If you operate the product -based business, you will know s product. You can choose to create or manufacture products yourself. Or, maybe you can print or ship directly on demand.
But other stores only choose to plan the existing products and sell it to the new audience. This is what many traditional street stores have been doing for many years -the same is true of online stores. These stores are called \”retailers\”.
If this is what you are doing, you will soon find that cooperation with wholesalers is the key to success.
Whether you are a novice, a veteran, or hope to expand the source of income, choosing to cooperate with which wholesale suppliers are a key decision. A bad distributor causes a lot of trouble.
Let us understand basic knowledge and the role of wholesalers play in your business, and then see how to find and choose the best supplier cooperation.
What is a wholesaler?
Wholesalers are middlemen between manufacturers and retailers. The manufacturer creates and manufacture things, but they do not know how to sell. Retailers want to sell things, but they don’t have any products because they don’t create anything.
Enter wholesalers. They buy from the manufacturer, usually a large number, and then sold to retailers and smaller wholesalers in various regions. The wholesaler is a part of the supply chain -the gear on the wheel -linked retailers and e -commerce companies with manufacturers.
How does a wholesaler help your business?
Wholesale suppliers can keep your business unblocked and prevent your products from running out without having to store too much product.
Wholesale suppliers (also known as distributors) to help retail and e -commerce business include:
to reduce costs and increase profit margins
As a result Customers provide consistently on -time delivery and product availability
Increase the potential of product varieties and new products
No need to develop items
Enhance your and other retailers in terms of price competition in prices Power
Let you easily find the products and manufacturers you may never know
What is a good wholesaler?
Believe it or not, at least 410,000 in the United States aloneFamily wholesalers are operating. Not everyone is there, but how many people are operating. Some are very big -for example, Alibaba, which is headquartered in China but has business almost anywhere -but most wholesalers are actually small -scale local companies.
Good wholesaler:
Provide the consistency that you can use And fair price
Provide high -quality customer service
Serving the areas or regions you operate
Trusting and reliability — will not be delivered on time
] Establish a good relationship with the manufacturer of the products you need
Create a contract with you to prepare for your success
Do not operate your own retail business
How to find a good wholesaler
1. Search online
Is it really so easy? In fact, it may be, especially if you want to cooperate with local wholesalers. Use search words including your location, product type and \”wholesaler\”, \”distributor\” or \”batch\”.
For example, if your company wants to sell pillows and you are in Denver, please search \”Denver pillow wholesaler\”.
According to your industry and location, no problems may occur. But you may eventually find a great local supplier. The advantage of local suppliers is that you can see them, verify their existence, check their products, and build a trust relationship.
2. Use a large number It has its advantages and disadvantages. Take it easy. These websites cooperate with thousands of manufacturers. In general, you can find anything you need here.
Some big names include Alibaba, Salehoo, Wholesale Center, Global Resources, Buyers Zone, Busy Trade and EC21.
3. Participate in the trade exhibition
Once again, trust and relationship are the heartbeat of wholesale. It is a great thing to meet in person. Trade exhibitions are one of the best places to meet with wholesalers and actual manufacturers.
Almost all industries have trade exhibitions. You can find the exhibition, date, and place of trade exhibition on the trade exhibition news network and 10 Times.
4. Get multiple offers
multiple batches willThe pricing of the issuer is your advantage, and according to the number of products you sell, it is usually as wise to cooperate with multiple wholesalers. If you are disappointed for some reason -for example, it stops cooperating with key manufacturers -you will have redundant.
So talk to a few people first. Know what they can provide for you. Get off. We will discuss more specific issues to potential wholesalers. 5. Join the local association Especially in large cities, you can usually find the chamber of commerce, various small commercial groups and industry associations, and network groups with professional knowledge among their members. These people propose a perfect candidate for wholesaler’s suggestions based on real experience.
6. Order sample
Any excellent wholesaler will agree with this. The first reason for the sample is obvious – Evaluation quality. You want to support any product you sell.
But the second reason is that ordering sample gives you the opportunity to experience their customer service. The bad experience here is not a good sign for future services, when it is really important. Things such as delayed delivery, damaged products, no response to telephone and email -these are all signs of this company that do not give priority to your business.
7. Reading comment
In some cases Comments may be difficult to get, but large websites like Alibaba have customer rating functions. This allows you to view the evaluation of other business owners on specific providers. You can quickly judge whether business owners are frustrated or excited about dealers. Find comments on related issues solving, service, delivery issues and product quality. Ask the question of potential wholesale suppliers Once you start to contact some wholesalers by phone, you need to narrow the range and find out wholesalers you want to cooperate. Use these issues to help.
Do you also have retail or direct sales?
In most cases, if the answer is yes, continue to move forward. Companies like this can simply attract your customers and start selling directly to them. Cooperate with wholesalers who only do wholesale.
What pricing choices do you have?
This is obviously different from each product, but you need to understand how the price changes with the quantity. The minimum order volume also affects this.
Assume that a wholesaler provides a $ 1.50 product per piece, but the minimum order is 10,000. They sell to big companies. Another wholesaler may provide you with the same product at a price of $ 2.50, but at least 500 pieces.
As a smaller company, you don’t want to bear a large amount of inventory. This is expensive and risky. Therefore, you may choose higher single -piece costs and lower minimum costs. In addition, when your negotiation contract is negotiated, please try to use the terms containing the quantity ladder. If you can develop your business, you will get a higher price lower price. What is your contract process? You need to negotiate several projects, and the pricing ladder is just one of them. For example, can they agree to delay or share payment? Cash flow is critical, so if you can start selling products before you must pay for all products, it is more desirable for you.
Many wholesalers will provide you with 30 -day payment delay, so you have a month to come for a month to come here Generate some income, and then pay to wholesalers. If you can get it, you want some kind of sentence like this.
One question related to this is, what kind of credit can they provide for you?
What is your return policy? If the product causes problems to the customer, and you realize that it cannot be sold, will the wholesalers cooperate with you to return the remaining inventory? Find out their process. Will I get a special sales representative?
You hope to work with the same person every time you call, because they will understand your business, understand your needs, and speed up your interaction. After all, they don’t have to start with \”Can you say your name and surname?\” Every time they talk.
Wholesale is closely related to the relationship. Cooperate with a company that allows you to have.
How to operate in transportation?
Who pays the freight? What is the terms? If your product is sold out and needs more products immediately, can they ship quickly? Know their transportation processes and terms as much as possible.
Are you a liar?
Okay, don’t ask this. But do your due diligence, especially if you do it onlineall of these.
For example, each wholesaler has an address. After all, this is a warehouse business. Find their address and verify that it is true. Use Google street view and actually view their position. If it is a bunch of bushes next to the highway, run. Check the list of their business improvement bureau. If they do not, please doubt. Call them and test their phone numbers and customer services. Those who are bad services, bad connections, drops, unknown or unprofessional people -these are important warning signals. In addition, each wholesaler should accept credit cards, and most of them accept checks. If they only accept electricity exchange, it is another big dangerous signal. What will happen after choosing a wholesaler?
This is a continuous process. With the passage of years and your business growth and change, you are likely to replace or add new wholesalers in the supply chain. In most cases, it is not wise to depend on one of anything, including wholesalers.
Continue to find new suppliers and reach a transaction with it.
