Code name: TravelShopping.com
Every once in a while I post what i believe can be a real business idea that I would do myself if I had the time to run it (but too busy to switch the on button). Here is one I am convinced is a good one
People travel for holidays or business and people want to shop. There is one thing I do every single time I travel and I am convinced I am not alone. I look on the web for products I would buy in my country and try to find if I can get it cheaper abroad during my trip.
It can be cheaper because of currency rate, because it is sold cheaper, because special promotions apply or simply because the product is not taxed in the same way. There are many reasons why you would want to buy abroad [limitation: warranties may be void, and product specs like electricity might not always be friendly...]
I have learned how to do that over time. But this is not for every one. Because you need to know the language of the country you are traveling to but you also need to know where to search for your product. You need to know either what are the best local shops and also the local comparison price comparison search engine
For example if you come from Germany you need to know cdiscount is a cool low price ecommerce site in France or that Twenga is the place to look for prices.
Sometimes you need to know the equivalent name of the same product reference
And no one is addressing that big niche.
What you need Is a price comparison search engine that compares the best deal you can get in your country with the best deals you can get in the country you are traveling to and this in the native language of the traveller. In other words shopping.com in your language compare shops from all over places not just one country.
Experience: Pick your language. Pick the country you travel too. Pick your travel dates and location. Search products, compare prices.
Done.
Technically there is no limitation (that i know of). There is one trick. You need to handle right the way delivery delay is handled to make sure that if you order the product before you travel you get it on time when you arrive..most hotels will agree to receive it in your name if you book a room
You probably need to pay a premium because of credit card international transaction commissions but overall this is a real deal. Also by buying on the internet you will not be entitled to a Tax Refund, but it still may be worth buying on the web.
For example in Israel it is not worth at all buying anything electronics in the duty free at the airport. Anything is price 30 to 40% more than what you can find in the USA
This site is condemned to success. and it's easy to bootstrap
Start with easy destinations France/USA or Germany/France.
So any one up for it?