Daily Wire Tip March 21: Where Can I Buy Supplies Wholesale?
Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip
March 21, 2010
Question:
When you get your business/resale license, how do you find the manufacturer to buy supplies from? Or the name of the manufacturer?
Answer:
The best way to find wholesale suppliers for any business is to attend a ‘wholesale only’ show. After proving your business and registering, you can enter the show and meet the suppliers personally. Another way would be to do a search for “ ‘item you are looking for’ wholesale only”. Be aware that some of the results may not really be ‘wholesale’, which is why I prefer to meet them personally at a show. Also good to think about, is that when buying ‘wholesale’ a buyer may have to purchase a large amount or ‘lot’ of items to receive the low price they are seeking, which may include ‘the good, the bad and the ugly’.
Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong
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business, license, manufacturer, show, suppliers, wholesale
Filed under:Daily Wire Jewelry Tips‚ Sales, Marketing, Shows, & Display‚ Wire & Wire Wrapping
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Or they can just “go gold” on your website. LOL Good pricing there. Casey
Thanks Casey, you are absolutely correct!
Dale gives good advice. I’d expand on that to say that most of your local bead stores will have policies when it comes to jewelry designers with a business license. This almost always includes not charging you sales tax on your inventory purchases. It may also include discounted purchases. One of my favorite local stores gives a 25% discount off retail. You will need to take a copy of your resale license with you to the store to prove you are an official business. But, you will generally pay significantly more than if you visit the whole-sale only show(s) that Dale mentions. The store has to still make a profit and they probably bought from the wholesale only show too.
I have been in business for over 20 years. Maybe I’m ‘old school’ but I think if you are going into business, you should do your own homework and find your own suppliers. I know I could not ask my competition where to get supplies,I had to find my own suppliers.
I agree with Dale on “getting to meet” your wholesaler personally. By doing so, you get to see first hand the quality of their merchandise but you also get to make some great business friendship connections. If you are friendly and courteous you will receive the same in return as well as some extra perks from the seller.
Buying at a wholesale show is a great learning experience for you as opposed to shopping at a supposed wholesale/retail show. These latter type of shows usually are not true wholesale and will offer you basically a 10% discount on your purchases. If it is a must have item you are looking for, take into account the material costs difference when working up your pricing.
You may pay more for the actual item but you will save on not having to pay shipping costs, etc. Also, to locate wholesale shows, check the magazines that deal with structly jewelery making for these sellers ads.