Wholesaller recommendations and EBay shop advice please!

hopeless_case_2

Oliver14 wrote: »

Most good wholesalers aren't on the internet. So not sure how useful that advice is.

well it worked for me try looking one up off alibaba and you will find out.

Obviously_the_best

As long as you're careful you could try DHGate or AliExpress to pick up stock, but I'm not gonna tell you what the signs of dodgey sellers are on there, because I'm an evil eBay rival seller (mwa ha ha!)

Crowqueen

Obviously_the_best wrote: »

As long as you're careful you could try DHGate or AliExpress to pick up stock, but I'm not gonna tell you what the signs of dodgey sellers are on there, because I'm an evil eBay rival seller (mwa ha ha!)

It might be reasonable to do so.

You're a competitor, but if you say something like that, it's reasonable to warn someone else about the dangers.

You may not want them to copy you but I'm sure you don't want them to be scammed.

soolin

Watch your prices, don't be misled by wholesalers who keep referring to 'RRP' or misdescribe their goods- It is not uncommon for far east wholesalers, for instance, to refer to all silver coloured metal as 'silver' or to use a brand name on a product when it is just a look a like (fake).

Many years back I bought a beautiful silk dress from China and I was really pleased with it (I still have it). I was approached then by the wholesaler to drop ship for them and for a while I was tempted until I saw the prices they were expecting me to pay and realised that I would be making jus a few pence on each item at most. I also would have been up against other people already selling the same stock- plus the wholesalers themselves sold direct on ebay.

Be hard with yourself. Work the numbers out properly and only then start negotiations.

hopeless_case_2

Obviously_the_best wrote: »

As long as you're careful you could try DHGate or AliExpress to pick up stock, but I'm not gonna tell you what the signs of dodgey sellers are on there, because I'm an evil eBay rival seller (mwa ha ha!)

I totally fail to see how you can be so nasty Obviously not the best! they did not want to pinch your idea just help where to start.

macfly

You've "obviously" forgotten you live in modern Britain mate. Everyone needs telling how to do everything - for free of course. Just because you have worked hard and taken a risk to be succesful, doesn't mean everyone has to.
Naughty.

Crowqueen

macfly wrote: »

You've "obviously" forgotten you live in modern Britain mate. Everyone needs telling how to do everything - for free of course. Just because you have worked hard and taken a risk to be succesful, doesn't mean everyone has to.
Naughty.

Giving some friendly advice isn't the same as handholding and can be a show of friendship rather than a show of stupidity on the other person's part.

If you don't think this is what this board is for...why do you post on these kind of threads at all?

martindow

Don't forget to factor in the cost of sending here and the customs fees and VAT you will have to pay importing. Something that seems a bargain at the Chinese factory gate price could increase in price several times and then you need to be sure you can sell it at a price that gives you a profit after selling costs. Do your sums carefully.

If you are buying from a manufacturer they are going to require payment in advance, for your first order at least, so you need to build up trust between you. I deal with manufacturers in several countries who all require bank transfers but have all provided the promised goods. Factories do not want to use Paypal or invoice after delivery for a commercial transaction.

soolin

I wonder if it is worth me starting a basic 'I want to sell on ebay- tips' post and getting regulars to add their own stories/ advice tips etc. Then when we get the enquiries about starting to run a business on ebay we could just give the user a link to the thread? What do people think, we could put in any useful info we have , like the telephone number of HMRC enquiry line etc, how to find a wholesaler- things to avoid etc

I'm conscious that a lot of our threads have a similar theme so newbies might not get the fullest advice as some of us get a bit jaded if we have only just spent time on another thread going through the ins and outs. If people think it is a good idea I'll start the thread and invite people to add to it.

Crowqueen

soolin wrote: »

I wonder if it is worth me starting a basic 'I want to sell on ebay- tips' post and getting regulars to add their own stories/ advice tips etc. Then when we get the enquiries about starting to run a business on ebay we could just give the user a link to the thread? What do people think, we could put in any useful info we have , like the telephone number of HMRC enquiry line etc, how to find a wholesaler- things to avoid etc

I'm conscious that a lot of our threads have a similar theme so newbies might not get the fullest advice as some of us get a bit jaded if we have only just spent time on another thread going through the ins and outs. If people think it is a good idea I'll start the thread and invite people to add to it.

That would be a great idea, Soo.