How do you Know Which Wholesale Dollar Merchandise Supplier to Use?

One thing is for sure – those who own a dollar store have their choice from an ever-growing field of wholesale dollar merchandise suppliers.  While this certainly is a better situation than being one of many thousands of customers vying for a chance to purchase from a very small number of suppliers, it is not an ideal situation.  There is risk whenever a brand new wholesaler is entering the marketplace.  While most new companies seek to perform at their very best, there will always be the few companies which are mediocre at best. 

Add to these few bad apple companies, those which will not succeed, and finding the best wholesale products companies can take some work.  Whenever you are considering a change in suppliers, stop and perform due diligence before moving forward with an actual wholesale dollar merchandise order.  In this article I present 4 key considerations to include in your due diligence efforts.

    Cut through all the hype

Let’s face it - every company wants to land as many new customers as possible.  Some will make unsubstantiated claims, or present only a part of the story, leaving you to discover the real facts.  Check the facts and claims being made before accepting them as true.

    High value products for your customers

Once you have determined you are dealing with a viable new supplier from a business practices perspective, it is time to carefully examine the wholesale products being offered.  Make sure you understand whether the wholesale products available produce true value for your shoppers.  They must be products your shoppers seek and buy, and be competitive in terms of quality, quantity and price.

    Competitive price, terms and order turnaround

If you determine the prospective wholesale supplier under consideration provides wholesale products meeting your definition of ‘value’ then it is time to carefully examine the details of their pricing, the terms offered, and the amount of time it takes to have an order you generate turn into merchandise on display in your store.  Examine each of these variables individually to ensure your final decision is truly a company which offers great wholesale prices, competitive terms, and shifts into high gear to deliver your orders in a timely manner.

    Great customer service and support

Wholesale suppliers offering the best wholesale dollar merchandise become much less enticing to deal with when they lack outstanding customer service.  They must be focused on providing sound communication and timely updates.  A new supplier must realize your success is a critical component to their own success and therefore provide support to help make your business success happen.