How to select the right Wholesale Provider

To determine whether a wholesale provider is right for you, it pays to look at the following factors:

• Product Offerings – It may be obvious, but it’s important to ask if the wholesale provider offers the product and brands you want. Try to work with wholesalers that offer a clear product catalog that’s easy to search and comes with plenty of product details to make the buying process as simple as possible. Also examine whether the wholesaler offers products that you don’t currently have but want to offer at a later date, whether they have exclusive access to certain key products, and how consistently available their products are available so that you never run out of inventory.
• Reliable Shipping – Even if you buy products cheaply from a wholesaler, if they’re delivered late it could mean big losses for you. Essentially, an unreliable wholesaler will reflect poorly on you, meaning your ability to deliver excellent customer service to your own customers will take a hit. That’s why it’s useful to choose a wholesaler with automated shipping alerts, product tracking and a knowledge of your industry’s shipping needs. For example, when choosing a food wholesaler, make sure they’re using quality refrigerated trucks to keep your produce fresh.
• Price – Price isn’t always just determined by volume. Be sure to look into a wide variety of wholesalers, as there can be substantial price differences based on shipping distances, the wholesaler’s relationship with manufacturers, and even currency exchange rates based on the company’s geographical location. While you can always comparison shop across websites like Alibaba and Wholesale Central, it also pays to use unorthodox channels like contacting manufacturers directly and asking them what wholesalers they recommend.
• Customer Service – Great customer service is a huge factor in picking the right wholesale provider. Can you easily reach someone to speak about an issue? Is there a help desk, live chat or support number available? You want to ensure you’re working with a wholesale provider that’s there when you need it.

Ultimately, it’s important to think about how a wholesale will impact your day-to-day relationship with customers. At the same time, you need to select one that makes financial sense while also having the confidence that you have a business partner you can rely on.