You’ve been preparing your product and decided on its packaging. The next step is to determine how many bottles you will need and how they’ll be obtained.
You have the option to buy in bulk, but you can also purchase wholesale bottles, and do so online.
When you’re working with your chosen distributor, chances are that they will offer wholesale bottles pricing based on the quantity purchased. Bear in mind that you will need a wholesale account, so your distributor can help you with that.
When you go online, you may see various quantity prices listed online for your wholesale bottles as you prepare to make your purchase. Bear in mind that the minimum wholesale may differ from distributor to distributor.
For example, you may be able to order your wholesale bottles in cases of 10. On the other hand, the orders may be for 100 pieces or by the gross, that is, 144 pieces each.
On the other hand, you may be able to combine your wholesale bottles online order in order to receive a higher quantity discount. Say you want to purchase 72 pieces of a 4-oz clear PET Boston round and 72 pieces of a 6-oz white HDPE cylinder. If both have the same price, you could receive a discount that is equal to 144 pieces based on the purchase price of 144 pieces of a single type of bottle.
How to source wholesale products
When you’re looking for wholesale bottles to your products, you’ll need to find reliable distributors suppliers. Sourcing your bottles can be something of a challenge, so here are some tips to be aware of.
- Choose your supplier type – Depending on what kind of business you have — online versus brick and mortar or both — you will need to decide on the type of wholesale supplier you want to use for your containers. Suppliers like distributors generally source large varieties of bottles and other container types from a number of several manufacturers. Minimum quantities are usually low and you can buy bottles from different manufacturers in a single order. Distributors can use their extensive networks to locate or custom build the very best bottles to fit your products’ needs. They can also help you manage the entire process complete through to delivery.
- Where to find your supplier – The first place to find your supplier is to look online. You can use the major search engines like Google or Yahoo or you can use wholesale-specific trade-based search engines like Wholesale Central, Top Ten Wholesale, or GoWholesale. There are also other trade sites such as Global Sources and Alibaba. These enable you to find suppliers all around the world. Be sure to check your print trade publications that include Retailers Forum and The Closeout News. You can also attend trade shows where many suppliers are i attendance to show their container products.
- Do your research – This is important. Like with anything, there will be bad businesses around, so do your homework. When you’re on any supplier’s website, investigate all of their policies. Look for their contact details, including their physical address. Don’t settle for a plain contact form. You’re best calling or emailing them and ask questions about their products, terms, and policies. Try obtaining some customer references too!
- Keep up the research – Check out the online forums and ask questions. Look at this as being an exercise in obtaining references. And don’t forget to check for them in Hoover’s Online and the Better Business Bureau. These can be very telling.
- Contact the supplier and place your order – Once you’ve done all of your research and are satisfied with your chosen supplier of your wholesale bottles, place your online order. Most of these businesses have secure online payment systems established. Make sure that you’re receiving the correct wholesale pricing. True wholesale suppliers will usually deal with businesses only and will require specific forms of identification.
- Forms of required identification – These will vary from state to state but can include these types of identification.
- Seller’s permit / Reseller’s permit / Sales permit – This is required if your business is purchasing items for resale. Obtain this from your state’s Franchise Tax Board.
- Local business license – The location where you conduct your business will require that you possess a local business license. You can obtain information about how to obtain one through your city hall.
- State business license – You generally won’t need this unless you’re selling tobacco products or alcohol. Contact your local government offices for the specific requirements.
- Sales tax license – Be aware that you may have to collect state sales tax, much like your bottle supplier would do with your order if you’re in a state that requires it. When you have this,, you are legally able to charge sales tax for your products. Contact your State Franchise Tax Board to learn how to get this particular license.
- Federal license – Only a small number of businesses need this particular license: those that deal with products like firearms.
Choosing the right wholesale bottles for your products can be difficult and vital to your branding. MJS Packaging offers the best customer service and lowest prices for your pharmaceutical product packaging. We have exclusive access to manufacturers from all around the world, so we can advise you on the best bottles, tubes, closures, caps, and other packaging needs you require.
