Finding Suppliers

[hdpt00]

I have a pretty good idea (well I think so anyhow) for an ecommerce shop, but I have no clue how to find suppliers. I know there are a lot of brick & mortar stores that sell these and of course some online ones, but I am lost as to how to find suppliers. I've searched google high and low and can't seem to find any.

Should I try going into the shops and asking or is that going to be a "Yeah right" response from the owners. I've also tried looking on some suppliers and drop shippers directories and came up empty. Any help or guidance would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

[incrediBILL]

Try starting with the manufacturers.

Even if you call up another reseller as potential a "buyer" it's not unreasonable to ask "Who makes this product? I've never heard of them..."

Look and see who makes the products, give them a call and they'll let you know who their distributors are, and from there you'll probably find multiple product lines.

[hdpt00]

To make these products you need to have a license and they are all pretty much made from the same thng and I don't think asking who makes these will yield anything, it isn't a product like that. It's like if I went into a gucci or coach store and asked who made these, gucci or coach did, but how can I find the suppliers that actually sell at wholesale? I am stumped and can't find anything online.

[sun818]

My standard reply to who manufacturers this item is: "Made In China". Why would I want to create a competitor overnight. You have work up the supply chain like everyone else.

Try searching for trade shows, conferences, or professional associations in your industry. You can make contacts at these shows. If you want specifically look for suppliers that deal with small and mid-sized businesses, they will talk with you. If the vendors on the floor are mostly big names, you probably want to skip them as you will not be able to buy directly from them. They already have distributors that you can buy from, meaning it costs you more to buy.

[HRoth]

I have found some wholesalers online, but you really have to look. I have my Google returns set at 100/page, and I have often found these guys on page 4 or farther into the search. It takes time to develop sources, and I think that's why many in my biz buy from what are basically franchises. Their stuff is crap and it's all the same from shop to shop, but at least they don't waste so much time looking for sources, like I do. I consider the time spent part of the price, though, and since I am able to get better stuff by sourcing it myself, it's worth it. Might not be worth it for you.

I've also noticed that many wholesalers are not online or are not in the search engines. The business yellow pages will at least give you an idea of what is out there, how the supply system for your neck of the woods is organized, and it is easier to search than the web. Then you can contact companies and ask for their product lines or search for them by name on the web.

I did find one supplier by asking another retailer in a slightly different biz where he got a particular widget from, and he told me, I think because he figured I would never be a real competitor. I have found others by reading blogs of people in related businesses.

There are also trade magazines. They are usually a really good source of mid-level distributors in your field. I get Widget Retailer, and it has tons of suppliers in there.

[Essex_boy]

Does teh package have a suppliers name and address on it? I browse my local toy shops noting teh makers names and details when looking ofr new ideas.....

[topr8]

>> but I have no clue how to find suppliers

in retail, supply is everything.

there are some good tips above to start with, i'd just say don't worry about getting the best deal, just get any deal, things improve with time.

[EstoreSeeker]

if you could tell more about your product and other things......may be more suggestions could be given to you then. specify in terms like location... and other things etc..!