Choosing the right supplier for your Amazon business can be crucial for your success. A wrong choice can lead to delays, quality issues, or much worse. That’s why investing time in finding the best suppliers in your niche is essential.
A good supplier will help you grow your business. A bad supplier will damage your sales and reputation.
Here are some tips to help you choose a good Amazon supplier:
Size
Don’t be fooled by the factory size. The key is to have good communication, reasonable pricing, and excellent quality. Some small factories are specialists in specific products, which can lead to lower pricing and good quality. The key is selecting a factory that has experience in the products and markets you plan to sell in.
Good or Not
Find out who the factory’s main customers are. This will give you an idea of the standard of their work. Also, ensure that the supplier has experience exporting the product you’re selling to your market. Try to get some references from their existing suppliers.
Always ask for samples of similar products that they have made so that you can assess their product quality.
Price
Small factories can be 50% cheaper than larger ones. However, small factories may have difficulty communicating or have little experience exporting. A small to the medium-sized factory is the best balance, as they have the experience of dealing with overseas buyers as well as lower costs.
With prices, the same item could be $2 at one supplier and $10 at another. Always negotiate as you will be able to reduce your costs.
Quality
Arrange your own quality control for every shipment. Hire a 3rd party inspection company to do a pre-shipment AQL inspection. I recommend doing an inspection for every order – even if the factory has shipped your product successfully for years. Sometimes a problem creeps in because the staff at the factory have changed or they rushed the order.
Attitude
The supplier’s attitude is crucial. If they are responsive, responsible, and do everything possible to meet your requirements, then chances are your order will go much more smoothly.
Avoid suppliers who do not answer all your questions promptly and clearly. Bad communication is a sign that they are not organized and your order could be in big trouble.
Technology
Most consumer goods are made in low-tech factories with workers sitting around a conveyor belt or a desk assembling all the different parts of a product by hand. It’s important to check out product samples before ordering and try to prevent issues upfront.
For high-tech products, you need to bring in expert quality control, especially with electronics. For any new seller, avoid complicated products with electrical parts as these need special testing.
Visit
The best way to get the best suppliers is to visit your supplier and check them out yourself. Although Covid made that nearly impossible for a while, travel has opened up again.
Video calls allow you to conduct virtual tours of suppliers and check out their processes & products. Visiting a factory can teach you a lot about the product and give you a chance to see hundreds of samples and products competitors are making.
In conclusion, choosing the right supplier for your Amazon business can be a game-changer. Follow these tips to ensure you make the right choice and set yourself up for success.