posted on August 2, 2001 05:31:11 PM
I want to become a high volume seller on ebay, but I don't know how to find good wholesale sources for inventory. A quick online search produced sources which look more like buying clubs than real wholesalers. They all charge a membership fee and appear to be the middle-man I am trying to avoid.
Does anyone have experience with these wholesale clubs? Are they worth buying into or are they just a scam?
Also, can anyone point me in the right direction for finding wholesale sources or dropshippers. I would like to find some sort of directory or portal for wholesale and dropshipping companies.
posted on August 3, 2001 01:11:14 AM
This thread cannot be for real. You really do not expect sellers to post their sources on a public board so everyone can jump on the bandwagon and kill the market.
posted on August 3, 2001 05:11:07 AM
What exactly do you want to sell using wholesale sources? Consider contacting the manufacturer and asking them for the information on their distributors (they'll be glad to help you figure out how to sell their products). Ask specifically for where their remaindered/seconds/overstocks are sold.
Good luck. Its harder than it sounds to find quality wholesalers.
posted on August 3, 2001 07:00:45 AMYou really do not expect sellers to post their sources on a public board so everyone can jump on the bandwagon
I would think this is one of those "it doesn't hurt to ask" questions.
I don't sell (much) new merchandise, but I do have a few sources that I get a fair % of my merchandise from. It took years, and a lot of hard work to make good "connections" where I have people "feeding" me merchandise. The last thing I would do is tell someone that wants to compete with me who to buy their merchandise from.
If someone want's to compete with me, fine. (lots of people do ) Do the work, spend the time making "connections".
Becoming a "High Volume Seller" is going to be work.
It just seem silly to me that new and upcoming sellers wants answers from this board to every aspect of doing ebay without having to do any work or research for themselves. How can they hope to suceed as a seller? It is hard work and they are not even willing to even do some simple research to even see if it makes sense to enter the business.
For example, most of the questions asked by these would be sellers have already been answer numerous times in previous posts. All they have to do is read the archive.
posted on August 3, 2001 12:27:38 PM
Well, in that case, maybe auction watch should just close the boards to new threads. Everyone can just look through the old ones hoping to find answers to their questions.
I always learn whatever I can from other peoples mistakes & experiences. That's really all this is. Gleaning from the wisdom of those more experienced. Just like life.
posted on August 3, 2001 12:52:06 PM
is there any wholesaler who has not been discovered by ebay sellers??
some wholesalers also sell on ebay,either straight out or under a different id??
posted on August 3, 2001 12:59:34 PMseem silly to me that new and upcoming sellers wants answers
A lot of the questions are no big deal. It doesn't hurt my bottom line to tell someone how to file for FVFs, or to discuss the merits of different payment options.
But tell someone who my sources of merchandise is..
posted on August 3, 2001 01:22:56 PM
If one have a question not answer by an old thread, just ask the question with a bump of the old thread. That way, one does have to have the same info reposted all over again. Readers can simply skip to the new question and info.
For example, there was a thread not too long ago regarding the topic of finding wholesalers on here.
posted on August 3, 2001 01:50:02 PM
You can find a lot of stuff to re-sale on eBay from eBay. Don't be afraid to buy in bulk...
* ~ * ~ * ~ * http://techgems.net
posted on August 3, 2001 01:53:50 PM
You know as a new person learning how to do auctions. I don't think it's about not wanting to work hard. It's also about learning how to work smart, and it seems to me a smart worker would go looking for answers from smart people who have been there and done that. If you had a forum available when you were new, would you not ask your questions where they might be answered more quickly than searching for hours or days and still not finding the answer. Quite often we just don't know where to go look. Not only may we be new to ebay but maybe new to the internet. Some of the answers that are given to legit questions are just not very nice or fair to someone who is just looking for some direction. I am sure there are a lot of lurkers on these boards who are just plain to chicken to ask their stupid questions in fear of having their heads bit off. Just my personal opinion.
Are we here to help each other or just whine and criticize each other?
When your at the end of your rope:
Tie a knot and hang on!
posted on August 3, 2001 04:54:33 PM
"If you had a forum available when you were new, would you not ask your questions where they might be answered more quickly than searching for hours or days and still not finding the answer."
Gee - I guess it takes hours to click on the "site search" on the bottom this page and then entering topic of interest while checking off the "also search the Message Center" option.
posted on August 3, 2001 07:02:18 PM
commentary, for those who are computer literate, it may not take that long, but apparently not everyone is as gifted as you.
posted on August 3, 2001 07:22:15 PM
What this thread ultimately taught the first poster: Don't ask about wholesale because it rubs some of the oldtimers the wrong way.
posted on August 3, 2001 07:54:47 PM
I believe the "old timers", as well as many "new timers" have given many hours of their time sharing information freely. If you've learned anything from these boards, it's because someone was willing to share their knowledge.
As to sharing suppliers or sources, which of you would walk into a B&M shop, announce you wanted to go into competition with them and ask them for their list of suppliers to help you get started?
posted on August 3, 2001 07:55:04 PM
In the world outside of eBay I do a lot of fund raising for non profits organizations. I worked long and hard learning how to do it and making the right contacts.
Other people who do this work wouldn't dream of asking me for contact information and I wouldn't ask them. We all paid our dues and know the ropes.
I sometimes have people ask me "how do I" and I have a the same answer. I give them my business card and tell them to call for an appointment.
I sell on eBay part time and quite frankly resent like hell some of the "how do I" questions. So here is an honest answer that I suspect a lot of sellers would like to give but don't, instead they say nothing.
What should I sell: I don't know and I don't care. Do the research and spend the time to learn about an area that interests you. If you want to sell collectibles invest the money in books, study the books, go to shows, and learn. Maybe in a few years you will know enough to have a working knowledge of a particular area.
Where do I get the stuff to sell: Not my problem. Go figure it out. I spent 3 years developing and refining sources.
How do take good images: Buy a good camera and scanner. Get some decent imaging software then practice , practice, practice. After the first 1000 or so images you will get the hang of it.
Want a template? Buy a book or go to the web and learn HTML.
Listing software: Try them out and see what works for you and remember you get what you pay for if you only want free stuff.
FTP to upload images: Go to the web and look around for a program, read the directions and practice.. (Remember the you get what you pay for caveat.)
Web space: Use the space your ISP provides or pay a fee for space. The free services stink especially IPIX.
Shipping: By a scale, go to the web and research the options. USPS, UPS, FEDX, etc.
Shipping Supplies: Shop around and do some price comparisons.
Credit Card Services: Look around and compare the level of service and fees.
This could go on forever. I am sure there are a lot of experienced sellers who would be glad to do some consulting work for a reasonable hourly rate. Now that would be a thread to read………
posted on August 3, 2001 07:56:25 PM
Well, I was in a B&M for a long time. I had a prized list of "suppliers". I was even "direct" with a major manufacturer of sporting goods and caused quite a stir with one of our state's leading wholesale companies which carried that line. I went to great lengths to keep my sources private. I went so far as to peel off any label that might show my competion where my "stuff" came from. Dumster detective work is quite common around here! I sold my business and got a premium for my "list".
OK, now I've been out of the business a couple of years and am very bored, so I decide to try eBay.
I have yet to find one single item that I can buy from my former suppliers (world wide I might ad) that is not already done to death or is going at prices I could not compete with at the prices my former suppliers would sell to me for! It is an entirely different business and so far I have not sucessfully figured it out.
I also know from personal experience that NOT all manufacturers will sell directly to retailers. They upset their wholesale/distributors when they do that and I most certainly can understand why. As one manufacturer put it to me, why would they jeopardize doing a $1,000,000 + worth of business with a "wholesaler" just to let me have $25,000????? If a manufacturer screws his middleman too often, the middleman will find another manufacturer. Competition is fierce at that level too!
I still have a great deal to learn. I too am computer "challenged" and really don't have much luck at turning up a "successful" search. I get lots and lots of garbage. It turly amazes me!
I can understand not giving up your sources, but the original question was are so-called shopping clubs worthwhile....I don't believe anyone has answered that one. Does that mean nobody has ever tried them so they can't say?
Someone did mention that you can't necessarily just go to a "wholesaler", but need to go to the manufacturers and ask where remaindered/seconds/overstocks are sold . That is a good idea. I personally shyed away from that because I have always seen seconds or remainders as stuff nobody else wanted or not quite high enough quality to associate myself with! Is there any wonder I am setting on square one even after a year?????
posted on August 3, 2001 08:09:39 PM
My only objection to some of the answers here was tone. Explaining to someone that it takes a lot of work to make contacts, and that is why it's unlikely the question will be answered is one way to answer. Making a person feel like crap for asking is another.
I agree that people do share tons of information here.
posted on August 3, 2001 08:13:35 PM
I can't believe how ticked off some people get because others ask for advice. I suppose that if one of your chilren asked you for advice on how to buy a car, you would tell them to go read about it.
If, when you were younger, and less experienced at things, you asked someone for help or advice, how would you have felt if they had gotten ticked off at you?
I guess nowadays we aren't allowed to glean wisdom from those with more experience. Todays world is so cutthroat that we revel in watching others get screwed by the same people who screwed us. We sure as heck wouldn't want to warn someone about it. They need to learn the hard way.
Now, don't get me wrong, I understand perfectly well why some of you might not want to share your wholesale connections. I think there are nicer ways to convey that though. BUT, getting aggravated because someone asks about credit card payment, or how to take good pictures. That floors me. Just remember the old phrase, what goes around comes around.
Think long and hard the next time you have a question, and after thinking long and hard, go figure it out for yourself, because obviously the people here feel too threatened to give a shred of advice.
posted on August 3, 2001 08:32:20 PM
"I have yet to find one single item that I can buy from my former suppliers (world wide I might ad) that is not already done to death or is going at prices I could not compete with at the prices my former suppliers would sell to me for! It is an entirely different business and so far I have not sucessfully figured it out."
I totally agree with you sulyn1950. It looks like the only way to sell stuff other than antiques & collectibles on Ebay is to sell overstocks and junk returns.
Here'a a site I found when searching for surplus the other day: surplus.net
You can find just about anything thru this site...pallets and truckloads of returns and overstocks.
posted on August 3, 2001 08:47:53 PM
cin131: While I can understand the position of some of the people here, I also get a chuckle out of many of the same people. I've worked in certain industries where I gained valuable information that I wouldn't want to share in detail with a potential competitor.
What amuses me is that the people who have "paid their dues" most likely worked as a mid-level manager for 10, 15, or 20 years and took that "information" and made it work for them in a business venture. So, all they are doing is stealing (er... borrowing)information from their former (or current) employer and using it to their benefit.
Don't get all bent out of shape over the attitude. They hold in secret what you are finding hard to obtain. Just because Bob has known Bill for years and can get the inside scoop on lines being discontinued or overstocks in a warehouse. Hang in there.
posted on August 3, 2001 09:24:18 PMguess nowadays we aren't allowed to glean wisdom from those with more experience.
I wouldn't say that. There is tons of good advise given right here on this board every day.
As for where to find merchandise, I wouldn't mind speaking about it in general terms. I do kind of doubt what advise I would have to give is what the original poster was after, as I don't deal in much new merchandise, but I'll give it a shot.
What new merchandise I do buy, I most often get from people that are going out of business. How do I find these people? I know alot of people within 200 miles that deals in the kind of stuff I deal in, and they know I am always looking for deals. If/when they hear of a deal, if they don't want to buy it up them selves, they will often will call me and let me know that someone on the other side of the state is fixing to close a shop.
Why would they do that??? Because the way I do business is if I buy a load of stuff for 10 cents on the dollar, I'll sell it (in smaller lots) for 20-25 cents on the dollar if I can turn it over quick. (all my stuff doesn't go on eBay ) These same people buy from me, and what comes around, goes around. You would be amazed how much money dealers can make dealing back and forth.
Now, it did take me quite a while before I got on a "first name" basis with a lot of my "competitors". There are some I can't "deal with" at all, but there are some who believe like I do, "you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours".
But the bulk of what I buy and sell is used, and with used merchandise, you buy it when and where you can. I run ads in Trade Papers (got one running right now)and the Local News Papers. I watch the classified ads for "deals", and I'm known to a lot of people as someone who will pay "quick cash" (but not top dollar. ) for stuff that's in my line.
posted on August 3, 2001 11:17:54 PM
For those who can't reveal your sources at least tell us how you obtained those sources. It would do a lot of good if you said you went to a trade show and this is how you located the trade show. You don't have to mention names or products.
As for going to a retail store and getting their sources it isn't that hard. Sulyn mentioned labels on boxes in the dumpster. Most businesses aren't that savy and leave it on. If you wait around during the day you may see delivery vans from distributors pull up.
As for large businesses all you have to do is read the business papers and mags and you will sometimes come across the sources for these companies. For example, I've seen the sources for large bookstores and electronic stores published in national magazines, and any established business can buy from them too.
Mainly, most of the sources found on the web will be overstocks/store returns, if you want new merchandise start hitting the trade shows, or like I said, the secret isn't hidden to find their wholesalers. For example, if you're selling new comics, Diamond Distributors is the primary one used by most comic stores.
posted on August 4, 2001 12:38:34 PM
You may want to check out this Site http://www.123wholesaleresources.com/. I find the person who runs the site very knowledgeable about this topic.
posted on August 4, 2001 01:13:13 PM
I think this is an excellent post. You don't have to give up your hard earned connections to lead people in the right direction.
Here's a few sources:
Trade magazines ( i.e. Gifts & Decorative Accessories is a great one with high quality vendors).
Finders Keepers
Someone's lost luggage can be another person's find at the Unclaimed Baggage Center in Alabama
http://www.aaacwj.com/member_services/aaaworld.asp?aaaworld=80
) Do the work, spend the time making "connections".