Author Topic: Selling Wholesale  (Read 170 times)

Offline oh knee

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Selling Wholesale
« on: October 06, 2011, 08:08:48 AM »
I've been thinking about contacting some of the local game stores and metaphysical stores to see if they'd be interested in carrying my drawstring bags.  This would be at wholesale prices, obviously - it won't make me nearly as much cash as selling them at $22 each on Etsy, but then, I get the impression that not many gamers use Etsy anyways.  And any cash is better than none, especially when I can make a dozen bags per yard of fabric.

What would be the best way to get in contact and ask?  Should I write a concise and clear email with a link to my Etsy store, and mention my wholesale prices?  Any suggestions?
I paint miniatures and sew things.  Find me by looking up Greyed Out Productions on Facebook. 

www.greyedout.etsy.com

Offline Tamsin

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Re: Selling Wholesale
« Reply #1 on: October 06, 2011, 08:12:34 AM »
Perhaps go to your local store, the one that you already patronize, and ask to see the manager. Explain you are a regular customer and would like to meet with him sometime about these dice bags you are selling. Bring nicely pressed and sorted samples in a box or good cloth back/pack - look professional about it. Alternately, call him and ask to meet sometime. Offer to have lunch or take him out to coffee, etc.

An even better way is to have a mutual friend introduce you two. Do you game with anyone who knows the shop owner, for example?

Once you have one client, he can be a reference to other store owners and can recommend you to those he knows himself.

At the very least, ask if you can leave some cards at the register for customers to pick up.
For further information, consult your pineal gland.
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Nikola Tesla was electrocuted for our sins!

Offline oh knee

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Re: Selling Wholesale
« Reply #2 on: October 06, 2011, 08:20:50 AM »
I actually know the owner of my local LGS to a small degree.  He seems like a really nice guy.  I haven't been to the store in months, since I can't afford to buy anything, and I always feel really bad about gaming there when I can't patronize the store, even with a small purchase like coffee or a drink. (The store is actually a gaming cafe - they sell paninis, coffee, and so on as well as games/miniatures and provide gaming space.  Super-awesome place to be.) 

Thanks for the suggestions! 

I was thinking I could do a wholesale price of about $5-6/bag, depending on order size.  As I said, on Etsy I sell them for $22, which I feel is worth it for a hand-crafted dice bag.  Marpa I believe can attest to that, since he ordered a purple one a few months back.  :)
I paint miniatures and sew things.  Find me by looking up Greyed Out Productions on Facebook. 

www.greyedout.etsy.com

Offline Tamsin

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Re: Selling Wholesale
« Reply #3 on: October 06, 2011, 08:28:35 AM »
I hope it works out for you! The method I suggested is based in experience - I used to be a bookstore clerk and this is how I saw some locals get their stuff put up for sale at the register counter. The items were things like handmade thank-you cards, bookplates, shopping bags that folded down into themselves, and cards/booklets with local bike routes and things.
For further information, consult your pineal gland.
Barefoot Tea Mistress
Nikola Tesla was electrocuted for our sins!