Cyprus-Forum.com

[The Toaster Man]

Hi there. just returned from my first visit to Cyprus with my family. what a great time we had. Stayed at the Toxotis apartments in Paralimni. very nice apartments nice little area.
It was a bit of a busmans holiday for me beacuse I sell little disposable travel toasters for use in holiday apartments (www.traveltoasters.com)and I can see a huge market for them all over Cyprus. Trouble is I don't know the right people to talk to.
I could do with a little bit of your local knowlege to get the ball rolling.
I beleive the sort of person would either be an importer of goods for supermarkets. Or someone looking for a new business venture selling and distributing to supermarkets. The manager at the Toxotis is trying to help. (She sold quite a few of our toasters while we were there).
Anyway, I hope someone can help..give me a bit of a start
Thanks
Phil

[Sotos]

Maybe you could promote them at the small "supermarkets" and kiosks in the tourists areas?

[The Toaster Man]

you're right, that's the palce they need to be seen and sold. My problem is finding the right person to carry out the promotion on my behalf. I can provide samples, that's not a problem but if those samples sell, then what?
Due to postage cost it is not viable for me to deal directly with each kiosk sending 20 or 30 toasters every time.
The kiosk really needs to be supplied by a company based on Cyprus, that can import them from me in bulk.
This keeps the cost down and their prophit up. With a retail price on Cyprus of around £1.50 £2.00 (Cypriot pound) I can supply from the UK at around 50 cents. (depending on quantity). This leaves plenty for taxes and "mark up".
Any way thanks for your help, I appreciate it
Phil

[aidy]

phil, not wishing to dissappoint you, but these travel toasters look very similar to BBQ accessories that can be purchased in a lot of shops around here. retailing at around 2-3 cyp each

[fox]

Stop being such a pessimist Aidy, but I know what you mean.
In Cyprus its always the case...................... Any thing you want to do either some ones done it better or cheaper................ Or you can't get the darn license to do it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Theres a concrete wall whichever way you turn.... literally!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[cyprusgrump]

phil, not wishing to dissappoint you, but these travel toasters look very similar to BBQ accessories that can be purchased in a lot of shops around here. retailing at around 2-3 cyp each

I also thought that after checking-out the web site.

[The Toaster Man]

Of course I appreciate the comparison but have you ever tried toasting bread on an electric hotplate with a BBQ grill? A BBQ grill may look similar but is technically very different. It's like eating your dinner with a garden fork. both look similar and cary out similar functions, but both are designed to do different jobs.

Our toasters on the other hand are purpose made for the job. Designed especially for toasting on an electric cooking ring, and we've made them small enough to fit easily into hand luggage.

Looks like I might have to come out there again in order to get the ball rolling. Knock on a few doors.
Whatch this space Aidy...This time next year...I'll be a ....well lets just wait and see, eh

[aidy]

Fox - the original post was asking ppls opinion/advice. i quote "I could do with a little bit of your local knowlege to get the ball rolling. " i merely offered it. why is that being pessimistic???? most places in the world it is always the case that someone has done it before. and i am not saying it is not worth doing. just highlighting that there is something similar already in the shops.