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So I'm almost at the point of calling suppliers (I need to file an LLC so I have about two weeks) and I've been doing some reading on how to approach the situation but I still have a question or two.

As mentioned above, I'll have an EID and the appropriate sales tax forms (I live in Oregon so there's a specific form for "we don't collect sales tax"). I also have a completed website and have begun to work on social media accounts.

I keep reading about how to "convince" suppliers to work with you. For anyone with experience, is it generally difficult or fairly easy to get suppliers to work with you?

This will be my first ecommerce store and it's not getting traffic yet. I don't have suppliers either so there aren't any products on it either, though there is supporting content. I've been told it helps to just put up products anyways so when you call suppliers you can convince them you want to "add" their product line. Is this necessary? Or are blank, traffic-less sites okay as long as they seem legit?

Thanks in advance to any responses
#calling #suppliers
  • Profile picture of the author Staggerlee666
    I dont think you need to spend the money on an LLC. A sole proprietorship is fine to start with.

    If your site is not complete, start by calling the less known brands/suppliers in your niche who may be more likely to work with a newbie.
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    • Profile picture of the author davidjames42973
      It can be a little intimidating in the beginning but after awhile it does get easier.

      One thing you need to do is get to know the language that wholesale companies use (MOQ, MAP Pricing, etc...)

      Every time I reach out to a wholesale supplier, I start with an email. In the first email I attach a copy of my resellers license so that way they see that I am a real business. In the email I also ask them what is their MOQ and if they can send me a wholesale list. This email will usually get a response from them.

      When they call you be honest with them. If they don't want to work with you because you plan on selling on Amazon just ask them why. The reason is usually because they're afraid of sellers under cutting each other and lowering the price of the product. I usually respond by telling them I completely understand where they're coming from and I am a huge fan of MAP Pricing and will completely respect the price of their product.

      When they give you an application to fill out sometimes they'll give you something that has to do with running a credit check. If you're planning on purchasing your products ahead of time then you won't need to fill this out. I usually tell them that I plan on purchasing the products up front.

      Anyways, hope that helps...
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  • Profile picture of the author Mergatroid
    I had to go look it up. Here is the information in case anyone has a head scratching moment.

    The Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ) requirement specifies the lowest quantity of a certain product that a supplier is willing to sell.

    Minimum advertised price or MAP is the practice of a manufacturer providing marketing funds to a retailer contingent on the retailer advertising an end customer price at or above a specified level. Such agreements can be illegal in some countries when members and terms in the agreement match predefined legal criteria.
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  • Profile picture of the author jerehsiao
    @crediblezephyre

    The last thing you need to worry about is the supplier issues, all you got to do now is, allow me, is to get more traffic for your site, then you show them the traffic and orders from your GA account, then you convinced them, I don't know which kind of product that you are selling now, but you can have a different plan for that, it depends on what you sell, hope you can share more here.
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    • Profile picture of the author Staggerlee666
      Originally Posted by jerehsiao View Post

      @crediblezephyre

      The last thing you need to worry about is the supplier issues, all you got to do now is, allow me, is to get more traffic for your site, then you show them the traffic and orders from your GA account, then you convinced them, I don't know which kind of product that you are selling now, but you can have a different plan for that, it depends on what you sell, hope you can share more here.
      How is he going to get sales for a product he doesn't have, since he doesn't have any suppliers?
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  • Profile picture of the author iris zhao
    what kind of products do you need? maybe I can become your supplier.
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