How do I become that guy that imports Toyota 86 badges from Japan to USA

[tranzformer]

I was just thinking about all the people that will buy the FRS and want to put on the JDM 86/Toyota badges. So how do I become that guy that can supply them.

Same thing with the headlight. I think I could make a lot of money.

[JDLM]

Originally Posted by tranzformer

I was just thinking about all the people that will buy the FRS and want to put on the JDM 86/Toyota badges. So how do I become that guy that can supply them.

Same thing with the headlight. I think I could make a lot of money.

fwiw: Already working that angle along w/ having the 1st custom set of headlamps (GT86) working on BRZ and will have custom side markers....

[ichitaka05]

Simple, have a connection w someone in Japan & they can supply those items.

[tranzformer]

Originally Posted by JDLM

fwiw: Already working that angle along w/ having the 1st custom set of headlamps (GT86) working on BRZ and will have custom side markers....

Honestly I like BRZ headlights much better than the GT86 version. I guess one could argue BRZ=GT86>>>>>FRS headlights. But that is personal taste.



FYI, I'm not being serious about importing those parts as I don't have the time/energy to do that with my already busy life. But I really do think someone could make bank off of it.

[nrclptcnsmniak]

You really think having somebody buy and ship them from japan is going to be cheaper than me going to japanparts.com or something and eliminating a middle man?

[Longhorn248]

Originally Posted by tranzformer

Honestly I like BRZ headlights much better than the GT86 version. I guess one could argue BRZ=GT86>>>>>FRS headlights. But that is personal taste.



FYI, I'm not being serious about importing those parts as I don't have the time/energy to do that with my already busy life. But I really do think someone could make bank off of it.

With the reach of the internet it seems like it would be simple enough for the individual consumer to get them directly from the source in Japan. If you add value (like JDLM is planning with the headlights) I could see some profit being made over here in the states.

[tranzformer]

Originally Posted by nrclptcnsmniak

You really think having somebody buy and ship them from japan is going to be cheaper than me going to japanparts.com or something and eliminating a middle man?

Aren't those websites run by some middle man anyways? Is japanparts straight from the manufacturer?

[nrclptcnsmniak]

Yeah true but if you got them from the manufacturer (toyota) do you think youll make much profit? How is shipping costs from japan to here?

[Giccin]

Originally Posted by ichitaka05

Simple, have a connection w someone in Japan & they can supply those items.

What Ichi said. :P


I got some friends in JP that are willing to help me get those parts.

[Longhorn248]

Originally Posted by nrclptcnsmniak

Yeah true but if you got them from the manufacturer (toyota) do you think youll make much profit? How is shipping costs from japan to here?

It all depends on volume. I couldn't see more than a couple hundred people a year buying the badges to switch their car over. I have no solid information of facts to back it up, but I don't think the profit margin would be big enough to make it worth it.

[JDLM]

Originally Posted by tranzformer

Honestly I like BRZ headlights much better than the GT86 version. I guess one could argue BRZ=GT86>>>>>FRS headlights. But that is personal taste.



FYI, I'm not being serious about importing those parts as I don't have the time/energy to do that with my already busy life. But I really do think someone could make bank off of it.

I am going to try to do both (custom paint/led/HID upgrades)

Originally Posted by nrclptcnsmniak

You really think having somebody buy and ship them from japan is going to be cheaper than me going to japanparts.com or something and eliminating a middle man?

Originally Posted by Longhorn248

With the reach of the internet it seems like it would be simple enough for the individual consumer to get them directly from the source in Japan. If you add value (like JDLM is planning with the headlights) I could see some profit being made over here in the states.

Yeah (or just offer OEM and let people have them)

Originally Posted by tranzformer

Aren't those websites run by some middle man anyways? Is japanparts straight from the manufacturer?

Yep

Originally Posted by nrclptcnsmniak

Yeah true but if you got them from the manufacturer (toyota) do you think youll make much profit? How is shipping costs from japan to here?

It's expensive (you do a "crate" or a bulk order)

Here's an example

The year in 2003 I have a Hyundai Tiburon (yes laugh away) anyway the US Spec cars had black head lamps and the Korean cars had silver well people wanted the silver lamps .

I was the 1st American to successfully order/arrange 60+ sets, I opened and customized 40 sets and went from there.

[nrclptcnsmniak]

Originally Posted by Longhorn248

It all depends on volume. I couldn't see more than a couple hundred people a year buying the badges to switch their car over. I have no solid information of facts to back it up, but I don't think the profit margin would be big enough to make it worth it.

^ yeah unless youre just doing it to be a nice guy or girl. which is nice

[tranzformer]

Originally Posted by Giccin

I got some friends in JP that are willing to help me get those parts.

Do it!! lol

[JDLM]

Originally Posted by nrclptcnsmniak

^ yeah unless youre just doing it to be a nice guy or girl. which is nice

Of course (I made really nothing on doing my bulk order from Korea)

I just did it to do it (I had to charge a little more for shipping, the port duties etc..) but it was worth it.

Just like my situation now:

I have a friend in the UK (Have known him for 10+ years) we swapped US spec and UK spec parts back and forth back in the day. He went to the BMW dealership and priced out a part for me (so I can enable my rear fog lights) and I got a "bulk order" price the more I would order.