The Wholesale Forums

[refid]

Hi,

Does anyone know a of a (preferbly canadian) suppleir of tools such as bolt cutters, hammer, etc.? I seen one being at flea markets, couldn't find sticker, looks made in china.

Thanks,
Refid

[anotheruser]

Refid, where do tradesmen local to you buy their tools and materials? I guarantee they don't walk into the local DIY shop and pay full retail price. Ask them, ask local builders where they get their general supplies - not timber, sand, bricks and so on, they are specialist bulk - ask property developers, is there a local builders or, say, plumbers trade association you could ask?

I'd lay odds there is a good wholesale tools supplier, who probably sells other stuff, too, within reasonable reach of where you're based. At least that will get you started while the search goes on for better price or wider choice.

Also, is there a Canadian/USA arm of Screwfix? Try screwfix.com to see if it comes up. On this side of the pond, they're about the best around in general terms for power tools online.

Hope that helps.

Mike

[refid]

Thanks for your post, anotheruser. Usually the construction worker head to local swap meet/flea market to buy their tool, since store like Home Depot sell a US made hammer for $35 the flea market sells cheaper chinese made hammer for $5. Screwfix isn't in North America, thanks for the help!

[anotheruser]

Are you looking to start something up locally, then? Sounds like a great opportunity if you can capitalise on it. $35 for a decent hammer - even a quality branded one - sounds absurd to me. Not sure I'd want to rely on a $5 one for earning my living with, though.

I know some of the best regarded tools in this part of the world are made in USA, so you should be able to obtain good quality, branded stocks as well as the non-branded stuff. Good hunting!

[refid]

Yes, I am trying to start something local, most people are looking not to spend too much money on tools. A hammer is hammer regardless on where its made, china or usa, basicly forged steel. And people want it cheap and not pay for the name/brand.

[anotheruser]

Here's what I'd do, with such an attractive niche going begging:

1. Carry on seeking a North American based wholesale supplier. To start with, that must be your quickest route to market if you can find one. And there really must be some.

2.From another thread, I see you have contacts in China. Do you or they know which part(s) of China is/are already established in making tools for western markets? If not, I'd ask cnpurchaser if he can point you in the right direction.

3. Read all of the posts and articles on these forums about importing goods, with a particular emphasis on China. Also talk to your own Canadian import tax people and so forth about standard duties, any special tariffs on wht you're thinking of, and any other sensible questions you can think of. I am assuming you know enough about dealing with Chinese business people, and distinguishing them from scammers, to know how not to get ripped off?

4. Start on the tortuous and time consuming, but hopefully, eventually, highly profitable, process of listing manufacturers of tools from that region and going through due diligence on each one to draw up a short list. If you can find those selling quality already, they won't need to extend production runs just for you, which may be in your favour.

5. Ask around these forums for any other parts of the world where tools are manufactured to reasonable standards. China isn't the only place on earth, in spite of its current advantages for western importers.

If, after all that, you find barriers such as minimum order quantities are way beyond your reach, ask yourself if other parts of Canada are similarly poorly served to yours? If so, try and find a few more budding entrepreneurs and club together and split the goods with.

But that's just me. There must be lots of other ways.

If you get really stuck, PM me with some idea of the size of the market. I may be able to do some sniffing and come up with something, but that would have to have an incentive attached.

Now, you need 10 posts before you can send me that PM. You have four to go. Get posting!