Buying wholesale stock

skater_kat

hi.

I am a sole trader doing a wide range of activities to try and make a living.

I have an idea to set up an online retail venture and have some ideas about gaps in market. I have tried to contact the makers of certain products directly to inquire about purchasing wholesale goods.

I have good credit in my name. but companies don't want to sell to me.

However, i can only assume that, because i am not a company, i am finding it hard to get anyone to actually sell me their goods. i don't have a trading history to show them, or an established retail website - as i can't obtain any decent stock to sell in the first place to create that history.

the only wholesalers who do want to sell things to a sole trader seem to be poor quality tat/stuff from china, which i do not want to deal with.

i feel stuck in a catch 22 situation. how do i establish myself and make a reputation if i cannot source what i want to sell?

vintagebrighton

Do they say why they don't want to sell to you? Even wholesalers are feeling the pinch and a customer's a customer! Have you asked about a cash only account, no credit? How many have you approached? Would you be able to find a supplier of something related but slightly different who will sell to you and then change direction when you have a bit of a record?

I'm a sole trader and use a 'trading as' name and haven't had any problems sourcing supplies of stock. BUT, I don't have credit and I don't sell 'select' lines or name brands.... is that an issue for you?

paddyrg

Wow, quite unusual for a wholesaler to turn away a customer out of hand. Are you asking for credit accounts? Try offering cash, and order enough at a time to be a clear wholesale customer, not a consumer. Sometimes a wholesaler will have a minimum spend, ask about that?

bris

Depending on what your after, most manufacturers only sell to authorised agents and not to anyone who just phones up, there is a huge difference between a manufacturer and a wholesaler. Try them again and find out who the authorised agent in your area is.

You can also try the local cash and carry's, (wholesalers) they are in most cities, you just need to open an account with them, they sell a wide range of goods.

theianfox

I've found that the local cash & carrys - in Manchester - are only middle men. Most of the stock they sell can be bought for the same price on eBay.

A lot of wholesalers are worried about new customers discounting stock too much below the RRP and undercutting the people they've been supplying to for years.

skater_kat

It's a brand of clothing, which is not that easy to find in actual shops. there is one shop in my town which sells a small selection. I called the manufacturer and emailed but no response. there are lots of websites who sell this brand online though. Can't figure out how they get their stock. i guess they are companies with more clout.

gb12345

skater_kat wrote: »

there are lots of websites who sell this brand online though. Can't figure out how they get their stock. i guess they are companies with more clout.

Or they are selling fakes.

skater_kat

they aren't selling fakes.

motorguy

Probably established businesses with a proven track record and probably buying through a distributor.

Cant see them wanting to supply any joe bloggs with a startup 'idea' if they want to manage the integrity of their product.

bris

Clothing brands are well protected, the brands use authorised agents. They won't sell to you under any circumstances to protect their other clients interests.

Mistral001

Have you tried actually visiting the suppliers in person? It might be worth a try.