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Frustrated e-commerce newbie

by Dare2Be
13 replies
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So just a few details about me. I've always (ALWAYS) loved fashion and have recently mustered the courage to start an e-commerce website selling mainly trendy ladies fashions (and eventually shoes and handbags). I knew before even beginning my research that finding legitimate and reliable wholesalers would be THE most difficult part. And surely enough, I have not been disappointed.

I'm wary on a good day, skeptical most days, and finding it difficult to take that leap of faith and trust a wholesaler. I'm worried about getting a bum deal and being ripped off.

I'm hoping that one of the very knowledgeable participants on WF might be able to guide me. There are three websites that I am leaning toward. Two of them are based in LA and the other overseas. Am I right to assume that American wholesalers are more reliable than overseas wholesalers? How do I go about determining whether or not a wholesaler is worth going with?

And finally, would you recommend travelling to meet with a wholesaler and to see the facilities and merchandise first hand?

Thank you for taking the time to read this!
#ecommerce #frustrated #newbie
  • Profile picture of the author Importexport
    Hi Dare2Be,

    Why be satisfied with the low profit margins you will get from wholesalers?

    You can buy quite small quantities direct from the real manufacturers in China, Estonia, Bulgaria, Brazil,Turkey, and many other places. Forget the scare stories about having to place huge orders.

    I teach how to place small orders even if the manufacturer quotes huge MOQs.

    You will find plenty of overseas wholesalers on the popular B2B sourcing sites but will struggle to find real manufacturers, despite the fact that almost every supplier listed claims to be a manufacturer.

    If you insist on buying wholesale, stick with local ones.
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    • Profile picture of the author njolakoski
      Originally Posted by Importexport View Post

      Hi Dare2Be,

      Why be satisfied with the low profit margins you will get from wholesalers?

      You can buy quite small quantities direct from the real manufacturers in China, Estonia, Bulgaria, Brazil,Turkey, and many other places. Forget the scare stories about having to place huge orders.

      I teach how to place small orders even if the manufacturer quotes huge MOQs.

      You will find plenty of overseas wholesalers on the popular B2B sourcing sites but will struggle to find real manufacturers, despite the fact that almost every supplier listed claims to be a manufacturer.

      If you insist on buying wholesale, stick with local ones.

      Everything ImportExport said is true, get in direct contacts and work with them. If you need some wholesalers, from the states I do have some that I have used that I can provide you links to.
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      • Profile picture of the author Dare2Be
        Thanks to Importexport, WorldIR and traquor!

        So the takeaway is:
        - buy direct and buy small, but if you must buy wholesale, stick to local wholesalers
        - don't bother keeping inventory unless you know it'll sell
        - negotiate, don't let them know I'm inexperienced, know the lingo and what to ask for
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        • Profile picture of the author Importexport
          Originally Posted by Dare2Be View Post

          Thanks to Importexport, WorldIR and traquor!

          So the takeaway is:
          - buy direct and buy small, but if you must buy wholesale, stick to local wholesalers
          - don't bother keeping inventory unless you know it'll sell
          - negotiate, don't let them know I'm inexperienced, know the lingo and what to ask for
          @Dare2Be,

          That is one of the best efforts at summing up that I have seen on the forum for a long time.

          The only extra I would add is that when dealing with manufacturers overseas it is important that you do not haggle. I teach a much simpler way to ensure that you get the best price. Haggling is not the way commercial business is done in China. It is done by tourists, not serious business people.

          Walter
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          Use emotions and perceptions to build a great brand. Ask me about my book LabelsThatExploit. For safe sourcing and easy importing from 41 countries globally, see https://provenglobalsourcing.com
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    • Profile picture of the author abhish
      Originally Posted by Importexport View Post

      Hi Dare2Be,

      Why be satisfied with the low profit margins you will get from wholesalers?

      You can buy quite small quantities direct from the real manufacturers in China, Estonia, Bulgaria, Brazil,Turkey, and many other places. Forget the scare stories about having to place huge orders.
      loved what just you said. In this way we get to offer our customers extra discount too that will help making a brand too.
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      jabong coupons for bags
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  • Profile picture of the author WorldIR
    there are many other ways apart from operating own ecommerce site to generate profits...

    unless you have huge volume orders generated, if not likely to be waste time n efforts on small order per week n losing money holding on huge stocks..
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  • Profile picture of the author traquor
    You need to haggle and sometimes they just want to see if you can sell. Come at them eye-level, you've got a sales channel they want, see what they'll do for it.

    Pit them against eachother when they have like/same products. If you can't do it that way. Dont waste their time and don't let them know you're new. When you ask for pricing, it isnt "wholesale price", "drop ship price", ask for "my cost for resale"

    Originally Posted by Dare2Be View Post

    So just a few details about me. I've always (ALWAYS) loved fashion and have recently mustered the courage to start an e-commerce website selling mainly trendy ladies fashions (and eventually shoes and handbags). I knew before even beginning my research that finding legitimate and reliable wholesalers would be THE most difficult part. And surely enough, I have not been disappointed.

    I'm wary on a good day, skeptical most days, and finding it difficult to take that leap of faith and trust a wholesaler. I'm worried about getting a bum deal and being ripped off.

    I'm hoping that one of the very knowledgeable participants on WF might be able to guide me. There are three websites that I am leaning toward. Two of them are based in LA and the other overseas. Am I right to assume that American wholesalers are more reliable than overseas wholesalers? How do I go about determining whether or not a wholesaler is worth going with?

    And finally, would you recommend travelling to meet with a wholesaler and to see the facilities and merchandise first hand?

    Thank you for taking the time to read this!
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  • Profile picture of the author DWaters
    Along with having your own ecommerce site you may want to consider selling on Amazon. Obviously they have huge amounts of buyer traffic. It your products are there customer will find them! You can sell two ways - merchant fullfilled (you fulfilling each order) or Fulfillment by Amazon, thats when you send some inventory to Amazon initially and they take care of everything after that.
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    • Profile picture of the author Solid Commerce
      Originally Posted by DWaters View Post

      Along with having your own ecommerce site you may want to consider selling on Amazon. Obviously they have huge amounts of buyer traffic. It your products are there customer will find them! You can sell two ways - merchant fullfilled (you fulfilling each order) or Fulfillment by Amazon, thats when you send some inventory to Amazon initially and they take care of everything after that.
      This is some very good advice.

      If you're thinking about doing something like this, you might want to check out Solid Commerce:

      Inventory Management Software, Listing on eBay & Amazon Marketplaces | Solid Commerce

      If you're at the point where you're ready to be pushing your inventory out to multiple marketplaces, you're going to want something to help you manage all that.

      Solid Commerce will sync up your inventory across both marketplaces AND webstores (read more here: Multi Vendor eCommerce | Multi Vendor eCommerce Platform Solid Commerce), and automate everything in one place. That's orders, shipping, fulfillment, customer management, vendors, etc.

      Feel free to PM me if you'd like a bit more information!

      _ Sean
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  • Profile picture of the author yoangov
    In my opinion travelling to see everything with your bare eyes is the best method to check if the wholesaller is reliable. If you can afford it (time & money) - GO for it!

    Also, there are plenty of overseas sellers who are reliable, but in your case I guess it will be better to have an American partner

    Good luck!
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  • Profile picture of the author amcg
    Originally Posted by Dare2Be View Post

    So just a few details about me. I've always (ALWAYS) loved fashion and have recently mustered the courage to start an e-commerce website selling mainly trendy ladies fashions (and eventually shoes and handbags). I knew before even beginning my research that finding legitimate and reliable wholesalers would be THE most difficult part. And surely enough, I have not been disappointed.

    I'm wary on a good day, skeptical most days, and finding it difficult to take that leap of faith and trust a wholesaler. I'm worried about getting a bum deal and being ripped off.

    I'm hoping that one of the very knowledgeable participants on WF might be able to guide me. There are three websites that I am leaning toward. Two of them are based in LA and the other overseas. Am I right to assume that American wholesalers are more reliable than overseas wholesalers? How do I go about determining whether or not a wholesaler is worth going with?

    And finally, would you recommend travelling to meet with a wholesaler and to see the facilities and merchandise first hand?

    Thank you for taking the time to read this!
    So the takeaway is:
    - buy direct and buy small, but if you must buy wholesale, stick to local wholesalers
    - don't bother keeping inventory unless you know it'll sell
    - negotiate, don't let them know I'm inexperienced, know the lingo and what to ask for
    This is precise and largely accurate.

    Alibaba and websites can be useful but if you're starting out, I'd seriously suggest choosing one or a select number of products and dealing directly with manufacturers. Adopting this approach will save margin (manufacturers) and make your probably of success greater (less inventory).

    Look at most retailers out there, online or offline, the chances are they started out selling one core product.
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  • Profile picture of the author Ecommerce Advice
    I'd also focus on a specific niche to start with. Trendy ladies fashion is fine but you are competing with all the huge brands - there buying power and add spend.

    To start with why not try and become the 'go to place' for petite trendy ladies fashion or plus size... It would make the site more focused and you could create content around that area.

    You might even go more specific to start with 'plus size trendy summer dresses' or 'plus size black dresses'

    The more focussed you can be the easier it is to target the customer and your PPC should be lower.

    My guide (link below) might be of use to you

    Thanks Alan
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  • Profile picture of the author vuccha
    i never had good luck with my own e-commerce site. anyway . thanks for your advice
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