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February 15, 2024

A Small Business Owner’s Guide to Buying Wholesale Products


What does wholesale refer to?
When we talk about business there are some terms that we hear often. Among these terms heard one is “Wholesale”. But do we actually know what wholesale really means? Wholesale is the practice of buying bulk amounts of the same quantity at a lower price and selling them to customers at a relatively higher price. This higher or increased price is referred to as retail price. The art of wholesale is selling items in bulk at a time due to which it may seem that a small business that has just started would not be able to buy anything but we’re here to tell you that even small businesses can buy from wholesale. 

Types of Wholesalers:
To get a better idea of how to start buying wholesale products for your small business it is important to first understand the types of wholesalers and which one would you choose for your business.

Manufacturers:
Have you ever wondered who created the products you today use with such ease? Well, it's none other than the manufacturer who assembles and designs products. A cycle is followed; once the manufacturer has completed making the product he sends it to the wholesaler. However, it is possible to contact the manufacturer directly too for some niche products a business owner would like to purchase. 

Exclusive vendors:
Exclusive vendors or exclusive distributors refer to distributors who have permission from the manufacturer to pass around their products. In order to understand this more clearly consider an example of a smart device manufacturer company like Apple. After the phones are designed in California stocks are sent to these retailers. 

Distributors in a certain area or wholesalers:
Wholesalers lie under the category of exclusive distributors. They get stocks of a product from exclusive vendors or manufacturers for further distribution typically within a city on a smaller scale as compared to exclusive distributors. 

Selecting the right wholesaler for your business:
When you start your business you wouldn’t get many orders in the beginning as it requires time for any business to grow. Initially, you’d be requiring smaller orders. To obtain such smaller orders, try making purchases further down the supply chain.A product's price increases each time it is sold. Therefore, the less you buy those products the more costly they’ll become. As a result, you’ll end up having two choices. 
To overall increase the price of the product you’re selling
To forget about gaining profits
Looking for a wholesaler who meets all the requirements for your small business can be time taking.However, in the long run, it may be beneficial to discover the best fit.
Following are ways to select a suitable wholesaler
In order to get more clients, wholesalers may place advertisements in the magazines. Make a habit of skimming through the industry magazines. 
One best way to find them would be to connect to manufacturers directly in order to purchase stock. They may be directly willing to sell their products, this would be a win-win situation as it would eliminate the additional charges that a wholesaler would demand for. In case, the manufacturer refuses to do so, ask them about the exclusive distributors or wholesalers to whom their product goes to. 
Make use of the internet and search for wholesalers or distributors near your area. You can additionally modify your search by adding the products you’re interested in buying. This would aid in better and refined search results. 
Contact with other business owners. If they’re not your competitors they might be willing to help you. 

Factors to look for when selecting a wholesaler:
You should check the market before selecting a wholesaler. The following are the factors that should be considered for a suitable wholesaler for your small business.
  1. Charges: Check the prices the wholesaler offers you at a number of places. Bargain and ask for discounts on what the wholesaler is willing to offer. 

  2. Whereabouts: try to find a wholesaler who is located nearby since this could be very beneficial for you. The wholesaler may be able to reduce the shipping charges for you and additionally it would require less time for you to receive your products without much hassle. 

  3. Stability: When you choose small wholesalers that offer reduced prices over large wholesalers you’re putting your business into risk. This is because there’s a possibility that your wholesaler may run out of stocks at any time putting your business at risk as you would have deliveries scheduled. Make sure you choose a stable wholesaler. 

  4. Customer support: Make sure that the wholesaler you’re working with is easy to get a hold of and does not complicate any process. Delay in delivery of the stock or miscommunication would lead to a negative impact of customers on your online or in-store business. 
Signing a wholesale agreement:
It is a good practice to sign an agreement before you start dealing with a wholesaler. This is important as all of the details are listed and there would be no chance of a breach of the agreement. 
Following are the details that should be included in your wholesale agreement:

Minimum size: The minimum quantity of the goods you need to buy with each order may be specified by the wholesaler. Proceed with caution if the minimum order size exceeds your requirements. You may find yourself unable to shift your inventory.

Rebates: If you place larger product orders, you could possibly save money. There may be a discount schedule in the wholesale agreement that indicates the start and end dates of specific discounts.

Delivery timetables: The timeline for the wholesaler's delivery to you may be specified in the agreement. It might also include information on when and how the things will be delivered.

Return guidelines: Avoid being forced to keep a sizable order of things that you don't like. If there is a return policy, see the agreement.