Buying Wholesale
Sourcing inventory at true wholesale prices is by far one of the most challenging
tasks for internet resellers. The ideal situation is using a distributor known well to
you and with which you already have a business relationship. Unfortunately, a great majority of internet marketers don't have that luxury. And unlike most information on the internet, posting a bulletin board request for help in finding a wholesaler will get you very few responses. Nobody is willing to give up a source that is making money for them.
The option many take is to search the internet. A typical Google search for the word "wholesale" turns up over 13 million hits. By digging deep enough you may find a few worth a further look. At that point you are quite likely looking at an unknown entity with no method of verifying their business practices. Basically rolling the dice.
The last option is to purchase a wholesale directory, which is often not much better than an internet search. With one glaring exception a great many currently being sold are outdated or contain information you could easily find yourself.
The glaring exception mentioned is the Salehoo Wholesale Directory.They offer a huge continually updated online directory with over 75 categories of products from electronic to designer clothing. Each supplier is rated by both site users and Salehoo so that you can see their track record. (suppliers do not pay to be included in the directory) Many of their suppliers wholesale prices are posted on the website and offer a good up front idea of the kind of profits one could see using their sources.
Of even greater importance is the company itself. Salehoo is a member of the Better Business Bureau, Fair Trade Authority, and the EBay Developers Program. Their contact information is published on their website and they are available to members via Live Chat.
The small membership fee buys a lifetime membership and is backed up with a 60 day money back guarantee. Without question it is one of the better (if not the best) resources on the web for wholesale buyers.