Where can I find manufacturers?

Question

I am looking for ideas on starting my own online retail website. I am looking for all kinds of different manufacturers. I am just starting this process, and am wanting to see what is out there at what prices. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

Answer 1

You can search for manufacturers, suppliers and distributors of all industries from different b2b websites. I suggest you http://www.digitivity.com for electronic and electrical products, http://www.fashionproducts.com for fashion accessories, http://www.automotive-online.com for automobile industry. If you want to know more you can email me.

Answer 2

It's difficult (not impossible) to find "true" wholesale prices for clothes and accessories online.

I mean you can do a search for "wholesale jewelry" or something of that nature. However most of the websites that claim to give you wholesale rates, aren't really giving you wholesale rates.

These site owners know that people who want to dabble in the retail industry are going to be looking for wholesale rates. So they set-up their sites to cater to eBay sellers and the such. Of course when you look at those 'wholesale' prices it seems like you're getting a good deal - until you realize there's no room for you to make a decent profit.

The best way to get true wholesale prices is to get your business license, set up a business bank account, and go through the proper channels to make your business legitimate. Then you can attend trade shows like MAGIC (in Las Vegas) and get the better wholesale rates.

Or you can contact real wholesalers who require you to have a tax ID number. For example, if you were interested in selling silver jewelry, Silver Factory - http://www.silverfactory.com/ -  requires you to have a tax ID number. (If your wholesaler doesn't ask for a tax ID number, chances are you're not getting the best deal.)

If you live close enough to major city that has a wholesale district, you can sometimes get true wholesale rates by going to these types of shops directly.

For example, 7th Avenue in midtown Manhattan (NYC) has a lot of wholesalers. You'll usually have to spend a certain amount of money to get the best rates this way. But it also allows you to see everything that you're getting.

Many larger cities also have 'market days.' Market days allow you to meet a large number of wholesalers in one place. Here's one for Chicago - http://www.regentproducts.com/CHICAGOMar... . But again, you need to have a tax ID number (and sometimes a business check) in order to access these events.

Hope this helps!