Buying products for your heat-not-burn cigarette store is one of the most critical elements of running a successful business.
The first decision you need to make is whether you will order primarily from a local wholesaler or directly from China.
Ordering heat-not-burn sticks
Now let’s respectively look at the pros and cons of ordering heat-not-burn sticks from China and a local wholesaler.
Advantages of ordering heat-not-burn sticks from China：
- Lower prices
- A wider range of products
- It’s almost never out of stock.
Disadvantages of ordering heat-not-burn sticks from China:
- Longer lead times and shipping times.
- Time difference.
- MOQ’s or tiered pricing.
Advantages of ordering heat-not-burn sticks from a local wholesaler:
- No minimum order quantity or smaller minimum order quantity.
- Fast shipping.
- Regular business hours in your timezone.
- Local customer service and support.
Disadvantages of ordering heat-not-burn sticks from a local wholesaler:
- High prices.
- Limited product selection.
- Generally, products are only in stock for 3-4 months prior to receipt.
- Hot new products are out of stock any minute.
Relying on fast shipping and quick turnaround time, a local wholesaler can help you reduce your inventory on hand so that you can free up cash for other areas to grow your business. If you have any questions about the product you purchased from a local wholesaler, they will usually allow you to return or exchange it. Thus you will sell your products with confidence.
Unfortunately, the way the market requires them to conduct their business means they can stockpile only a few months’ worth of inventory at a time. For example, one product is selling well in your store and your customers love it. But one day you can’t find it in stock anywhere.
Some criteria to determine the best wholesale company
How to determine which wholesale company is right for your heat-not-burn cigarette store? This is probably the most frequently asked question we learned. Here are some criteria to look for.
Location
Ideally, you want to find at least one wholesale company that is located in the same area as you. The closer, the better. When you suddenly sell out of a specific product, you want an available option that can offer you more products without paying a large fee for long-distance shipping.
Shipping Policy
This is consistent with the location. Check the company’s shipping policy for their shipping deadlines. The latest deadline we’ve learned is 7 pm and the earliest is 11 am.
Shipping
Many local wholesale companies offer free shipping if your order exceeds a certain amount. Some may not offer free shipping, but discounts or allowances are available if you order more than a specific amount. Others will charge you for the actual shipping costs. When you look at the pricing of their products, you must consider the cost of shipping.
Warranty/Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) Policies
Warranty and RMA policies are often overlooked because many stores will decide where they buy the sticks based on price alone. You may be able to buy the same product elsewhere at a lower price, but you need to make sure you have a good RMA process before doing business with anyone.
Some companies will require you to pay shipping costs for returns to them, some have a short return time, and others will refuse almost any return you send them for any reason. The money you may have saved on your purchase will not help if you have a pile of defective merchandise that you can’t handle.
Should I buy heat-not-burn heating sticks from a distribution company?
The short answer is no. You should purchase heat-not-burn heating sticks directly from the manufacturer whenever possible. Unless a manufacturer has a unique agreement with a distributor, the manufacturer cannot supply products to a specific region.
The long answer is more complicated. Generally speaking, you pay more for heating sticks at the distribution company than you do from the manufacturer. However, in some cases, it makes sense.
When should you buy heat-not-burn heating sticks from distribution companies?
- You like the product, but the manufacturer’s service is terrible.
- It is hard to contact the manufacturer.
- Shipping time from the manufacturer is slow or expensive.
- You are willing to pay a higher price to have everything done in one place.
- The manufacturer often screws up your order.
- You want to buy multiple brands from one place.
Why should you buy heat-not-burn heating sticks directly from the manufacturer?
- You are provided with lower, more flexible prices.
- You can have faster access to new products.
- You can get your brand customized.
- Additional support with samples, free products and marketing are available.
As you can see, when purchasing heat-not-burn heating sticks from a distribution company, you are essentially paying more for the convenience. Being able to buy multiple brands of heat-not-burn heating sticks from the same place where you buy your heating devices makes life easier, but that convenience comes at a price.
Final tips and secrets
If you want to get the most out of every dollar you spend, buying heat-not-burn heating sticks directly from the manufacturer and purchasing the heating devices from a local wholesaler may be the most successful strategy.
The last secret I must share with you is simple, but essential. Call your wholesale representative! In many cases, putting someone on the phone before you make a purchase can save you more money. This is especially important if you are buying one type of item in bulk, considering a promotion, or hosting an event. Manufacturers love it when you only showcase their brand for sale and may offer you a one-time discount on their product.