Buying from domestic manufacturers

**pboychuk** · 06-29-2009 03:09 PM

I have imported merchandise for over 4 years now, however, I have only twice purchased from a domestic supplier.. I am trying to build new ties domestically, just because of the change in market conditions, and to say the least it is much different than buying overseas.

All domestic manufacturers seem to sell on credit, thus require credit from the buyer..
I don't have any credit references, my credit is good for my age, however my business credit is lacking.. I just don't want to miss opportunities because of credit.

I plan to offer 100% payment in advance to build trust, and hopefully eventually buy on credit, and thus form these so called references..

I was mainly looking for some advice on how you have gotten started in this catch 22 of buying domestically.

**Will** · 06-29-2009 10:46 PM

Hi

I would say by firstly paying 100% in advance, then once the business relationship has been established you can go about asking for credit after a few decent orders. They may trust you more at this point by knowing more about you and your business.

**pboychuk** · 06-30-2009 12:49 AM

I suppose it varies from company to company, but one company I am trying to buy from I have emailed them for months now and they keep telling me we aren't taking new accounts contact us next spring/fall.. I just don't understand.. Another company, I can't even find a phone#, their website has been "under new management" for the past 6 months.. And this is a huge brand name company..
Tomorrow I am expecting a call from Bosch and I just have a feeling they are going to make me feel like I don't know what Im talking about..

For an invention I am working on I tried to work with domestic suppliers for the raw mats, but its like they don't even want to talk to you.. There is an atomosphere where you have to seek them, and god forbid they seek out customers.. I don't know if these companies just look for huge contracts and shun everything else or what..

**pboychuk** · 06-30-2009 12:54 AM

I suppose it varies from company to company, but one company I am trying to buy from I have emailed them for months now and they keep telling me we aren't taking new accounts contact us next spring/fall.. I just don't understand.. Another company, I can't even find a phone#, their website has been "under new management" for the past 6 months.. And this is a huge brand name company..
Tomorrow I am expecting a call from Bosch and I just have a feeling they are going to make me feel like I don't know what Im talking about..

For an invention I am working on I tried to work with domestic suppliers for the raw mats, but its like they don't even want to talk to you.. There is an atomosphere where you have to seek them, and god forbid they seek out customers.. I don't know if these companies just look for huge contracts and shun everything else or what..

**Will** · 06-30-2009 07:48 AM

Yes I definately know what you mean!

In business all people seem to look at are results and how much money you can make them. They do not usually make room for someone to prove themselves, but that is the task which you have to do yourself, and then make them see that, or at least be persistent so they understand you are serious and ambitious.

I think as a small business you need to try and seek out other small to medium businesses, not the huge name brands or high-volume companies. This is because they do not have time for people with lower volume needs, and pretty much could not care less. You need to speak to businesses where you can speak to the directors etc, the ones who actually care how well the business does.

If you can't find the smaller ones, I would say just be really persistent with the calls/emails and show them how serious you are, be stubborn like them.

**pboychuk** · 07-01-2009 04:15 PM

ya, but its not even that, I can make plenty of money for them... Its just I don't have a network of distributors who I buy from with credit... So instead of selling to me who could probably move 10x more product than their average retail customer, they sell to mom-n-pop stores who have been around since 1969.

Anyways I will see how it goes.