Questions to ask a wholesale supplier before your first order

Before your first order with a new wholesale supplier, ask where their stock comes from, how much shelf life it will have when it reaches you, exactly which pack size and variant you are getting, what the order terms are, and what happens if something arrives damaged. A supplier who answers these clearly and in writing is usually one you can work with for years. One who goes vague on any of them is telling you something too.

Questions about where the stock comes from

This is the question that matters most, especially for skincare and medicines.

• Where do you buy this product? From the brand, an authorised distributor, or another wholesaler?
• Can you tell me which country this particular stock was made for?
• If there is a problem with a batch, can you trace it back?

Be wary of answers like "we have our own channels". A good supplier may not hand over every invoice, but they should be able to describe the route plainly. For our part, DANJJAK buys from brands and their authorised distributors and does not sell what it cannot verify. Our about page explains how the business started and how we work.

Our separate guide on checking for genuine stock covers what to look at once the goods arrive.

Questions about expiry and storage

Short-dated stock is one of the most common sources of loss for small retailers. Ask before you order, not after.

• What is the expiry date on the stock you will send me?
• Do you send the oldest stock first?
• How is stock stored before it ships?

Some product listings flag shelf life openly. The Cardiprin listing, for example, states the expiry month of the current stock and asks buyers to purchase only if they can finish it before then. That kind of plain information is what you want for every line.

Storage matters too. The Duphalac lactulose syrup label says to store below 30°C and notes that prolonged high temperature may darken the syrup. If a supplier keeps stock in a hot unit, you want to know.

Questions about the exact product

Many products come in several sizes, scents or formats, and listings can be ambiguous. Confirm:

• The exact pack size and unit (a single tube, a box of 3, a carton).
• The variant, scent or colour, and if variants can be mixed in one order.
• Whether retail-size and travel-size versions are both available. Lux Luminique, for instance, comes as a 450g pack and as a 10g plus 10g travel sachet, which suit very different customers.
• The language on the packaging and whether an English label is included.

Write the agreed details into your order. Small misunderstandings here cause most returns.

Questions about order terms

Every supplier sets these differently, so ask rather than assume:

• What is the minimum order, per product and per order?
• Do prices change with quantity?
• How do you take payment, and when?
• How is delivery arranged within Singapore, and who pays for it?
• How much notice do you need for a repeat order?

Ask for the answers in writing, even if that is a WhatsApp message or an email. It saves arguments later. If you are not sure how to phrase a first message, our guide on writing an enquiry that gets a fast quote has a simple template.

Questions about when things go wrong

No supplier is perfect. What matters is how they handle problems.

• What should I do if a carton arrives damaged or a seal is broken?
• How long do I have to report a problem?
• Can you replace or credit items that arrive short-dated or wrong?
• Who do I contact, and how quickly do you usually reply?

A supplier who has thought about these questions will answer them quickly. If the answer is "that never happens", ask again.

Questions for regulated products

If you plan to sell medicines or cosmetics, remember that these are regulated in Singapore by the Health Sciences Authority (HSA). Ask your supplier what information they can provide about the products, but check directly with HSA what applies to your own business. A supplier cannot make that decision for you.

Ready to ask

If you would like to put these questions to us, send them through the contact form along with the products you are considering. We will answer each point and include price, minimum order and current stock, so you have everything in one reply.