enterprise by adding the proper pieces (record your costs!) that are necessary to do it right.

I highly recommend this book! It is clear, concise, and a delight to read.

[REVIEWER UPDATE 13JAN06] I launched a new business. This book has proven to be invaluable. If you begin with an entitlement attitude that someone owes you a living, or you believe in only working 9 - 5 hours, you will burn. You must have an entrepreneurial "shoot the prisoners" adventurous, but disciplined mentality. Initially, begin with your own hard work (once you are profitable, then delegate and hire experts for daily operations). Plan to be a 1-man circus. Then, you will be rewarded commensurate to the amount of risk you are willing to absorb.

I bought a whole library of Ex/Im titles to learn the trade, and I must tell you that starters in this business will not find a better book.

It is very well written, holds your hands, yet very entertaining and indeed you learn the whole business of Export-Import. A decent high-school student can read through this book and right away open his own Ex/Im startup. And by the way, there is absolutely no riches overnight. If you hussle, and stick with it, you'll triumph.

Isaac

Written simply with practical scenarios and information. This is a the book to start with but you will find yourself referring to it often later also, years later. Import/export courses are hard to find - mostly learned from experience in the industry or by reading. We feel this is the best book on importing AND exporting avaiable in the USA.

This book was excellent. I wanted to start an import/export business and this book was the most comprehensive I have read so far. The author tells readers what periodicals to read, how to find business opportunities and what to look out for. It's a must read for anyone entering the business.

Well, where do I start? This book is useful to understand what every small time operator is doing in this business. You don't want to follow the crowd so I suggest you purchase this book and John Weiley Spiers Book "How Small Business Trades Worldwide". If you follow the techniques outlined by Weiss you're wasting your time, taking on too much risk, and making very little profits. I'm not saying you can't do it, for example, using trade bulletins to find buyers but so is everybody else! This is not an easy business if you do it this way. No real mention of the internet is made to make it useful nor does he focus too much on the marketing aspects which is the most important. Again, there are ways, and very few of them, to make some big profits. In a strange way, I am recommending this book so you understand what everybody else is doing to get into this business, and hopefully you don't follow. If someone is starting off in their own business, I highly recommend you start out as a Manufacturers representative and branch out as an importer/exporter as part of the overall business. [...]

I liked this book. I was disappointed that it did not recommend specific strategies for specific markets. As some one engaged in export/import, for an understanding of the Asian market I was really helped by "New Asian Emperors: the Overseas Chinese, their Strategies and Competitive Advantages" by George T. Haley, CT Tan and Usha C. V. Haley. When supplemented by richer, more-area specific material like this, this book provides real insight.

Great for the new exporter/importer. This is the age of international business. This book quickly adapted us to the lucrative import/export world's vernacular. I recommend it to larger businesses too for the examples it gives.

Found this one to be well done, but a little more technical than I prefer. This book does include just about every bit of info you will need, from forms to products to making the right overseas and domestic connections. Also look at Import/Export: How to Get Started in International Trade.

This book is fine for the very early entrepreneur. There is an entire chapter on choosing between forms of organization, buying office supplies and creating a logo. It's a good birds-eye-view of the import/export process, however, if you are a professional seeking insights and business solutions, you will not find many new ideas here.

This is a good general overview of the import-export business. It's geared more to beginners, with lots of information on how to get started, not necessarily how to actually expand an existing business.

I wish the author would have gone over more information about online business expansion, but this book is older and maybe the technology just wasn't there yet.

It's a good book for someone just starting out, or researching the business to see if they want to try it.