Dealer application trade references

[league_of_ordinary_men]

I recently applied to become a re seller and thy say thy can't help me because I don't have any trade references.I have been in contact with a senior sales rep in Johannesburg(I applied in cape town) for over a year now asking hem vireos questions in regards to everything from shipping to filling in the application form and before I submitted my application I asked him about the trade reference and he said I should just make a note and say its my first company that's why I don't have any trade references and it should be fine.I contacted him to see if he can't do anything but I am yet to hear back(hopefully tomorrow)What I want to know is how are you suppose to get a reference if no one is willing to give you a chance?How do you start?Because the business I am starting is based on allot of the information I was given by the rep and he was a big help.So my question basically is

1:how are you suppose to get a reference if no one is willing to give you a chance?
2:How do you start?

[adrianh]

Trade references should only be important if you are looking for a 30 day account. Tell them that you want to pay cash.

There is another reason why they may want the references. It could be that they want to be sure that you really are a dealer. There are many inividuals who try to become dealers simply to pay less. One company asked me to send a photograph of my shopfront window...a bit difficult if you only trade on the net.

[KimH]

One company asked me to send a photograph of my shopfront window...a bit difficult if you only trade on the net.

I would have sent them a screenshot of my homepage

[adrianh]

@KinH - Good one

[league_of_ordinary_men]

hahaha

[league_of_ordinary_men]

Yes thy accepted me but I am under probation till September by then I need to be able to show them my website,give them trade references and have activity on my account so I have ALLOT to do.I think its like adrianh said I think thy want to make sure that I really am a company,any suggestions?? .Now that brings me back to my question how do I get a trade reference?

[AndyD]

If they accepted you why do you still need a trade reference? I think they wanted one originally to help them avoid signing a distributor agreement and tying themselves with a company or reseller who can't produce decent orders. They probably added the probation clause as an alternative for someone who has no references. If you can't produce sales they have the option open to look for someone in your area who's more capable.

Good luck with your new venture.

[adrianh]

What are you planning to sell?

[league_of_ordinary_men]

Thanks AndyD.Adrianh we are going to sell PC's,Tv's,PC part,PC accessory's,Printer,meadia players........etc.But we are going to be selling it as low as we can and rather work on quantity of sales to make a profit.And deliver the best service we can.

[league_of_ordinary_men]

Hi adrianh what type of business are you in?I looked at your profile but can't see anything.

[Blurock]

Reputation is very important in business. If I was a supplier I would want to know whether you had any experience in the industry or with the type of products that I sell. Will you be able to service my clients/customers and will you be able to solve their problems?

How much do you really know about PC's and TV's? I would not risk selling my products to someone who could ruin my reputation by giving poor service or not giving back up to my customers.

Maybe you could give the suppliers some assurances along these lines.

[league_of_ordinary_men]

Thanks for the advise Blurock will do.But that still brings me back to my question,how do you get a trade reference if you need one to register with a supplier and then use them as a trade reference?That's like saying a company only hires people with experience but the guys that need experience can't get any because the company only hires people that has experience(only an example).

[Blurock]

A Thousand mile journey begins with the first step.

Do big things when they are still small and difficult things when they are still easy. All big things were small once...

Good luck!

[flaker]

back to my question,how do you get a trade reference if you need one to register with a supplier and then use them as a trade reference?That's like saying a company only hires people with experience but the guys that need experience can't get any because the company only hires people that has experience(only an example).

A company has some personality in keeping with its owner. Perhaps give them personal references, if it is an account you're wanting open. Supplier would then probably get you to sign as surety for moneys owing by you company.

[league_of_ordinary_men]

Thanks for the advise flaker will do.