this post was submitted on
9 points (80% like it)
12 up votes 3 down votes
shortlink:
to anything interesting: news article, blog entry, video, picture...

8
9

How do I find out the who the whole seller is? (self.Entrepreneur)

submitted ago by MagType

I want to start another website selling unusual tech gadgets like you would find on coolshityoucanbuy or thinkgeek.

There's a gap in the market in my country (South Africa) for this I think. And we have some messed up customs/import regulations that I'm already familiar with because of my other websites. So I think I could make this work.

How do I go about finding the whole-seller for these types of products.

all 18 comments
sorted by:
best
hot
new
controversial
top
old

[–]Chr0me 16 points17 points ago

You can use a service like TradeCurrents, which tracks all inbound cargo that comes into the US via sea. (Disclaimer: I'm a web developer and TradeCurrents is a client of mine. An updated version of the site will be launching next week.)

We have 284 records from "ThinkGeek, Inc." over the past few years. Here's a short list of who they buy from:

  • SABMATT CORP
  • HK EXPERT SOURCE LIMITED
  • NINGBO MELAN FOREIGN TRADE SERVICE
  • HPI HONG KONG LIMITED
  • DACAL TECHNOLOGY CORP

We're also working to make this service available as an API so it can be integrated into other applications. If anyone is interested in helping beta test it, PM me please.

[–]Zhatt 0 points1 point ago

Does this service also cover Canada, or do you know of one that does?

[–]Chr0me 0 points1 point ago

The data behind it is purchased nightly from US Customs (about 30,000 new records per day), so it only addresses US imports. I'm not familiar with a Canadian service, sorry.

[–]MagType[S] 1 point2 points ago

HAHA... that's amazing. Thank you. I'm going to spend some time on this site

[–]I_sense_highschool 1 point2 points ago

now this a great way to pitch your site

[–]samzdaman 1 point2 points ago

Holy shit... Wow. In F*in awe!

[–]hicks185 1 point2 points ago

This is a great resource! Any idea if the ability to pay for a single month is there? I'm looking to source one specific product but am loathe to spend $1200 to do it. Or, if anyone here has a membership, I'd be willing to pay for a quick search on my behalf...

[–]Chr0me 1 point2 points ago

PM me what you're searching for and I'll hook you up.

[–]spacekane -2 points-1 points ago

+1

[–]anothertran 2 points3 points ago

for cheap made in china stuff direct from the factories checkout alibaba.com

[–]MagType[S] 1 point2 points ago

Thanks. sheesh.....It's tricky to sort the junk products from the quality products with these sites.

[–]WholesaleSupplier -3 points-2 points ago

That's why you deal with U.S. companies, like mine, that have solid manufactures for all types of tech products. We guarantee quality, delivery, and litigate risk, all at the same competitive price you'd find on AliBaba.com (if not better).

Currently we are the largest manufactures of Data Sync Cables compatible with iPhones / iPods to multiple daily deals websites.

PM if you're interested.

[–]sumebrius 1 point2 points ago

You'll probably want to look for giftware wholesaling industry groups. For example, in Australia we have the Australian Gift and Homewares Association. These groups typically organise large trade shows where a wide range of wholesalers set up shop, and registered retailers can browse all their products and meet and greet and whatnot.

The AGHA recommends the Hobby-X show in SA in March, but you may want to see if you can find an alternate association in case there are others out there.

[–]MagType[S] 0 points1 point ago

mm... I go to those shows and they have proved useful in the past. I go to hobby X too, although it's a bit pathetic to be honest (2000 scrapbook stalls)

This is not quite the same because the products are so unusual. I'm not going to find them at any tradeshow around here. I need to track down the manufacturers.

[–]mantra 1 point2 points ago

Originally manufacturers? 90% chance they are in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan for most of them.

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points ago

As a follow up question, I'd like toknow how to find the wholesale vendor for any other thing: right this minute I'm looking for textiles.

[–]I_sense_highschool 0 points1 point ago

find the name brand you like, or want to sell. Call up the brand and ask for their local distributors or warehouses that sell to businesses.

[–]miparasito 1 point2 points ago

I'm afraid you gotta track down each individual manufacturer with a web search and find out what their wholesale prices/ policies are. It shouldn't be difficult (gadget makers want retailers to find them!) but it'll be time consuming.

Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy. © 2012 reddit inc. All rights reserved.

REDDIT and the ALIEN Logo are registered trademarks of reddit inc.

π Rendered by PID 32434 on app-144 running 86c9e1d.