Are you looking for quality suppliers to help with your Amazon FBA business? If so, you’re not alone. As an FBA seller, searching for a supplier that can deliver products to support your e-commerce store is all part of the process.
Many small business owners sell their goods on Amazon as an alternative to brick-and-mortar or even other online retailers because of its exposure and accessible customer base.
However, while it does provide significant benefits, there’s often a hurdle in this process when searching for the right product from a respectable supplier who can deliver quality, reasonable pricing, and has a positive reputation.
While it can get overwhelming with all the choices available, we’ll guide you in the right direction to navigate this aspect of your e-commerce business. This article is a guide for new sellers covering seven proven strategies for selecting the right suppliers for your Amazon FBA business.
7 Proven Strategies for Selecting a Quality Amazon FBA Business Supplier
1. Research the supplier’s product
The first step to take when choosing a supplier is researching its products. You can conduct your own research or get support from other sellers who have already worked with that supplier in the past.
If you’re looking at a specific supplier, look at their reviews to get an idea of the quality of their products. Are they providing what customers are looking for?
Is there room for improvement? Use the manufacturer’s website for information about them, or visit Facebook groups or seller forums to see what others say about their output.
2. Find a supplier with positive reviews and a reputable track record
It’s important that you select a supplier with a history of positive reviews from customers and fellow sellers. A supplier who has a good track record is more likely to deliver quality products on time and maintain good communication with their clients.
You can check the supplier’s rating on Amazon, as well as independent review sites like TrustPilot. You can also check for other valid reviews from other brands or sellers who sell the same product as an alternative method.
Once you have conducted enough research, you should narrow down a few suppliers who meet your criteria. It’s now time to pick one and place a sample order! Remember that this process may take some time, so don’t rush it or give up if you haven’t found the perfect supplier.
3. Consider the quality of the product
To ensure that you’re selling quality products, it’s essential to examine the supplier’s products before placing a bulk order. This will help you determine whether or not they are capable of delivering what you’re looking for.
You should look out for the quality of materials used in making the product and how long the production took. If the supplier cannot meet your expectations, it’s best to move on and find another one. Quality products result in selling effectively on Amazon, so remember to invest time and effort before placing a bulk order for mass production.
Ask for product samples
As an Amazon FBA seller, you should always ask for product samples when narrowing the search for a supplier. This way, you can get the product in your hands and review it before getting to your customers.
Samples also give you an idea of the quality of the supplier’s products or whether or not you need to modify anything before production. You can negotiate to obtain a few free samples of their product, especially if it’s something new that you’ve never tried before.
Asking for samples can help establish a good relationship with your supplier so that they know you’re serious about doing business with them in the future. Product sampling can be costly, but it’s worth your search for high-quality products!
4. Verify the supplier’s policy on whether or not you’ll be able to get refunds or replacements
Before signing a contract, it’s essential to verify whether or not the supplier allows for returns or refunds if an item is defective. Ask the supplier directly for their terms and conditions as their customer. This information is critical and will save you money, especially if your products are not as expected.
If the supplier accepts returns and refunds, verify how long it takes to process your refund or replacement. It may take some time before they can complete the refund, so if this is not acceptable, consider another supplier instead.
5. Find out how long it will take to deliver your order
Another thing you need to consider is the supplier’s delivery time. They must be able to deliver your products on time, especially when you’re approaching a launch date or any significant sales. Ask them how long it would take to process and ship orders, as well as their turnaround times for refunds or replacements.
Creating an order with a supplier who cannot deliver on time will only delay your launch or sale date, causing you stress and frustration in the long run.
Having a strategy with your supplier on how or when you’ll place purchase orders will benefit your processes, so you know the perfect time to reorder when you’re running low on inventory.
6. Determine if they offer any discounts or incentives
Ask your supplier if they offer any volume discounts or incentives in the form of lower price per item, free shipping, or a discount for larger orders.
This will help reduce your costs and make more profit in the long run. If you establish long-term negotiations or offers on your pricing, be sure to factor this into your calculations when putting a price on your product
7. Find out how accessible their customer support team is
Lastly, try to get an idea of your supplier’s product availability and whether or not they offer accessible customer support. This is critical to determining whether they can be a reliable business partner for your business.
It’s always a good idea to consider having a backup supplier if things go south. Remember that the key to having a good relationship with your supplier is proper communication! If you’re noticing red flags on how they update you with the current process, take this as a sign that they might deal with you like this in the future.
Final Thoughts
When you’re selling on Amazon, you should do everything you can to set yourself apart from your competitors. Optimizing your product with the assistance of your supplier is an excellent strategy to get ahead. Remember, your sales and brand reputation rely heavily on a supplier to provide you with the best products.
So before you focus on how you can optimize your product listing pages, focus on finding a reliable supplier that will fit your budget and needs.
Read Also:
- What Nobody Teaches You about Getting Your Amazon Startup off The Ground
- Amazon FBA 101: A Step-by-Step Guide For New Sellers
- How to Start a Dropshipping Business in 2022
Author’s Bio: Jayce is the managing director of Seller Interactive, the number one Amazon advertising agency based in Canada that helps brands build their business on Amazon. His content marketing expertise has led him to work with brands such as Toyota and GoDaddy, producing content that has reached over 20M views in a month.
