>How I went about choosing the right items
For $0.90 a pair, I figured that I could charge $7.99. This means an 800% markup. As I explored more lingerie items, I figured that a good number is 400%.
I worked out that for the higher quality, lower margin items, it actually works out cheaper and more profitable in the broader sense. Particularly as the more expensive, lower margin items have better shipping options. Explained:
I figured that with clothing, customers aren't willing to wait that long for shipping. I decided that 3 weeks was the longest I'd want to wait, as a customer. So, with a rough profit margin in mind, and a decision on products, my first constraint was set:
>item must be shipped within three weeks
So I set about finding items that had shipping options to a max of 21 days. A common shipping option, on AliExpress, 'E-Packets', arrive between 13 - 20 days, and often cost less than $3 per item. Items with this method of shipping available, for no more than $6, were the items I'd choose.
I decided that having to deal with returns, non-arrivals, damaged items and wrong items, was a time consumer that I wasn't prepared to deal with (I work full time anyway).
AliExpress has satisfaction ratings for each seller. Here's how I used these ratings:
>Anything below 96%, don't even bother, unless there's super positive reviews for the item itself.
>Between 96% and 97%, really take the time to read the reviews and do product vetting. If there's an 'item not received' review, discard the product. The specific item should have no reviews under 3 stars.
>Between 97% - 100%, it's a safe bet. Still, flick through the negative reviews. The item should have zero 'item not received' reviews.
Attached is a screenshot of how I vetted the items, both for quality and viability. If people want, I'll put this spreadsheet on google docs or some shit so you can use it for your own purposes.
>if an item is green, total costs, including shipping, are under $15
