Don't misunderstand... There are huge costs involved for Brussel to be able to do this. Shipping, setting up a dedicated greenhouse, even having a dedicated incinerator to burn the packing boxes. Required inspections, permits, regulation compliance. And loss. Even in the pictures, there's a couple JBP turning yellow. And then there's the wait. They can't be sold for two years. So, he has his capital tied up for two years. It's an expensive endeavor. And there's probably costs I haven't included: electricity, water, employees, soil, pots, etc.
I understand that they're taking deposits, or advance purchases, to reserve a tree. If it's alive in two years, you take it home. If not, there's a refund policy.
I'm guessing there's $50,000 of fixed costs in greenhouse, facilities, labor, etc to house these trees. There's roughly 160 trees. At a retail value of $3000 each, that's about $500,000 of inventory.
I have no clue what it cost to ship these over here. It's not simply just crating them up, they have to be inspected and treated for disease before leaving Japan, roots barerooted, wrapped in wet spaghnum, then crated. FedEx, local delivery, un crated, reinspected, potted...
Let's say DJtommy is correct, the retail price for these in Japan is $50,000. Then greenhouse is $50,000 (probably more) shipping??? Let's figure $50,000. Interest on 150,000 investment @10%, for 2 years = 30,000. Plus ongoing utilities, labor, taxes, inspections: $20,000
That adds up to $200,000. Before inventory loss cost. And he wants to sell them for $500,000.
Actually, that's pretty reasonable. Considering all the headaches involved.
