kemmler3D
Master Contributor
+1, if you aren't paying a distributor to do all the work (and giving up all your margin in the process) getting set up to sell overseas is pretty hard. Even if you do go with a distributor, finding a good one who is taking on new brands isn't that easy, either. Just getting the right certifications takes some homework, and that's mostly just sending stuff to labs and printing logos on things.I think many people just underestimate how and when to set up a global selling product.
First you need to make sure you can produce your high quality product in series. Then predict sales and invest in a number of batches comprising several hundreds. That takes a lot of investment and a lot of contracts, legal stuff. Then you need to find the network. Then you need to figure out all the local legislation about sales of products. Then you need to have the legal deals with and distributors done. Even if Ascilab will be selling straight to customer the product itself needs to be packaged, needs manuals in several languages. A Webshop. Etc. Etc. Just thinking about it makes me want to say: no thanks. Then they have to cater to guys like us when we want dates, dates. Can we have it for christmas?
If they are clever, think about a running sales line target date at the end of 2025. That would be fantastic. Better to take slow steps and make sure every step is well done than to rush into things and get into lots of problems, bad publicity.
If you DIY it, it can be a daunting job. Example: If you are an english speaker, just imagine calling warehouses in Korea and trying to make a deal to store and ship your inventory. Imagine the questions they will ask about logistics that are specific to Korea that you don't understand even if there is no language barrier. Etc. Now multiply that because we are people from around the world asking for delivery. Then consider all the steps in addition to "finding a place to keep inventory"....