How to Find a Wholesaler that Fits your Needs

How to Find a Wholesaler that Fits your Needs

Finding a good wholesaler for your business can be a bit of a challenge. It’s one of the absolute necessary hurdles you need to overcome in order to have adequate stock. The internet is chock-full of horror stories and warnings. But don’t let that discourage you. Getting around to finding a reliable wholesaler doesn’t need to be any more burdensome, as long as you have a few things ready and some simple tools at your disposal. There are plenty out there in the world, and one of them is bound to be a perfect fit for you and your business.

How to Find a Wholesaler that Fits your Needs
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Find The Source

If at all possible, go to the source. Depending on the distribution channels of your industry, try and contact the manufacturer. They may work with you depending on their minimum order requirements. The cheapest price is always going to be through the manufacturer. If you fall short of that minimum order, ask them if they have a list of distributors they recommend. 

These are often people who have established a substantial enough amount of trust with the manufacturer, so much so that they’re willing to put their reputation on the line by recommending them. When you go down the list of distributors, be honest about how much you need. 

If you fall short of the minimum order requirements, they may still be willing to do business with you based on your approach. Don’t try to inflate your numbers or pitch your potential. What distributors care about is how much you can get at the moment. Your future orders will speak for themselves.

Network

Networking is a great place to meet people in your industry. You’re all looking for similar contacts and avenues to grow. If there’s an industry trade show or expo, attend it. If you can, set up a booth. But even if you don’t have a booth, you can still go to as many applicable ones as you can and hear what they have to say. 

This shows you the lay of the land. From there you can establish open communication lines and follow up when you have the capabilities to work with them. Having a face-to-face interaction is still an important tool in the business world. Being present speaks volumes over emails and phone calls. 

Do Your Research

One of the best things you can do for yourself when approaching a wholesaler is to do your research. If you know exactly what you’re trying to sell, know as much as possible about it. It never hurts to have more info, especially when your money is on the line. If you sell a perishable product, where is it from? 

How many hands does the product have to go by before it gets to you? What kind of prep is needed to provide a packaged unit? All of these things can determine whether or not you’re getting the best price for a batch of product. 

Research is the key when it comes to learning how to buy wholesale, and there’s an abundance of resources you can find online. There are even some case studies that support this point. A great example of this is in the supplement industry. Vitamins and health supplements are usually batched and mixed in giant vats. These mixers--most of which are in China, provide the backbone of white label products being sold from your local supermarket to high-end niche health shops. 

A common complaint is that of tainted products due to a facility not properly cleaning out the giant mixers. This happens so often that professional athletes have tested positive for banned substances, despite there being no indication on the label. Know who you’re buying from and what else they sell. What are the potential variables that come with purchasing cheaper stock versus items from a more reputable place.

Do’s And Don’ts Of Online Vendors

The internet is the primary source for many establishments, especially drop-shippers. Alibaba and eBay are classic sources that can work if you put in the time. The downside is that these are often impersonal and distant. They will absolutely try to get you to buy thousands of units right off the bat. Resist the urge to agree if you’re dealing with new, unproven vendors overseas. 

Your best reference with regards to buying wholesale online is to find suppliers dedicated to the products you’re selling. As much as possible deal within countries you’re familiar with or sell in. As much as there’s a debate regarding the economic efficacy of the “buy local” movement, online vendors from other countries have little to go by and quality often varies. If you can, try out the product yourself. Ask if there is a way to purchase a few items to test out.

Your primary goal in all of this is to sell a product. If you’re just starting out, you may not make a million dollars overnight. But what you will do is start the process of acquiring goods and making them available to your customers. Your first vendor may not be the one you end up sticking within the end. That is okay. Business relationships end and evolve all the time. It is part of the process of finding what works for you.