I'm running an online store and having a really hard time finding TRUE wholesale suppliers for me to work with so I could improve the product lines I'm offering. Searching on the internet leads to 99.99% to any middlemen who love to call themselves being a wholesaler. But after comparing their prices to what the products sell for on the online market I quick find out they are nothing else but someone who tries to sell me their products that they bought from a wholesaler and they already have marked up so high, that there is no markup of the product left for me anymore if I want to offer competitive prices and so I still would be able to make sorta living of it. Are there any sources, hard copy directories or whatever else where I could have more success finding true wholesalers for me to do business with?
You are so correct. Mainly it looks like all the products come from China.
From there theres the middle man & most are in CA.
Prices are outrageous if your business hasn't grown (start-up).
Wholesale fashion clothes & shoes for instance the quality is there & so is
the middle man.
It's also hard to find their source but the middle man is okay when you can't
afford the MOQ from China.
What you need to do is really take time to look up your market and see what
your competitors are doing and duplicate it with a twist. I own a business
that is centered on selling office chairs and office furniture and i had to
take time out to see who had the best office chairs wholesale. Just take the
time out and highly investigate.
The problem is often that the manufacturers will give huge discounts to the
major retailers. I had the problem once selling electronics. One of the Big
Boxes was retail selling identical items at far below my wholesale cost. (ex.
an item I paid $107.00 (supposedly wholesale) for, they were selling at
$96.95 at retail)
I just moved away from those brands. There is no way to compete like that and
survive. This is why it is so hard to get a retail business started and
survive in a large competitive market.
The problem is often that the manufacturers will give huge discounts to the major retailers. I had the problem once selling electronics. One of the Big Boxes was retail selling identical items at far below my wholesale cost. (ex. an item I paid $107.00 (supposedly wholesale) for, they were selling at $96.95 at retail)
I just moved away from those brands. There is no way to compete like that and survive. This is why it is so hard to get a retail business started and survive in a large competitive market.
Another avenue to pursue is Merchandise Marts. I suspect there is one in
Dallas. This is where the manufacturers meet retailers and vice versa. There
are regularly scheduled "shows" where the manufacturers show their new
introductions. Here in Atlanta, these shows are held in January and June and
they are an event!
These are exclusively for retailers. Consumers can't get in. Check for a
Merchandise Mart in Dallas and call to find out when the next Home
Furnishings show will be held and plan to attend.
There are Merchandise Marts in all major cities. The biggie for home
furnishings/accessories is Chicago at McCormick Place.
The problem is often that the manufacturers will give huge discounts to the major retailers. I had the problem once selling electronics. One of the Big Boxes was retail selling identical items at far below my wholesale cost. (ex. an item I paid $107.00 (supposedly wholesale) for, they were selling at $96.95 at retail)
I just moved away from those brands. There is no way to compete like that and survive. This is why it is so hard to get a retail business started and survive in a large competitive market.
Verdecove, it may be that the goods being sold on line are seconds, restocks
or warranty repair items. These are often found on ebay and go for a song
sometimes.
These are often sold at no reserve prices and go very cheap. For instance, I
once bought a Craftsman rechargeable circular saw for $7.00. the retail price
had been $69.95. Sears contracts with people to blow-out discontinued items
and it doesn't appear they particularly care about the price.
I have bought similar tools and re-sold them at a substantial profits.
Depending on what you sell the best way is Trade shows. If its retail items
go to the ASDAMD show in LV. Its expensive i know but it will give you the
chance to deal with the suppliers that count.
Not all wholesalers deal with the public. Many sell to a limited number of distributors and the distributors sell to the end client.
"Wholesalers" who deal with the public are not wholesalers, they are discount
retailers. Manufacturers may sell direct to retailers or may sell through
distribution. (distributors who buy from the mfg. and resell to the
retailers)
No doubt, retailers try to go around distribution and some manufacturers
participate in this. I've even had the situation of the manufacturers selling
directly to my (business) customers. I don't do business with them any more
and tell them so and exactly why. I also tell my competitors who often pull
their business as well.
"Wholesalers" who deal with the public are not wholesalers, they are discount retailers. Manufacturers may sell direct to retailers or may sell through distribution. (distributors who buy from the mfg. and resell to the retailers)
No doubt, retailers try to go around distribution and some manufacturers participate in this. I've even had the situation of the manufacturers selling directly to my (business) customers. I don't do business with them any more and tell them so and exactly why. I also tell my competitors who often pull their business as well.
How do you deal with manufacturers that back stab you by dealing directly
with your customers and taking your sales away?
Daily hard work and dedication will help you get one step closer to success.
Look for the Harris guides. They are the source for wholesaler info. My
clients pay several thousands a year for the guides. You might be able to
find a copy at your local libraries.
Kim Luu, Editor
Money and Risk
Helping Small Businesses with Finance
Toynga | Window Shopper | 6/29/2012 - 5:26 pm
From there theres the middle man & most are in CA.
Prices are outrageous if your business hasn't grown (start-up).
Wholesale fashion clothes & shoes for instance the quality is there & so is
the middle man.
It's also hard to find their source but the middle man is okay when you can't
afford the MOQ from China.
Adarien | Window Shopper | 5/30/2012 - 12:18 am
your competitors are doing and duplicate it with a twist. I own a business
that is centered on selling office chairs and office furniture and i had to
take time out to see who had the best office chairs wholesale. Just take the
time out and highly investigate.
Frankly Speaking | Window Shopper | 5/27/2012 - 3:18 pm
major retailers. I had the problem once selling electronics. One of the Big
Boxes was retail selling identical items at far below my wholesale cost. (ex.
an item I paid $107.00 (supposedly wholesale) for, they were selling at
$96.95 at retail)
I just moved away from those brands. There is no way to compete like that and
survive. This is why it is so hard to get a retail business started and
survive in a large competitive market.
Frankly Speaking | Window Shopper | 5/27/2012 - 4:11 pm
Dallas. This is where the manufacturers meet retailers and vice versa. There
are regularly scheduled "shows" where the manufacturers show their new
introductions. Here in Atlanta, these shows are held in January and June and
they are an event!
These are exclusively for retailers. Consumers can't get in. Check for a
Merchandise Mart in Dallas and call to find out when the next Home
Furnishings show will be held and plan to attend.
There are Merchandise Marts in all major cities. The biggie for home
furnishings/accessories is Chicago at McCormick Place.
Frankly Speaking | Window Shopper | 5/27/2012 - 3:58 pm
or warranty repair items. These are often found on ebay and go for a song
sometimes.
These are often sold at no reserve prices and go very cheap. For instance, I
once bought a Craftsman rechargeable circular saw for $7.00. the retail price
had been $69.95. Sears contracts with people to blow-out discontinued items
and it doesn't appear they particularly care about the price.
I have bought similar tools and re-sold them at a substantial profits.
jeffsundermeyer | Window Shopper | 5/14/2012 - 3:39 pm
go to the ASDAMD show in LV. Its expensive i know but it will give you the
chance to deal with the suppliers that count.
BizResearcher | Window Shopper | 5/8/2012 - 1:57 pm
distributors and the distributors sell to the end client.
Frankly Speaking | Window Shopper | 5/27/2012 - 3:48 pm
retailers. Manufacturers may sell direct to retailers or may sell through
distribution. (distributors who buy from the mfg. and resell to the
retailers)
No doubt, retailers try to go around distribution and some manufacturers
participate in this. I've even had the situation of the manufacturers selling
directly to my (business) customers. I don't do business with them any more
and tell them so and exactly why. I also tell my competitors who often pull
their business as well.
Underdog LLC | Window Shopper | 7/6/2012 - 3:38 pm
with your customers and taking your sales away?
Money and Risk | Creator | 5/7/2012 - 4:19 pm
clients pay several thousands a year for the guides. You might be able to
find a copy at your local libraries.
Join The Discussion
You must be logged in to join the discussion. If you already have an SBA Community account, Log In to join the discussion.
New users, Register for a new account and join the conversation today!