| Once all the preliminary work is done, it is time to | | | | various locations. Once you begin dealing with |
| order your inventory. You have found the perfect | | | | wholesalers that you have found through the |
| location, checked out the zoning ordinances, talked to | | | | internet, most companies will tell you when and |
| other business owners, and signed the lease. All that | | | | where they will be set up so you can view the |
| is left to do is stock your business, advertise, and | | | | merchandise.Many companies have online catalogs |
| stand back from the door so the crowd does not | | | | that you can order from directly. This is also |
| knock you down on the way in to purchase | | | | convenient because you do not have to go |
| everything in your store.WRONG! It usually does not | | | | anywhere and you can know if it is still in stock. |
| happen that way. It would be great if it did, but then | | | | However, I have found that it is better if you can |
| everyone would open a business and then where | | | | see the merchandise at a show, but if you are |
| would we get the customers. The next step in a long | | | | making reorders, or are in a hurry for some items, |
| line of steps is to locate the best wholesale sources | | | | this is perhaps the best way to go.Even though you |
| for the items that you want to sell. This can be very | | | | can order online, at least the first time, I recommend |
| time consuming.Just this morning, I googled wholesale | | | | calling and talking to a salesman. Usually, they are |
| and wholesale distributor and there were over | | | | friendly and really want to help you, because they |
| 13,000,000 and almost 3,000,000 respectively listed. | | | | get paid on commission. Also, when you deal with a |
| How in the world can one search through that maze | | | | salesman, you have someone to talk to if something |
| to find exactly what they are looking for? Buying | | | | is wrong with your order, or it is late. After a few |
| items at wholesale prices and then expecting to turn | | | | times of dealing with the salesman, then it is fine to |
| around and sell them immediately is not a quick way | | | | just order online. But remember, if a salesman knows |
| to get rich. But, overall, the small business owner | | | | very much about your business, if he has some |
| makes more money than the average person that | | | | specials that may save you money, he will let you |
| works for someone else.It is not an easy task to | | | | know while you are talking to him. He is there to help |
| locate a wholesale distributor that will be able to | | | | you make money, so he makes money. Never |
| deliver the goods at the best possible price. I believe | | | | underestimate the benefits of talking directly with |
| that the small business owner should begin by | | | | salesmen.Finding good wholesale sources will take |
| searching on the internet; however, that should not | | | | some time, but there are several sources available |
| be a stopping place.Each year, many major cities | | | | that will help to make it easier.There are several |
| have wholesale shows where hundreds, if not | | | | more aspects to dealing with wholesale distributors |
| thousands of wholesalers come to one location and | | | | that I will talk about in later articles. This includes how |
| buyers from all over the country come to see the | | | | to ask for a better deal, buying surplus and |
| latest trend and purchase stock for their store. Las | | | | closeouts, and shipping costs.Paul Taylor is a business |
| Vegas, several times each year, has perhaps the | | | | owner that helps other business owners and |
| biggest merchandise show in the country, if not the | | | | entrepreneurs locate wholesale distributors and |
| world. Chicago, New York, and Atlanta also are big | | | | dropshippers. Visit his website for information about |
| wholesale merchandise shows. There are several | | | | wholesale sources or opening a business. |
| smaller distributor shows throughout the year and at | | | | |