Thread: Upset that you don't sell wholesale?

Have you ever had an interested distributor chew you out and degrade you for not selling wholesale?

I had the weirdest phone call today. Guys calls me and says he's with X distribution (in my industry) and wants to carry my product. I tell him that I don't sell wholesale, I only sell retail direct. He replies half a million units per month. OK, that's great, but my production capacity can't meet that demand currently.

Goes on and on about how much of my product he can sell each month, etc. I appreciate that and if I could supply you I'm sure you could sell that much and we'd both have our mortgages covered. I'm just starting up and have limited production now, which will grow as the company grows. Currently I sell retail direct to build the brand and will eventually get into dealer and wholesale sales when the company is ready for it. Curses at me saying I'm an amateur, I'll never amount to anything, I should be ashamed of myself. Hangs up on me.

So many directions I could go with it, but really? Kind of have a "what in the world was that about" look on my face.

Was it a serious inquiry? Just a competitor trying to mess with me?

I would've pushed it back on him by saying it was an opportunity for both of you. If he feels strongly enough about being able to move that kind of volume, why doesn't he offer to become a partner to some degree? The capital he brings in as an investor allows you to ramp up your production capabilities, and he gets the product at a lower pricepoint and reap more of the profits than if he were "just a distributor". Win-win for everyone.......

If he calls back tell him you sold the company for 2 mill.plus. Then tell him amounting to nothing got you 2 million.

With his kind of attitude, he won't amount to anything...

I cant imagine that's a serious inquiry. Have you heard of the distribution company he works for??

I would propose back to him that you would be prepared to give them exclusivity if they would guarantee x amount of volume (like he was saying). You will find out how serious and how much he believes in your product very quickly. If they are still so confident and want to move forward I would be happy to provide you with the capital lol

why would you want to work w/ someone like that? life's too short

- chuck

I am in a similar situation, between me selling retail and selling wholesale to other companies in the market. I can easily get wholesale customers but I prefer to make the company grow slow and steady, and then wholesale eventually.

Originally Posted by PLAYDIUM

I cant imagine that's a serious inquiry. Have you heard of the distribution company he works for??

Yes it's a legit company. I'm just not sure he represents them. I'm going to look into it after the weekend.

Originally Posted by carendt242

why would you want to work w/ someone like that? life's too short

- chuck

For sure.

If you don't mind me asking what industry/ what kind of product do you deal in?
This kind of behavior happens in some industries more then others.

Small arms ammunition.