Wholesale Distributors for Cellular Phones

Finding wholesale distributors for cellular phones is never an easy task. Read more to learn about becoming a cellular dealer and how to locate wholesale sources for mobile phones.

There are two basic methods to becoming a cellular phone dealer. The first is to sign up with a legitimate cellular carrier to work as a dealer of their products. For example, AT&T Wireless and Sprint offer some assistance to anyone considering opening a kiosk or a storefront. The company will help set up the store so that the look and feel of the store follows the company standard. However, almost all cellphone producers require that dealers have a physical store, so selling exclusively online isn't usually an option for starting a mobile phone business of this kind.

Many people who would like to become a cellular dealer would rather purchase the items in bulk at steep discounts, and resell them either in a store or online. With cellphones, it isn't possible to buy new phones to resell, because most manufacturers distribute their own phones. So the only way to buy cellular phones wholesale is to purchase overstock, refurbished, or used phones. Wholesale distributors for cellphones are typically distributing large quantities of overstock or refurbished phones. To receive the discount, you will need to purchase a fairly large quantity of the phones.

Becoming a dealer for one of the major cellular phone companies is one option to establish yourself within the industry. While most cellular companies require you to have a physical storefront, you are also allowed to sell online, so you can increase your potential customer base by establishing a sales page on the Internet. The only drawback with becoming a direct dealer is that you are not purchasing the phones directly at discounted rates; you are actually serving as a sales agent for the company. In exchange, the cellular company provides you with training and assists with setting up your store. If you don't have a lot of upfront cash to start your cellular business, then this is probably your best solution. You also don't have to deal with wholesale distributors for cellular phones directly.

Another approach, very popular among online dealers, is to purchase large quantities of cellphones in bulk at auctions or directly from cellular wholesalers. An important distinction to make, and something most consumers don't realize, is that wholesalers within the cellular industry most often deal in overstock or refurbished mobile phones, not brand new phones. This wholesale market is a very large and competitive marketplace, but there are plenty of opportunities available for you to make your first bulk purchase and get your cellphone business started.

One of the easiest methods for someone who is new to retail industry to start their own online cellular dealership is to purchase large quantities of phones from online wholesale distributors. There are several ways to do this. One of the most popular places most new dealers obtain merchandise in bulk is actually from eBay.

There are two available options to buy wholesale cellular phones on eBay.

1. The Reseller Marketplace: eBay set up an entire separate and exclusive marketplace for eBay Powersellers. Powersellers are eBay sellers who have consistently listed and sold a certain volume of items from month to month. eBay rewards these sellers by providing them with "Powerseller" status. The Reseller Marketplace is one perk that comes with that status, and it provides eBay sellers unique access to companies who list large quantities of items, like cellphones, at very low cost.
2. Wholesale Lots: eBay set aside another part of eBay specifically for those sellers who have large quantities of items that they would like to sell all at once. Even though these listings don't include merchandise from large wholesalers, there are often some amazing bulk deals in this part of eBay.

Other excellent auctions for wholesale cellular phones include Recellular, Liquidation.com, BidOrBuyDirect, and Ubid.com.

Another option for resellers who want to buy in bulk but don't like the competition of auctions is to buy direct from the wholesale distributors for cellular phones. These are organizations that have contacts and sources within certain businesses or large retail chains, and they are responsible to sell overstock, surplus, or refurbished items at significant discount off of the phone's normal retail price. By establishing a relationship with the company directly, you will be able to search their inventory and purchase anything that's available without having to compete through a bidding process. Some of the websites below also provide auctions, but they primarily serve as a directory of businesses that are looking for resellers who are interested in buying large quantities of their items.

• Alibaba is a huge directory of businesses that are looking for dealers who are interested in purchasing their inventory in bulk. Be careful whenever dealing with international companies, because many of the products are often illegal reproductions of branded phones.
• Tradeget promotes itself as the "largest online business directory," with products and businesses from around the world.
• WholesaleDir includes auctions, but it is primarily a database of wholesalers who are ready to sell bulk purchases of cellular phones to you.

The method that you choose to enter into the cellular phone resale business really depends on what venue you hope to use to sell the products. If you are hoping to open a wireless store, then the best option is to contact each of the major cellular companies and inquire about their dealer contracts and terms. On the other hand, if you intent to remain exclusively online, then there is a great deal of business available through the various wholesale auctions and directories. They key is to establish good relationships with reputable cellular phone wholesalers early on so that you can maintain a constant source of products to resell. Doing so will ensure that your business is profitable for many years to come.

• Timeline of Mobile Phone
• Cell Phone Picture Gallery

• Free Blackberry Curve Applications Downloads
• Retrieve Text Messages Online
• Free BlackBerry Pearl Downloads
• Track a Cell Phone Using GPS
• Free Java for Windows Mobile 5

• Category:Cell Phone Guides and How-Tos
• Refurbished Verizon Cell Phones
• Cellular One
• Start a Mobile Phone Business