Where do you find suppliers?

[jgmadkit]

Am thinking of selling some automotive related parts on my kit car site. Will be a small scale affair initially, probably just selling the little bits and pieces people need when building kit cars, ie, electrical connectors, wire, stainless steal nuts and bolts, tie wraps etc.

Problem is I've never been down this road before so how on earth do I find suppliers for this sort of stuff.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Regards, John

www.madabout-kitcars.com

[Big Al.]

Surely RS and Maplins already do that sort of stuff don't they?

[stevieb]

jgmadkit said:

Am thinking of selling some automotive related parts on my kit car site. Will be a small scale affair initially, probably just selling the little bits and pieces people need when building kit cars, ie, electrical connectors, wire, stainless steal nuts and bolts, tie wraps etc. Problem is I've never been down this road before so how on earth do I find suppliers for this sort of stuff. Any help would be much appreciated. Regards, John www.madabout-kitcars.com

Screwfix do it cheap enough you can have a good markup and profit from doing it

Steve

PS probably best to badge it as kits for wiring dashboard, rear lighting spare and accessories set, front lighting spares and accessories.

Then do the individual items as well

[jgmadkit]

Big Al. said:

Surely RS and Maplins already do that sort of stuff don't they?

A rather blinkered view on things but I take your point, but nobody would ever give things a go though if we all took that view.

Madabout has a pretty reasonable user base so I am thinking of ways in which to capitalise on that.

The Screwfix idea is a good starting point but I'm thinking they are getting there bits and pieces from somewhere and adding their slice so someones supplying them....but who?

John

www.madabout-kitcars.com

[simpo two]

The trouble is that suppliers to the likes of Screwfix will either have a minimum order of 1,000, etc, or be based in China and won't ship one widget for £3.95.

[steviebee]

I'd imagine the merchant charges for processing small orders would halve any margin.

Have you thought about bundling lots of these bits together and marketing them as "essentials"?

[jgmadkit]

steviebee said:

I'd imagine the merchant charges for processing small orders would halve any margin. Have you thought about bundling lots of these bits together and marketing them as "essentials"?

Yeah thats a good idea, will jot that one down

John

www.madabout-kitcars.com

[simpo two]

Essential you say? I'll take 1,000 then!

You'll be needing an ad agency soon

[golfman]

If you wish to add tools / fastenings etc to your range contact me via my profile.

I can supply you every product on the following site plus lots more:

www.bms-tools.co.uk

Cheers

[qualityscrew]

Forget Screwfix, try www.thunderbolts.co.uk - We'll help!

[K1 CERB]

Me too!
www.current-force.co.uk/

Electrical Wholesalers. U want 1 cable tie sir? or 100,000

K1 CERB

[Shiraz]

I own an electronic assembly company, the most profit would be on the electrical / electronic parts, we also buy nuts bolts etc in bulk as consumables, I have direct contact with manufacturers of parts, I think you will find rs, maplin, fec expensive, their mark ups are in the region of about 300%!

[Antwerpman]

Golfman, nice site, what is the attitude of the big tool companies to the wave of online tool discount stores that are now appearing?? Just I am looking at setting something similar up here in Belgium (not much happening in that area yet) and any advice or pointers would be most gratefully appreciated (maybe you are interested in an overseas partnership )

[stooz]

try www.kellys.co.uk they seem to be a trade supplier listings site.

[jacko lah]

I'm a Procurement Specialist and as a sideline I run a Procurement agency for companies like you.

For a fee, or a commission, (depends) I will search the world market and find the best supplier(s) for you. Then I will negotiate on your behalf.

All I need is a drawing (or some technical description) , target price, Likely Demand (Best and worst) and I can get started.

E-mail me on [e-mail] and I'll forward my standard contract.

[jgmadkit]

Thanks to everyone for their replies, much appreciated.

The Kelly search looks pretty good so I'm going to have a delve into that.

Jacko - sounds a bit too 'big business' for me at this stage - just at the feasability stage at the mo, but thanks anyway.

Cheers everyone

John

[jacko lah]

jgmadkit said:

Jacko - sounds a bit too 'big business' for me John

Oh hardly !!! I'd just bring up kelly's on the internet and send an E-mail request to those which made what you want, and then put 5% on the best or worst.

You might try 2 companies (this is free!)

Serco Ryan
and Walter Hexagon.

Both supply high volume fasteners and niff naff to automotive industry.

You fit in because they sell off obsolete (old fashioned) bobbins to the highest bidder.

Also they are able to sell you current fasteners as an automotive price.

[montegogt]

I can certainly help you in some areas. My company www.afac.co.uk stocks cable ties, sleeving, spacers, weld-on and self clinching fasteners, solid rivets...the list goes on. Give me a shout and I will see what we can do.

[e-mail]

[sagalout]

Drifting along on this tack, what's the mark up on model cars such as made by BBurago etc? Anyone know a supplier?