trades 2 trust started this topic @ 14:25 on 11/12/2006
I am looking at the wholesale business - as a project at the moment
Does anyone have experience in this ?
Would I need to buy all of my stock from outside the UK or do importers split present loads between wholesalers ?
Were could I go for more information ?
Any other info would be good
Thanks
RE: becoming a wholesaler
danyboy | 11/12/2006 02:46 PM
Hi
To be come a whole seller you don't have to buy and stock it up. All you have to do is get in touch with Mfrs of the product and get samples first and then get an order and purchase and sell for the start once you grow you can think about buying and stocking up things.
Hope this will help
Cheers
Daniel
RE: becoming a wholesaler
Paul J5Design | 12/12/2006 12:34 PM
Hi,
What type of products are you looking at?
Paul
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www.blockshop.co.uk Suncare and Skin Protection for the Elements
www.newoxygen.co.uk Activewear For Women
RE: becoming a wholesaler
womble | 12/12/2006 04:10 PM
You could also investigate drop shipping, this way customers order via your company and you arrange goods to be sent from the supplier, this way you hold no stock at all, BUT you are resposible for returns and dealing with problems this can be a headache.
I buy all my products in from China after receiving the order, this has the disadvantage of long turnaround times but I find most high street chains that I deal with are often dealing with the far east anyway and are used to 6 to 8 weeks lead times.
Having said that I also hold a minimal stock. any that does not sell I put on .. dare I say it ...ebay and take the chance that I can shift it.
In the past I have had my fingers burned dealing with the likes of Ann Summers, Sock Shop and the now bust Gadget shops. anything from Liquid latex to DAB radios. another thing you must be very careful off if you are holding stock is that whilst you might be over the moon at getting a contract with the the "the big boys" they can drop you over night .......start small Ohh must also say that if you ever find your self deaing with the big names You are responsible for supplying everthing from tags to bags bar codes transport etc all this has to be in your final price to the these stores otherwise you aint makin a bean
Warehouse space is incredably expensive, Drop ship or act as agent freind OK thats my advice
Yours Martin
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Best line in the film Apollo 13 Tom Hanks said One day they will have a computer that will fit into one room" ....classic
always ask why !
RE: becoming a wholesaler
trades 2 trust | 14/12/2006 09:06 PM
Thanks for the help so far
I was thinking more along the lines of a clothing wholesalers
I go to these places while playing on e-bay (while I work on other stuff) I am sure even with all of the wholesalers around, It can be done better
I dont really want to spend squillions of pounds on stock from China or India (Id like help with import and contacting suppliers also)
But I dont think present wholesalers all import, I think they are supplied from bigger boys who do import, or am I wrong ?
RE: RE: becoming a wholesaler
womble | 14/12/2006 11:06 PM
I would recommend you get yourself to commercial rd whitechapel and brick lane London on a sunday some of the Indian guys will do you a good deal on 'Branded' items at good prices.
you wont get good deals with loads of margin made in the UK .....its a sad fact
most of the shops in whitechapel are cash and carry .....still be wary though if you are a newby they will sell you anything and can be very pushy but it can be very sporty haggling with these guys.
what sort of garments are we talking about here where are you looking to sell I maybe able to help ..I still have contacts I used to run a company called Celtic Image and we made bespoke Irish dance wear for the likes of Riverdance company we even made a porcelaine doll called "Averline" do a search and she should come up. Please keep in contact Im sure I can help you
Martin
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Best line in the film Apollo 13 Tom Hanks said One day they will have a computer that will fit into one room" ....classic
always ask why !
RE: RE: becoming a wholesaler
CarlBkk | 16/12/2006 12:16 AM
Becoming a wholesaler depends on the type of clothing you're interested in supplying: branded items (drop-ship, forward orders ok) or your own designs. One thing's for sure, if you're wanting to start off selling to independants they expect you to hold stock. They want to top-up their stock given a few days notice and to able to provide this service you need to hold stock. I would have loved to operate on a simple "take orders, order from supplier and then deliver" basis but it proved more difficult than it was worth. Ordering from the Far East has its pluses and minuses, there are wholesalers there who keep stock to supply you and who are willing to airmail, but not many will operate on a credit basis and the stock you want for your retailer may not be ready for the next couple of weeks. Wholesalers who make to order may be a better bet.
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www.ThaiSilkandSapphires.com - silk fabric, garments, beaded footwear and gold gemstone jewellery. Luxury, quality, design-led products all under one banner for retail and wholesale.
RE: RE: becoming a wholesaler
womble | 16/12/2006 02:43 PM
Oh Yes Carl, Very good point re: Chinese will very rarely give you credit, my local branch always wince when the see me come in with paper work for money transfers ...I just love doing that when their is a large Q behind me.
Carl has given you soem good advice there, I think until you have funds to back you up and to hold stock I wouldnt bother to be honest .....If you are trading in fashion then forget it I spoke to one of my buyers at Next and they are now working on Autumn winter 2007 you must really know your stuff to work in fashion and be prepaired to make wrong choices, I know what the new black is going to be .. do you ? if the answer is no then fashion aint for you.
One market you should give consideration is the work wear and promotion sector ie embroidery printing for small B2B I used to run a company called Le Stitch and we used to turn over about 2k a week I used to produce the embroidery my self on a twin head machine , I started using a single head machine going to trade shows emboidering names on Cheap baseball caps I gained a vast customer base doing that and had many clients who would come to me for corperate wear etc...
Just trying to helpful ...Probably losing the plot though....
Cheers Martin
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Best line in the film Apollo 13 Tom Hanks said One day they will have a computer that will fit into one room" ....classic
always ask why !
