Wholesalers with low minimum order

[nasdds]

Hi

I’m looking for wholesalers with low minimum orders. I know most wholesalers have a $500-$750 minimum order but I’m new to the wholesale game and would love somewhere I could get a few pieces without that high of a minimum initially. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks.

 

[afrokobe]

Low minimum order and wholesaler is a bit paradoxical. $500-750 minimum is already really low... I think you need to reconsider your business plans/funding if you cant meet that minimum. If a couple coral dies and you don't have enough reserve, you have no way to recover.

 

[nasdds]

Low minimum order and wholesaler is a bit paradoxical. $500-750 minimum is already really low... I think you need to reconsider your business plans/funding if you cant meet that minimum. If a couple coral dies and you don't have enough reserve, you have no way to recover.

I knew while I was posting this, this is the response I would get. Rather not go into specifics but there is a reason I asked the question. I know what you’re saying

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

It just comes down to what's in the wholesaler's best interest and since this is essentially a game of losses, part of why they do that is to ensure a certain number survive. If you told us the reason you're asking that might be very helpful.

 

[nasdds]

It just comes down to what's in the wholesaler's best interest and since this is essentially a game of losses, part of why they do that is to ensure a certain number survive. If you told us the reason you're asking that might be very helpful.

Fair enough. So im actially asking this for my 19 year old nephew who doesn’t have a lot of funds right now but wants to test the waters. Personally I told him it’s gonna be tough and to stay away but it’s a lesson he needs to learn himself I guess. I hope it works out for him and a $500 minimum is no big deal at some point but to a 19 year old trying to learn that is a lot of money.

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

Fair enough. So im actially asking this for my 19 year old nephew who doesn’t have a lot of funds right now but wants to test the waters. Personally I told him it’s gonna be tough and to stay away but it’s a lesson he needs to learn himself I guess. I hope it works out for him and a $500 minimum is no big deal at some point but to a 19 year old trying to learn that is a lot of money.

Why don't you suggest he start dipping his toes in the water of the retail market by selling live food or even better working for a shop where he'd learn how it all really works on the inside. I used to work for a shop in America and that was very eye opening seeing how the industry operates in certain ways.

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

Does he actually have the space and equipment to manage an order even half the size of a small one? The livestock certainly won't sell immediately...

 

[nasdds]

Why don't you suggest he start dipping his toes in the water of the retail market by selling live food or even better working for a shop where he'd learn how it all really works on the inside. I used to work for a shop in America and that was very eye opening seeing how the industry operates in certain ways.

I have tried to convince him otherwise and will mention this to him but kids will be kids haha.

 

[nasdds]

Does he actually have the space and equipment to manage an order even half the size of a small one? The livestock certainly won't sell immediately...

He has a small frag tank. He knows about corals and actually does really well with his tank. He’s not a beginner. Just a beginner in the business of corals.

 

[RedoubtReef]

Hi

I’m looking for wholesalers with low minimum orders. I know most wholesalers have a $500-$750 minimum order but I’m new to the wholesale game and would love somewhere I could get a few pieces without that high of a minimum initially. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks.

Almost all are at least $500. I went through this when trying to order live rock from a couple of them.

 

[Troylee]

He has a small frag tank. He knows about corals and actually does really well with his tank. He’s not a beginner. Just a beginner in the business of corals.

Remind him also that only hitting a minimum order will get him bottom of the barrel corals which don’t turn a big profit… the more you spend the better the corals are gonna be! All part of the game.. he’s better off finding a local coral swap and buying up a bunch of stuff and grow it and flip it!

 

[Derrick0580]

If it were me I would be hitting frag swaps, get stuff that sells and grows fairly fast and begin by fragging and selling his own stock before dumping hard earned money and not being able to recover any losses. Don’t forget most wholesalers also charge a per box fee, hot/cold packs, and shipping cost regardless of how much you spend which isn’t included in the minimum required amount. Which will add around another $100 on top of that.

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

Show him this thread with others' opinions. If he insists, I would personally allow him to do with his money what he wishes, even if he ends up learning a rather harsh lesson. Experience is a great teacher...

 

[nasdds]

Show him this thread with others' opinions. If he insists, I would personally allow him to do with his money what he wishes, even if he ends up learning a rather harsh lesson. Experience is a great teacher...

This is exactly why I’m letting him do it. He needs to experience it to know how hard it is. I just want to mitigate the financial damage to him with a lower minimum ideally.

 

[afrokobe]

I'd echo what other people are saying. He could always go for local deals either grow it out or offer for shipping here/elsewhere.

 

[JTP424]

*Agree with all previous notes.

Land Locked Corals on whatnot can have some cheap individual frags. Would have to still pay shipping, and for individual frags, but a cost effective way to build up a stock quickly.

Don't recommend it as a way to "flip" corals, but a possible way to get a variety that he can grow out.

Have him watch a few of the auctions and then decide if he wants to join in.

 

[Derrick0580]

Plus to top it off any wholesalers I’ve talked to won’t even acknowledge your existence without a store front and a physical address with a retailer’s license.

 

[MnFish1]

With apologies. If someone cannot afford that amount of commitment - and - assumedly - that person has a retail business = this entire post makes no sense.

I want to start a fish business. I will be $750 worth of fish. But the cost of a business would be far higher - but - oh wait - I can't afford the wholesale price?

 

[nasdds]

With apologies. If someone cannot afford that amount of commitment - and - assumedly - that person has a retail business = this entire post makes no sense.

I want to start a fish business. I will be $750 worth of fish. But the cost of a business would be far higher - but - oh wait - I can't afford the wholesale price?

Thank you!!! Super insightful!!

 

[MnFish1]

Thank you!!! Super insightful!!

I think you're being sarcastic - perhaps? But - in this regard - you could very well be wrong