Dealer/Distributor Questions!

S

Shawn F.

New member
I own and operate a full service detailing shop here in Charlotte, North Carolina. One of the things I have been wanting to add and steer towards is selling auto detailing products and a handful of other things like pinstripe brushes, One Shot paint, etc. My shop is located in South Charlotte only 10 minutes from the South Carolina border and I know I'd do well selling products here because of the fact that there are little to no detail supply shops around here that sell a wide variety of supplies (mostly just specific name brands like Castle, HD, PRO, etc). I'd of course also have an online store. This is something I have had in my head for 2 years now and have been working on a business plan for it. There are PLENTY of mobile detailers here, fixed shops, body shops and dealerships. I have had a big handful of companies, clients and friends tell me that they would buy from me on a regular basis if I got it started..



My question(s) I have are about setting up accounts with companies. I am hoping to get your opinions on whether or not I should go through someone like AutoGeek, Detailed Image, etc and get set up with them as a distributor to sell all sorts of items or go straight to the company (Optimum for example) and do it this way? I have already been set up with a microfiber company with wholesale pricing and am looking to get more and get the ball rolling shortly!



Any information, suggestions and opinions would be GREATLY appreciated!
 
Go straight to the source for the best price. You also might find that AG is the master distributor on certain lines and you may need to order straight through them anyways.



Good luck!
 
Thanks David. I kind of figured this... The only positive I can see with going with someone like Detailed Image or AG is minimum order. Instead of minimum order of $10,000 of just one brand, they may do it for multiple brands. Starting out I plan to carry 3 brands of products and all microfiber. As time goes on and if business does well then I will add more brands but I know what majority of the guys around here use. I figured that if I can compete with online stores then instead of them having to order online and wait 3-4 days they can pick it up local or in case of emergency then can run down to my shop and pick up whatever they want...
 
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