So where do you find a supplier? A good search engine can help you find hundreds of companies online using search terms like “wholesale merchandise,” “drop-ship services,” “closeout dealers,” “job lot traders” or “liquidators.” For sources in print, check the classifieds in newspapers, trade journals or your community penny-pincher newsletter (available free at supermarkets and drugstores). These publications list dealers specializing in closeouts and discontinued or irregular items, in addition to estate sales, which may include private collections of books and other items that would find eager buyers on eBay. Specialty publications such as Closeout News are also good sources.Closeouts and job lots are quick, easy ways to get a business going. But when you’ve got neon-framed sunglasses one month, and you have fleece socks the next, it’s hard to establish a niche business that will draw repeat customers. For companies looking to build a specialty, the better choice may be to contract directly with manufacturers or, more commonly, a manufacturer’s rep (a salesperson hired by a manufacturer to promote distribution).
Trade shows offer the eBay retailer access to manufacturers and sales reps in one location, plus the benefit of meeting face to face to test the chemistry and assess product quality firsthand. Trade shows typically focus on a specific market segment, such as toys, novelties, military surplus or electronics, so determine what you want to sell before you go.
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