Finding Vendors and Products

This article probably is the most important one of all even if you don't use our services in the long run. Your products and vendor must be a wise choice. If you pick bad ones it will reflect on you with your customers. Bad products or shoddy service in getting you the goods can cost you.

So what are the scams running out there? One of the big ones is the "list". You buy it for 19.95 or more and it has all the wholesalers you could ever want. DON'T DO IT. If you want to find vendors, look at your competitors. What brands to they carry, do some detective work and find the ultimate source of their products. The lists if they have any real info on them are pretty much worthless. Do searches with the words "B2B" as in business to business and you'll find lots of good information.

As we said before not all wholesalers are really wholesalers. If your prospective vendor asked for a monthly maintenance fee, run away! You may be asked for a minimum purchase or a initial buy in but a monthly fee smacks of rip off. Be wary of wholesalers that don't ask for a sales tax certificate. Most do some do not, if they don't be cautious. Its not a deal breaker but be on your guard.

Ultimately have a few vendors of the same or similar products. They go up and down in service over time. A new startup may not be stocking very much in live product and will need a dependable vendor. You need a vendor who will take care of you with good customer service. If you start getting the inklings of poor service or product knowledge look elsewhere. Your reputation is on the line, it can't be tarnished with unmet expectations from a vendor.... YOU are their customer. With several vendors you will have a ace in the hole in case of trouble.