Wholesaler vs retailer

[OceanicAirlines815]

Hi all!

So I'm relatively new to the hobby but want to someday be able to start my own business in the industry. I've heard stories of how you can't be a wholesaler and a retailer at the same time because you'll get "blacklisted" by stores and hobbyists. Does anyone have more information on this? And what do you think would be the best to get into, wholesale or retail? What would be the best route if I wanted to start aquaculturing marine ornamental species?

Thanks for any help!

 

[G_Sanab922]

Hello, blacklisted? never heard of that.. Please elaborate if you don't mind... I know some places that are wholesalers and retailers. I use them on occasion for specific livestock. If you are a wholesaler then most likely you will be collecting? This is very very hard in FL. I'm not sure if it's worth the hassle unless you buy someone's license and whole setup. Which will cost you a lot. I saw a business sold for 200k. In my opinion, retail seems like a more realistic business

 

[OceanicAirlines815]

By blacklisted, I mean stores and hobbyists get upset that you are both a wholesaler and a retailer and you could ultimately sell to retail stores as a wholesaler, but you could then also compete with the stores you just sold your inventory to by selling to individuals as a retailer.

 

[G_Sanab922]

By blacklisted, I mean stores and hobbyists get upset that you are both a wholesaler and a retailer and you could ultimately sell to retail stores as a wholesaler, but you could then also compete with the stores you just sold your inventory to by selling to individuals as a retailer.

That's what I though, true though. But the only ones that would really be upset is other business owners. As a hobbyist I really like when they are retail and wholesaler because the prices tend to be dramatically cheaper when selling as retail compared to it's competition. But really this happens in every industry. So it matters really on what you are willing to do and how much money you are willing to put down. Have you come up ideas already for your possible business or just getting to see what people think? And by the way, if you go with wholesale you will need a lot more licenses and those are harder to get like how I explained before. Retail still has it's licenses but it's not as much. They both have their pros and cons like everything.

 

[currentking]

I am not in the industry but am very familiar with retail. I agree with what was said above but it also depends on what type of contacts you have. If you have the right contacts on either aspect of the business it will make you more successful.

 

[G_Sanab922]

I am not in the industry but am very familiar with retail. I agree with what was said above but it also depends on what type of contacts you have. If you have the right contacts on either aspect of the business it will make you more successful.

+1 " It's not what you know. It's who you know. "

 

[Dalmatia]

Both, get your store ready and look for a good connection. Get your permits and import and sell

 

[Dalmatia]

It's the only way to.make $$$ off this business

 

[Dalmatia]

Almost did it myself

 

[stunreefer Verified Sponsor]

Being a retailing wholesaler is sketchy at best. There's a chain of custody for a reason. If a business is operating honestly with the best interest of the animals in mind, you can certainly make money on either end. Unfortunately drygoods are becoming very difficult for retailers to make profit on, but properly quarantined animals with a solid clientele can be profitable.

We need to change the way the industry feels regarding pushing animals out as fast as possible, into the hands of generally uneducated hobbyists. The hobby is supposed to be fun, so this mostly lies in the hands of the industry.

The industry is tough enough as it is to break into, I highly recommend not starting on the wrong foot

 

[Dalmatia]

Being a retailing wholesaler is sketchy at best. There's a chain of custody for a reason. If a business is operating honestly with the best interest of the animals in mind, you can certainly make money on either end. Unfortunately drygoods are becoming very difficult for retailers to make profit on, but properly quarantined animals with a solid clientele can be profitable.

We need to change the way the industry feels regarding pushing animals out as fast as possible, into the hands of generally uneducated hobbyists. The hobby is supposed to be fun, so this mostly lies in the hands of the industry.

The industry is tough enough as it is to break into, I highly recommend not starting on the wrong foot

Thumbs up to that