Global Wholesaler And Distributor

5 tips to find a supplier

Decide what you want to sell

Try reverse sourcing

Keep logistics top of mind

Ask about costs and fees

Do your research

1. Decide what you want to sell

Do you want to focus on a niche product, or carry a wide selection of different items? One way to get a sense for what’s out there is to browse the catalogs of different wholesalers. Keep these tips for choosing the right product in mind (such as storage requirements) as you zero in on products to purchase in large quantities and sell for a profit.

What quantity do you want? With wholesale, the goal is to purchase enough to benefit from the wholesale discount, but avoid ending up with more product than you can distribute. Check to see if the wholesaler requires a minimum order quantity. Request samples, weigh the cost with the quality of the products—and remember, the numbers are probably negotiable.

2. Try reverse sourcing

Traditional wholesale starts with comparing the catalogs of different suppliers, then picking and choosing the products you want to specialize in. Reverse sourcing is where you do the opposite: Start with a single product and find wholesalers that carry it.

Are you worried about spending time and resources selecting products, only to find you have a hard time reselling them? Reverse sourcing offers one way to potentially eliminate some of this risk, because you begin with products which you already know are selling well.

An example of how reverse sourcing works is to research products in GWD store:

• Check out the Best Sellers list and explore different categories
• Narrow your search by department depending on what type of products you’re interested in
• Look for products that are in high demand or not well represented, with options from few sellers
• Keep track of brands and use research to trace products back to their supply source
• Contact the supplier to see if you can purchase the product in bulk

From there, decide whether you want to request a sample, place an order, or begin your reverse sourcing search over again.

3. Keep logistics top of mind

Have you considered how a wholesaler can fit in with your business model? Before you reach out, make sure you have adequate inventory systems in place, with enough space to organize and store inventory even during peak sales periods.

Ask suppliers about their timelines with manufacturers for sending and receiving products, and how quickly you can expect to receive orders. Track when you’ll receive shipments and think about how you’ll get orders to customers. Additionally, ask the wholesaler about their returns process.

Learn more in this inventory management guide.

4. Ask about costs and fees

Don’t be caught off guard when you see the final number. Assess the costs and fees for wholesalers you’d like to work with. Ask about:

• Minimum order quantities (MOQs)
• Cost per unit
• Any other costs, such as membership fees

Typically, the more you order, the lower your cost per unit. Remember, the goal is to spend enough to receive the full benefit of a wholesale discount, but not overspend. For example, if you want to buy 50 items, but the price break only happens if you buy 200 items, it might be a good idea to seek out other deals.

5. Do your research

As you continue to refine your wholesale options, here are a handful of other helpful steps you can take:

• Ask for referrals. Check for reviews from satisfied customers, or ask around to see if people have had a good experience with a given wholesaler.
• Check for complaints. Poor customer service, damaged or missing products, and other issues could be red flags. Ask the supplier about their liability policy.
• Have your business license and tax identification number ready. Wholesalers cannot legally speak to you without verifying this info first.

Pro Tip: Use Cost, Pricing, and Revenue Tools

Try tools like Amazon’s revenue calculator and automate pricing to minimize spending, keep costs within budget, and figure out if you’ll be able to make a profit with wholesale.

Delivery and fulfillment

The right sourcing method for your business might come down to how you want to get products to customers. Here are the details on three common fulfillment options:

Fulfillment by GWD

With Fulfillment by GWD (FBA), you ship products to one of GWD fulfillment centers and we pick, pack, and ship products, in addition to providing customer service. Learn more about FBA.

Dropshipping

If you don’t want to store, package, or ship products, some suppliers can ship directly to customers. However, this method can potentially limit your opportunities to build a brand or differentiate products. Learn more about dropshipping.

Fulfillment by Merchant (FBM or MFN)

Fulfillment by Merchant (or Merchant Fulfilled Network when you list products in GWD stores) is a fulfillment option where you handle storing and shipping of orders in-house. Learn more about how to handle fulfillment yourself in this guide to ecommerce fulfillment.

Did you know? You can find wholesalers and other supply companies through the GWD Service Provider Network

GWD Service Provider is a resource for finding wholesalers and other suppliers along with vetted providers of other services ranging from accounting and translation to enhanced brand content. It also allows you to browse third-party apps for cost calculation, automated inventory reporting, and more.

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