Finding suppliers - what I have learnt.

howdy88 · 24-01-08

I'm one of the many people on the forum looking in to trying to run my own successful business (and I'm not takking about mobile phones, games consoles or iPods).

I've tried to establish myself a nieche and a few months ago bought some console accessories from a company in the UK that I was lucky enough to find on google. They had low MOQ's, excellent pricing and were helpful on the phone (always a bonus to actually speak to a supplier). From here I tested the water selling cables on Amazon (less saturated market than eBay and I don't have an eBay account anymore) and found sales coming in thick and fast and with fairly healthy margins.

I then stopped my selling due to starting university - I didn't want to let my repuation on Amazon slip by not keeping up with the orders. Now I have just started up again (I'm still at uni) but I have more time on my hands to keep up with a business.

Google didn't help me much in terms of legitimate suppliers and UK suppliers so heres how I found some:

So I am looking to sell console accessories, so I decided to have a look at what the game shops in my local city have to offer. I looked through different accessories that I thought would be good for me to sell. I then took a note of the company name and other information that is on the box. You would be suprised how many boxes had the distributors name or a contact phone number for the company.

After getting in contact with the companies I found, I now have around 5 distributors to use for my products. All from a 30 minute shop around.

Well, I hope this helps someone. Any questions or comments are much appreciated.

drphill · 24-01-08

Great advice mate, do you have a msn address as i have a few questions about how you worded your approach to the suppliers, its something i want to get correct before i make any calls.

Thanks

Montage · 24-01-08

I do but don't want to post it publically and you don't have 10 posts yet so don't have the PM function. When you have 10 posts then feel free to message me with your address.

When speaking to suppliers you have to be very honest. Don't oversell yourself as a multimillion pound company. Tell them what sort of business you are starting and you would be interested in selling their products. Some brands sell direct and some sell through a distributor. So ask how you would go about buying their products, in that case they may give you the distributors contact or may pass you on to their sales team. Once you are speaking to the relevant person who can actually sell you the goods again be honesty, tell them what you are starting and enquire about getting a price list. I found phoning gives me a much better response than emailing.

Excuse any spelling errors, it's almost 4 AM. should really be getting some sleep now...

Jayden.ONeil · 24-01-08

Im sorry, i thought maybe you would be able to PM me. I will message you when i have a few more posts.

Your advice is very well written and im very grateful, ive had to deal with wholesalers over the phone before, but only for cheap products like t-shirts and other types of garments. I look forward to talking to you on MSN, got a few other questions which it sounds like you'll know the answer to. I dont want to over sell my company but i also dont want to sound like someone who would waste there time, i want to have everything set correctly and have all information on hand if they were to ask for it before i make the calls. I believe you have made a good decision by selling game accessories, ive done it before and had good results (and i was buying from retail sources). I think too many people are looking at selling games and overlooking the huge market for accessories and add-ons.

4.00am i know bed time now.

Many thanks for the help.

BJStopper · 24-01-08

I'm glad to see someone who has proven my "dumpster diving" methods.

There is a ton of free information out there if people will get up and visit the real world evey now and again.

Dumpster Diving for Fun and Profit
.

Gosford0 · 24-01-08

Sorry about that post. Somebody hacked into my account and i know who so i changed my password. Sorry mate.

SackJob^ · 24-01-08

good post... yes im new here ...I must say i've looked all over the place for wholsale ideas and the back of the boxes and what not never entered my head..thanks for the great idea.I must say i have only found this site a few days ago and it;s been so helpful already on many of the questions i've had. thank you all so much

Phantom.R · 24-01-08

Hi there mate, im very interested in what you wrote. so you are saying if i go to my local Game shop and look at the back of the boxes what will it exactly say? James

rosso75 · 24-01-08

I can't answer that, i haven't been to your local game shop.

BUT - you could go and see for yourself.
.