How to Contact Vendors
July 23, 2024Do you want to start your online business but don’t know how to contact vendors? To contact vendors, you have to understand how to communicate with them properly and the best practices for talking with them.
We’ve been helping clients sell online by matching them with the right supply retailers for more than ten years. As professionals in communicating with wholesale vendors, you can get a lot of information about how to contact vendors from this article.
So keep reading!
A vendor or supplier is a supply chain member that sells goods and services at wholesale prices. Vendors don’t manufacture the products themselves as they often have a manufacturing partner. But it’s not that uncommon for several manufacturers to be their own vendors.
Suppliers can vary a lot. Dropshipping suppliers, raw materials suppliers, and even trade show reps are only a few examples. Research and find suppliers perfect for your own eCommerce business.
Communicating with your vendor is very important. I learned that giving them the right approach from the initial contact has a big impact in the long run. Regular communication prevents unnecessary phone calls and improves your business relationship.
If you don’t have a healthy relationship with your product suppliers, unfortunate events are more likely to happen. In addition, if you’re rude to vendors, they can also delay shipping freight schedules and increase shipping costs for you.
Remember that having a successful small business is not just about having a business license or having your own online store. Successful eCommerce businesses have professional networks that provide mutual interests for all parties. So, don’t give your vendor trouble!
Here are some tips you need to keep in mind when communicating with vendors to make you stand out from their other customers. Remember these, and your relationship with them will be as efficient as you need it to be. This will lead to the eCommerce success of your own e-commerce store.
Vendors can’t provide for your needs if they don’t know what they are. From the very start of your contract, tell them your expectations. Tell them your target market, your existing customers, what wholesale model you need, and whether or not you have other suppliers.
This will give them a better idea of how you can work together for your mutual interest. This step is crucial, especially if you’re working with new suppliers.
It’s hard to address issues if you have no idea who to address them to, right? Introducing a person in charge is necessary to communicate regularly with a good supplier.
Identify the relevant persons that will be in charge of communication. It’s a simple step, yet it can make a difference. Exchange contact information, including emails and phone numbers. Let them know that this is where you’ll exchange cash receipts, new marketing efforts ideas, drop-ship fee receipts, and everything that needs to be exchanged.
In giving feedback, the goal is always to solve the issue and not worsen it. When things get hectic, it’s often hard to stay calm and be kind. But remember, your vendors are the key to getting your goods on time and in good quality.
When giving feedback, talk about the problem itself and don’t judge the vendor. Be considerate. We are all people, and we all make mistakes so remember never to make it personal.
Unless you’re rude to them, vendors won’t gain anything from purposely giving lousy service to you. You’ll see better results soon after providing them a healthy back. So, be patient and considerate with your suppliers.
Vendors have specialized knowledge and experience in the supply chain like most businesses do. When making decisions, ask their opinions on the matter as well. Often, vendors can give a perspective or two that you would not have even thought of. This will let you identify promising opportunities for future projects that can make your product competitive in the endless changing businesses.
It will also make vendors feel that you care about their opinions. And remember, a good relationship with your vendor directly results in better product performance.
Leeline Sourcing helps you find factories, get competitive prices, follow up production, ensure quality and deliver products to the door.
The key to emailing vendors is having confidence and professionalism. I ensured I mastered these skills to ensure I never sounded like an amateur. Make them realize right away that you’re a serious prospect partner. Some vendors ignore people they think to have small businesses with unpolished online stores. So, act experienced and professional.
In your first email, ask vendors what their minimum order quantities are. You don’t want to go through trouble only to realize that you can’t afford their MOQ.
Hey I'm Sharline, the founder of Leeline Sourcing. With 10 years of experience in the field of sourcing in China, we help 2000+ clients import from China,Alibaba,1688 to Amazon FBA or shopify. If you have any questions about sourcing , pls feel free to contact us.
Hey I’m Sharline, the founder of LeelineSourcing. As an expert in sourcing products from China , we helps buyers find high quality product and best suppliers to optimize your supply chain . We has extensive experience vetting suppliers, negotiating deals, inspecting products, combining orders, and organizing shipping.
We understands Chinese market and business culture well, which helps you always get the best deal for clients. With 15 years of experience in the field of sourcing in China, we have helped 5000+ clients import from Alibaba, 1688, Taobao to Amazon FBA , Etsy, Ebay and Shopify.
Work with LeelineSourcing to solve your product sourcing needs, you can expect:
Partner with Sharline and skyrocket your business profit.
