We created the Supplier Database with Amazon sellers in mind and with the goal of making it easier for you to find a high-quality supplier you can trust.
The Supplier Database is a bit different than typical sourcing sites. On other sites, you would type in a product name and scroll through offers for that product, then choose who to contact based on the pictures or prices. Most times, those pictures are not actually items that the supplier has manufactured, and the low prices are just a quick way to lure you in. This can lead to all types of issues which waste time and money.
The Supplier Database allows you to avoid those issues. Choose from qualified suppliers you can trust, that deliver quality products, and better overall experiences.
What to look for in a Supplier
- Products/Materials/Processes
- Identify suppliers that specialize in, or have experience producing similar products. You can also identify suppliers that use specific materials, or production processes to pinpoint ones that may be suitable for your product.
- Shipping History
- A consistent shipping history with significant quantity will show you that the supplier is a legitimate business and that they know what they are doing. This lessens the likelihood of the factory shutting down, or running into issues with exporting/importing due to licenses, or inexperience.
- There is not a certain number of shipments per year that we recommend to qualify a supplier as good. It’s more important to look at the frequency, and length of time they have been exporting. If a supplier has shipments going back several years, and ships several times per year, you will know that they are more experienced in international trade, and a more established supplier.
- Other customers of the supplier
- Seeing who else the supplier is supplying goods to can give you insight into their level of expertise. If you see some big names in the customer list, that tells you the supplier is the real deal. You will also be able to view your competitors' suppliers.
- The number of customers a supplier has shipped to will also give you an idea of how substantial their business is. This helps reduce the risk of using a supplier that is in jeopardy of going out of business.
- Trustworthy and Truthful
- All of the data in the Supplier Database comes from actual import records and is not self-reported by the supplier. This means you can use the data to fact-check any information a supplier has given you, such as how long they have been in business, and their level of experience.
- If a ‘supplier’ says they have imported this product many times, you can check to see if this is true. You can even check to see if they are an actual manufacturer, or just a trading company, or a potential scammer.
- Willingness to work with you
- As an Amazon seller, you may want to start with a small number of goods compared to larger companies. You can use the shipping history, order size of previous shipments and caliber of other customers the supplier works with as measures.
Supplier Database Advantages
- Refined Supplier List - Only suppliers with a valid shipping history are included. We do not include suppliers that do not have a track record of importing to the US. This cuts down on unestablished, or new suppliers as well as scammers and trading companies. This increases the quality of the suppliers you see.
- Location and Visibility - Since the Supplier Database is import driven, rather than export-driven, you will see a wider range of suppliers to choose from. Top suppliers often do not list themselves on sourcing sites, making it difficult to find them. Other sourcing sites are also largely location-based, whereas the Supplier Database will show you anyone that has imported to the US, no matter where they are located.
- Credibility - Using a different technique than everyone else to find a supplier can give you the edge you need when forming relationships. If you take the initiative to contact a potential supplier outside of a traditional sourcing site, this shows the supplier you are a different type of client, one they can take seriously, and need to treat differently. You will also be armed with more information about the supplier that you can use to set up your relationship for successful negotiating and a lasting partnership.
Contacting Suppliers
- We recommend contacting between 10 to 15 suppliers per product you are looking to source. Contacting at least 10 suppliers will ensure you have a good selection of suppliers to compare against each other. This will maximize your chances of finding the best quality product and price, as well as the best quality supplier. A supplier who is responsive, easy to work with, and reliable is equally, if not more important than a bargain price.
Using different techniques to find suppliers and source products will only be a benefit to you as a seller. Utilizing the Supplier Database will give you that edge over your competition and set you up for success!