Dye Sub Blank Suppliers that sell everything?

[joeyr69]

I use several blank suppliers and its now proving to be a pain in the bum having to order certain items from certain suppliers, also more expensive due to the courier costs.

I mainly buy mugs, Polyester Tshirts, phone cases and childrens bags although I do want to expand my range. Why is it that I can buy items from one supplier but not another, and why do they all vary quite a lot in price? I guess they all buy in bulk from china although with my line of work (graphic design) If i design something and it hits off, I need that item to be available when I need it but saying that I do not have the room to stock 100's myself.

Is there a supplier list of blanks for sublimation and is there one that sells the majority of the range?

I know I could solve my problem by stocking myself although I just don't have the space.

Sorry for the random post, I have been meaning to place an order all day but one supplier has one item required in stock but not the other and then same when I go to another supplier.

Thanks In Advance

[pisquee]

Which suppliers do yo normally use that aren't fullfilling your needs?
BMS carry most lines of blank products for starters
It's hard to know what to advise without knowing who you'd normally use, otherwise I'd just be reelling off a list of the suppliers we use.
In saying that, as you've noticed diffeent suppliers offer better pricing on certain lines, so you need to either just stick with one supplier and pay more for certain items, or choose your supplier by what items you're needing to buy.
As you also pointed out, it's all mostly coming from China, and a lot of the main/big suppliers are reselling the same stock, or stock that is so similar that it doesn't make any difference.

[socialgiraffe]

Do you not think suppliers have the same problem as you.... space?

As you have mentioned if you design something and it takes off then you are going to require more of that item. How is a supplier supposed to know what you are designing and what they need to keep in stock for you just in case it sells? They have the same problems as us, space costs money and is a premium. You can either go to one supplier who has everything in a massive warehouse but charges more or shop around for the best deal.

Also, what happens if that item you have designed does not take off. What does the supplier do with the stock they were hoping to sell to you (among others)?

This industry is very difficult to predict as many of the suppliers and printers will tell you.

I had a chat with a mug supplier the other month. In January and February of 2012 he sold 45,000 dye sub mugs each month. In January of 2013 he sold 90,000 and in February he could have sold 180,000 but did not have the stock. That's a growth of 400% which no one could not have predicted. Bearing in mind that it takes 6-12 weeks for mugs to arrive from source and the mark up can sometimes be as little as 5p what does he do? Order 180,000 mugs and hope your design is a winner? Not forgetting that most suppliers have already paid their supplier in China as it is all money upfront with them.

If you are really that frustrated I suggest you order three months in advance as most suppliers will be able to ensure they have the stock.

As a last thought, do you pop into your local pizza shop and get frustrated that they do not have any kebabs for sale? It is the same principle so presumably you do.

Please don't take offense to this post, I just think that suppliers often get a bashing when they just do not deserve it.

[logobear]

Hi Joey 69,
agree frustration with you, often find it impossible to re-stock after the 36 or 72 (or whatever) units have gone, so have to move to a similar but different product.
Got no answer, but generally, the bigger suppliers with the more limited range have better supply chain, know what product sells, and have greater consistancy over the months and years.
TMT do not carry a big range of items, but their stock levels and consistancy are very good.
BMS carry many more blanks choices, but are often out of stock;
..... both are good suppliers!

[pisquee]

If you are really that frustrated I suggest you order three months in advance as most suppliers will be able to ensure they have the stock.

If he's really that frustrated I suggest he order three months in advance direct from the factory in China (or wherever else) himself.
Test the waters with blanks bought in UK, and when/if they certainy product lines take off, order direct in quantity.

but generally, the bigger suppliers with the more limited range have better supply chain, know what product sells, and have greater consistency over the months and years.

Raja for instance only do mugs, have their own factory in Thailand, and do usually have good stock levels, but as mentioned things are impossible to predict, and can sell out like anyone can.

[joeyr69]

Thank you for your input and in no way have I taken offence.

I do totally agree with the points you have made although I feel that a wholesaler should either have the stock advertised on their website or at least know when it will be in.

Shortly after this post I had a bad experience with a known sublimation supplier and got let down terribly after being given false delivery dates, and subsequently having to let my own customers down. They probably do get a bashing however that was not my intention when writing the post, I was just stating how hard it is buying stock when in my previous retail experience that has been the easiest part.

I have now got my own unit with office and storage so will be importing from china and stocking myself. I am also going to use the fantastic BMS, Transfer Press and Coral Graph as they have always been superb.

Ps: I dont eat kebabs :biggrin: But if I went into mcdonalds and wanted to order a big mac and they didn't have them in stock, I would be fuming

Do you not think suppliers have the same problem as you.... space?

As you have mentioned if you design something and it takes off then you are going to require more of that item. How is a supplier supposed to know what you are designing and what they need to keep in stock for you just in case it sells? They have the same problems as us, space costs money and is a premium. You can either go to one supplier who has everything in a massive warehouse but charges more or shop around for the best deal.

Also, what happens if that item you have designed does not take off. What does the supplier do with the stock they were hoping to sell to you (among others)?

This industry is very difficult to predict as many of the suppliers and printers will tell you.

I had a chat with a mug supplier the other month. In January and February of 2012 he sold 45,000 dye sub mugs each month. In January of 2013 he sold 90,000 and in February he could have sold 180,000 but did not have the stock. That's a growth of 400% which no one could not have predicted. Bearing in mind that it takes 6-12 weeks for mugs to arrive from source and the mark up can sometimes be as little as 5p what does he do? Order 180,000 mugs and hope your design is a winner? Not forgetting that most suppliers have already paid their supplier in China as it is all money upfront with them.

If you are really that frustrated I suggest you order three months in advance as most suppliers will be able to ensure they have the stock.

As a last thought, do you pop into your local pizza shop and get frustrated that they do not have any kebabs for sale? It is the same principle so presumably you do.

Please don't take offense to this post, I just think that suppliers often get a bashing when they just do not deserve it.

[socialgiraffe]

Ps: I dont eat kebabs :biggrin: But if I went into mcdonalds and wanted to order a big mac and they didn't have them in stock, I would be fuming

So would I

I 100% agree with you about letting you know about stock levels. I once started a thread on here that asked "What makes a good supplier" or something to that effect. It essentially asked what would purchasers like to see from suppliers and one of the things was live stock levels which BTC and others are able to do with clothing so there is no reason why it can not be done with other items from other suppliers.

The above point I personally find really frustrating. I tend to do most of my quotes of an evening when its quiet. As I deal with bulk I often need to check that something is in stock beforehand, as an example I recently was asked to quote for 500 iphone 5 covers. The customer wanted the quote by 9.00am so I turned the job down as I knew I could not get an answer from suppliers before that time and could not quote on something that I may not be able to fulfil. Letting down my customers like that would be a really bad thing.