Buying Wholesale

I just had to share a little tidbit of a recent trade show I
attended as a vendor.

The show started with a 2-hour wholesale only show. I was a little
unprepared for this, but handled it OK, I think, by putting special
price tags for that timeframe on my beads then taking them off for
the rest of the show. However, after that timeframe a lady came up
to me and asked me what the wholesale price was for a particularly
expensive bead string. I told her 30% off, because I didn’t remember
the price I had assigned and didn’t want to take the time to look it
up. She tried to bargain me down from there, so then I did look up
the price I had paid to determine if I could afford what she was
offering. I couldn’t, so I told her “no,” that the price I had
offered “was a bargain” and that I could not go any lower. She
decided to buy it, so I then said “may I have your tax ID?” She
gave me a blank stare, stammered a bit, then said “I don’t have a tax
ID.” I just had to reply, “well then, I can’t sell you these beads
at a wholesale price.” She was totally frustrated, confused, wondered
why in the world she couldn’t buy 1 string of beads at a wholesale
price, and walked off.

Frankly, I get frustrated by this mentality. She did not have the
credentials to identify her as a potential future “Big Buyer” nor
did she want to buy in bulk. A real wholesale buyer does have to
offer the vendor something to get that discount - either the promise
of bulk purchases in the future or actual bulk purchases in the
present. Why else would a vendor offer a big “wholesale” discount?

Frankly, that was the end of my dabble into the world of wholesale.
Now I back to my original stand of offering the 30% off only on
orders over $1,000.00. My thinking is that a true business will
commonly buy in that quantity. Although I do have several customers
who are real jewelry designers who buy in smaller amounts, they seem
to be content with the 5% off that I offer for repeat customers via
coupons. I believe most of my prices are near or at the same level
as other “wholesale” businesses, and 30% takes them down to very low
true wholesale prices.

So, back to the retail world I go, happy all the way to the bank.

Susan
Sun Country Gems
www.suncountrygems.com

Susan - you have to do what works for you! I agree to not selling
wholesale to anyone who doesn’t have proper credentials, but frankly,
I DO have proper credentials, and NEVER buy in $1,000 increments from
anyone! I am one person - I can only make so much! The closest I
ever come to the $1,000 is when I am stocking up on precious metals
from Rio - that adds up fast! It also lasts for a long time.

Even if I were able to do my jewelry full time, I can’t see buying
in that kind of quantity for a one person business, which sells
primarily at shows.

What about other independent jewelry artists out there? I’m a
little curious as to whether what I do is fairly true across the
market or not.

If I were to spend large bucks at one time, it would not likely be
on beads - but on the metals or on stones. My largest bead orders
run in the hundreds, not over $1,000. I have trouble seeing how
anyone other than a bead store would buy that many beads at one time.

Beth from SC, who is currently at Sunset Beach, NC, enjoying the
marsh views and sea breezes!

I have to add my .0002 here. That is probably the value these days.
I have my license, my tax id number, and wouldn’t expect anyone to
sale to me wholesale otherwise.

On the other hand, I’m just starting out. Paying as I go, not
opening charge accounts. Paying cash! I know people like to sell in
bulk, and trust me, I will stay loyal to the business’ who will sell
small quantities to people starting out. I’ve offered my pearls
wholesale to designers.

What bugs me is business’ who claim to sale wholesale and to
everyone. Those prices are not wholesale, and once you’ve completed
something, you couldn’t sell it for a decent price.

So Susan, I guess in a perfect world, people wouldn’t try to take
advantage of wholesalers, and us little guys could get the same
deals as the big guys.

I too, would be frustrated with someone who tried to talk down the
wholesale price, and then not even be legit. I’m glad you didn’t
sale to her.

Misty

Continue from:

My thinking is that a true business will commonly buy in that
quantity.  Although I do have several customers who are real
jewelry designers who buy in smaller amounts, they seem to be
content with the 5% off that I offer for repeat customers via
coupons. 

Not so,… for a small store, and expensive items…they will want to
purchase, 'samples… one item…to see if it sells in their locale…
if so, contact you!! I have done this quite often…and found the
practice very useful …didn’t end up with a ton of carp to sell at
below cost…cause it didnt sell!!! Jim