Thread: How To Start A Relationship With Wholesalers and Distributors

Here is a brief guide on how to approach wholesalers as a new business.

1) Ask The Wholesaler For Their Business

You as a person or group are entitled to ask a wholesaler for their business. Just about every wholesaler recognizes the reality that everyone has to begin somewhere, therefore don't be concerned about being a new business. Recall that wholesalers require your business as much as you need their merchandise; therefore, it's unlikely that you'll be turned down if you have a real interest in their products (make sure you have applied for your resale Tax ID before contacting wholesalers, since all real wholesalers require it).

2) Be Positive

When getting hold of a wholesaler, be positive and businesslike, and concentrate on ascertaining exactly what the wholesaler has to offer.

3) Visit The Wholesaler In Person

Whenever conceivable I'd always advise inspecting the wholesaler in person, unless of course they are a critical and considerably acknowledged wholesaler that's been in business for a long time. Phone calls and e-mails are commonly looked on as a replacement to visiting them in the flesh; they are not the best option to start a relationship with a wholesaler, however they can still present you with a good idea of what the wholesaler is like.

Exercising business over the telephone has its restrictions, however your wholesaler should still be willing to send you a listing of stock and crucial costs. However to acquire a deep understanding of the merchandise under consideration, visiting your wholesaler in person is a priceless experience. Recollect that a dependable wholesaler won’t object to you visiting them because they should have nothing to hide, therefore, be wary if a supplier is rattling against you meeting them.

4) When Matters Do Not Go Your Way

You have to think that stock alters generally day-to-day for almost all wholesalers, so if you investigate about one product one day, it might not be accessible the following day, so it's crucial not to get baffled when matters do not go your way.

5) First Impressions

The first impression to a provider is really significant, and if you mean to establish an honorable kinship with the supplier, it's important not to ask a bit much or force the supplier too far. A good example of this would be demanding for additional discount rates off the costs that the wholesaler has indicated. It would be best if you held back until you have been dealing with the supplier for a while and then call at a later stage for such price reductions. Or if you must ask for a discount the first time, consider offering the wholesaler full payment in advance, or other payment terms that favour the wholesaler and puts him in a more favorable position of dealing with you.

The points listed above are not a complete guide (yet) however they will assist you in taking the first steps towards starting a profitable relationship with a wholesaler.

Originally Posted by retailer

I would like to add that if you know someone who have been dealing with that wholesaler then you ask advice from him or her. You can even get some discounts if that person you knew have a good relationship with the wholesaler.

The fourth advice should be the first. First impression is everything in business whether you are dealing with a wholesaler or even to your clients.

Yes you should ask for references (details of companies that have bought from the supplier in the past), and then contact each reference to verify how reliable the supplier has been. Make sure you ask for multiple references, possibly from multiple countries, and then verify that the references are in fact real companies.