Video Summary

This AI Finds Cheap Products You Can Sell for 5x More

Chris Koerner on The Koerner Office Podcast

Main takeaways
01

Use an AI sourcing agent (Axio) to search 400M+ products and 1.5M+ suppliers globally with natural-language prompts.

02

Validate demand with Google Trends and category search (e.g., 'porch pirate', 'parcel box') before committing.

03

AI can generate a production-ready tech pack from simple prompts—no engineering skills required.

04

Price-shop suppliers across countries to find the best unit cost and forecast margins after shipping and fees.

05

Start selling via Facebook Marketplace, Amazon, or your own site; test with samples before large orders.

Key moments
Questions answered

What AI tool does the video use to find suppliers and products?

The demo uses Axio, an AI sourcing agent that can search hundreds of millions of products and over 1.5 million suppliers globally using natural-language prompts.

How does the creator validate demand before sourcing?

They use Google Trends to check search interest (e.g., 'porch pirate' and 'parcel box') and look for upward trends before proceeding.

What is a tech pack and how is AI used to create one?

A tech pack is a detailed specification sheet showing construction details, measurements, materials, and colors; the video shows generating a production-ready tech pack via AI prompts without engineering expertise.

Which selling channels are recommended to test the product quickly?

The video recommends Facebook Marketplace, Amazon, and your own website as three primary ways to list and test product demand.

How does the video suggest estimating profitability?

By comparing supplier prices to retail listings, then accounting for shipping, platform fees (like Amazon), and margins — aiming for healthy gross margins (example: targeting 75–80% gross margin before fees, with net profits around 20–30% after fees).

The Power of AI in Product Sourcing 00:00

"We have AI agents that can do all that hard stuff for us."

  • AI technology is revolutionizing product sourcing, allowing individuals with product ideas to find, design, and manufacture items without needing deep industry knowledge.

  • Tools like AI agents can help source products from around the world while evaluating competition and profit potential, minimizing the guesswork involved in finding winning products.

A Case Study: Creating a Porch Pirate Box 00:45

"I want to create a porch pirate box, like a safe that belongs on your front porch."

  • The speaker identifies a market need for a secure box that can protect deliveries from theft, based on data from Google Trends showing rising interest in the topic.

  • The idea is to design an aesthetically pleasing lockbox that blends with home decor while addressing the prevalent issue of package theft, known as porch piracy.

Using AI Tools for Product Discovery 02:23

"It's called Axio, an AI sourcing agent that can help you sort between over 400 million products."

  • Axio allows users to describe their product requirements in natural language and find suitable suppliers, not limited to China but encompassing manufacturers worldwide.

  • With features that include price comparison and image recognition, Axio helps locate trending products that may not yet be popular, providing a competitive edge.

Generating a Tech Pack with AI 04:48

"A tech pack is basically an image that outlines all the construction details and product specifications."

  • The creation of a tech pack is crucial for manufacturers to know the exact specifications for custom products, and AI can simplify this process significantly.

  • Users can generate a complete production-ready tech pack by simply inputting their design preferences, eliminating the need for sophisticated engineering skills.

Selling Strategies for the Product 06:10

"There are three primary ways we can sell these things: Facebook Marketplace, Amazon, and your own website."

  • The speaker outlines several effective platforms for selling the product, allowing quick listing and access to a vast audience.

  • A comparison of marketplace items reveals opportunities based on pricing strategies, highlighting the importance of understanding competitor pricing for maximizing profit margins.

  • Tools and techniques, such as using visual search engines to find similar products, can lead to discovering profitable opportunities within the market.

Finding and Validating Product Ideas 08:36

"Find a vendor that will send you a sample for free or a sample for a hundred bucks."

  • It's important to test product demand before making a significant investment, such as purchasing a large quantity. Obtaining a sample allows you to create marketing content and understand potential customer interest without committing significant funds.

  • Tools like Axio can help identify trending products on platforms such as AliExpress and Alibaba, which screen out less desirable options and focus on higher-demand items.

  • When communicating with suppliers, Axio assists by auto-filling common inquiries, making the process accessible even for those with little prior experience.

Customizing Search Preferences 09:40

"If you always want to order from Cambodia or China, you can add in a long-term preference here."

  • Users can customize their searches by setting long-term preferences for sourcing, which optimizes results to show only specific geographic regions or types of suppliers, like distributors over manufacturers.

  • This targeted approach enables a refined search experience, allowing time-efficient product sourcing tailored to individual business needs.

Assessing Profitability and Taking Action 10:34

"After shipping and Amazon fees, we can expect to net a profit between 20 and 30%."

  • During the sourcing process, you can evaluate the potential profitability by comparing the supplier's prices against retail costs. This comparison is crucial for forecasting net profits after accounting for shipping and related fees.

  • The landscape for starting a business has become more accessible than ever, allowing almost immediate transition from idea to product sales. The technology supporting this is set to improve, creating even greater opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs.