where do you start with wholesale buying abroad?

susiecm3

Hi I am trying to gather info with the view to starting a small business in selling jewellery, I am aware it is well covered but it is just a personal thing dont want to make lots just something to have going alongside my other job

I am trying to find prices out for wholesale to see if it is worth it but struggling to find someone to supply smallish amounts, is alibaba safe, it keeps coming up when looking for stuff!

Because I am already SE I am finding it hard to get help, even though I am a childminder so never needed any kind of start up help years ago!!

Thanks Susan

Horace

Alibaba is a search engine although how safe the companies are on there I have no idea.

With regard to buying from abroad then your first point of call should be your local chamber of commerce as they should be able to give you some free advice about the pitfalls etc.

Are you planning to make jewellery from beads or buy in ready-made stuff? If you are wanting ready made then look for wholesalers in the UK. I think that you would have a problem with wholesalers outside of the UK as they are more likely to want you to take a larger shipment e.g. a full pallet or container.

I found loads by looking up Jewellery Wholesalers, UK on google. There is one called Jingle Jangle https://www.jinglejangle.co.uk who sell small quantities - their minimum order value is £19.99 (no VAT).

There is a bomboniere site that I use (they are only open to trade) and they sell wedding favours, the bits to make wedding favours and some jewellery https://www.italianoptions.com - they are based in burton upon trent.

susiecm3

Thanks for the reply, its beads to make jewellery that I am looking for, the suppliers in uk I have found all sell beads to everyone and is very little difference in price and dont have the best selection!

paddyrg

Be very cautious using AliBaba - it is really a dating site for (mostly Chinese) companies to meet (mostly Western) businesses - there are some bargains to be had if you're buying several grands worth, but remember by the time you add shipping, duty, VAT... Many times it is better to buy from a UK supplier. And AliBaba is a dating agency - they are not responsible for the quality of the traders, and you do get some people getting badly burned.

You can try AliExpress where the AliBaba people buy and ship small amounts from the suppliers and ship them themselves - they hold the cash in escrow, it is safer. DealExtreme are similar, and offer some wholesale options too. Either way, you still have to consider duty and VAT

susiecm3

Thanks paddyrg the express seems perfect but it wont let me buy, will keep searching and see if i can find info on why

paddyrg

I'm sure they'll be happy to take your money once you work out why!

Not all suppliers will deal with AliExpress (but then AliExpress holds cash in escrow, so only scrupulous traders get paid!), and some of them are frankly very expensive for what they supply (eg novelty USB drives at $10/each based on a sale of 200 - after shipping, duty, VAT, that wipes out all profit!) so use your discretion!

Horace

Try looking at social enterprises too - I will log on to LinkedIn because I was asked by someone to do something regarding a social enterprise in Thailand who makes jewellery and beads.

I have just looked at an event on my LinkedIn account which is about an auction to raise funds for someone to set up her own micro business in Thailand. The person who is organising the auction is a lady called Michelle Mills-Porter from https://www.cherishjewels.co.uk and I know she buys all her beads from social enterprises all over the world (I have no connection with this business and was only invited to participate in the auction by one of my friends and connections). It may be worth contacting Michelle to see if she can advise and assist.

benrsmith31077

Yes be very careful using Alibaba. In fact I would not use it at all just to be safe. Chinese suppliers on there may be fine for unbranded stuff but if you order label goods from them they will be fakes if they turn up at all!

Go to the www.thewholesaleforums.co.uk

You will be able to check the forums for reports on any supplier you are considering. If there is nothing there then you can start a thread asking if anyone has had dealings with them.

There is a fairly friendly community and plenty of knowledgeable regulars who will steer you right.

martindow

You want to start cautiously without investing too much before knowing what sells well for you. I would suggest that for small quantities that you mention you would be better off buying from UK importers. Once your business takes off and you have more of a feel for the market you could try importing directly.

The Spring Fair which has recently taken place had many jewellery wholesalers exhibiting and also has a volume section where some Chinese companies exhibit.

Have a search on their web site

http://www.springfair.com

Later this year they run the Autumn Fair which is the same sort of thing but on a slightly smaller scale. Well worth going to.