finding wholesalers

[occasions-group]

I am looking for wholesalers and am probably going to have to go to china for my supplies. What questions would I need to ask before deciding to do business with them? Are they likely to send samples through to me of their items?  They are small items but I need to ensure quality. 

[FionaJMD]

Wholesalers for what type of items.

[Andy c]

1 of the best ways is to do a few sample orders and see how long they take to get to you ,then you can see the quality for yourself ...
I am in the same boat but i'm looking in south africa

[occasions-group]

Thanks for the replies. At the moment I am looking for Jewellery makibg items. I underway ppl wont let me have that info and I'm not asking for it just more of an idea how to find them if and when most whilesale  :huh:suppliers arent on the web.

[Rainee Bows]

There are loads of jewellery making suppliers on the web, try googling jewellery findings wholesale , i just did and got a fair few results in the uk, usa and australia .....



Rainee x

[FionaJMD]

From personal experience - not sure if my experience is any longer than yours LOL - I have bought items from Asia and the quality has been very poor and also taking ages to come.  things which are supposedly sterling silver have turned out not to be, but then sterling silver really only appears to mean anything in the UK.

Also if buying from abroad to sell on you may (should) be liable for import taxes and VAT.

I know of many, many great wholesalers in the UK.

Imagine this scenario - you buy findings from somewhere as Sterling Silver - I buy them from you as Sterling Silver, make a bracelet and send it for hallmarking and it gets rejected who am I going to come looking for compensation from LOL.

We all want to make savings where we can but sometimes it is not worth the "cost" to make those savings.

Just another angle.

[occasions-group]

Thanks for your input Fiona. That's the exact reason I wanted samples before I went and ordered lots from them. But I will certainly look closer to home,  it has to be so much easier doesn't it.?