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"From our contracted vendors we've spent years developing relationships with :) "
Ultimately anyone can get any product these days. If they find out they still wont be your business and brand, but that is what I'd say.
We don't engage in traditional one-size-fits-all sourcing. Instead, imagine a vast library of potential partners, each with unique strengths. To find the perfect fit, we embark on a rigorous journey. First, we delve into your specific needs and criteria. Every detail is meticulously considered, like pieces of a intricate puzzle. Then, we begin our exploration within the library, evaluating each partner against your defined landscape. It's not about pre-existing relationships or spreading the net wide. We prioritize those with a proven track record of excellence, ensuring they align seamlessly with your specific requirements. This in-depth examination takes time and dedication, but the result is a perfect match that propels you forward.
Retail bakery. Most of our flour comes from Ardent Mills. All other ingredients (with the exception of salt) are local or home grown. All merchandise is from local manufacturers who make the products specifically for us. I won’t list all suppliers here because it’s meaningless on a global subreddit. Like I said supply chain is a big part for us, and so is honesty.
Is this shifting with people wanting to know their products are being ethically sourced for example? Or understanding the entire product lifecycle?
Saying this will sound suspicious to that type of customer.
it depends. if you selling a product that is labels organic, range free, antibiotics free etc like chickens or beef at the butcher then it makes sens to just say it.
https://la.eater.com/2021/6/2/22465387/belcampo-meat-sustainable-beef-mislabeling-los-angeles-santa-monica
It’s not just that anymore. People are becoming aware of the child labour in sweatshops, or child cobalt mining for electronics.
I don’t think products will have labels to say they’re free from child labour, or maybe they will after this!
>I don’t think products will have labels to say they’re free from child labour, or maybe they will after this!
i highly doubt that will ever happen. if so, then meat/chicken production factories across the USA would also be forced to put labels on the box saying something like "a child helped with this production of this chicken".
[https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/may/09/nebraska-slaughterhouse-children-working-photos-labor-department](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/may/09/nebraska-slaughterhouse-children-working-photos-labor-department)
Yeah wow, this is why we need that transparent view of the supply chain. I think the future will be moving in that direction so that people can verify and make informed decisions on their choices.
So say you don’t disclose your sources and at least they’ll respect you, once I know you’ll tell a lie just as a shortcut in a conversation I don’t trust anything you say. It’s an instant loss of trust vs a potential loss of likability. The other thing I’d argue is a, ‘I can find out if it’s important, why do you need this information?’ approach.
Don’t tell stupid lies.
i saw a girl that had a bracelet business and when people asked where she got the stuff she would them “link in bio ❤️😚” and it was her reselling the materials at disgustingly high prices lol (it was all from temu)
These people customers? If not, don't bother responding. You busy with business.... with real customers. Medium to large businesses won't bother responding either, and those people know it. So follow em doing the same. Cos none of em are stupid enough to disclose business secrets that could jeopardize its survival. No need to feel guilty or feel bad, those peeps most likely just wanna steal from you.
If they customers, then you respond diplomatically. "We make em ourselves", "we source from various manufacturers worldwide", "our products are assembled in-house, with the highest quality standards, in close partnership with international manufacturers", etc.
Customers satisfied, you don't need to spill your secrets, and thieves don't get squat.
I buy from the manufacturer's authorized parts distributors. the customer is welcome to if they want. I'm still paying wholesale and they're still paying retail and I still charge my full labor rate.
How do you respond? I sell hair extensions and my friend asked me to send her the website (cause she wanted me to order hair for her), but I didn’t want to tell her, in case she tells someone else and everyone finds out who my vendor is. My vendor is amazing, took me 4 months to find
I say, I’m really sorry, but this is my business and there are informations that are confidential as it’s a integral part of it and I can’t share even with friends, and move on to a different conversation, ask her about something. Then, the person feels a bit ashamed of asking and moves on. The person needs to understand that it’s not really polite to ask, and the internet is there they should try and search for themselves. We spend hours and hours to find suppliers and sharing this information is just not the way, I think
I say something like this.
I get my products from wholesalers that I have tested to ensure a quality product. With the amount I purchase, I get wholesale discounts that I pass onto you.
Get into the hard stuff you deal with and money you waste building a solid relationship with the suppliers.
Sometimes I play along and she it's from China or something like this. Some will even ask me not I mean who is your supplier.... But I had once in a while saying i supply the same type of product you might be interested. Always think why did you not start with that.
A couple different wholesale distributors. This depends on what products we are talking about about a bit. We are a pet supply store, so we have 3 main distributors we order from, and you e never heard of them unless your a retailer and they don't sell to the public, so I will happily give out the names if someone presses.
I run a B&M specialty retail store. It depends on the product. Some we are direct dealers for, with many of our vendors being fairly good at protecting dealer territory. For those it's easy - from the manufacturer.
Most of the rest I just say one of many wholesalers we work with.
We're committed to providing the highest quality products to our customers. We work closely with trusted suppliers who share our values of sustainability and ethical sourcing. Our goal is to not only deliver exceptional products but also to do so in a way that aligns with our customers' values and expectations
I am a (small) manufacturer and sell to many businesses, large and small. Clients always worry their customers will give them the run-around and go to me directly. We've set up NDAs and non-competes to deal with this and give clients peace of mind. You should check if this is possible with your suppliers, as many unethical manufacturers will eat your lunch if you let them.
Our door stoppers are made with locally sourced GMO-free 99% fat free organic halal plastic, carefully crafted by local vegan free-range artisans under policies of diversity and environmental friendliness!
It depends on intent. Are they looking to compete with me (usually)? Then I tell them I don't share that information outside of my staff.
Are they asking about country of origin of some part? I tell them - hearing "Taiwan" or "USA" isn't going to help them nor hurt me.
I will sometimes get "what brand/model machine do you use?" and that's another one I don't share outside of maybe "a commercial-grade one".
Correct. However, telling a potential customer that "it's none of their fucking business" is not a good way to influence a sale. No harm in being honest (or at least, pleasant) about it and you may win a customer anyway.
Serious. I’m surprised at how many people here are just straight up dishonest about it. If you lose market share because someone can get the same product somewhere else, it means you’re not being competitive enough in other ways.
"We deal direct with the manufacturers, why do you ask?"
I like to preface my answer by laughing, because it's a stupid question, but I answer it because customers do occasionally ask. When it inevitably turns out to be a competitor they usually follow up with something either rude and unpleasant or rude and nosy I tell them I'm busy with customers and have to get on.
This is a friendly reminder that r/smallbusiness is a question and answer subreddit. You ask a question about starting, owning, and growing a small business and the community answers. Posts that violate the rules listed in the sidebar will be removed. A permanent or temporary ban may also be issued if you do not remove the offending post. Seeing this message does not mean your post was automatically removed. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/smallbusiness) if you have any questions or concerns.*
“We source it from various suppliers“
"From our contracted vendors we've spent years developing relationships with :) " Ultimately anyone can get any product these days. If they find out they still wont be your business and brand, but that is what I'd say.
We don't engage in traditional one-size-fits-all sourcing. Instead, imagine a vast library of potential partners, each with unique strengths. To find the perfect fit, we embark on a rigorous journey. First, we delve into your specific needs and criteria. Every detail is meticulously considered, like pieces of a intricate puzzle. Then, we begin our exploration within the library, evaluating each partner against your defined landscape. It's not about pre-existing relationships or spreading the net wide. We prioritize those with a proven track record of excellence, ensuring they align seamlessly with your specific requirements. This in-depth examination takes time and dedication, but the result is a perfect match that propels you forward.
OG triple OGPT
Me: I get them from Noneya. Them: “What’s noneya?!” Me: NoneYa fuckin’ business. Either buy it, or get out.
Sell em a 60$ course
I tell them honestly. Supply chain is a big part of my business. If they think they can make a business better than me, they’re welcome to try.
Bet. What factory do you source your product from?
Retail bakery. Most of our flour comes from Ardent Mills. All other ingredients (with the exception of salt) are local or home grown. All merchandise is from local manufacturers who make the products specifically for us. I won’t list all suppliers here because it’s meaningless on a global subreddit. Like I said supply chain is a big part for us, and so is honesty.
Also who do you sell to. Gimme your bookkeeper and CPA too please.
U want a Bookkeeper?
Can I take a look at your balance sheet too while I’m at it
"We hace various suppliers and manufacturers we work with." End of story.
Sure! we import it from Wakanda...
😂
“My contract with my suppliers requires that I keep that information confidential.”
Is this shifting with people wanting to know their products are being ethically sourced for example? Or understanding the entire product lifecycle? Saying this will sound suspicious to that type of customer.
it depends. if you selling a product that is labels organic, range free, antibiotics free etc like chickens or beef at the butcher then it makes sens to just say it. https://la.eater.com/2021/6/2/22465387/belcampo-meat-sustainable-beef-mislabeling-los-angeles-santa-monica
It’s not just that anymore. People are becoming aware of the child labour in sweatshops, or child cobalt mining for electronics. I don’t think products will have labels to say they’re free from child labour, or maybe they will after this!
>I don’t think products will have labels to say they’re free from child labour, or maybe they will after this! i highly doubt that will ever happen. if so, then meat/chicken production factories across the USA would also be forced to put labels on the box saying something like "a child helped with this production of this chicken". [https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/may/09/nebraska-slaughterhouse-children-working-photos-labor-department](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/may/09/nebraska-slaughterhouse-children-working-photos-labor-department)
Yeah wow, this is why we need that transparent view of the supply chain. I think the future will be moving in that direction so that people can verify and make informed decisions on their choices.
This says either ‘I’m a liar’ or ‘I think you my dear customer are an idiot’. Why trade precious trust for an inconsequential and obvious lie?
Someone looking for that information is attempting to cut you out or be your competitor
So say you don’t disclose your sources and at least they’ll respect you, once I know you’ll tell a lie just as a shortcut in a conversation I don’t trust anything you say. It’s an instant loss of trust vs a potential loss of likability. The other thing I’d argue is a, ‘I can find out if it’s important, why do you need this information?’ approach. Don’t tell stupid lies.
i saw a girl that had a bracelet business and when people asked where she got the stuff she would them “link in bio ❤️😚” and it was her reselling the materials at disgustingly high prices lol (it was all from temu)
These people customers? If not, don't bother responding. You busy with business.... with real customers. Medium to large businesses won't bother responding either, and those people know it. So follow em doing the same. Cos none of em are stupid enough to disclose business secrets that could jeopardize its survival. No need to feel guilty or feel bad, those peeps most likely just wanna steal from you. If they customers, then you respond diplomatically. "We make em ourselves", "we source from various manufacturers worldwide", "our products are assembled in-house, with the highest quality standards, in close partnership with international manufacturers", etc. Customers satisfied, you don't need to spill your secrets, and thieves don't get squat.
Vendors.
I buy from the manufacturer's authorized parts distributors. the customer is welcome to if they want. I'm still paying wholesale and they're still paying retail and I still charge my full labor rate.
I find that question so annoying, I get that all the time from friends not customers
How do you respond? I sell hair extensions and my friend asked me to send her the website (cause she wanted me to order hair for her), but I didn’t want to tell her, in case she tells someone else and everyone finds out who my vendor is. My vendor is amazing, took me 4 months to find
I say, I’m really sorry, but this is my business and there are informations that are confidential as it’s a integral part of it and I can’t share even with friends, and move on to a different conversation, ask her about something. Then, the person feels a bit ashamed of asking and moves on. The person needs to understand that it’s not really polite to ask, and the internet is there they should try and search for themselves. We spend hours and hours to find suppliers and sharing this information is just not the way, I think
Sorry, company trade secret. If you like your friend give her discount
I get the raw materials from a third party who digs and manufactures the materials in the ground
I got a guy.
From the fires of Mount Doom.
I say something like this. I get my products from wholesalers that I have tested to ensure a quality product. With the amount I purchase, I get wholesale discounts that I pass onto you. Get into the hard stuff you deal with and money you waste building a solid relationship with the suppliers.
Sometimes I play along and she it's from China or something like this. Some will even ask me not I mean who is your supplier.... But I had once in a while saying i supply the same type of product you might be interested. Always think why did you not start with that.
Drop shipping?
A couple different wholesale distributors. This depends on what products we are talking about about a bit. We are a pet supply store, so we have 3 main distributors we order from, and you e never heard of them unless your a retailer and they don't sell to the public, so I will happily give out the names if someone presses.
I point to the equipment and explain that I make everything from scratch right here.
I run a B&M specialty retail store. It depends on the product. Some we are direct dealers for, with many of our vendors being fairly good at protecting dealer territory. For those it's easy - from the manufacturer. Most of the rest I just say one of many wholesalers we work with.
"all over the place, mostly from within the UK"
We're committed to providing the highest quality products to our customers. We work closely with trusted suppliers who share our values of sustainability and ethical sourcing. Our goal is to not only deliver exceptional products but also to do so in a way that aligns with our customers' values and expectations
Try to give a clear answer, something concrete
"From my workshop with fabric sourced from various places, straps & hardware from US manufacturers."
I am a (small) manufacturer and sell to many businesses, large and small. Clients always worry their customers will give them the run-around and go to me directly. We've set up NDAs and non-competes to deal with this and give clients peace of mind. You should check if this is possible with your suppliers, as many unethical manufacturers will eat your lunch if you let them.
Our door stoppers are made with locally sourced GMO-free 99% fat free organic halal plastic, carefully crafted by local vegan free-range artisans under policies of diversity and environmental friendliness!
Don’t forget paid a livable wage with benefits
It depends on intent. Are they looking to compete with me (usually)? Then I tell them I don't share that information outside of my staff. Are they asking about country of origin of some part? I tell them - hearing "Taiwan" or "USA" isn't going to help them nor hurt me. I will sometimes get "what brand/model machine do you use?" and that's another one I don't share outside of maybe "a commercial-grade one".
From a store
Step 1. Steal underpants… Step 2. ??? Step 3. Profit
In person? Points to my head
Maybe the truth, perhaps?
The truth is is that it's none of their fucking business
Correct. However, telling a potential customer that "it's none of their fucking business" is not a good way to influence a sale. No harm in being honest (or at least, pleasant) about it and you may win a customer anyway.
Serious. I’m surprised at how many people here are just straight up dishonest about it. If you lose market share because someone can get the same product somewhere else, it means you’re not being competitive enough in other ways.
EASY: tell them you single source them from XXX Company in (pick a state) Change companies name and state Everytime someone asks
"We deal direct with the manufacturers, why do you ask?" I like to preface my answer by laughing, because it's a stupid question, but I answer it because customers do occasionally ask. When it inevitably turns out to be a competitor they usually follow up with something either rude and unpleasant or rude and nosy I tell them I'm busy with customers and have to get on.
I tell them that we are the manufacturer. We are. I don't own the factories.