Have a want to sell something

Moving from content to shopping

[bateman_ap]

So I have created quite a few successful content based sites and a couple of "reservation" sites. However I have always been interested in creating a shopping site, I have a huge amount of PPC experience and can create a site with shopping cart etc. Can find people to fulfil orders, pack and post them, however I have NO idea at all how to get stock.

What I don't want to be is an affiliate, I actually want to sell the item, not leave that up to another site.

So what I am asking, if I want to sell Blue Widgets, how do I get my initial stock, how do I find wholesellers that won't rip me off?

Any tips most welcome

[leafgreen]

Purchasing is a critical function for a reseller business. It is difficult to give specific advice without knowing what product line you are selling. Generic sourcing tips:
* Simply call the manufacturers of the products that you want to sell.
* Some of those calls will result in you discovering long-standing distributors of your product line.
* Keep calling more manufacturers to discover more distributors.
* Use sites that have listings of distributors such is thompson catalog, alibaba, and another important one that I can't remember off the top of my head.
* avoid Doba and similar companies. I have never found prices that could provide me with good margin at Doba.
* avoid using the word "wholesaler". Googling wholesaler will result in you just finding companies that buy from distributors. Use "distributor" instead.

[topr8]

>>how do I find wholesellers that won't rip me off?

imho relationships with suppliers take time - and also money.
you can't get the best prices without buying in volume, and only a fool would buy in volume without having a fairly good idea that they will sell out.

personally it doesn't matter too much how much you pay at first, it's your baseline, as soon as you know things are going well, you can then start to work on getting a better price.

[dpd1]

In my experience... Most manufacturers and major distributors are not going to sell to anybody who isn't pretty well established. Most places, you can offer to pay them up front, any way they want, and they just won't do it... They want the DUN number, credit check, references... the whole deal. And unfortunately, your personal credit means nothing. You gotta start from scratch with the business credit. It's a conundrum, because you can't get established without buying, and you can't buy without being established. Best thing to do is find some smaller companies that are more desperate... Do some orders on COD, then develop credit with them, then that kicks the process off.

[Luxoria]

So far the above posters offered some really well rounded input.

It's true it takes time and money to establish a working relationship with distributors or manufacturers. I have used aliexpress to find overseas manufacturers for goods that would cost 3x to 5x the cost in the states at the same quality. And even some goods that American companies simply do not make anymore. My point is to give example where to check to acquire stock.

I know the gist of your post is not about what to sell, but if sell what you know and/or like you might have an instinctive understanding how things get made and where they are made. Example, if you are into motorcycles you might already know all the name brands then possibly might even know where they are made and the big name players for accessories, etc.

[sleepy_eye]

You can also go to a trade show for the type of item you want to sell. Almost every industry has an association and trade show. You will meet lots of manufacturers at one place and perhaps establish accounts (bring letters of credit, reference etc ) or at least make some connections.

[Essex_boy]

how do I find wholesellers that won't rip me off? - Visit them in person, works wonders ive found.

How do I find products to sell ? I visit general trade shows, ideas fall at your feet