How to qualify for wholesale? help!

[Saz]

Hello.
Im looking to start an online shop selling bans tshirts. Ive found a few wholesalers, there is one in the UK im really keen to use, but they rejected my application. Does anyone have any advice on where to go from here? Their website says the are strictly trade but I have no shop yet as I have no stock.
Any advice would be helpful for this noob.
Many thanks.

 

[Mr D]

Buy from other suppliers.
Eventually go back to that one - perhaps in a year - and try again.

Some places want details of who you already trade with. One of my wholesale suppliers asks for 3 supplier invoices before you can open an account. Some places require a credit check on you first.

You cannot force a supplier to sell to you. Perhaps they already have enough online shops.

 

[Chris Ashdown]

Try some of the very large wholesalers like Ralawise or Pencarrie

Arrange a visit to their Head Office and talk to the sales teams is often the best way to get started so you can tell them your plans. some brands are very proud of their brand and need to control who and where there goods are sold, others just happy to sell to all like the two above

You could also lookup the trade shows at the NEC where you can view the brand ranges and talk to the sellers

 

[Saz]

Brilliant thank you both for your help.
I could t find many suppliers for band tees. So I will definitely check those two out !!

 

[Saz]

Definitely happy to take any tips and advice

 

[fisicx]

Why would a wholesaler want to supply you?

Are you planning to sell thousands of T-shirt’s every month? If not then there is no benefit for them to supply to you.

 

[Saz]

Why would a wholesaler want to supply you?

Are you planning to sell thousands of T-shirt’s every month? If not then there is no benefit for them to supply to you.

Trying to start somewhere

 

[Mark T Jones]

Trying to start somewhere

Doesn't really answer the question - which boild down to 'why should they be interested in dealing with you?'

 

[Mr D]

Trying to start somewhere

So try a few suppliers. If cannot get the brand you are after yet then try for that brand later. Does not prevent you building a solid sales history with other brands.

Worldwide you have probably hundreds of potential suppliers. Some you need to be large enough orders to be cost effective, some you may be cost effective with a 3 figure order.

 

[Saz]

So try a few suppliers. If cannot get the brand you are after yet then try for that brand later. Does not prevent you building a solid sales history with other brands.

Worldwide you have probably hundreds of potential suppliers. Some you need to be large enough orders to be cost effective, some you may be cost effective with a 3 figure order.

Yes thank you will try with the other ones first and see where I get from there!

 

[mattk]

Have you asked the wholesalers what their minimum order is? That will at least let you know if you're in the same ballpark.

Is it also worth pointing out that you'll pay in advance.

There are also A LOT of band t-shirt sellers in eBay - is it even profitable one you've factored in fees, postage, returns etc.?

 

[Saz]

Have you asked the wholesalers what their minimum order is? That will at least let you know if you're in the same ballpark.

Is it also worth pointing out that you'll pay in advance.

There are also A LOT of band t-shirt sellers in eBay - is it even profitable one you've factored in fees, postage, returns etc.?

U were very right about the ebay sellers. I don’t get how they make profit! They charge only about £3 more than what wholesale price is

 

[Mr D]

U were very right about the ebay sellers. I don’t get how they make profit! They charge only about £3 more than what wholesale price is

They'll have lower costs than you.
Heck, some may be out simply to sell rather than make a profit. The sale is the goal, not making money.

Always some sellers chase the 'must buy cheapest only' demographic. There are other customer demographics to sell to.

We did quite a good line in t-shirts back in 2016, purchase price £12, sale price £30. Both ebay and amazon for that line, ebay outsold amazon about 10 to 1.

 

[mattk]

U were very right about the ebay sellers. I don’t get how they make profit! They charge only about £3 more than what wholesale price is

I *think* a lot of people who sell band t-shirts of eBay print them themselves. Therefore, some cheap plain t-shirts and ink is all they need.

I also *think* that is it very illegal!

 

[Mr D]

I *think* a lot of people who sell band t-shirts of eBay print them themselves. Therefore, some cheap plain t-shirts and ink is all they need.

I also *think* that is it very illegal!

The ones using stuff they have found on the internet may well be. None of this paying for right to use trademarked image or words stuff....

The brands that do pay for the trademark right tend to have to reflect it in the price. A beatles t-shirt for example priced at £10 wholesale....

 

[simon field]

Avoid fruit of the loom or any of that cheap tat - they all go out of shape after just a couple of washes!