Wholesale info

Hi, I have a business lincense and a tax id # and have had limited success getting companies to take me serious & to sell me stuff wholesale. I design jewelry and need to get the beads & components wholesale, otherwise it's hard to make very much on the things I make. I have my own company letterhead and business cards, etc. What am I doing wrong?

[Polly]

Hi Sasha,

It sounds like you have all your ducks in a row.

There are only two things I can think of that you didn't mention, and I don't know if they relate.

1. What are the companies' minimum orders, and what size orders are you trying to place?  If a company's minimum order is $200, they just won't fill any order under that amount, and so you need to wait up until you need that much of the items that company carries. And then carefully figure out exactly what you need, so you don't need to add on another $20 worth of stuff two weeks later.... because you can't.   (Good thing grocery stores aren't like this!)

Our minimum order is actually quite small, because we know that the craft show circuit can be hectic, and you sometimes desparately need just one or two items -- like bar pins -- between shows. Sometimes you sell a vastly different category of goods than you expected, and need to replenish those items for your next show ... with only a few weekdays in between.

(We have a 2-step minimum order:  No orders under $25, and there is $4 service charge on orders under $50.)

2. Is your preferred method of payment, one that is accepted by those companies?
Most companies will not give Net-30 (open) accounts until you've been working with them for a set number of years, or else get good references from 3 other companies where you already have an established open account.  For mail-order companies, credit card is generally the preferred payment method.  Personal or company checks generally add at least a week to turnaround time.

Do either of those possible issues sound like something you're running into?

--Polly

[Sasha]

No, I know what the minimums are & always abide by those. And I always use the company credit card. I'm finding that companies just don't seem to want to let me order from them. Some require that long forms be filled out & if I don't have several other companies I have ordered from to put in the blanks, they reject me. Most of the companies I have ordered from was a while back & they want orders from companies that are just a couple of months old. I am just starting out really, but have had my business license for two years. I ordered from those companies about a year ago. I have sold some things, but I am really starting to do well right now. The companies seem suspicious that I am a legitimate business. I'd love it if you could help me solve this problem. Thanks for taking the time to reply.

Sasha

[cwolf]

Hi Sasha,
Try calling the company or companies and ask to speak to the sales manager. Tell them your story and see if they do not sell you what you want.
Good luck,
CWolf

[Todd]

Interesting problem, you'd think they would welcome people who have the paperwork to buy from them. I won't be trite and say "Just order from us!" because I am under no illusions that we have everything that everybody needs, we try to but it just isn't possible. Although I will say order from us whenever you can '> we won't turn you away.

I think cwolf makes a good suggestion, any sales manager worth their salt wouldn't turn away potential sales. Especially if the person has the paperwork they need to buy from them.  I just find it odd that they aren't very accommodating because that type of attitude tends to sour people against a company and that potential customer will never come back even after they are able to jump through all their hoops. Seems counter-productive.

[Russ Nobbs]

At the risk of being a "left coast" snob, may I ask if the firms who won't sell to you are located on the east coast, like in New York?  '>

[Metalman]

Russ may be on to something there.
In the past, I have done purchasing for colleges and that sort of thing and I have rarely found any items that I couldn't buy from someone else at pretty much the same price.  Usually those alternative sources were happy to do business with me. Another thing to remember when you are filling out the application forms is to think about any business that you have regular interaction with. It may be your local hardware store.  If you are buying for resale from anyone, perhaps they would be appropriate for your references.  This may help you have 'current' business references '>

[Sasha]

I have just filled out & sent my information to yet another company. cwolf, if I don't get a positive response, I will try your advice & call to speak with the manager. Todd, I am soured by the negative responses I've been given. It makes me angry. Russ, I'd have to look those up...I don't remember off the top of my head & my information isn't handy. Metalman, good idea. I've never thought of that.

I have also been turned down for a request to attend a trade show. I'm so frustrated. I need sources, but I'm rejected by those sources, but yet I'm not allowed to find sources at a trade show. "SIGH".

I'm not giving up. I will try harder until I do succeed. Thanks for the good ideas & advice.

Sasha