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I know it is difficult to get started in a new business, especially if you don’t have the profit margins to do it properly. And that is the point. In business you do have to make enough profits, not only to run your business but also to live on.
My only advice is to find a way to change your business to increase your margins to cover your postage costs as well as business costs- different sorts of candles or products. I really love water candles and would pay more for those, but of course, water candles are too fragile to post.
Doing what everyone else does always puts you behind the 8 ball so you have to strategize. And maybe start with the many ‘hand made in Australia’ groups on Facebook to market until you can afford to pay for a website. With sooooo many soap makers and sellers out there it is incredibly hard to stand out, compete, and get customers.
Up0Most websites go through platforms that have good security and they don’t see your payment info so you don’t have to worry about your payment security.
But, that issue is why I always offer Paypal on my websites, and I only buy using Paypal on other people websites. I know how easy it is to open a website and disappear.
Paypal has easy buyer and seller protections so if a buyer doesn’t get their item they can get their money back. Of course, there is always the option of bank chargebacks but Paypal is just easier as a buyer.Up0Keep in mind that although these standards should be followed they are, unfortunately, only voluntary standards.
Up0You are right, unfortunately there is little regulation of pet foods. As long as you abide by labelling standards, and don’t make any false or misleading statements you are good to go.
There are standards made by a voluntary organisation called PFIAA, but no overarching legislation and those standards are only for members of that organisation.https://pfiaa.com.au/pet-food-standards/
https://www.sharongivoni.com.au/pet-food-packaging-legal-requirements/
Up0As far as I am aware you have to have the address of the packer on the label, it is called a declaration of responsibility. If you are doing it from home than that is the address. Don’t worry, if you have a couple of communication avenues on your website (contact form and phone number) then no-one will be coming to your home.
Yes, you still should have insurance. If people have a problem they will come to you for recompense, and if the products cause any harm you are not free of consequences just because the product is not made by you. I suggest that you contact an insurance broker and they can find the right insurance for you.
Up0Welcome. Great to see you and I hope you get the answers you need
Up0My advice is – go to your accountant and ask your questions there. Also make sure you have a good contract, including exit clause and pass it by a solicitor. Going into a partnership can be fraught with problems if you don’t do it right.
Your questions can be complicated territory so both parties need to be on the same page with everything.Up0Welcome Chris, I hope you get value out of your membership, and I am looking forward to your contributions
Up0You should look at your marketing. When you write posts like this you look like you are bashing a competitor just to promote your own business. This really damages your reputation.
That said, I agree with you for SEO services. I would never use Fiverr for that, but then I wouldn’t use your service either.
I have found Fiverr fantastic for many other services such as illustrations over the years, so it is not a scam company. Everyone should do their own due diligence when hiring any freelancer or business.
Up0You can ship without your return address on the package, but it is not a good look for a business. If you are going into business then do it in a professional way. Get a PO box if necessary.
That said, there are actually regulations for labelling, so if your products have been packed in Australia they must have a label on them showing the packers (yours if you have packed it) name and address in case there is a problem with a product and authorities have to trace, or get involved legally.
And, do you not have your phone and address on your website? If you don’t how would you expect customers to trust you.
Many products are shipping without the legal labelling on those websites, that doesn’t mean it is ok.
The chance of a customer coming to your address is so small that it is not worth worrying about, no-one wants to go to a strangers home unannounced. As long as you have at least one easy way of customers to get in touch with you that is what they will use.
Up0Dave, it is not the same. If a cold email is obviously addressed to me or my business and shows that the author knows about my particular business then it would not be considered spam.
If it is an email that looks generic and been sent to other businesses – such as a stranger offering SEO services for my website, then it will immediately get marked as spam. If I want such a service I will actively seek it out, not trust some random stranger with it.Up0Welcome. Please tell us more about yourself and your experience
Up0B2B cold emailing has the same requirements as B2C in Australia, even if their email address is public.
Make your customer aware of the penalties involved if someone complains, and maybe ask them to contact a specialised company to to that if they really want to go ahead to avoid any trouble coming back on you.Also make it clear that if people send their email to their spam box then any future emails will also go there automatically and won’t be read which will make legitimate contact in the future troublesome.
It just isn’t worth it for them or you, imoUp0I have a personal bias against Square (they won’t allow me to have an account with them because of my name and they can’t be bothered trying to fix the problem since individual people are too hard to deal with), so I go with Stripe and Paypal and am very happy with both
Up0Unless your products are approved by Australian (or other country, depending on your market) regulators and they don’t make health claims then you will find that many payment gateways, and ecommerce providers will eventually have a problem with your business. Payment gateways such as Stripe and Paypal are strict with this, and banks have been known to stop providing service to such businesses. You need to read and understand the terms of service before you sign up to any provider.
You can complain and fight all you like but you can’t expect other companies to take risks on your business. If your products do have all the relevant approvals then I would assume that just uploading them to any provider with your insurance covering such items should get you out of trouble.
There have been so many problems with the ‘protein supplement’ industry that you can’t blame providers with being suspicious and not wanting anything to do with them.
