How do I find a reliable wholesaler?

[PuChCo]

I am looking for phone cases, specifically a company that will print custom images on them rather than just sell the same ones everyone else has in bulk.

I have seen a lot of reasonable wholesale deals on eBay but those are mostly for the see-through plastic ones which are worth very little anyway. I have looked through Alibaba all day and although many companies on there say they will do custom designs and logos I have no idea what companies are scams and what ones are legit quite frankly. I have read a lot of mixed reviews of the site but the alternatives I've looked at come across as even more sketchy.

Anyone care to share a good wholesaler or a good way to find a decent one? Thanks.

 

[Red Wood]

The cold hard truth of this is, if you want to make this a viable business option in what is a very busy and saturated market, the only way I can see it being profitable for you is to buy cases in bulk from the far east and investing in a specialised printer to customise the cases.Sourcing from the UK, will likely leave you little to no margin.

 

[Jeff FV]

Depending on volumes and your margins, you could try AwesomeMerchandise the price you see on their website is for a one off, they discount for volume. A good company that I'm happy recommend.

J

 

[MOIC]

Your cheapest option is to buy direct from China.

However, you will have to make sure that your quantities are viable.

If you need any help, feel free to send me a PM, or email me directly at: [email protected]

I'll be glad to help you if it's possible.

 

[PuChCo]

The cold hard truth of this is, if you want to make this a viable business option in what is a very busy and saturated market, the only way I can see it being profitable for you is to buy cases in bulk from the far east and investing in a specialised printer to customise the cases.Sourcing from the UK, will likely leave you little to no margin.

I don't disagree I should deal directly with China. I think I can make the products very high margin if I can get custom designs though. Just look at Redbubble, selling custom design basic snap on cases for over £20 each. Those cases would cost only a quid each in bulk at the absolute most. I believe there's profit to be made if I can get custom designs done.

 

[Red Wood]

if there is additional value in your custom work, then as you rightly said, this will create additional value, therefore margin, so potentially removing the need to source from a far?

 

[PuChCo]

if there is additional value in your custom work, then as you rightly said, this will create additional value, therefore margin, so potentially removing the need to source from a far?

Designing the artwork for the case is one thing, actually producing the cases is another. I can get custom designs done but I can't print them on cases, that's why I need a manufacturer.

I've done more reading up into this and apparently there are a few UK companies that will act as an intermediary between me and the Chinese factories, which costs more but removes the risk on my end. Are those a good bet or are they just as likely to scam me?

 

[Red Wood]

Google is your friend here. I think most of the Intermediaries are OK, always ask for references.

 

[Jeff FV]

Have you explored my suggestion of Awesome Merchandise yet? We use them to produce these that we sell.

We can't quite get the price down enough to sell the at trade prices to retailers, but we certainly make enough selling direct to the public ourselves to make them worth our while. (Remember, the price you see on AMs website is for a one-off: buy more and they cost you less)

Its a tough market, how can you be sure your cases will sell? For a small outlay you could have some cases in your hands to start selling by this time next week and if you sell them you'll turn a decent profit and then if you sell enough you can start looking to China (where your MOQ will probably be in the thousands)

J

 

[PuChCo]

Awesome Merchandise looks like a good service but even for bulk orders it is faaaaar too expensive. I wouldn't make any money buying at those prices. The prices I've seen buying direct from China even if I'm only buying 50 pieces are only just over two quid per case. On eBay the prices are even lower (because the shipping is far cheaper). Sure, those aren't customised, but AM must be taking a massive cut to sell at those prices.