Getting strategic about how you buy wholesale is key to growing your business, establishing strong connections with brands, and satisfying your customers with one-of-a-kind products. According to the Global Wholesale Market Report, the wholesale market is valued at $48 billion, and that number is expected to grow to nearly $62 billion by . That means that you’ve got plenty of opportunities to find great brands, but it can be overwhelming trying to cut through the noise. That’s why we’ve made this guide on how to order wholesale for new retailers. 

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What is buying wholesale?

Buying wholesale is the process of purchasing products in bulk so you can resell them at retail prices to consumers, either online or in person. Since you purchase a large quantity of items at one time when you buy wholesale, you can get those goods below their typical retail value and make a profit when you sell them to customers downstream.

Benefits of purchasing wholesale vs. retail

There are many benefits of purchasing wholesale for your business versus purchasing products at retail prices to resell, including the following:

• Competitive advantages: Once you establish wholesale relationships with brands, you can often gain access to new merchandise before consumers and get exclusive savings. Faire markets, for example, give buyers access to brands’ best deals of the season with discount matching up to 5%, so sellers can lower their prices even more for wholesale customers.  
• Decreased shipping costs: You can often get much better shipping rates when you purchase in bulk. The Ship with Faire program, for example, enables brands to offer wholesale customers low, pre-negotiated rates with major carriers including UPS, FedEx, and DHL. When you scale up your purchasing, you can also eventually start ordering whole pallets instead of multiple smaller shipments, which can cut costs even more.  
• Easier to scale up and grow: When you’re buying wholesale, you can remain nimble as the demand for products increases (or decreases). This makes it easy to continue growing at a rate that works for your business even when the market is volatile. 
• Improved inventory management: Purchasing in bulk can help you avoid running out of popular items, achieve more accurate inventory counts, and build stronger relationships with suppliers so you’re in a better position to keep your most important inventory in stock. 
• Lower purchase prices: Simply put, buying wholesale comes with a lower price per unit. That means you can keep your resale prices reasonable for retail customers and earn a higher profit with each sale. Wholesalers sometimes lower their prices on certain merchandise even more when they’re trying to clear out extra products, especially when getting ready for a new selling season.  
• More one-of-a-kind products: Wholesalers offer their whole range of products to buyers, and an online wholesale marketplace like Faire can offer access to thousands of brands across the globe, all offering their complete catalog of products. A retail store, on the other hand, offers only a curated assortment of products at any given time. 

How wholesale pricing works

The basics of wholesale pricing are relatively simple. Retailers purchase merchandise directly from brands at a wholesale price, which includes the cost of labor and materials as well as a profit margin for the brand. Retailers then mark up those wholesale prices and sell the products to customers individually at a higher retail price so they can also make a profit. The retailer’s profit margin is the percentage of the retail sale price left over after paying for expenses including the cost of goods sold, operational costs, taxes, and more. 

There are several different ways to calculate your retail pricing based on the wholesale prices you pay for merchandise. Most retailers use keystone pricing, which just means that the retail price is twice the wholesale price. Absorption pricing and differentiated pricing are two other common pricing models. Absorption pricing considers all the associated costs of a product but doesn’t consider what your customers are willing to pay or what your competitors are charging. Differentiated pricing involves setting higher prices for products that are more in demand and lower prices for products that are less in demand, which is especially popular for seasonal products. 

Types of wholesalers to choose from 

Generally speaking, there are six different types of wholesalers, including the following:

1. Brokers and agents: These are not wholesalers themselves, but rather people who act as intermediaries to bring buyers and sellers together in exchange for a commission. 
2. Dropship wholesalers: This is another type of intermediary who helps facilitate orders for manufacturers, who then ship the merchandise directly to customers in the retail sector.  
3. Exporters and importers: These wholesalers work within the international goods trade with expertise related to logistics, shipping, and complying with various regulations.   
4. Manufacturers: These wholesalers make and sell their own goods in large quantities, which they can then sell to retailers at wholesale prices and/or directly to consumers at retail prices. 
5. Merchant wholesalers: This is a type of wholesaler who moves inventory by buying goods at bulk prices and selling them in somewhat smaller quantities to retailers for a tight profit. 
6. Specialty wholesalers: These are niche wholesalers who focus on a specific type of product and bring a high level of specialized knowledge about that product. Many of the brands on Faire are specialty wholesalers.   

Faire’s B2B marketplace offers another type of wholesale solution by helping independent retailers support other small businesses. The online marketplace features wholesale merchandise from more than 100,000 independent brands around the world including apparel, shoes, jewelry, food and drink, housewares, pet products, beauty and wellness products, paper and novelty items, and more.    

How do I buy wholesale products?

Before you start buying wholesale, think about what you need for your retail business. What’s your starting budget for inventory? Do you plan to source your goods locally or globally? Is sustainability a priority for you? Do you want to stock only hand-crafted products? Come up with a checklist of your preferences before you start your search.

1. Sign up for an online wholesale marketplace.

For small retail businesses, an online marketplace can be the quickest and simplest way to find your perfect wholesale match. You can search by shopping category, price, geography, and other filters, and sort through user reviews. Some marketplaces require annual or one-time membership fees while others are completely free. On Faire, where account sign-up comes at no cost, you can connect with more than 100,000 wholesale brands. 

Faire also helps independent retailers find one-of-a-kind products, such as the One of A Kind Vintage Quilt/Bed Cover from Vintage Addiction or the Mixed Metal Hammered Cuff Bracelet from ZAD, which would be hard to find elsewhere. In addition, you can ensure that other retailers in your area aren’t selling the same items from the same brand with Faire’s exclusivity program. This is a beta program that allows retailers to become the only Faire stockist of a brand’s products in their local area in exchange for a commitment to a required annual spend. The exclusivity program is currently available for retailers and brands in the UK, France, Australia, the US, and Canada, and participating retailers must have a valid store address.  

Buying through Faire in particular can also help you support small businesses and local economies. The online marketplace helps independent retailers level the playing field with larger retailers, form relationships with independent brands—both in their local area and across the globe—and encourage local shopping in their community by offering unique and one-of-a-kind goods. 

2. Attend retail trade shows in person or online.

At retail trade shows, wholesale distributors and manufacturers exhibit their wares to retail attendees. By going to trade shows for your particular niche, you can discover brands and start making a list of contacts to reach out to directly. There are trade shows for everything from eyewear to jewelry to home decor, and they’re a great starting point when it comes to building your network. Faire even offers virtual retail trade shows—the Faire markets—that you can attend from the comfort of your home. Skip the travel, get connected with more than thousands of brands, and save money at these biannual events.

3. Keep up with trade publications in your niche.

No matter what retail niche you’re in, there’s likely a trade publication for it. Do you sell fashion and apparel? Check out a textiles trade magazine like California Apparel News. Are you selling home decor items? Home Accents Today has the latest trends and insights. The advantage of keeping current with these magazines is that brands may advertise within their pages, and you can scoop up some under-the-radar distributors.

How can I pay for big wholesale purchases? 

Placing a large wholesale order can be costly, especially for a new retailer. That’s why Faire created the Open with Faire program. This exclusive offering for new store owners helps cover the cost of stocking up on inventory so you can save your cash for things like rent and payroll. Get up to $20,000 in inventory financing with 60-day payment terms—meaning you can stock up now and pay 60 days later.

Not sure where to start? Aspiring retailers can visit Faire Academy for a helpful primer on how to open a store for the first time.

What certificates do I need to start buying wholesale?

Though requirements vary from state to state—and you should check your local laws—there are a few must-haves for retailers before they can buy wholesale products.

Resale certificate: A resale certificate may also be called a tax exemption certificate or a wholesale license depending on where you live. It identifies you as a legal reseller and allows you to buy wholesale items without paying a sales tax. The forms for each state are different, and wholesalers may ask to see your certificate before they sell to you. 

Seller’s permit: In order to get the aforementioned resale certificate, you must already have a seller’s permit. You need a seller’s permit to legally collect sales tax from your shoppers.

Forms of identification: Wholesalers may want to see some type of ID before they can sell to you. That could be the tax ID number for your retail business or simply a driver’s license.

Bank account information: Ideally, you’ll have a bank account specifically for your business to pay your wholesale partners. Having a separate account makes tracking cash flow and keeping records for taxes easier. 

What are the best practices for buying wholesale?

Consider the minimum order quantity. Minimum order quantity, or MOQ, is the lowest number of items you can purchase from a brand at one time. Instead of product quantity, you may also see this listed as an order minimum with a dollar amount or as a case size, which is the multiple of which a given product is sold. If you see a wholesale listing for wool blankets and the MOQ is 10, for example, that means you have to order at least that many blankets to buy from that brand. If you’re limited by a tight budget, paying close attention to MOQs is crucial. 

Avoid overstocking inventory. Although it may be tempting to buy a surplus of merchandise when you find a good price, it’s important to factor in inventory carrying costs. Inventory management software, like inFlow Inventory, will give you a real-time look at your stock levels. You can set reorder points for each product to ensure you maintain the perfect stock level. It can also track units of measure, so you can buy by the pallet and sell by the box.

Request merchandise samples. Before you place a large wholesale order, you’ll want to ensure the quality is up to your standards (and the standards of your customers). If obtaining samples isn’t possible, then find a brand with a low MOQ so you can start by ordering a smaller quantity before you fully commit to that larger order. 

Pay attention to industry trends. Do you know what Pantone’s color of the year was for ? If you sell apparel, decor, and accessories, trends like those are good to know. (It was Peach Fuzz, by the way.) As mentioned, trade publications are a great way to stay up-to-date with current and forecasted trends.

Understand lead time. A brand’s lead time is how long it takes in advance to prepare and deliver your wholesale order. Depending on whether you’re ordering locally or globally, lead times can vary greatly. For peak shopping periods like the holidays, lead times might be even longer, so it’s good to buy early. The last thing you want is your New Year’s Eve decor arriving at your shop … on January 2. On Faire, brands list their lead times on their shop pages, and you can always send a quick message to ensure orders will arrive on time.

Buy from knowledgeable brands. The brands you work with should have expert knowledge about their product category. If you sell jewelry, for example, you’ll want to choose a brand that knows the difference between materials like gold-plated and gold vermeil. Any vendor who can’t answer simple questions about their products is not a good choice. 

Don’t forget about customer service. Even if the brands you choose have great products at a great price, that can be undermined by terrible customer service. Prioritize brands that are reliable, communicative, and attentive. If things go wrong with an order, it makes a difference to have great customer support that solves problems quickly. 

How do I choose products to buy wholesale?

Do careful research on what products are popular and trending. Maybe wax candles are out and soy candles are in? Are dangling statement earrings all the rage or is it all about the petite huggies now? On Faire, you can shop by category and sort by bestselling products to home in on just the right items for your store. 

Beauty and wellness

In Faire’s makeup category, you can easily sort the results by face, lips, nails, and eyes to find exactly what you’re looking for. 

Paper and novelty

Look through this section to find books, stationery, greeting cards, tabletop games, and even party supplies. Many of these brands create with handmade and even eco-friendly materials.  

Find your store’s perfect fit. Sort by sandals, boots, slippers, or loafers. You’ll find a section for women and men, both of which also include makers of shoe care products — a potential kitting opportunity for footwear that requires maintenance or protection (like leather).

Watches

Shop bands, wristwatches, and even pocket watches for any type of customer. Filter by color and material, as well as price and occasion for shoppers who visit your store with a specific budget or event in mind.

Jewelry and accessories

Browse trending brands section to see what’s hot right now, from chunky gold to semi-precious natural stones. You can even browse by stone type for those customers looking to align their style with their birthstone.

Clothing and apparel

Faire’s apparel selection carries a wide variety of trendy finds, from wide-leg denim pants to button-down plaid. You can filter by different categories like activewear, dresses, maternity wear, and more. 

Home decor

Find furniture to suit your retailer’s specific aesthetic. In the furniture category, you can explore vintage and modern pieces in all kinds of styles. 

Food and drink

Score great wholesale prices on popular snacks, beverages, and pantry staples like Momofuku Chili Crunch or Poppi prebiotic soda.

Kids and baby

This broad category caters to several different store types: Whether you sell to new parents trying to fill their nursery, or to toddlers who have finally outgrown their winter coat, you’ll find your next stock here. In the toys and learning category, you can also browse educational puzzles, games, and children’s books for all ages. 

Bags and backpacks

Whether your shoppers are into fanny packs, cross-body, or weekender bags, there are tons of options to explore, and for every season.  

Did you know that 20% of all product returns are due to quality issues that could have been avoided with better pre-purchase testing? Whether you’re a business owner reselling NFC business cards or a company executive procuring them for your organization, receiving misprinted logos, weak builds, or incorrect dimensions can lead to costly setbacks, which can be avoided by testing product samples.

A comprehensive sample testing process is non-negotiable to avoid bad-looking and bad-functioning NFC cards.

This article provides a checklist to testing product samples. It will help you avoid defects, confirm quality, and ensure smooth reselling. Follow this checklist to make informed decisions and safeguard your business from unexpected risks.

Checklist to testing product samples

You must test samples before committing to a bulk order. It ensures that the final product meets your quality requirements and customer expectations. Skipping this can be a costly mistake. Throughout this article, we’ll use NFC business cards as an example.

✔️ Check detailed pricing and pricing structure

✔️ Ask for NFC business card samples upfront

✔️ Check customization options, such as colors, printing, etc. that the vendor provides

✔️ Compare multiple samples for consistency

✔️ Beware of red flags, such as negative reviews on Google or other platforms

Please go through the checklist to ensure a smooth experience with your bulk orders.

✅ Discuss materials, components, and manufacturing processes

Good products are made with quality materials/components. Discuss used materials or components with your supplier before placing the order.

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✔️ Choose the right material (plastic, wood, metal, acrylic, etc.)

✔️ Verify the NFC chip type and compatibility

✔️ Check printing and branding quality

✔️ Discuss card durability and lifespan

✅ Workmanship and Acceptable Quality Limits (AQL)

Even minor defects—such as rough edges or printing errors —can affect customer perception and functionality. That’s why you must inspect workmanship and set an Acceptable Quality Limit (AQL) to ensure you receive defect-free products.

✔️ Examine edges, surface finish, and printing clarity

✔️ Verify AQL standards for defect control

✔️ Identify common defects

✔️ Set a defect tolerance threshold

• Acceptable minor flaws (e.g., tiny surface marks that don’t affect functionality).
• Critical defects (e.g., non-scannable chips or major misprints) that require a replacement or refund.

✅ Test functionality and performance

When ordering NFC business cards in bulk, you must ensure every card works flawlessly before reaching your customers. A non-functional card can damage your brand’s credibility and result in unnecessary replacements. That’s why testing functionality and durability is crucial in the quality control process.

✔️ Check NFC scanning across different devices

✔️ Verify embedded links and digital business card profiles

• The correct URL opens instantly when tapped.
• The landing page loads correctly on both Android and iOS.
• There are no broken links or redirection errors.

✔️ Assess durability under real-world conditions

✅ Verify dimensions and measurements

A card that is too thin feels cheap, while an oversized or bulky card may not fit in a wallet. Precise measurements are necessary to maintain a professional look and ensure compatibility with standard cardholders.

✔️ Confirm standard dimensions

✔️ Check thickness for the right balance

✔️ Ensure weight consistency in bulk orders

✅ Review visual aesthetics

Poor print quality, misaligned logos, or surface defects can make your brand look unprofessional. Therefore, before committing to a bulk order, inspect the visual appeal of your samples carefully.

✔️ Check color accuracy and print clarity

✔️ Inspect surface quality

✔️ Test print durability for everyday wear and tear by scratching it or in other ways that are fit for your chosen material, such as twisting

✅ Check packaging and labeling for shipping

Ensuring proper protection during storage and shipping prevents defects, maintains product integrity, and enhances the customer experience.

✔️ Ensure individual protection

✔️ Double check bulk packaging for durability

✔️ Check labeling details

✔️ Consider eco-friendly packaging

Note: Remember these points when choosing a shipping partner to sell your NFC business cards to your customers. Ensuring these checks will help you and your customers.

✅ Confirm quantity verification

Verifying the quantity ensures you receive exactly what you paid for. A slight discrepancy in a sample order might seem minor, but it can lead to significant losses in bulk shipments.

✔️ Match the received quantity with the order

• Count the samples individually to confirm accuracy.
• Inspect the batch packaging labels to verify the stated quantity.

✔️ Ask about the supplier’s quality control process

• How do they verify order accuracy before shipping?
• What percentage of cards are checked for defects?
• Do they use automated or manual counting methods?

✔️ Clarify policies for missing or defective items

• Understand the supplier’s policy on replacements or refunds.
• Check if they offer compensation for shortages or damaged items.
• Set up a clear return or reprint agreement before placing bulk orders.

✔️ Set expectations for future bulk orders

• Specify your quantity tolerance (e.g., no more than 1% deviation).
• Request verification photos or reports before shipment.
• Consider hiring a third-party inspection service for large shipments.
• Discuss the pricing for future orders to avoid unexpected prices.

Checklist to choose the best supplier

You must also follow the checklist below to choose the best supplier or manufacturer. Doing this adds an extra verification layer to your bulk order.

✅ Check business licenses and certifications

A reliable supplier provides legitimate business licenses and certifications. Before finalizing the order, verify the supplier’s credentials.

✔️ Verify legal registration and certifications

✔️ Ensure compliance with domestic and international orders

✅ Assess supplier longevity and track record

Choosing a supplier with a good reputation and track record is necessary. Before placing the order, evaluate your supplier’s reputation.

✔️ Check how long the supplier has been in business

✔️ Review ratings and customer feedback

✔️ Request references or case studies

✔️ Ask about past production challenges

✅ Evaluate shipping, logistics, and delivery time

Reliable shipping is crucial when ordering in bulk. Delays, damaged shipments, or unexpected costs can impact your business and customer satisfaction. Testing the logistics process with sample orders helps you identify potential issues before scaling up.

✔️ Test sample shipping speed and packaging integrity

• Check delivery timelines.
• Inspect the packaging.
• Evaluate how well the products are protected.

✔️ Ask about bulk shipping options and costs

• Compare standard vs. expedited shipping rates.
• Ask if they offer insurance.
• Confirm their preferred carriers and whether you can choose your own.

✔️ Confirm tracking availability for large shipments

• Request a tracking number.
• Ask about tracking options for bulk orders (e.g., real-time updates and delivery confirmations).
• Ensure customer support is responsive.

✔️ Plan for potential customs clearance delays

Summing it up

Ordering in bulk without testing product samples can lead to quality issues, unexpected costs, and dissatisfied customers. A thorough evaluation ensures that your ordered products meet high design, functionality, durability, and packaging standards.

Following this checklist minimizes risks and delivers a premium product that enhances customers’ experience.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of wholesale steel products(ms,pt,ja). Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

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