The Wholesale Forums

[orchid]

Hi,

I can be quite sure that the quantity is the same. And these items are not something that will blow up soon because they are just decorations made of out metal.

I also want to see the samples, should I ask them to send me the samples first and then bargain the price or should I bargain the price before asking for samples? Greedyboy, please give me some advice.

[hardwareheroes]

Originally Posted by orchid

Hi,

I can be quite sure that the quantity is the same. And these items are not something that will blow up soon because they are just decorations made of out metal.

I also want to see the samples, should I ask them to send me the samples first and then bargain the price or should I bargain the price before asking for samples? Greedyboy, please give me some advice.

Personally I would negotiate the price then confirm sample quality.

[orchid]

I've gathered quite a few quotes from suppliers. I found that a lot of them are just traders and brokers but pretend to have a factory. Some of them are very unprofessional: They don't nhave any kind of a decent catalog and asked me to look up at the product photos on Alibaba (which are not well taken, very unorganized and a lot of times don't come with any measurements )and tell them what products I want the quote for.

It seems like the lower the ranking of supplier, the more unprofessional they are. Sometimes they make me laugh by saying "these are the cost price but certainly we can adjust the price". I also found that some big traders have very good web presence, but again they tend to have a factory which they don't. Also, the worse their written English is, the more chances they are scammers.

Now I want to start negotiating the price with some big traders. Should I tell them their prices are high and ask them if they can lower the price? Could you suggest a way of negotiating the price? Seriously, I don't want to say just I am not ready to order. I want to say something so they won't discard my price suggestions but look into it.

[greedyboy]

Personally it's not in your interest to waste peoples time if you are not ready to buy. Use the prices given and your guide and if in the future you can get the price down, that is a bonus.

[orchid]

I am ready to buy if the price is right, but I haven't seen a quote that is close to what I expected so far. Greedy, what do you say to tell the supplier to lower the price?

[hardwareheroes]

I would suggest initially being honest and simply tell them that it is more than they want to pay and see if they can better their price.

Secondly, you can do the above and suggest a price you will be happy with (say a lower price are they are likely to haggle anyway).

Thirdly, just blag it and tell them you got a better price elsewhere and, if they can match it, you'll give them the business.

Prefer to be honest and straight with my suppliers personally as, once you are in a long term relationship with them, you won't remember what you said in the past.

[greedyboy]

Originally Posted by orchid

Greedy, what do you say to tell the supplier to lower the price?

It's not all about price. I take the longterm approach. Build up a relationship and then try and take liberties.

[hardwareheroes]

Originally Posted by greedyboy

It's not all about price. I take the longterm approach. Build up a relationship and then try and take liberties.

Ah the tried and tested "lulling them into a false sense of security" technique - learned in the early days of trading at school no doubt

[orchid]

Great information from both of you! Greedy boy, how do you take the longterm approach: just accept high price, make a trial order and next time when it comes to reordering, ask them for a lower price? Please share a little bit of your experience with us.

[greedyboy]

Each situation is different. How much are you looking to spend/pcs? Are you happy with the list price? Or are you just trying to save money? Can they deliver when they say they can? Are they helpful, offer support and stand by their product in terms of qc?

You have to strike a balance between all the above and price. As I keep saying, price is not everything. No use saving a few quid and when you get them they fall apart, blow up, fail after a few weeks, colour fades, catch on fire, bits fall off, etc etc etc.

Even after all that they may lower the price and just stick it back on when they charge you the shipping.