do you think there is a market for this in your home country?

barden · 03-15-2012, 08:45 AM

So. I live in Africa.
I love African masks and curios. I have direct access to so much beautiful hand crafted stuff. There is a big tourism market here for this stuff too, so its all over the place. But I take my time browsing and finding really interesting pieces. Also, when I ask for prices they are usually really high for tourists, but I am able to use the 'local' card, and when they work out I know what's up, I can often get more than even half the price off.
Anyway, I was curious and went on eBay and see a lot of this stuff is way over priced on there, sometimes masks I can get tor a couple of hundred dollars going for over 3k.
Since it is something I really enjoy, I was thinking of setting something up online for folk to purchase my own curated collection at great prices. Shipping internationally might cost a bit more, but with direct access I can get way better prices than those souvenirs people take back home and then try flog off. I want to try also sell direct to interior decorators and such too. Think there is a market for this? I am thinking of making contact with some folk there who can maybe work as reps, contact local suppliers with catalogues and such. I was also thinking of sourcing some trendy African stuff too for younger / more hipster markets and such.
It's probably a dumb idea, but I would love to do it on the side as a small hobby or something if it is viable.

Cool As Ice Cream · 03-15-2012, 09:29 AM

isn't south africa very strict when it comes to exporting stuff?
i've heard that it is not allowed to export south african cds, for example. apparently there's a law against that.

Dead Frequency · 03-15-2012, 09:38 AM

Did the edible wrapping paper for cats idea work out

barden · 03-15-2012, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cool As Ice Cream

isn't south africa very strict when it comes to exporting stuff?
i've heard that it is not allowed to export south african cds, for example. apparently there's a law against that.

Nope! Never heard of that. We are pretty chill.

barden · 03-15-2012, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dead Frequency

Did the edible wrapping paper for cats idea work out

That's for long term!

Eulogy · 03-15-2012, 10:51 AM

i may be wrong but i think part of the appeal of those handcrafted touristy things is that you get them when you're there

hnibos · 03-15-2012, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barden

So. I live in Africa.
I love African masks and curios. I have direct access to so much beautiful hand crafted stuff. There is a big tourism market here for this stuff too, so its all over the place. But I take my time browsing and finding really interesting pieces. Also, when I ask for prices they are usually really high for tourists, but I am able to use the 'local' card, and when they work out I know what's up, I can often get more than even half the price off.
Anyway, I was curious and went on eBay and see a lot of this stuff is way over priced on there, sometimes masks I can get tor a couple of hundred dollars going for over 3k.
Since it is something I really enjoy, I was thinking of setting something up online for folk to purchase my own curated collection at great prices. Shipping internationally might cost a bit more, but with direct access I can get way better prices than those souvenirs people take back home and then try flog off. I want to try also sell direct to interior decorators and such too. Think there is a market for this? I am thinking of making contact with some folk there who can maybe work as reps, contact local suppliers with catalogues and such. I was also thinking of sourcing some trendy African stuff too for younger / more hipster markets and such.
It's probably a dumb idea, but I would love to do it on the side as a small hobby or something if it is viable.

No.

ilikeplanets · 03-15-2012, 03:53 PM

I don't know about a market, but you'd probably make a few sales.

The Omega Concern · 03-15-2012, 05:16 PM

In America, I'm not sure if people are over the Vuvuzela fiasco during the last World Cup. But the mask were cool in a Serpent and the Rainbow kinda way.

Dead Frequency · 03-15-2012, 07:20 PM

I know a good deal of upper middle class chumps that would be down to show how classy they are to others by having novel items you can't get in the states on display in their living room.

Trotskilicious · 03-15-2012, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eulogy

i may be wrong but i think part of the appeal of those handcrafted touristy things is that you get them when you're there

not necessarily, some friends of mine have a mask collection, and i know they aren't the only ones because my dad's colleague used to have parties at his place and i remember that his antechamber or hall or reception area or w/e was decorated with mexican masks that scared me shitless as a small child

Trotskilicious · 03-15-2012, 07:22 PM

i think barden should go full con and put them on etsy as if he made them himself

i think you could make some change but i doubt you'd be able to make a living off it

Sonic Johnny · 03-15-2012, 08:04 PM

Bring back the edible wrapping paper for cats, barden, srsly. I would buy so much of that shit.

Sonic Johnny · 03-15-2012, 08:04 PM

and then probably buy a cat too.

TheGirl · 03-15-2012, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eulogy

i may be wrong but i think part of the appeal of those handcrafted touristy things is that you get them when you're there

I tend to agree with this.

SuckSuckStyle · 03-15-2012, 09:10 PM

there are collectors for sure. dunno how big the market is, but as soon as it's out of Africa the price easily doubles if not a lot more.

people who travel get them while they're there. collectors look around for the best price and easiest transaction.

03-15-2012, 08:45 AM	#1
barden Braindead Location: The Ghetto Posts: 19,611	do you think there is a market for this in your home country? So. I live in Africa. I love African masks and curios. I have direct access to so much beautiful hand crafted stuff. There is a big tourism market here for this stuff too, so its all over the place. But I take my time browsing and finding really interesting pieces. Also, when I ask for prices they are usually really high for tourists, but I am able to use the 'local' card, and when they work out I know what's up, I can often get more than even half the price off. Anyway, I was curious and went on eBay and see a lot of this stuff is way over priced on there, sometimes masks I can get tor a couple of hundred dollars going for over 3k. Since it is something I really enjoy, I was thinking of setting something up online for folk to purchase my own curated collection at great prices. Shipping internationally might cost a bit more, but with direct access I can get way better prices than those souvenirs people take back home and then try flog off. I want to try also sell direct to interior decorators and such too. Think there is a market for this? I am thinking of making contact with some folk there who can maybe work as reps, contact local suppliers with catalogues and such. I was also thinking of sourcing some trendy African stuff too for younger / more hipster markets and such. It's probably a dumb idea, but I would love to do it on the side as a small hobby or something if it is viable.

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03-15-2012, 09:29 AM	#2
Cool As Ice Cream Just Hook it to My Veins! Location: František! How's the foot of your turtle? Posts: 31,760	isn't south africa very strict when it comes to exporting stuff? i've heard that it is not allowed to export south african cds, for example. apparently there's a law against that.

03-15-2012, 09:38 AM	#3
Dead Frequency Minion of Satan Location: They don't know who did it, but they're looking for hardened criminals Posts: 5,960	Did the edible wrapping paper for cats idea work out

03-15-2012, 10:51 AM	#6
Eulogy huh Posts: 62,362	i may be wrong but i think part of the appeal of those handcrafted touristy things is that you get them when you're there

03-15-2012, 03:53 PM	#8
ilikeplanets Socialphobic Location: Ignore List Posts: 14,104	I don't know about a market, but you'd probably make a few sales.

03-15-2012, 05:16 PM	#9
The Omega Concern Banned Location: stay, far, away Posts: 8,997	In America, I'm not sure if people are over the Vuvuzela fiasco during the last World Cup. But the mask were cool in a Serpent and the Rainbow kinda way.

03-15-2012, 07:20 PM	#10
Dead Frequency Minion of Satan Location: They don't know who did it, but they're looking for hardened criminals Posts: 5,960	I know a good deal of upper middle class chumps that would be down to show how classy they are to others by having novel items you can't get in the states on display in their living room.

03-15-2012, 07:22 PM	#12
Trotskilicious Banned Location: I believe in the transcendental qualities of friendship. Posts: 39,602	i think barden should go full con and put them on etsy as if he made them himself i think you could make some change but i doubt you'd be able to make a living off it

03-15-2012, 08:04 PM	#13
Sonic Johnny Through Silver In Buds Location: Centralia Posts: 16,520	Bring back the edible wrapping paper for cats, barden, srsly. I would buy so much of that shit.

03-15-2012, 09:10 PM	#16
SuckSuckStyle Socialphobic Location: you look like you like to hang out. you look like you like to hang out and drink soda Posts: 12,677	there are collectors for sure. dunno how big the market is, but as soon as it's out of Africa the price easily doubles if not a lot more. people who travel get them while they're there. collectors look around for the best price and easiest transaction.