Before you pick a supplier,know the model and the questions.
We cover the four supply models, your delivery-time obligation and the questions to ask a supplier. The panel has no registered supplier list yet; for a product idea, the Product Pipeline shows the number of candidate suppliers and the cost range.
This screen is not ready yet. What our B2B & Export Development service covers and its monthly price are published.
B2B lead generationWhat the supplier network offers today, and what it does not
For anyone selling their first product, the hardest question is where to buy it. The Supplier Network screen in the panel does not answer it with a list yet: there are no registered suppliers and no flow for adding one.
- It offers: for a product idea, the number of candidate suppliers, the cost range and a margin estimate in the supply stage of the product to ad pipeline.
- It offers: the selection guide on this page, covering supply models, your delivery obligation and the questions to ask.
- It does not offer: a registered supplier list, messaging, quote or sample tracking, or order management.
- It does not offer: factory audits or a reliability guarantee.
Four sourcing models and which one fits you
Suppliers usually fall into one of four models. Which one you pick depends on your capital, whether you will hold stock and whether you want to sell under your own brand.
| Model | How it works | Who it suits | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dropshipping supplier network | When an order comes in, the supplier ships straight to the customer | Low capital, testing products | Delivery time and returns depend on the supplier |
| Marketplace (AliExpress) | Buy from a single unit, wide range | Testing a product in small quantities | Shipping from a distant warehouse can be slow |
| Wholesale manufacturer (Alibaba) | Production with a minimum order, often under your own label | Building your own brand and able to hold stock | Upfront capital and a sampling process |
| Local wholesaler | Wholesale buying from a warehouse in Turkey | Sellers in Turkey who want fast delivery | The range can be narrower |
From idea to supplier
- 1Pick a model
Choose one of the four supply models based on your capital and whether you will hold stock.
- 2List candidates
Enter the product name in the Product Pipeline; its supply stage shows the number of candidate suppliers and the cost range.
- 3Ask
Put the questions below to each candidate and note the answers side by side.
- 4Verify
Ask your pick for a sample and read the terms on their own page.
- The supply stage of the Product Pipeline gives the candidate count, the cost range and, when a selling price is known, a margin estimate; it does not choose a supplier for you.
- You find your real supplier on the marketplace's or manufacturer's own page; messaging, quotes and orders happen there.
Delivery time is your legal obligation
A product shipped from a distant warehouse can miss the time you promised. In the US, the FTC's Mail, Internet or Telephone Order Rule requires shipping within the time you state. If you state none, the limit is 30 days.
Turkey's Distance Contracts Regulation sets a similar ceiling of thirty days for sales to Turkish consumers. So when you pick a supplier, look at its delivery time next to the one written on your store.
Ask before you choose a supplier
- 1Do they send samples, and is the sample fee credited against the order?
- 2What is the minimum order, and does it make sense for your first batch?
- 3How long does shipping to your market take, and from which warehouse?
- 4How do returns and replacements work for damaged or missing items?
- 5What are the payment terms, and is there a payment method that protects the buyer?
- 6Can they ship under your own label or in branded packaging?
A supplier follows the product idea
Looking for a supplier usually comes after a product idea. You find the idea in the niche radar or product hunting. Once you pick a supplier, start selling with the automatic store builder.
- For a product whose demand is not yet clear, check the direction of searches with trend analysis first.
- For products, orders and stock in a live store, there is the store management screen.
- If you need the opposite, buyers abroad, our international customer acquisition service handles the buyer list and first contact.
Frequently asked questions
What is the supplier network?
The panel screen where registered suppliers will be listed. Today it has no registered suppliers and no flow for adding one; we do not show sample profiles. This page is a guide to choosing a supplier.
Is there a supplier list in the panel?
Not yet. For a product idea, the supply stage of the Product Pipeline shows the number of candidate suppliers and the cost range. Ask for a sample and read the terms on the supplier's own page before you order.
How do I find suppliers for ecommerce?
Choose a sourcing model first: dropshipping, marketplace, wholesale manufacturer or local wholesaler. Then compare candidates on delivery time, minimum order, samples and return terms.
Can I message suppliers from here?
No. Messaging, quotes and orders happen on the supplier's own platform.
I dropship. Who is responsible if delivery is late?
To the customer, you are the seller. In the US the FTC rule requires shipping in the time you state or within 30 days. Turkey's distance contracts rules also set a thirty-day ceiling.
I sell into Turkey. What should I check in a supplier?
Look at the warehouse first: a supplier with a warehouse in Turkey shortens delivery. If you work from a distant warehouse, set the delivery time on your store from the supplier's longest delivery time.
How do I tell whether a supplier can ship under my own brand?
Ask whether they ship under your own label or in branded packaging. Wholesale manufacturers often offer it with a minimum order; ask for a sample and see the packaging yourself.
I have no product idea yet. Where should I start?
Find the idea first: the niche radar shows low-competition niches, product hunting shows what sells and trend analysis shows rising searches. Choosing a supplier comes after that.
Sources
The official documentation behind the technical points on this page:
- [1]FTC: Business Guide to the Mail, Internet, or Telephone Order Merchandise Rule
Sellers must ship in the stated time or within 30 days, and offer a delay or cancellation option.
- [2]Shopify Help Center: Dropshipping
Definition of the model where suppliers ship orders directly to customers.
- [3]Turkey: Distance Contracts Regulation (Mevzuat Bilgi Sistemi, Turkish)
The seller's thirty-day ceiling for fulfilling orders to Turkish consumers.
Related pages
- International customer acquisitionThe service where we build buyer lists abroad and make first contact.
- Niche radarFind product niches with demand and little competition.
- Product huntingStudy products that sell and their price ranges.
- Automatic store builderOpen your store quickly with the products you picked.
- Orders & FulfillmentEvery order from your Shopify store is followed on a five-step timeline; automatic supplier forwarding is not connected, so the order is marked “Forward manually” and you choose the supplier and send it yourself.
Choose your supplier with your eyes open.
This screen is not ready for use yet, so we do not offer it as a reason to buy a plan. The full panel is free with no time limit: brand, accounts, reports. Allowance: 10 captions a month, 2 images a month, 1 videos a month, 1 brand, 1 user.