Where to Buy Products Before You’re Able to Buy from Wholesalers
Rain asks:
“What are the main places that I can get supplies if I’m not yet in business but want to buy quality products?”
In this situation, when you’re preparing to start your business and don’t yet have the forms and applications processed and approved by your state government or country officials, the main places to find supplies are at the locations where consumers normally shop.
This includes:
- Supermarket
- Specialty shops
- Discount stores
- Beverage depots
- Strip and indoor malls
Buying products and supplies at these shopping facilities means that you’ll pay regular retail prices, except in places where merchandise is discounted or on sale, but this is not a negative situation.
You’ll be able to test your gift-basket making expertise, with help from gift basket videos and class tutorials, while waiting for governmental paperwork to arrive. That will give you time to practice the creative side of business while your administrative documents are being delivered.
Is There a Better Place than Retail Stores to Buy Enhancements?
Ruby asks:
“I go to retail craft stores to buy picks and other enhancements, but there must be another place where I can get them for a better price. Where do I look?”
Start by finding a local floral supplier in your area. You’ll find this resource by learning where wholesale flowers are delivered for distribution to local florists.
These companies are usually open for trade business (not the general public) selling baskets, containers, enhancements, ribbon, and other supplies to retail companies just like yours.
A Yellow Page directory will help you locate these wholesalers, which are usually listed under “floral suppliers.” If you no longer receive the directory and are in the United States, look for the same term within a search engine. For example, if you’re located in Maryland, you enter the search in this exact manner:
“floral supplies”+Maryland
If outside of the U.S., this same search term may be helpful by typing the name of your city, province, or country in the space where the word Maryland is shown above.
This is how I found four floral suppliers in my area. You may not find as many, but there’s a good chance you at least find one that sells low-cost, high-quality enhancements and other items to create gift baskets.
Are Repurposed Baskets Okay for Gift Basket Designing?
Carey asks:
“I got a great deal on baskets from a woman selling them at a garage sale. The baskets are beautiful, but what do I do to make sure that they’re clean and ready to use?”
There were long, ranging discussions on the Internet, probably before you began making gift baskets, about this topic.
Some designers were against buying baskets in the way you chose, while others said they were thrilled to find baskets through the same sources you found.
The main treatment for these baskets is a power wash. That includes cleaning the baskets with warm water and a dab of dish washing liquid.
If possible, allow water from a hose and spray gun attached to a water source outside of your home (gardening hose, for example) to act as the power cleaner.
After the baskets dry in the sun, each one is ready to hold the contents of your choice.
There may be other information on the Internet or in basket-specific books related to washing wicker. A list of several basket reference books is found on the site GiftBasketBooks.com. Be sure to checks these books and other places for additional help.
If anyone has another method of cleaning repurposed baskets, you are welcomed to share your suggestions here.
