This article provides guidance on how to approach a new supplier, whether it be a Chinese wholesale, dropshipping, Amazon private labeling, or local supplier. Many individuals have collected a list of potential suppliers they wish to work with but are unsure of how to initiate contact. This can be especially daunting for those who have never bought in bulk from China and do not yet have a website or domain name.
The article emphasizes the importance of determining a product sourcing strategy before making contact with a supplier. It also offers insight into how to approach wholesalers in the US or in one’s own country, how to approach suppliers for dropshipping, and how to approach Chinese suppliers or overseas. Additionally, the article provides advice on how to get a Chinese supplier’s attention and highlights three common mistakes made when first reaching out to Chinese suppliers. Finally, the article suggests starting by practicing with suppliers that one does not care about before reaching out to more important suppliers.
Key Takeaways
- Determine a product sourcing strategy before making contact with a supplier.
- Practice with suppliers that one does not care about before reaching out to more important suppliers.
- Avoid common mistakes when first reaching out to Chinese suppliers.
Choose A Sourcing Strategy First
Before approaching suppliers, it is crucial to determine the purchasing strategy that aligns with your business objectives. Whether you plan to dropship, buy in bulk from China, or develop private label products, each model requires a distinct game plan. It is important to note that dropshipping is significantly different from wholesale, and importing goods from China or dealing with Asian suppliers also necessitates unique strategies. To ensure a successful sourcing experience, it is essential to choose a sourcing strategy that best suits your business needs. In the following sections, we will discuss how to approach new suppliers for each of these sourcing strategies.
How To Approach Wholesalers In The US Or In Your Own Country
Buying wholesale products for your e-commerce store is a great way to save money and increase your profit margins. If you are based in the United States or your own country, approaching wholesalers can be a straightforward process.
To begin with, it is important to note that there are very few restrictions when it comes to buying wholesale goods in your own country. Most suppliers are willing to work with you, regardless of your level of experience.
In the United States, for example, you only need a seller’s license or business license to get started. You don’t need a website or a company to purchase wholesale products. You can simply reach out to the supplier via phone or email, express your interest in selling their products, and ask about how to make a purchase.
Some suppliers may require your seller permission for tax purposes, and they may also have minimum order requirements. However, many suppliers do not even require a seller’s license. Having a license can help you purchase supplies tax-free and show your supplier that you are a legitimate business owner.
It is important to note that in the United States, you need to obtain seller permission before you start selling online because you need to pay sales tax in your state. Once you have obtained the necessary permissions and have established a continuous order record, you can request a “net 30” payment term. This is a form of trade credit that allows you to pay after 30 days, helping your cash flow.
Most wholesale suppliers in the United States have reasonable minimum purchase orders, typically a few hundred dollars, so your upfront costs will not be too high. However, minimum order requirements may vary by supplier.
Approaching wholesalers in your own country is generally a straightforward process, and suppliers usually do not care if you are a mature business or not. As long as they get paid, they are happy to work with you.
How to Approach Suppliers for Dropshipping in Your Country
Dropshipping Supplier Requirements
Before approaching a dropshipping supplier, it is important to ensure that you have a professional website and a valid seller’s license. This will help you to establish credibility and demonstrate that you are a legitimate business owner.
It is not necessary to have a fully functional website before contacting a supplier. You can use platforms such as Shopify or Open Cart to quickly and easily create a website using stock product images. This will give the impression of a real store and help to convince suppliers that you are worth their time.
It is important to remember that dropshipping suppliers are essentially partners, and they will want to see that you have a plan to promote sales before they agree to work with you. Having a professional-looking website can help to demonstrate your commitment to the business.
Evaluate Your Dropship Suppliers
Once you have established contact with a dropshipping supplier, it is important to conduct due diligence to ensure that they are a good fit for your business. Here are some questions to ask:
- Do you charge a delivery fee for each order?
- How long does it take to ship a product once an order is placed?
- What is the process for placing an order? Do you accept orders via phone, fax, email, or promotional video?
- Do you support EDI for real-time inventory data?
- How do you track orders? Will you provide shipping and tracking information to customers?
- Can you customize the packaging with my company name and logo?
These questions will help you to evaluate the supplier’s reliability, responsiveness, and willingness to work with you. It is also important to note that there are resources available, such as Worldwide Brands, that can save you time by providing a database of pre-vetted dropshipping suppliers.
How To Approach Chinese Suppliers or Overseas
Ask About Minimum Order Quantity(MOQ) from Your Suppliers
When it comes to sourcing private label products or selling your own branded products, manufacturing your products overseas can be a great option. However, dealing with Chinese suppliers can be quite different from dealing with American suppliers. The key factor that Asian suppliers care about is whether you can continue to buy a large number of products. Therefore, when you contact them for the first time, it’s essential to make them feel that you have big purchasing power.
To ensure that you are working with the right supplier for your business, it’s important to ask about the minimum order quantity (MOQ) from your suppliers. Before you start contacting suppliers, you should know how much you can buy and how often. If you don’t have any customers yet, this is a difficult question to answer, but you need to make educated guesses instead of being indecisive.
Once you have figured out how much you can purchase, you can ask the MOQ question in a subtle way. For instance, you can ask for quotations for 500, 1000, 5000, and 10000 units of the product you are interested in. If the supplier is far beyond your capabilities, they will tell you. But if the supplier is within your range, you won’t be treated as a novice asking this question.
It’s also important to ask for samples to evaluate the product quality. If the samples pass the test, you can ask some other questions such as the lead time for production, payment method, how long the supplier has been in business, the size of their factory, and the other related products they produce. If the supplier sells a bunch of different items, it’s usually a bad sign that they are not a real factory. You can also ask about their existing customers in Western countries, as it’s preferable to work with suppliers that have experience working in these regions.
In conclusion, when approaching Chinese suppliers or overseas manufacturers, it’s crucial to ask about the minimum order quantity (MOQ) to ensure that you are working with the right supplier for your business. By asking the MOQ question in a subtle way, you can avoid being treated as a novice and ensure that your purchasing power is matched. Additionally, asking for samples and other relevant questions can help you evaluate the product quality and determine whether the supplier is the right fit for your business.
Different Chinese Suppliers Cater To Different Business Sizes
Finding the right Chinese supplier can be a daunting task, especially for small businesses with limited purchasing volume. However, it is important to note that there are suppliers of various sizes that cater to different types of customers.
For instance, small businesses may not need to contact large Chinese manufacturers directly. Instead, they can opt for smaller suppliers that can meet their minimum order requirements. This can save time and resources for both the business and the supplier.
When contacting a supplier for the first time, it is recommended to start with email and then transition to Skype or WeChat. If possible, arranging a face-to-face meeting by travelling to China can also be beneficial.
Personalization is key when sending emails to suppliers. Avoid using standard letters or templates and instead write personal emails to develop a relationship with the supplier. Treating suppliers like old friends or colleagues can help establish trust and foster a long-term business partnership.
In summary, different Chinese suppliers cater to different business sizes. Small businesses should not be discouraged and should instead focus on finding the right supplier that can meet their specific needs and requirements. Personalization and relationship building are crucial for establishing a successful partnership with Chinese suppliers.
How To Get A Chinese Supplier’s Attention
When it comes to contacting Chinese suppliers, it is important to understand their needs and put yourself in their shoes. One of the primary needs of a Chinese supplier is to work with people who can provide stable sales in higher numbers, as their factory capacity is limited. Therefore, before contacting any supplier, it is essential to have a suitable strategy in place to meet each other’s needs.
If you try to negotiate the lowest possible price from your supplier right away, it may irritate them. Instead, it is better to be creative in your trading approach. For instance, you can agree to a pricing structure based on sales volume, rather than trying to negotiate the absolute lowest price in advance. This approach can help build a closer relationship with your supplier.
Your first impression of the supplier is crucial, and it can determine the outcome of your business relationship. Therefore, it is important to avoid making common mistakes that new entrepreneurs often make when contacting suppliers for the first time. These mistakes include:
- Failing to understand the supplier’s needs
- Not having a suitable strategy in place
- Trying to negotiate the lowest possible price right away
- Not being creative in your trading approach
In summary, to get a Chinese supplier’s attention, it is essential to understand their needs and have a suitable strategy in place. Being creative in your trading approach and avoiding common mistakes can help build a closer and more successful business relationship with your supplier.
3 Mistakes for First Reach Out to Chinese Suppliers
Mistake 1: Lack of Self-Confidence and Giving the Impression of Being a Novice
When contacting Chinese suppliers for the first time, it is important to be confident and knowledgeable about what you want. Suppliers tend to select customers carefully, and if you lack self-confidence, you may come across as a novice and not worth their time. Avoid using language that suggests inexperience or lack of knowledge about the industry.
Mistake 2: Saying Too Much in the First Email
Your first contact with a supplier is like a first date. You don’t want to overwhelm them with questions, and you don’t want to appear too desperate or too eager. Keep your first email brief and to the point, focusing on the specific information you need to know. Avoid asking too many irrelevant questions and respect the supplier’s time.
Mistake 3: Not Knowing What You Are Looking For
When contacting a supplier for the first time, it is important to be specific about what you are looking for. Being vague or indecisive can make you appear like an unserious potential customer, and your email may be ignored. Clarify what you are looking for and show the supplier that you have done your homework and are serious about selling their products.
Remember, the first impression is important, and you don’t want to waste time contacting anyone until you have a suitable plan. Establishing a good business relationship with your supplier is crucial, and finding a suitable candidate takes time. Avoid making these mistakes and be confident, knowledgeable, and clear in your communication with Chinese suppliers.
Start By Practicing On Some Suppliers You Don’t Care About
When it comes to finding the right Chinese wholesale supplier, it’s important to prioritize your list of potential suppliers. Not all suppliers will be a good fit for your business, so it’s important to identify which ones are a priority and which ones you don’t care too much about.
If you’re new to purchasing products from Chinese wholesale suppliers, it’s a good idea to start by practicing your communication skills with suppliers that you don’t really care about. This will give you the opportunity to perfect your communication skills and learn the necessary terminology before contacting the suppliers that you really want to work with.
It’s important to remember that communication is key when working with Chinese wholesale suppliers. If you’re not familiar with the terminology of transporting and importing goods from abroad, it’s important to take the time to learn it before contacting suppliers. This will help ensure that you don’t make any mistakes that could drive away key suppliers that you really want to work with.
By starting with suppliers that you don’t care too much about, you’ll have the opportunity to practice your communication skills and learn the necessary terminology before contacting the suppliers that you really want to work with. This will help ensure that you’re able to communicate effectively and build strong relationships with your suppliers.