Archive for November, 2006
Puzzles and Board Games Wholesalers
Wednesday, November 29th, 2006 Business Broad Wholesale Product SourcesJust about any store can sell a game, especially during the holiday season. People have to get together as families, and when they do, it’s bound to be awkward. I mean sure, there’s alcohol (and we all know that Aunt Ruthie LOVES her “egg nog”), but there are still going to be painful silences.
In absence of something to do, that’s when people usually start talking about things like the crazy abusive uncle (He was just playing, Jenny, why do you have to be so uptight? Your uncle is a good man.) and your cousin’s mixed race lovechild (Yeah, like her husband wasn’t going to notice that).
You, the retailer can help tons of families avoid that very scene. You’re like Santa, except that when it’s all done, you’ve got a wad of cash. Here are a few companies that can help you out with stocking fun games:
First off, the big one - USAopoly. If you think there’s no game that could possibly fit in your gardening store, think again. BIRDopoly is a great gift for birdwatchers. Sure, they’ll never play it past Christmas, but your customers just want something to hand over on the big day…something that looks like they put more than 2 seconds of thought into it. And don’t forget WINEopoly for your lush of an aunt.
Next up, we’ve got Great American Puzzle. They do both puzzles and games, and everything appears to be totally family friendly. That can be a good or bad thing. I like the looks of Guess Hue.
Guess Hue by Great American Puzzle
Finally, I’m going to let you in on a little secret that not a lot of people know.
Wholesale Jewelry and Charms
Tuesday, November 28th, 2006 Business Broad Wholesale Product SourcesDay two of this crazy week: We deal with distributors, manufacturers, and/or wholesalers of jewelry and accessories. Today I’ve got three companies for you, all of which have great websites with pictures. They might not be most stylish sites (and what wholesale sites are?), but at least you can see the products.
First off, we have Bamboo Trading Company, which allows you to search products by collection. I’m digging the Resort collection, but the Holiday collection is a little more season-appropriate:
Bamboo Trading Company’s Holiday Collection
Moving along, we have JazzUps (company name Delight), a manufacturer of a ridiculous number of charms. Their charms would be excellent in a store that caters to younger women, and there’s good potential for cross sales like charm bracelets.
As the holiday weekend draws to a close…
Sunday, November 26th, 2006I hope everyone had a great holiday weekend. Mine was lovely, aside from a brief foray into the Black Friday madness.
I just wanted to let everyone know that I’m going to try something a little new for the next week or so, starting tomorrow. Instead of featuring just one place at a time, I’m going to do some wholesale entries by product type. Basically, I’ll name a type of item and then talk about a few wholesale sources for that product.
I also wanted to let you all know that I’m always open to suggestions. If there’s a topic you’d like to see, or if you’re a company that would like to be featured as a wholesale source, I’m willing to consider it.
Bewley Irish Imports - Specialty Food & Gift Wholesaler
Tuesday, November 21st, 2006 Business Broad Wholesale Product SourcesI’m not terribly happy with Bewley Irish Imports right now. In my rush to get things done this morning, I had a cold Pop-Tart for breakfast. The Bewley page is making my Pop-tart seem woefully inadequate.
In addition to wonderful, yummy-looking food and candy items, Bewley also carries things like mugs, pottery, and bags. They also have a select number of items for people with food sensitivities - stuff like wheat-free cookies, sugar free chocolate, etc. I used to know a girl who couldn’t consume anything with wheat, and she was miserable. She practically lived on popcorn. I’m glad to see that someone’s making/selling good stuff for people like her.
Bewley Irish Imports Chocolate
If you’re interested in reselling products from Bewley, you can get in touch with them at:
Bewley Irish Imports
1130 Greenhill Road
West Chester, PA 19380
Phone: (610) 696-2682, (888) 239-5397
Fax: (610) 344-7618
Email: info (at) bewleyirishimports.com
And now, just for fun, a great video from a famous Irishman:
Maggie’s Functional Organics Clothing - Wholesale Apparel
Monday, November 20th, 2006 Business Broad Wholesale Product SourcesIf you’ve been paying attention to the world over the last 5 years or so, you know that organic anything is hot - food, clothing, cosmetics…doesn’t matter, it’s all good. Maggie’s Apparel is just one of many companies that are at the front of the curve on that particular trend. They offer organic clothing for wholesale or retail prices, depending on your needs.
So…what exactly does organic clothing look like, you might be wondering. To be honest, most of it’s pretty plain (It’s organic - style is not the major selling point). Maggie’s Organic Clothing makes a lot of staples, but there are a few standouts, like these socks.
Maggie’s Organic Clothing Tie Die Socks
If you are interested in setting up a wholesale account with Maggie’s, you’ll be pleased to know that they offer a variety of in-store retail displays. Give them a call to find out more:
Maggie’s Functional Organics
306 W. Cross St.
Ypsilanti, MI 48197
Phone: (734) 482-4000, (800) 609-8593
Fax: (734) 482-4175
Email: salesorga (at) nicclothes.com
American Paper Optics - Christmas Novelty Wholesaler
Friday, November 17th, 2006 Business Broad Wholesale Product SourcesI guess I shouldn’t really say “Christmas Novelty Wholesaler”, since American Paper Optics has basically just one product. The title makes it sound like they sell much more than just that one item. All the same, that one item is really cool, so I’m going to let it go this time.
Most people have never heard of American Paper Optics, but they offer a great Christmas impulse buy kind of item that would fit wonderfully in a small retail store. They sell holiday specs that turn Christmas lights into shaped Chrismas lights - plain flashes of light become little snowflakes or snowmen or stars. See below for an actual product image:
American Paper Optics Christmas Specs
If you want to get in touch with American Paper Optics, just give them a call at:
American Paper Optics - Holiday Specs
3080 Bartlett Corporate Drive
Bartlett, TN 38017
Phone: (901) 381-1515, (800) 767-8427
Fax: (901) 381-1517
Email: retail [at] 3dglassesonline.com
Boutross Imports, Inc. - Linens Wholesaler
Wednesday, November 15th, 2006 Business Broad Wholesale Product SourcesThe website for Boutross Imports welcomes you in with a picture of a bed that makes you want to climb in and never get out. It’s big and fluffy and wholesome-looking - the kind of perfect white bed that sits in a perfect little house where no one ever argues and all the bills get paid. Oh yeah, I can go for that.
Boutross Imports Bedding
In addition to bedding, Boutross Imports also sells stuff like bathroom accessories, baby clothes, Christmas tablecloths, and lace handkerchiefs (the kind that no one but the filthiest heathen would dare blow their nose on - they’re just too precious).
They don’t give you a whole lot of information to work with if you’re interested in becoming a wholesaler, but they do have an online catalog request and some basic contact information. I’m pretty sure that their entire marketing plan is wrapped up in the picture of that delicious bed. Of course, maybe my problem is that I’m writing this at 6 am when there’s nowhere I’d rather be than a big fluffy bed…
Boutross Imports
209 25 St.
Brooklyn, NY 11232
Phone: (718) 965-0070, (800) 227-7781
Fax: (718) 965-9837
Email: boutrossco [at] aol.com
AAB Style - Body Jewelry Wholesalers
Tuesday, November 14th, 2006 Business Broad Wholesale Product SourcesIf you sell jewelry, you probably know that body jewelry and piercings have been back in style for at least the last 6-8 years. Since the trend doesn’t seem to be passing any time soon, you might want to think about checking out AAB Style. They’ve got all kinds of painful stuff like nipple rings, tongue rings, and belly button rings. I’m starting to hurt just typing about that stuff.
AAB Style calls it a belly button ring. I call it PAIN.
AAB Style is one of the wholesale sites that I really appreciate. Instead of jumping through crazy hoops, you just order online and pay. The catch? There’s a $100 order minimum. That may not sound like much, but with some of their items, that’s equivalent to 100 pieces. Of course, just think of the markup you could get in a retail store…
One fun observation, though…This site - the very same site that sells nipple rings - also sells “True love waits” rings. You know, the ones about waiting for sex until after marriage. I guess they figure that nipple rings are a good way to pass the time until the wedding bells are ringing.
If you need to get in touch with them, their numbers are:
Phone: 954-327-4262 Fax: 954-327-4266
Toll Free Number: 866-222-7895
Guo Hua Trader’s Inc. - Stuffed Animals Wholesale
Monday, November 13th, 2006 Business Broad Wholesale Product SourcesThere’s nothing quite like a stuffed otter, especially not when that stuffed otter comes in about a bajillion different colors and styles. If you want those kind of otter options, you’re going to have to go to Guo Hua Trader’s Inc. They’ve got all kinds of nifty “handmade furry animals” (of course, SOME people call them plushies - Go ahead, Google it if you’re a grownup).
Stuffed Otter from Guo Hua Trader’s Inc.
Apart from the otters (and birds!), Guo Hua Trader’s is awesome because they understand the importance of a good FAQ. They let you know without calling that the first order minimum is $100. I like that. Not only is it low, but you didn’t have to waste 10 minutes of your life waiting on hold to find out.
If you want to get in touch with Guo Hua Trader’s, here’s the info:
Mail & Courier:
Guo Hua Traderīs Inc.
2646 River Ave. #D
Rosemead, CA 91770
Phone & Fax:
Toll: 1-626-280-0138
Toll Free: 1-888-533-4828
24-Hour Fax: 1-626-572-3646
STK International - Closeouts, anyone?
Monday, November 13th, 2006 Business Broad Wholesale Product SourcesI’m not a huge fan of closeout lots, but that doesn’t mean that you won’t like them. If you have a dollar store or general merchandise store, you may find a lot at STK International. Now, I’m going to warn you, their page is not as pretty as most that I review. You’re going to have to use your imagination to see the potential here.
Here are a couple of their offerings:
Animal Print Switchplate
Wooden Bird
Ok, so that stuff doesn’t look like much. Now, imagine the switchplate in a Tween girl’s (between child and teenager) bedroom. It sells for less than 50 cents - surely you could mark that up to $2-3+. And the bird? Well, if you have a cute little home decor shop, you could set it by some nature-y or nautical stuff and mark that one up to $5-10+. It’s all in the placement.
Ann Clark, Ltd. - Dry Mix Wholesaler
Sunday, November 12th, 2006 Business Broad Wholesale Product SourcesYou’ve probably seen Ann Clark products before (or a similar product from a competitor). Ann Clark makes those nifty little baking kits and dry ingredient mixes that you can find in gift stores all over the place. Right now, they’re pretty much everywhere, and for good reason - people buy them. Ann Clark’s happen to be cuter than most (sorry, that layered dry ingredients in an old mason jar thing just doesn’t do it for me).
Oh, and they also carry cookie cutters. REALLY BIG COOKIE CUTTERS.
Ann Clark Mountain Baking Kit
For wholesalers, Ann Clark is a dream. They offer their entire catalog online, and they make it easy to see who your competitors will be (HINT - click on “Purchase Info”). They have contact information displayed in an easy-to-find location, and they don’t try to get a ridiculous amount of information about you before you actually commit to their products. Ann Clark gives me that warm and fuzzy feeling that most companies don’t.
If you’re interested, get in touch at:
Ann Clark, Ltd.
112 Quality Lane
Rutland, VT 05701
Toll Free:
800-252-6798
In Vermont:
802-773-7886
Fax: 802-775-6864
Email:
info[at]annclark[dot]com
Buying from Abroad - The Basics
Saturday, November 11th, 2006Buying from abroad can be a pain in the butt, so if you’re just starting out, you may want to avoid it unless it’s for an item that you really, really, really want to carry.
If you don’t want to deal with foreign manufacturers and wholesalers, you may have luck simply by calling or e-mailing and asking them if anyone in your country happens to distribute their products. What you lose in paying a distributor’s small profit is almost always made up for in the lower cost of shipping (assuming that you’re talking about a fairly small quantity). And of course, you’re not dealing with any of the risks that come from completing a transaction. Not all the companies you may find will be trustworthy (though many are!), and your bank or credit card probably will be very reluctant to refund a $500+ transaction that has gone bad.
Carolina Manufacturing Company - Bandannas, Doggiedannas, & More
Thursday, November 9th, 2006 Business Broad Wholesale Product SourcesCarolina Manufacturing is not your one-stop distributor. In fact, their product line is very narrow, but they’re good at what they do. They make bandannas, and that’s it. Doggie-dannas, blank bandannas, novelty bandannas, and even skullcaps, but really, nothing else.
Even so, you may find that they’re perfect for your store. In addition to the usual bandanna styles, they have NASCAR products and licensed stuff like Strawberry Shortcake, Red Hat Society, and John Deere (not three names you’re accustomed to hearing together, I’m sure). Just think of the moms that would love to see their little girls in Strawberry Shortcake bandannas. Personally, I’d like to see our local Mad Dogs in Strawberry Shortcake bandannas. Their doggie-dannas are adorable, too, and they come in great retail packaging, depending on which set you order:
Carolina Manufacturing Doggie-danna
If you’d like to get in touch with Caronlina Designs, I’ve pasted their information below. They don’t have much in the way of reseller resources on their site, but they do have a contact page and credit application - and that’s more than some places.
Carolina Manufacturing Company
P.O. Box 9138
Greenville, SC 29605
7025 Augusta Rd.
Greenville SC 29605
(800) 845-2744 fax (864) 299-0603
sales (at) carolinamfg (dot) com
Hue Yuan Trading Inc. - Shoe Manufacturer and Wholesaler
Tuesday, November 7th, 2006 Business Broad Wholesale Product SourcesFor the most part, I’ve been covering gifts, toys, and home decor items so far. That’s not intentional - I just realized today that there were no posts yet about buying clothing or shoes. I’m fixing that now.
Hua Yuan Trading Inc. is a shoe manufacturer in China. I know a lot of people are totally mystified by the idea of ordering from China, but it’s really not that much different from ordering from the States (in fact, stay tuned for a post on the subject of ordering from sources that are located in other countries).
Anyway, Hua Yuan sells the kind of cute shoes that you’d see marked up to $40-60, given the right market (ie.- nice department store, catalog, or boutique). In the wrong market, they’re the kind of shoes that can look cheap. Of course, that’s often the case with things you wear - you have to set the stage so people can think good things about your product. Just think of all those ugly, super high-end clothes that come from designers. Some of that stuff looks like it should be worn by homeless people, but they know how to manipulate their customers.
Here’s an image of one set that Hua Yuan carries:
Simple and cute sandals from Hua Yuan Trading
Arreola Designs - Christmas Ornament Wholesaler
Friday, November 3rd, 2006 Business Broad Wholesale Product SourcesIf you’re looking for Christmas ornaments to resell, Arreola Designs may be perfect for you. They’ve got a variety of neat ornaments, including a line that looks just like Faberge eggs. My personal favorite, though, is the “Winter Scenes” line. Take a look at this one and tell me what it reminds you of. I’m thinking it looks just a little like Van Gogh (I’m going to feel really stupid if it’s a copy of a real Van Gogh!):
Arreola Designs Winter Scenes Christmas Ornament
Arreola Designs is a company that does it right when it comes to letting their resellers know what to expect. They have a dedicated wholesale page that lets you know they have a $250 minimum and that they do their best not to sell the same designs within 5 miles of each other. They also state, quite vaguely, that they need to know you are a “legitimate retail location”. I guess that means that if you’re an e-tailer, you’re probably out of luck (unless you happen to have a “real” store, too).
Axicon World Imports - Jewelry (and Much More) Wholesaler
Thursday, November 2nd, 2006 Business Broad Wholesale Product SourcesAxicon World Imports is one of those companies where it’s good for almost anyone to set up an account. They sell a TON of stuff. In addition to Jewelry (like I’ve included below), they sell stuff like windchimes, lighthouses, garden decorations, and lots and lots of knick knacks.
Axicon World Imports Jewelry
While you can’t view Axicon World’s entire product line on their website (or maybe I’m just not seeing a way to do so), you can view a nice representative sample of their different product categories. They’re also kind enough to give you some idea about other place that carry their stuff, along with a few pictures of their showroom.
Contact information for Axicon World Imports is below:
Andy Householder & Associates - Importer of…Stuff
Wednesday, November 1st, 2006I don’t generally like to cover companies that don’t have websites. I like to know what I’m getting into before I give somebody all my business information (remember, most companies WILL ask for your federal TAX ID and/or state reseller #). In this case, though, I’m going to make an exception for one reason: their e-mail address. If you want to get in touch with Andy Householder and Associates, you need to write to ahouseho (at) comcast.net. Yes, that’s A House Ho. Or not. But that really is their e-mail address.
Anyway, here’s the rest of their info, in case you don’t mind calling up companies and asking what they sell (I know it’s some kind of decor/gifty type stuff):