Struggling to find the best suppliers for Amazon FBA? Or maybe you’re feeling uneasy to commit to one, before knowing if they’re reliable?
When it comes to selling on Amazon, having a trustworthy supplier makes it far easier to grow your business. In fact, there are a number of benefits to working with a good supplier.
First and foremost, a dependable Amazon supplier will be able to provide high-quality products that meet Amazon’s stringent requirements. This is important for two reasons – Amazon customers expect high quality products and will often return items that do not meet their expectations. Plus, Amazon imposes quality control standards on all of the products that it sells, and will remove items from its inventory that do not meet these standards.
Keep in mind – a top-notch supplier can help you keep your costs down, which is important for any business looking to be successful on Amazon. THey can handle bulk orders that help you save on per-unit costs and they can deliver your inventory on time.
Ultimately, working with a reliable ecommerce supplier is vital for any business looking to sell on Amazon. By providing high-quality products and offering the support you need to grow your business, they can help you achieve success on one of the world’s largest online marketplaces.
So if you’re looking to find the best suppliers for Amazon FBA… keep reading this article. Let’s dive in!
Use this outline to skip to any section of this page:
- Understand where to find suppliers
- The importance of finding a great supplier
- Factors to judge the best suppliers
- How to negotiate with suppliers
Understand where to find suppliers
When looking for Amazon suppliers, it’s important to use a variety of methods in order to find the best candidates. One great way to find suppliers is by using Google. You can easily find supplier websites and directories, and you can also read reviews to get an idea of which companies are the best.
Alibaba is another great resource for finding suppliers. This website is dedicated to connecting businesses with suppliers, and you can find a wide variety of companies here. You can also read reviews to get an idea of which companies are the best.
Trade shows are another great way to find suppliers. By attending trade shows, you can meet with potential suppliers face-to-face and get a feel for their business practices. You can also ask them questions about their products and see if they would be a good fit for your business.
Finally, you can also use product sourcing agencies. These agencies are experts in finding quality suppliers, and they can save you a lot of time and energy. They typically have a large database of suppliers and will work with you to select the right company for your business.
The importance of finding a great supplier
Product quality & inspections
Finding a supplier that produces quality products is essential for any business. By outsourcing to a supplier that does not meet your standards, you are putting the reputation of your company at risk. Low-quality products can tarnish your brand and cause customers to lose trust in your company.
DO NOT attempt to go cheap on quality and think “I’ll just receive lots of 3 star reviews, no problem.” This can actually result in your account being penalized or suspended – which removes your Amazon selling privileges.
Always make sure to do your research and find a supplier that produces products that meet your quality standards. If possible, take the time to visit their facility and inspect their production process. If they’re overseas, ask for samples of their products so you can test them yourself. Make sure the supplier has a good reputation and is certified to produce the type of product you are looking for.
Keep in mind – you generally want to partner with an FBA prep company to run a final inspection (alongside Amazon’s requirements for prepping your inventory) and to prevent costly removals or penalties. This is the route most FBA sellers take, instead of attempting to run FBA prep in-house. If you want more info on this topic, check out this What Is FBA Prep? Here’s How It Works (Pros & Cons) article.
Accurate lead times to avoid delays
When looking for a supplier, it is important to find one that can provide you with fast production and manufacturing times. This will help to avoid any delays in getting your products to market.
As an FBA seller, there’s a decent chance you’re shipping from overseas via ocean freight – which already takes 30 days. If your supplier takes more than 20 days to prepare your inventory… that’s a red flag.
Optimize your supply chain
Keeping your Amazon supply chain optimized is crucial for growth and driving profit – and finding a good supplier is crucial in this area. A supplier that can provide you with the products you need in a timely and efficient manner is vital to the success of your business. Make sure they’re reliable and can be counted on to deliver what they promise. Taking the time to find the right supplier will help ensure that your Amazon supply chain runs smoothly and efficiently.
Factors to judge the best suppliers
Honest & trustworthy
As an Amazon seller, it’s important to find a supplier you can trust. Unfortunately, many suppliers are scams, looking to take advantage of novice sellers. How can you tell if a supplier is trustworthy?
One sign that a supplier may not be reputable (or might be a scam) is if they ask for your personal information, such as your social security number or bank account information. Beyond unusual circumstances, suppliers will never ask for this – especially on Alibaba.
There are several things you can do to protect yourself from scammers when looking for a supplier:
- Research the supplier thoroughly. Look for reviews online and see if any other sellers have had negative experiences with them.
- Ask the supplier for references or contact information for other buyers.
- Use a payment method that offers buyer protection, such as PayPal or Alibaba trade assurance. This will help protect you if the supplier does not deliver the products or if they are not as described.
By taking these precautions, you can protect yourself from scammers and find a trustworthy supplier who will help you grow your business on Amazon.
Welcomes 3rd party inspection
When it comes to selling on Amazon, you need a supplier that allows 3rd party inspections. This is because it gives you an added layer of security and peace of mind when it comes to the quality of the products you’re selling. Not all suppliers allow for this type of inspection, so it’s important to do your research before making a final decision. By choosing a supplier that allows for 3rd party inspections, you can be sure that the products you’re selling are high quality and meet all of your standards.
Infrequent mistakes
When you’re selling products on Amazon, the quality of your supplier is critical. A supplier that makes mistakes can quickly ruin your business. They need to be responsible and reliable, so that you can count on them to deliver high-quality products on time.
Never forget – communication is key. You need a supplier that will keep you in the loop about what’s going on with your orders. If you’re not getting the information you need, it can be difficult to feel confident that your inventory is being prepared on time.
How to negotiate with suppliers
Want a detailed breakdown of negotiating with suppliers? Take a look at our Best Strategies to Negotiate with Alibaba Suppliers for Amazon FBA article.
It’s important to keep in mind that you are not the only party involved in the process. Suppliers also have a say in the negotiations, and they may not be willing to budge on certain points. In order to get the best deal possible, you’ll need to be prepared to negotiate and compromise.
One way to make negotiations more productive is to come up with a list of goals that you would like to achieve. This will help you stay focused and avoid getting sidetracked. It’s also crucial to be realistic about what you can achieve. If the supplier knows that you’re not willing to compromise, they may be less likely to offer a better deal.
Remember – negotiations are a two-way street. You should be willing to offer incentives for the supplier, such as paying early or agreeing to longer terms. Be prepared to walk away if the supplier isn’t willing to meet your demands. There are plenty of other suppliers out there who would be happy to work with you.
