Has anyone ever bought wholesale off the internet? Is it worth it?

Question

Like just general things, push pins, socks, makeup, backbacks, flip flops, canned food items

Answer 1

Yes, I have several times.

I buy some of my craft items wholesale.  It's cheaper for me in the long run.  I'm the Coordinator for the Family Craft area at an Autumn Harvest Faire.  I keep the projects different every year, keeping some of the same ones.  

For example, I bought 10,000 raffia fans for $17.  I won't use all 10,000 this year but I won't have to pay Oriental Trading $20 for 12.  That craft takes between 36-48 each year so it was way cheaper for me to get 10,000 for $17.  I also bought 3000 chennile pipe cleaners & 10,000 tissue rounds, totaling $20.  Both will make cute fake flowers.  The price on Oriental Trading or another site is 3x that or more.  

For office/desk supplies, I wait for the back to school sales every year & stock up.  I can get pens, pencils, push pins, erasers, markers, crayons, scissors, glue, paper, etc, fairly cheap, some free with a BOGO sale.   This also benefits my craft supplies for other projects for the faire.

I wouldn't buy food wholesale online.  You'd have to buy in HUGE quantities & that may not be cost efficient or even practical.  

Socks, makeup, backpacks, flip flops....I'd use extreme caution buying wholesale there too.  Socks you'd probly be ok with since I know I used to go through LOTS of socks & now my son does the same.  

Sometimes, a bulk purchase can be just as cheap as wholesale or even cheaper.  Shop around online & through the store ads.  You'll find great bargains.

Answer 2

Yes- I bought wholesale items off the Internet when I had a jewelry business.  I would buy my beads, charms, chains, findings, etc. through wholesale.  However, be careful.  There are a LOT of people on the Internet claiming to be wholesalers but they are really actually the "middleman".  "Middlemen" is the guys inbetween the manufacturer and retailer.  What that means if you go to these "middlemen" instead of the source (manufacturer), your are going to pay a lot more money for the product instead from the source.  And sometimes, "middlemen" companies can just be flat retail.  You can actually buy in bulk from retail companies claiming to be wholesalers.

Therefore, your best bet is to buy straight from the manufacturer.  Usually, reputable ones will ask for a resale certificate to validate that you are truly buying the stock for resale.  But not all wholesale companies that don't ask for a resale certificate are bad.  When all else fails, just price compare bulk products from different websites.

TIP: The best place to buy your products in bulk at the best price is overseas.