There are a lot of companies out there claiming that they are “wholesale” or “factory direct” but how do you differentiate the good from the bad?It is not as easy as you might think.Many companies buy their products and resell them.Some are evening buying products from wholesalers who originally bought them from a manufacturer.You could be paying 200% more for a product than you should.You need to do your homework!
Steps to Figuring out who is a Manufacturer and who is a Reseller
1. Google their Facility
If you look up their company on Google maps and it comes up an office building, then you know that there is no way that they are manufacturing products.Take PartyExpress.com for instance.They list their address as 1 Beistle Plaza, Shippensburg, PA 17257.Below is the Google maps street view image of that location.You know that there is some serious party goods manufacturing going on there!
2. Look at the Packaging
Looking at the packaging is a great way to find out if a company is reselling or manufacturing.The name of the manufacturer should be on most product packaging.While some manufacturers utilize a different trade name like Party Express to sell their products you should still be able to trace their roots back to the manufacturer.
3. Look for the word Manufacturer
A lot of the words used by resellers and those claiming to have the best price is wholesale, or bulk.Look for terms like Factory Direct, or Manufacturer.These terms let you know that right after that product rolls off of the assembly line, it is on its way to your door with no middle man to interrupt its travels.Below is a section taken from Party Express who is the largest manufacturer of Party Supplies that sells directly to businesses.
4. Does the Company Show Pricing on their website, or do they require a login?
Typically a manufacturer will require you to create an account and allow them to validate your creditentials in order to buy from them.Click Here to see a good example of a login that is required if you want to purchase at the discounted rate.