Where do you find suppliers?

[AndyAndy]

This probably seems a dumb question, but I was wondering how and where people seek suppliers?

For example lets say I wanted to open my own supplement company, as in my own brand. Where would you go and find such a company, or any other type of supplier?

 

[Moneyman]

look at all the products out there and read the "manufactured by" label. Few companies make their own products if they have a large range.

 

[AndyAndy]

look at all the products out there and read the "manufactured by" label. Few companies make their own products if they have a large range.

Thank you

I had thought of that, but wouldn't they take that off to hide the supplier?

 

[Directimport]

This probably seems a dumb question, but I was wondering how and where people seek suppliers?

For example lets say I wanted to open my own supplement company, as in my own brand. Where would you go and find such a company, or any other type of supplier?

I am sorry to say this, but generally speaking supplements in the UK are far more expensive than they are in the USA.

Because of this, I purchase retail in the US and have them shipped across. The freight cost is high on retail quantities, but it still works out a lot cheaper.

With this in mind, I suggest you look for manufacturers in the USA who will do private labeling. I teach how to go about sourcing and importing, but you could always try your luck on your own.

Don't forget compliance requirements. I would investigate this before proceeding. Also, remember that some supplements are available legally over the counter in the USA, but are banned here.

 

[AndyAndy]

I am sorry to say this, but generally speaking supplements in the UK are far more expensive than they are in the USA.

Because of this, I purchase retail in the US and have them shipped across. The freight cost is high on retail quantities, but it still works out a lot cheaper.

With this in mind, I suggest you look for manufacturers in the USA who will do private labeling. I teach how to go about sourcing and importing, but you could always try your luck on your own.

Don't forget compliance requirements. I would investigate this before proceeding. Also, remember that some supplements are available legally over the counter in the USA, but are banned here.

Thank you for your reply. I'm not actually planning to do supplements, I just used that as an example

 

[Directimport]

Whatever the product type, you might consider importing. It is easier than most people will tell you, and I teach how to place small orders direct from the manufacturers even if they quote large M.O.Q.s.

With current exchange rates, I am currently recommending to my book buyers that they consider buying quality goods from the USA. Prices for some items currently being quoted are very surprising. USA manufacturing is far from dead and buried.

If people want ordinary quality, they can still buy from Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, China, etc.

 

[Deleted member 106864]

what kind of product are you looking for? If you are looking something in China, I am help you to find some factories and give you company web site without any cost. Then you can contacts them yourself.

Best Regards,

Simon

 

[Mike Guan]

hello,
I am a supplier in China for Optical lens, I can provide any kinds of resin glasses and glass lens. If you want to open this business, i can help you to provide high quality and competitive price. Please feel free to contact me!
Thank you!

 

[BusinessDeli]

Why not start with a good ole internet search 'item x supplier manufacturer'? Also, alibaba can set you up with a lot of international manufacturers

 

[Directimport]

When will budding entrepreneurs learn that buying goods commercially overseas is not quite the same as going to your local Tesco or Sainsburys?

You know who Sainsburys are. You know that if you pay for the goods you can actually walk out of the store with the goods. You don't pay them today and hope that they will deliver the goods to you in a week, or two, or ten, if ever.

So why let anyone just casually say "Go to qwertyuiop.com and find suppliers who will give you a great deal", and then do what they say?

International trading can be done safely and profitably and that is what I teach in my book. Unfortunately I see so many people get burnt because they have read something on a forum and acted upon it as if it is gospel.

I know what problems people cause themselves that way, because I daily receive emails from ones who have, and they are asking me to help them out of their mess. If they had invested a little time and money in finding out what is involved before they became "international traders", they would not lose the much larger sums many of them cry to me about.

I am a soft touch (correction; I was a soft touch) and I helped out many people with advice that they should have paid for, but now I am getting so many such requests that I simply direct them to my website.

 

[AndyAndy]

Why not start with a good ole internet search 'item x supplier manufacturer'? Also, alibaba can set you up with a lot of international manufacturers

I had actually done that and got some good results especially as I was looking for a UK supplier . I just wondered what people generally do when they "start", as once you're in business, I noticed how suppliers then start to find you.

 

[AndyAndy]

When will budding entrepreneurs learn that buying goods commercially overseas is not quite the same as going to your local Tesco or Sainsburys?

You know who Sainsburys are. You know that if you pay for the goods you can actually walk out of the store with the goods. You don't pay them today and hope that they will deliver the goods to you in a week, or two, or ten, if ever.

So why let anyone just casually say "Go to qwertyuiop.com and find suppliers who will give you a great deal", and then do what they say?

International trading can be done safely and profitably and that is what I teach in my book. Unfortunately I see so many people get burnt because they have read something on a forum and acted upon it as if it is gospel.

I know what problems people cause themselves that way, because I daily receive emails from ones who have, and they are asking me to help them out of their mess. If they had invested a little time and money in finding out what is involved before they became "international traders", they would not lose the much larger sums many of them cry to me about.

I am a soft touch (correction; I was a soft touch) and I helped out many people with advice that they should have paid for, but now I am getting so many such requests that I simply direct them to my website.

Thank you for all your help. I have dealt with suppliers in India and Thailand and I found the process very slow. I am looking for UK manufacturers