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How To Find a Manufacturer or Supplier for Your Wholesale Business

How To Find a Manufacturer or Supplier for Your Wholesale Business

So You’re Starting a Wholesale Business?

Wholesalers are an important link in the demand and supply chain. They act as an intermediate party between manufacturers and retailers.

If you plan to start a wholesale venture, and you execute it right, then my friend you are in for some great profit margins!

Once you decide on the product that you will be wholesaling, you have to find the perfect supplier.

The relationship between a wholesaler and a supplier must be mutually beneficial.

In other words, their interests should match. Only then would you reap maximum profit from your business.

However, it’s easier said than done!

In the market, every supplier will lure you like they are the “soulmate supplier” for your wholesale business.

But your fundamentals must be absolutely clear. You must keep your best interests in mind and select the best alternative according to it.

This article explores all the perspectives of choosing a supplier for your wholesale business.

Different factors affect your business depending on the location of your wholesale. Quality of product, shipping timings, and so on vary according to your choice of supplier.

So here are some points to consider in finding the “right” manufacturer or supplier for your wholesale business.

1. Understanding the Different Kinds of Wholesale Suppliers

Understanding the Different Kinds of Wholesale Suppliers

Here’s a broad classification of suppliers.

1.1 Overseas Supplier

Suppliers from around the world may attract you and you might decide to work with them. But there are some pros and cons you need to be aware of.

Advantages:

  • A higher number of suppliers to choose from
  • One-stop B2B services like Alibaba have made it easy to navigate, rank and select suppliers
  • They can fulfill large orders efficiently
  • Greater customization options and product variants

Disadvantages:

  • Communication may be a problem
  • Lower perceived quality from customers
  • Lower manufacturing quality and labor standards
  • Longer shipping time

1.2 Domestic Suppliers

They are local suppliers that you can find in your vicinity and which you can deal with utmost convenience.

They have some advantages over the foreign suppliers.

Advantages:

  • Higher manufacturing quality and labor standards
  • Easier communication with no language barrier
  • Easier to verify reputable manufacturers
  • Faster shipping time

Disadvantages:

  • Relatively fewer suppliers to choose from
  • Less product choice
  • Higher manufacturing costs
  • Fragmented market with no dominant B2B portal

2. Factors to Consider while Choosing a Supplier

Factors to Consider while Choosing a Supplier

 

Consider the following when choosing a supplier.

2.1. Reliability

This is number one. Once you choose a supplier, they become a crucial part of your business and you must be on the same page. Transparency and partnership between supplier and wholesaler are the keys to growing revenue.

Mutual trust is essential in B2B because the products supplied by a supplier not only represent their quality but also carry your brand name in the market.

How do you gauge reliability? Reviewing feedback from past partners of a specific supplier helps here.

2.2. Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ)

MOQ is the smallest quantity for an order. It ensures a minimum profit margin for the supplier and you need to negotiate this.

Typically, expensive products have a low minimum order quantity, and vice versa.

Set the MOQ according to your demand forecasts. If it does not agree with your figures then you must change suppliers.

2.3. Communication Barrier

This is the first step to a successful business. And the reason why domestic suppliers are preferred over overseas suppliers. The better you communicate with each other, the more you can work together to maximize your gains.

2.4. Accurate Product Information

Many suppliers start compromising the quality of the goods after a few orders.

While prices and labels stay the same, they alter the quality of the merchandise. This leads to customer dissatisfaction and they may switch the brand.

Thus, you need to make sure that the supplier always stays with the original product standards. Incorrect information about the product is not acceptable at all because it may ruin your reputation in the market.

3. How to Find Suppliers

How to Approach a Supplier

Now that you have your priorities straight, you can begin the search for the perfect supplier for your wholesale business.

The most convenient way for looking up something nowadays is the Internet and it also provides a lot of options to choose from.

3.1. Online Directories

Some of the best sources can be free online supplier directories. These directories contain profiles for many manufacturers, wholesalers and suppliers.

Below, we have listed a few of the most popular ones for both domestic and overseas suppliers.

Online Domestic Directories

  • ThomasNet
  • Makers Row
  • MFG

Online Overseas Directories

  • Oberlo
  • Alibaba
  • AliExpress

3.2. Referrals

Feedback from fellow wholesalers and friends may act as an effective guide for finding the best suppliers. The only thing is that feedback must be taken from only those people who understand your business and suggest the suppliers that suit your purpose.

Many suppliers whom you reject while searching for a supplier may also guide you in the right direction as they have experience in the supplying business.

4. How to Approach a Supplier

How to Approach a Supplier

A lot of wholesalers email a particular supplier and do not get a response. The fault lies in the approaching style and making a good first impression.

Some of the most common mistakes that people make while contacting the supplier for the first time are:

  • Writing far too lengthy emails and thus asking to get ignored, so keep it precise and informative.
  • Asking for too little quantity and coming forth as unprofessional; suppliers avoid dealing with this kind of wholesalers.
  • Asking for too much is also an issue and must be avoided in the first interaction.

5. How to Request a Quote

How to Request a Quote

Now, you know what not to do while trying to establish a connection with a supplier. The next step is being aware of the right advances one needs to make to seal the deal with the supplier. The following steps show what to say and what questions to ask suppliers.

  • Minimum Order Quantity is the first thing to ensure a fit according to the size of your business. If it deviates from your ideal figure then you must try to negotiate within the optimal range. You should be upfront about the kind of business you possess and your essential requirements.
  • Sample and Production Pricing is another factor that calls for a settlement. Before going full-time with the supplier, you should ask for sample products and prices for the same. Then, according to your purpose, you need to order suitable quantities of specific products. Once the deal is fixed and the business is on, production pricing is also decided. The discount schemes for bigger orders are also asked by the wholesaler.
  • Payment Terms and Order period is also settled. The different policies and payment patterns are decided as per the agreement of both parties. The pre-fixed period for each new order is established.

And lastly don’t be afraid of trying out new sellers or new methods because of the fear of making mistakes. Fear of failure should never hold you back. Your current vendor will not be your vendor forever. You need to try out different sellers — so that with experience you can learn which ones are the best for you.

So what are you waiting for? Start using our tips to find your dream manufacturer or supplier for your wholesale business!

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