Money From Junk!

2,500%+ PROFIT - YOU MUST BE JOKING!

You will read many 'schemes' for turning rubbish into money

and sadly, most of them are unworkable.  But, here is such a

business that is completely workable - indeed, it's already a

successful business.  And, what's more it has not been

published before and it is just waiting to be exploited in

all areas!

You will often have seen upholstery retailers offering to

take upholstery in part exchange for new - for example '$100

allowance for your old 3 piece'.  You might also have

wondered just what happens to this part exchange upholstery -

the shops don't sell and it is often too good to tip.  Well,

the simple answer is that it is sold through the trade,

refurbished and resold as top quality secondhand furniture!

When you consider a good quality dralon suite might sell for

$1,000 - there's sure to be lots of buyers for a good quality

reconditioned one at $3-400!  The cheaper refurbished suites

sell to poorer people - and the better quality ones enjoy

lots of demand at the top end of the scale.  It's not

everybody who wants - or needs a brand new suite.  Especially

those with pets or children!

Anyone can easily start a business (part time if you like),

buying these suites for a few pounds, cleaning them up and

selling for 100's of times what they cost you.  You work from

home.  what's more this is not a fanciful 'plan' - several

people are already making big profits just doing this.  But,

this scheme is new in concept and there is still plenty of

opportunity for new business to cash in.  Surely it must be

one of the few remaining opportunities to buy a valuable

product for next to nothing!

FINDING SUPPLIES

You will need a little capital to buy your first suite for

refurbishment - $10 should do it easily if you know where to

look.  You can then sell this and use the profits to

re-invest in your business - maybe even start your own

furniture showroom with time!

It is possible to go direct to the larger upholstery

retailers and ask if they sell off part-exchange furniture. 

Make it clear you are a trader or they may pretend not to be

interested.  Usually though they will be keen to dispose of

this furniture and you can offer to pay a little over the

odds and still make big profits.  They take part exchanges

not because they want to - but as a sales gimmick and usually

you will be doing them a service by removing unwanted

exchange items.

If you cannot buy direct from a retailer you will have to try

an auction.  There will be many auctions of 'household

effects' in your area and you will need to make a habit of

visiting some.  Rarely will they all sell 3 piece suites

exclusively - but you will soon find the ones which tend to

attract most of this type of furniture.  take some time to

learn how the auction works and you will not find it hard to

snap up a bargain.

However you buy your stock it is not possible to identify the

most profitable items.  Concentrate entirely on 3 piece

suites since these are most readily saleable.  Don't buy odd

chairs which will be difficult to sell.  Don't consider badly

torn or damaged upholstery.  But, you should consider

anything that is just dirty - no matter how badly soiled it

is.  Or, anything with a few minor faults e.g. castors and

buttons missing.  Look particularly at dralon suites as these

are the very easiest to handle and the dirtier they are the

more profit you will get!

You will be able to pick up some good stock from as little as

$3-4 (realistically!) for a full suite.  But, you should be

prepared to pay up to $30 (if you have the money) and still

be confident of making a big profit.

If you are successfully in bidding for a suite the auction

rooms will usually keep it for a while until you can arrange

transport.  If you don't have suitable transport hire a large

van (e.g. a Transit or Luton type van).  These can often be

hired by the hour for self-drive (a little more with driver)

from as little as $4-5 per trip.  Once you get the suite home

you will need somewhere to store it.  A spare bedroom is

fine, but a garage or garden shed will do.  Cover the suite

to protect it and provide some heat if the weather is cold

and damp.

Once you have purchased a suite it must be refurbished as

soon as possible for maximum profit.  But, an average suite

should not take more than 2 or 3 evenings work to bring to

easily saleable standard.

THE REFURBISHING PROCESS

Refurbishing an ordinary suite is not a difficult process and

a good quality job can be effected by the average DIY person. 

Do not employ professional upholsterers since this will cut

into your profit and they may catch onto the idea themselves!

The first step should be to repair any actual, physical

damage to the suite.  This can come in many forms but even

severe damage can often be restored to near new condition. 

Obtain an upholstery repair book if you are particularly

interested in this.

A common problem is that buttons come adrift on buttoned

suites.  These can be easily repaired and most are secured by

a piece of thick cotton to the back of the furniture.  Repair

or replace cushion zips where necessary.  Sometimes fringes

or rouches fall from older suites and these can be restitched

or glued or removed completely.  You will find it handy to

build up a small stock of upholsterers supplies and tools.

Whilst major tears cannot be repaired it is possible to use

discreet patches in some circumstances.  Matching material

can be obtained from underneath cushions.  The material taken

from here can be replaced with the linen type material which

is usually found on the underside of suites.  Obviously, any

repairs of this type will have to be very carefully done if

you want to get a good price for the finished product.

Where cushions or upholstered sections sag or bulge simply

add or remove stuffing to suit.  Avoid over-stuffing which is

a common fault and makes the furniture very uncomfortable!

The majority of suites taken in part exchange are not

seriously defective and it will not be hard to achieve a good

job.  Many repairs will be undetectable - and even if they

are noticeable the customer will often not mind due to the

bargain selling price of the finished suite.

When the suite is physically repaired it must be very

thoroughly cleaned.  The best way to do this is to steam

clean it.  Steam cleaning machines and all the necessary

chemicals can be hired from local shops.  Or, you would soon

find it worthwhile to buy a machine.  Good used steam

cleaners are available from $100 up.

It is easy to obtain an excellent result with steam cleaning. 

Many different types of upholstery, especially dralon and

other synthetics, will clean up like new fabric!  In most

cases you will find the armchairs dirtier than the sofa, so

clean accordingly.  Apart from obtaining a good appearance

use plenty of special cleaning perfumes and deodorants on the

suite.  A clean, fresh smell is all important in selling. 

Customers often do not mind buying upholstery which is not in

the best physical condition, but dirty - or smelly -

furniture will not sell well, even to the person with very

little to spend.

Be sure to allow the suite plenty of time to dry out. 

Finally, replace any missing castors or legs and cover the

suite with a clear protective sheeting to give a factory

fresh look!

SELLING

When you are sure the suite is in a saleable condition you

can proceed to selling it.  You will need to decide on a

selling price first.  This will usually be much higher than

you think.  Compare with the value of similar quality new

upholstery and similar upholstery being sold by private

individuals.  Remember that your suites can sell for more

than this due to the fact that they are fully refurbished.

Some traders would set the suite up in their own living room

and sell as if a private sale.  This means the suite should

sell fast and for a high price as a 'one careful owner' piece

of furniture.  Really though, this is less than honest, and

you are better declaring yourself as a trader.  In keeping

with this theme keep usual trading records.

Your furniture can be inexpensively sold using classified

advertisements in newspapers.  Another good way is by placing

cards in shop windows.  If you do this then enclosing a

photograph should attract more attention.  Be sure to give

full description of your suites, e.g. colour, material,

style, etc.  You do not have to quote a price, but if you do

put 'o.n.o.' (or near offer).  This always attracts more

attention, and you can put your price up a bit to allow for

this!  A mid-range suite might sell fast at $120-250.  Not

bad for something that cost only a tenth or twentieth of that

price - even allowing for costs of refurbishment and

advertising!

If you can deliver suites once sold this will get you much

more business - and you can easily deliver one suite when

going to buy the next one!

EVER INCREASING BUSINESS

By far the best way to start is to buy just one 3 piece suite

and refurbish and sell it at home.  Your costs are little and

your profit can be several thousand percent.  But, there is

easy potential to develop your venture into a very big, maybe

even full time venture.

You can expand from home as long as you have the space,

taking into stock as many suites as you have room for.  Or,

you can take on small workshop or shop premises.  Apart from

the extra space you can also display suites and this will

generate much more business.  This can still be done part

time by employing an assistant on commission.

A good alternative is to get second hand goods shops to stock

your suites.  Provide them with one or two and pay them a

commission once they are sold.  The low purchase price of the

part exchange suites mean very little cash is tied up in

stock.  You could build up a network of agents throughout

your region.  If each of 20 agents sold one or two suites per

week you could build up a very high turnover - at a vast

profit margin!

Whilst many suites will be sold to those who cannot afford

new, there is also good scope for selling high quality

upholstery.  Some of this is hand made 'work of art' and is

quite desirable and sought after.  You can even specialise in

this 'quality end' of the market - not that the cheaper end

is any less lucrative!

Whatever part of the market you decide to exploit, you can be

sure of a plentiful supply of upholstery at bargain prices -

and customers at high prices.  And, can start safe in the

knowledge that you will be one of the first to start in this

new venture.  As furniture gets more and more expensive it's

sure to boom every more - and starting now will mean you can

be ready to cash in!