completely hacked off!

helen_vasey

if you have seen any of my other posts, you will know that we are setting up an online business selling extreme sports kit, specifically power kites and mountain boards, we thought that we had all our suppliers onboard, but today have received an email from the main one stating that they will not sell to us as we are trading solely online.:mad: they knew this right from the start and said that they would supply a limited product range, to which we said ok. we are really gutted as there doesn't seem to be another distributor of their size and calibre. it looks like we will have to concentrate on other aspects of kiteing, not happy as power kiteing is my hubby's main hobby. now I have found several online-only kite shops selling the larger kites and all the kit that goes with it, but I can't find out who supplies them as they have no links on their sites, but they must be getting it from somewhere! we really don't know where to look as all searches have turned up nothing. really frustrated at the moment as every thing was going so well.

ukbill69

Have you searched china? search google for kites china, you might have to buy a lot in, but sure you will get what you want and a cheap price.

helen_vasey

we have thought about china but don't you have to get import licences etc. ?we thought that it would be too complicated, but perhaps we will have another look, thanks.

firespire

You didn't say if this this supplier is a manufacturer, if not contact the manufacturers you want and as about other authorised suppliers but I think you too should be looking abroad for cheaper suppliers.

If they rule against "solely online" are you allowed to make up that you sell in other ways, tell them produce a paper catalogue or you go around collecting orders from clubs.
Maybe try to get a small cheap concession in a independent sports shop that is not interested in kites, it could be just you leaving a catalogue there and the shop putting in any orders. This might sway them to sell to you.

helen_vasey

the supplier is not the manufacturer, we have been to all the manufacturers and the major ones do not supply direct, they use this particular supplier, we could easily have lied and used the business address of a friend with a retail unit, but thought we would be honest with them as we could not forsee a problem, I can't believe that they would turn sales down! we were happy to put in an order of at least £2k upfront, so it is their loss I guess. we have since found another product that can be our main selling point, at this point though , we don't know the wholesale costs, but it looks very cool and would appeal to a wider "audience" , there don't appear to be many places selling it yet, and there are none on ebay at all.

ukbill69

You do not need an import licence. Import what you want. You need to pay port charges and VAT and clearance charges on the container, but you will get a very cheap price as china labour is so cheap they work for pence and hour.

MalcolmCooper

I've been in your position in the past. I would seek a face to face meeting with someone senior in the company, if not the MD, not for confrontation but for discussion.

What are their concerns? Do they fear you will undercut their bricks & mortar customers? Reassure them and attempt to reach an agreement quietly and professionally.

Get some figures together about internet commerce and discuss. You want to show them that they cannot ignore the internet and that ecommerce is a growing, honest living.

helen_vasey

we are actually looking into having a stand at some outdoor events next season, things like county shows, air shows and motoring events, perhaps this will sway them, but if not , it is their loss. if anyone knows of any christmas outdoor events, such as tatton park christmas fair, please let me know.xxx. helen.

save-a-lot

Hi

Thinking about this I used to go to RTTS - Run to the Sun in Newquay, that is a big festival whereby VW Beetles and Vans are the focus, but there is surfing comps and skate and BMX demonstrations going on at Fistral Beach. The event attracts your target audience...

http://www.runtothesun.co.uk

observer_2

This is becoming quite widespread, suppliers shying away from internet only suppliers.

I presume the supplier 'knows' you now, which i think means that attempting to get stock through a back door is going to be a problem down the line (as business picks up and you order more !).

Going in heavy is only going to annoy them - suppliers choose to supply who they want, and not always legal, taking it further isn't fun.

From what you say you have an agreement in principle - they said they would supply you, but it is the internet only aspect that is an issue.

I expect that you have a contact that agreed with you on this. If so, i would suggest it might be worth speaking to them.

Explain that you are setting up a high profile website that will advertise the brand hugely.

Let them know that you will be pushing their brands heavily, and will adhere to a sensible selling price.

Inform them that you do not wish to sell on ebay and that you intend to move into premises shortly (if you do well, maybe likely..)

Ask them to set you up on pro-forma at rubbish rates and let them know that you intend to do good business and will not create any hassle for them.

Most suppliers are aware that the internet is a huge outlet, but why should they back a new possibly troublesome startup when no doubt they have established internet retailers maintaing the staus quo?

Get them on side, explain you really want to sell their stuff and will hold good prices and you should find they are a bit more flexible.

No doubt you could go down the legal route, a letter from a solicitor would no doubt get you an account. But if you want a good trading relationship this will do you no favours.

I'd be pitching for a 'I'm going to keep the price clean, and we'll really back your brand, come on, give me 6 months and if you're not happy then we'll just close the account' and i suspect they'll bend.

If you can hit them with 'But i don't want to just buy to order, but i want to hold stock so i can supply quick'

then they'll love you more. Many 'poor' internet traders buy to order, if you don't big advantage.

If you could then move into...

'of course i don't want to buy a lot now, but i could do with 2k worth of stock just to get me going'

The rep will be very favourable.

You sound like you have a proper business idea. A bit of cash flashing, and bending the truth is going to help now.

If your business works, then they will happily deal with you. I'd suggest pulling out a bit of blag and getting a foot in the door. Once you are selling product they'll negotiate with you, ad if not, chances are you're going bust.

helen_vasey

we have now found other suppliers only too happy to deal with us, just not the "big" names in power kites, we have also decided to join the market traders federation, to take advantage of their low public liabilty insurance rate, also so we can do a few events next year with a marquee stall, things like county shows, classic car shows, festivals etc, we are looking at about 10 events next year, hopefully with more to come, we have decided against doing any kite festivals because of the competition, they usually have half a dozen stalls selling exactly the same products at exactly the same prices. we figure that larger events with no kite connotations will sell more, especially with kids' pester power , we are also broadening our product range, we have found some fantastic products to sell, but boy, it's been a hard slog. I have spent the whole of my week off, on the net just trawling. it's just a matter of waiting now until the business account is up and running, seems to be taking forever!