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Finding Things for Business

Submitted by fyl on Thu, 2008/02/21 - 11:25.
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Maybe just "finding things" is a better title. The issue is, if you are starting a business, running a business or just looking for "stuff" that is not what you find in the public market or local hardware store in Nicaragua, how do you find it? Is there a way/something we can do to make this process easier for all of us.

http://www.NicaPlaza.com was supposed to address this with the Business Directory. Unfortunately, that is vendor driven and 99% of the vendors in Nicaragua don't understand the concept of advertising. That means that we need a consumer driven approach.

Today, I have seen a post looking for help finding real hot water heaters and another about finding seeds. While reading this, Gixia and I have been looking for a diesel "planta electrica", a portable water tank, a well pump, some walkie-talkies, someone to silk screen mugs, a FAX machine/copier and 10 other things. This isn't "window shopping". We are spending a lot of time just trying to locate suppliers. As we move forward we will be looking for tens of thousands of dollars of other things for the Geek Ranch project.

I don't have a solution but I sure have a desire to find a solution. Based on NL posts, it seems a lot of other people have very similar problems. I see NicaLiving as being about "living" in Nicaragua but it is very clear something needs to be done to offer information about how to find/buy things. It might be part of NL, it might be a replacement for the NicaPlaza business directory or something else. I am looking for suggestions/ideas.

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Tool Town Costa Rica

Submitted by GregO on Thu, 2008/02/21 - 16:07.

My friend started a distributorship in Costa Rica to sell slightly used/surplus hardware in San Jose, Costa Rica. Most items are as good as new, and the prices beat new item prices in CR by a good margin Their website is www.tooltown.co.cr Maybe they can ship some of the items you are looking for.

Finding things et al

Submitted by dirtbag on Thu, 2008/02/21 - 13:58.

What do expats do in Costa Rica? Honduras? Countries that border Nicaragua with ex-pats.

consumer driven approach

Submitted by 1st Capt. Ron on Thu, 2008/02/21 - 11:56.

In several areas in the US, there are radio shows, typically on the weekends, that host callers looking to sell, buy and trade different products or services. Adapting this to the internet a billboard may work, but it would be even better if there was a live chatting session hosted by a moderator on a regular schedule. Maybe weekly like the radio shows.

I do not know how practical this is in Nicaragua, but the web site could sell by consignment. We could have a single store or drop off location for each region the demand exists. Then post the items on the web site where the moderator would actively respond to the customer. The site could charge the buyers and sellers a 2% or 3% fee (like VISA) for advertising. It might make enough to pay for itself.

1st Capt. Ron

Expat Items

Submitted by dirtbag on Thu, 2008/02/21 - 14:22.

It may be more logical to promote, advertise, internet-ise, tied to an already existing retail outfit that has the infrastructure,customs, wholesale connections with a physical outlet in Nicaragua. Catering to special needs for the expat community, a potential niche for an existing chain or Nica owned business. If there was enough demand and profitable, why not 25square feet or so space within PriceClub or Costco/ They have them in Nicaragua don't they? Otherwise some expat entrepeneur could rent/lease space from "The" retailer and split the profits after expenses. Should there be enough business eventually open up an exclusive spot of ones own. Just remember..No Tickee..no Laundry! as they say.