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Linda Formichelli

Guide to Finding Distributors for Your Products

Stock your shelves with products from middlemen, not manufacturers


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Unless you run an organization with sales in the millions, you'll purchase goods from distributors and not directly from manufacturers. But distributors vary in all sorts of ways, from simple things like prices, discounts, and minimum purchases to more complex issues such as whether they drop ship goods to your customers and whether they share up-to-date inventory information with you.

By finding the right distributor, you can:

  1. Manage your cash flow with a mix of consignment and cash payments.
  2. Use drop shipping to get goods to customers faster and keep your inventory low.
  3. Locate goods that you can sell exclusively in your area.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Read the trades


One way to find manufacturers of products you want to sell is to browse through trade magazines that target that industry. Distributors often advertise in trades.

I recommend: Yahoo! and TradePub.com have lists of trade magazines sorted by topic. The National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors (NAW) publishes a free, four-times-per-week e-newsletter, SmartBrief, with distribution news on what's happening upstream of your business. Modern Distribution Management also publishes a regular online newsletter.

Scan distributor directories


Instead of searching for individual manufacturers, browse through directories of distributors.

I recommend: Find distributors of products from dolls to self-defense items at ezGoo or WholesaleGopher. To locate distributors of particular types of products, use the American Society of Association Executives' directory of associations (entering a keyword in the search box) or search the NAW member list.

Find a finder


If you'd rather let someone else do the work for you, consider businesses that connect you with distributors.

I recommend: USellCorp puts you in contact with drop shippers and helps you build a Web site to showcase your offerings. Worldwide Brands hooks you up with drop shippers.

Take in the whole picture


Before signing on with a distributor, you'll need to know what their wholesale prices are, how they ship, how they charge you, their returns policy -- in short, your costs and the benefits you'll get in return.

I recommend: Learn whether the distributor has generated any consumer complaints by doing a search on the Better Business Bureau Web site.

Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

  • Get all promises and agreements in writing. Make sure you understand your rights and responsibilities.
  • Look for hidden fees, such as an added cost per drop ship.
  • Ask for goods on consignment, especially untested products, to improve your cash flow as you establish new product lines.
  • Find out whether a distributor offers co-op advertising opportunities or marketing displays for in-store use.
  • To help market these goods, build a professional Web site, compile a mailing list, and trade ads with complementary businesses.

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This service helps find you the right distributor for your product.

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Helping your small business connect with the right wholesaler or dropshipper to sell your product online.


 Best Sites to Learn MoreBack to top 

Find the right wholesaler or distributors for whatever your small business is selling.

This site provides numerous links, resources, and gives tips about the confusion over distributors and wholesalers, specifically for small businesses.

This site provides numerous links and resources to help your business find wholesalers and distributors.

This site gives you advice on what you need to do and know to choose the right distributor for your small business.


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This site discusses the advantages and disadvantages between dropshipping and affiliates.

This site discusses the advantages and disadvantages of dropshipping.


  CommentsBack to top 

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