Thread: looking to start a emergency light and equipment business.....

ok so im looking to get a little business started, already looked into the big names (whelen, fed, code 3/pse) WAAAAAAY to much money to get started with there products... so im searching the Internet and i come across this site called extreme tactical dynamics... looks like it could be some good stuff. now obviously there supplier is over seas prob china.... but would anyone here know who there supplier is or where they get there product? this might be a long shot but it never hurts to ask... thanks for the help in advance

Tim

Why not save up and sell the good stuff or find some other financial means to sell the name brand equipment? If you sell the "junk" out there that will give you a bad rap. Have you checked into Feniex?

Trust me, you do NOT want to sell the reversed engineered Chinese junk. When it fails (and it will in short order), you will get a bad rep. Sell quality stuff.

I agree, check with Feniex.

I don't know if PIMP has dealers but I would like to be one of them.

Try strobesnmore.com I know Louis has dealer accounts. Or ledguy.net/store also has dealer accounts.

If you'd like to make a little money at it, start with a big pile...

Start doing installs, that's where the money is. Unless you have six figures set aside, I wouldn't bother trying to get into sales. Websites, advertising, inventory, it all adds up. The profit margins in the industry are nothing like they were 10 years ago. We set up 20-25 guys a year with dealer accounts, I maybe 2 or 3 make more than one purchase.

-Jared

Tip #1 Don't sell anything that is not backed by a 5 year warranty.

Tip #2 Do your research on any "wholesalers" your looking to do business with.

Tip #3 See what your customer base is looking for. For example if your are selling to local Volunteer Firefighter and EMS people,
they will be looking for small Blue and Green LED's, and dash lights. No need to stock up on light bars. (although you may occasionally get an order for one)

Tip #4 Decide whether you will be internet based or just sell locally. Pros & Cons: having a website on the internet will definitely get you more exposure,
but if someone is on the internet, they may find a better deal then your offering. You would also have the extra responsibility of up keeping a website, answering emails etc.....

Tip #5 Incorporate. You will have to incorporate or get an LLC, most Lights and siren retailers will charge you tax with each order, even if your state has a lower tax rate.

Tip #6 Don't under cut your local competitors too much. There will be times that you will need to purchase things ASAP, and you may find yourself buying
from your competition. This doesn't mean that if your competitor has sky high prices that you shouldn't have reasonable prices, it just means don't undercut your prices so much that no one would make money. (Staying in good terms with competitors is also a good idea, as they will buy from you as well)

Tip #7 Be honest. If you are honest, word will spread about how well you take care of your customers. ( Not to brag, but I had a guy who came in today to pay me for something he already paid for a month ago, I could have just shut my mouth and I would have gotten paid twice, but I let him know that he paid me already. The customer said that he was pretty sure that he didn't , but i knew that he did. The bottom line is he left with and extra $85 in his pocket, and I know he will recommend me to anyone he can)

Tip #8 Open a separate business checking account. This will simplify your tax process, and will allow you to see if your making enough profit to continue your venture.

Tip #9 Don't be ashamed to tell a customer that they can find an item else where if you can't supply it. The customer will thank you for your honesty and will come back to you again. On a side note, there is nothing that a customer hates more, then someone that pushes them off again and again, or retailer that stops answering their calls.

Tip #10 Give it your all. Not one business in the world was successful that didn't have someone at the top giving it their all. (Political side note: That's why the USA is in such trouble, the commander in chief couldn't give a damn, he's too busy out on the golf courses) In most cases you will reap what you sow, after all that's the "golden rule"


Good Luck!

Also look into becoming a radio dealer for kenwood or motorola. Id recommend kenwood though. Lights and radios go hand in hand.

Yes, I do have distributors. I have helped a lot of people get started. PM me or email me, if that's an option in my profile. I'll be glad to give you some more information.

I would agree with everything except #4 & #5.

Just because you have a website don't expect that it will suddenly start getting you more exposure, generating traffic takes hard work, time, and money.

I'm not sure what Incorporating has to do with charging tax or state sales tax. You will need a resale license to allow you to purchase without tax and collect sales tax for sales within your state, but that has nothing to do with your company structure.

-Jared

Originally Posted by LLS

Tip #1 Don't sell anything that is not backed by a 5 year warranty.

Tip #2 Do your research on any "wholesalers" your looking to do business with.

Tip #3 See what your customer base is looking for. For example if your are selling to local Volunteer Firefighter and EMS people,
they will be looking for small Blue and Green LED's, and dash lights. No need to stock up on light bars. (although you may occasionally get an order for one)

Tip #4 Decide whether you will be internet based or just sell locally. Pros & Cons: having a website on the internet will definitely get you more exposure,
but if someone is on the internet, they may find a better deal then your offering. You would also have the extra responsibility of up keeping a website, answering emails etc.....

Tip #5 Incorporate. You will have to incorporate or get an LLC, most Lights and siren retailers will charge you tax with each order, even if your state has a lower tax rate.

Tip #6 Don't under cut your local competitors too much. There will be times that you will need to purchase things ASAP, and you may find yourself buying
from your competition. This doesn't mean that if your competitor has sky high prices that you shouldn't have reasonable prices, it just means don't undercut your prices so much that no one would make money. (Staying in good terms with competitors is also a good idea, as they will buy from you as well)

Tip #7 Be honest. If you are honest, word will spread about how well you take care of your customers. ( Not to brag, but I had a guy who came in today to pay me for something he already paid for a month ago, I could have just shut my mouth and I would have gotten paid twice, but I let him know that he paid me already. The customer said that he was pretty sure that he didn't , but i knew that he did. The bottom line is he left with and extra $85 in his pocket, and I know he will recommend me to anyone he can)

Tip #8 Open a separate business checking account. This will simplify your tax process, and will allow you to see if your making enough profit to continue your venture.

Tip #9 Don't be ashamed to tell a customer that they can find an item else where if you can't supply it. The customer will thank you for your honesty and will come back to you again. On a side note, there is nothing that a customer hates more, then someone that pushes them off again and again, or retailer that stops answering their calls.

Tip #10 Give it your all. Not one business in the world was successful that didn't have someone at the top giving it their all. (Political side note: That's why the USA is in such trouble, the commander in chief couldn't give a damn, he's too busy out on the golf courses) In most cases you will reap what you sow, after all that's the "golden rule"


Good Luck!

If you do not have a large pile of $$$ then start simple with installs. One other thing to consider might be accepting trade ins for a small portion off a final cost. For example if XYZ fire department is getting a new command vehicle equipped and they have any old equipment that they are not planning on using on the new vehicle, offer them a percentage off the install for the trade in of their old equipment. Depending on what they might have to trade in you can make some extra cash. I have seen it work.

It's a lot of work... Find a supplier you have good communication with and who offers a good product. Get about $10,000 - $15,000 in stock. Ship your items ASAP. Do installs, they generate a lot of business and income. Try to be different, there's a lot of consistency in this field; someone who is different (good or bad) will shine above the rest

Originally Posted by ofd149

ok so im looking to get a little business started, already looked into the big names (whelen, fed, code 3/pse) WAAAAAAY to much money to get started with there products... so im searching the Internet and i come across this site called extreme tactical dynamics... looks like it could be some good stuff. now obviously there supplier is over seas prob china.... but would anyone here know who there supplier is or where they get there product? this might be a long shot but it never hurts to ask... thanks for the help in advance

Tim

Best advise I can give - don't start a lighting business. There are many easier ways to make a lot more money! :-)