Selling/being a trade person- Macro costco etc

louisa81

Can anyone offer any advice on what requirements are needed to become a trade seller?
I want to join some wholesale companies like costco and, more specificaly, Bombayduck but they all specify that you need to be a business and provide proff of trade.

What on earth is proof of trade??
What do I have to do to get it? will there be an initial outlay fee?
I'd like to work towards having my own website, possibly by starting out with an eBay shop but without proof of trade the companies whose products I want to sell won't sell to me...

scbk

Each company will specify what proof they need, usually company cheqebook/utility bills etc

missile

Anyone can get a Costco card, you simply pay an annual fee.

smartie1976

I'm just gonna point out Makro is spelt with a K.

If you go to macro.com you get a whole different kinda website....

steviebabes

Some wholesalers actually advertise that ebayers can join, JTF wholesale comes to mind. If you are a business seller on ebay then you are running a business so the only proof you need is a screenshot of your shop or even just give them your username. TBH most wholesalers are not difficult to get a card for as they want your business. I'm sure you could come up with the required 'proof' after an hour with word and google images!

november

I've just had a look at Bombay Duck and they just say email them so I would email them and ask what proof of trade they need.

We started with wholesalers who only wanted quite simple proof e.g. registering with name of website (or in your case your ebay shop name). Then once you have brought from a couple you can apply to those who you want to visit in person who usually want to see a cheque book and invoices from another wholesaler.

Have you set up a bank account yet for your business?

ceanothus

Blag, blag, blag! When I started out, I used a simple formula to get my suppliers on board. Always phone if possible, sound confident & professional and have a clear idea of what you want from them.

I used to say something like 'I'm starting a business in online retail, I'm interested in stocking your products and would like your catalogue / price list' and see where the conversation goes from there. If you think 'new business' will put them off, tell them you're a market trader or direct retailer and you're expanding your product range and opening a website, no-one will want to see your books or anything!

Good questions to ask include things like finding out the minimum carriage paid order, if there are any price breaks (reductions) for volume and the discount structure, how they take payment (e.g. is it proforma invoice for the first couple of orders followed by a credit account), lead times (time from ordering to delivery), etc. Sound like a retailer, speak with the assumption that they will be happy to have your business, and they will believe you.

A couple of personal tips that may help - don't start with the supplier you really really want to stock, try out first with a company whose products are OK but not essential to your plans. Then if you mess up your pitch it's not a disaster :-) Also, you may need to take on one or two suppliers initially who will sell to basically anyone who makes the minimum spend, just to get trade references to give to the ones you really want. As long as you can do something with the stock you buy from them it's a means to an end (but don't expect to make great money, everyone will be stocking them if it's so easy!!).


Make yourself a smart looking letterhead in Word or PowerPoint. Remember anyone can set themselves up as a sole trader, and that's a perfectly legitimate business. If you can get yourself a website and an associated email address (e.g. [EMAIL="admin@xxx.co.uk"]admin@xxx.co.uk[/EMAIL]) that's even better, just let the site show as 'under construction' and use the email addy for your correspondence with suppliers, it all helps them feel confident in you.

Once your have your first couple of suppliers of your choice on board, pay them promptly and be a good customer, and you will find it really easy from there onwards. They actually do want to supply you, but you just need to show that you are serious and not looking to buy for personal use or to sell their stuff at rock bottom prices and devalue their market.

Good luck, be polite and confident, and one day you will have people phoning you asking if they can supply you :-) I personally wouldn't consider using anyone who charges for membership, wants an initial subscription or offers to dropship for you, there is precious little money to be made and anyone with a few quid can (and does) blag their way in. Work hard at getting the suppliers that are more discerning about who they sell to, and you will have a market for their stuff.

Sorry about the long post, but hope this helps

richev

find a wholesaler not many use..
ebay is full of sellers.. costco every 1 knows about.. is it even a whoesaler ? i always considered it to be a walmart

Google is the most powerful thing ever... but you have to learn how to use it properly. search names. fields you want to move into. there is always a lot of competition though on ebay and with your own web site so you gotta find some 1 that not millions use.

gremlin

Im thinking along similar lines and wanted to say the advice given (especially ceanothus & richev) is excellent:T

Many thanks

thebuff1

missile wrote: »

Anyone can get a Costco card, you simply pay an annual fee.

I have been a Costco member for 13 years and have to say that you are mistaken.
You have to be (and provide proof) a current or ex employee of certain organisations eg post office, airlines, local authority etc or a qualified person such as barrister, accountant etc. Not everyone is able to join.