According to President and CEO Ron MacDonald, Crown7 stands out because of its commitment to pricing, quality, customer service, and taste. “We get a lot of customer feedback on the taste of our e-cigarettes,” he notes. “It takes more like a traditional cigarette than other brands.” In addition, the company supplies free point of purchase materials, and encourages buyers to contact Crown7’s office directly for warranty questions and other issues.

For Flea Market Buyers

Crown7 has a number of package deals available that are ideal for the flea market and swap meet buyer. “The disposable products come in a perforated cardboard package, where the sides peel off and it’s ready to display,” MacDonald says. “We also offer a Lucite case that will hold all of our products for display.” For vendors who are just looking to get into the electronic cigarette market, either the rechargeable or disposable products are bound to be a success for their table or booth. “I would recommend a complete lineup,” MacDonald adds. “If you get the refillable cartridges, you will get a number of return customers, but if you also carry the disposables, which are less expensive than the disposable kit, it allows buyers to use the e-cigarettes without having to spend the additional money on a rechargeable kit.”

MacDonald adds that Crown7 offers some of the highest margins in the industry, up to 400% for certain products, and does not have a minimum order size.

For more information:
Crown7
8350 East Evans Rd., Suite A7
Scottsdale, AZ 85260
Tel: 480-348-7899
Fax: 888-873-8094
Email: Support@crown7.com
Website: www.crown7.com

For more product stories, click here.

Country Club Products

“We are the original bed sheet wholesaler, so chances are, if you’re buying bed sheets from any other wholesaler, you’re buying from the wrong source,” says Steve Ladd, sales manager. “If you want price, value, and service, you buy from Country Club.” Focusing on building relationships with all of its buyers, the company wants to see all of its customers succeed by offering the latest styles in a large variety of colors, fabrics and patterns at highly competitive prices with excellent customer service.

Country Club’s main product lines are the Egyptian Comfort collection and the Christopher Adams collection. These sheet sets are made of micro fiber material, which offer the same softness and durability and luxury as cotton sheets. However, the price is far more affordable than cotton sheets. Christopher Adams is a top-level product that offers durability and is extra soft, created through a special patented manufacturing technique. We sell a huge variety of sheet sets, including printed sets, animal skin prints, embroidered sheets, solid color sets, and children’s sheets sets,” Ladd notes.

Volume discounts are always available, and Ladd explains that Country Club will beat any price, and is willing to work with customers to fit their needs. Country Club offers free shipping to customers in the United States and Canada, always with on-time delivery. Purchasing a Master Carton gives the buyer 12 of the best selling colors, allowing for a great variety of merchandise in test-market proven colors.

Attractive Packaging

Sets are packaged in a clear bag with framed edges, and are built to stand up. “Our packaging is very beautiful; it’s not just in a zipper bag,” Ladd adds. “Country Club’s sheets sets are packaged with a wire frame on the outside, making them very presentable. These are sheets similar to what you would see in most major high-end department stores, but with the best price available, so you can give your customers a great deal. It really creates a buying frenzy.”

Country Club’s products are ideal for the flea market audience not only because of the packaging, but also due to the universal appeal of quality bed sheets. “It’s an everyday item, and it sells like hot bread,” Ladd says. “People just love to buy bed sheets. They are something that everybody uses, and when customers are just walking around the flea market, it’s an item that everybody is attracted to.”

For more information:
Country Club Products
706 Trumbull Street
Elizabeth, NJ 07201
Tel: 908-352-5400
Fax: 718-228-4678
Website: www.countryclubproducts.com

For more supplier stories, click here.

Visit Ben’s Flea Market open every Saturday and Sunday! Enjoy hunting for bargains where you will find a wide variety of collectibles, antiques, crafts, food items, clothing, books, art and more. We have over 100 specialized vendors in our clean, family-friendly facility – right inside our Ben’s Brands for Less Furniture store! Area’s largest indoor / outdoor Flea Market.

Visit Ben’s Flea Market open every Saturday and Sunday! Enjoy hunting for bargains where you will find a wide variety of collectibles, antiques, crafts, food items, clothing, books, art and more. We have over 100 specialized vendors in our clean, family-friendly facility – right inside our Ben’s Brands for Less Furniture store! Area’s largest indoor / outdoor Flea Market.

For Thornton, the location was a huge factor in starting the flea market. “It’s on a very busy highway where there is a lot of traffic, and it’s right between two great cities, Decatur and Moulton, so there is a lot of traffic that goes up and down the highway constantly,” she notes. With about six acres for outdoor sellers and two large buildings for indoor dealers, the market will initially have space for about 300 vendors.

Information for Vendors

Open Saturdays and Sundays from 8 to 5, the cost for vendors will be $30 for the weekend or $100 a month. Spaces indoors are 9 x 10, with 10 x 10 spots outside, although there will also be some 10 x 20 tables that will allow vendors to sell out of their truck or camper if desired. Electricity is $5 per day, and vendors can set up on Fridays from 8 until 5.

The flea market will be located at 25354 Highway 24 in Trinity, Alabama. For more information, call 256-565-7843.

For more flea market news, click here.

Featured Online Sellers

• Asia Pacific Trading
• CTS Wholesale LLC
• Fairwind Sunglasses
• Kachina LLC.
• Mass Vision Inc
• PR Sunglasses
• Readerest
• Sunny Sunglasses
• Sunny Trading

Sunglasses started to become more popular in the early 1900’s, especially among movie stars. As a result, modern day sunglasses are in vogue as a fashion accessory, bought for their designs, colors and shapes, rather than for necessity. While sunglasses are one of the easiest ways to protect eyes from damage from the sun, the fashion accessory has a more glamorous purpose in the eyes of wearers. It’s this glam factor that has kept Kachina LLC in the sunglass market for a decade, giving vendors and their customers access to the newest looks, as well as great varieties in the hottest trends, at affordable pricing. “We have repeat customers because we offer value and an exceptional line of products,” says CEO, Guy Weizmann.

Categorized into four tiered collections, Kachina’s line of products have something for every look and every personality. The Iron Collection offers style and affordability. The Silver Collection carries those trendy seasonal looks. Then there is the Gold Collection for a more bold and refined choice, and the Diamond Collection is specifically made for the fashion driven buyer. And while style may be at the top of a wearer’s list of priorities when purchasing sunglasses, protection is still the purpose. “We let our customers know that behind the fashion there is still that UV 400 Protection that will keep their eyes protected,” explains Weizmann.

Kachina’s fashion forward line may drive sales, but it is the company’s customer service that keeps customers. “We specialize in tailoring our products and ideals to match our customers’ needs in the present, and develop programs that have led to long relationships,” says Weizmann. With a minimum order of ten dozen, retailers and vendors alike are able to display more than ten options. “Our minimum orders offer maximum options in variety, because our sunglasses come in sorted dozens with the most popular colors and designs of the season,” he adds. “Many times one style can have from two to six variations.” Sunglasses selection is not the only variety Kachina offers, as displays for product placement are also numerous. From the D-120 that holds up to 120 pairs of sunglasses to the smallest display that holds 12, Kachina can accommodate any size space.

Part of the Summer Wardrobe

As 2012 begins and sunglass season is about to arrive, Weizmann remembers that while sunglasses are a necessity, they are a large part of everyone’s spring and summer wardrobe. Just like a handbag, consumers want what is in season. “This year, we feel people are looking for something fun, with great function,” he says. “Bright colors are going to be trendy, while a throwback to traditional shapes will make a strong comeback.” For retailers looking to revitalize their inventory with this year’s fashion forward designs at the ASD show in March, Kachina will be offering a 30 day money back guarantee, price match guarantee, free shipping for orders over $1,000, and a free gift.

Like Kachina, Pacific Link is forecasting a similar fun and functional fashion season for sunglasses in 2012. In fact, its spring fashion line will be featuring bright and neon colors, as well as animal prints. Updating its previous 900 plus skus, the company plans to continue with 600 of its best selling styles, and add 200 plus new styles to this year’s line. “Our goal is to update our inventory so that our customers can do the same, and offer the most up to date trends in the sunglass market,” says Ron Bryan, sales and marketing director.

Pacific Link, however, does plan on continuing its own sports sunglass line, Element 8. Updating offers every month, the company still finds that sport glasses continue to be a big part of the business. No matter the style, “the wholesale price averages about $24 a dozen, with discounts offered for quantities,” Bryan says. Even with an update in inventory, the pricing structure will remain roughly the same. “We will continue to offer discounts to first time customers, and as always, pricing will be customized for every buyer purchasing from us,” Bryan adds. Pacific Link’s business model is simple. “We sell to anybody who buys wholesale sunglasses. It could be jobbers, convenience stores, flea markets, or kiosks in the mall,” notes Bryan.

Pacific Link knows that customers need information about the variety it offers, especially regarding new products. To that end, Pacific Link’s website, www.sunglassespacificlink.com, launched a new redesign in January, serving as an invaluable news and buying aid. “Customers can go there and look at every product we have,” Bryan says. There is also an option to see upcoming styles. Keeping up with constant change is a part of the company’s success. “We keep up with the current trends, which seem to change every two or three months,” says Bryan. “Whether it be an Aviator or a Colored Wayfarer, we just try to stay on top of current trends.”

In business since 1998, Pacific Link has expanded into an international operation. “David Chin, a Chinese born American, started the business in the back of his parents’ restaurant. Beginning when sunglasses were just becoming hot in the accessories industry, Chin has grown his business and contacts, and now has a 40,000 square foot warehouse in Georgia,” notes Bryan. Actively seeking new business, Pacific Link is willing to cater to customer needs. “We do specials from time to time when we appear at tradeshows, but we’re willing to work with anyone, whether they are looking to order one dozen sunglasses or 1,000 dozens.” A call to the company allows for quick qualification, and a product and pricing list is sent out to start the process.

Also a veteran in the industry, witnessing the rise of sunglasses as a hot accessory item, is CTS Wholesale. Kirk Bachelder, president, boasts an impressive 29 years experience in the sunglass business, but it is his familiarity with the retail and wholesale industries that makes him such a successful supplier. “Our main mission at CTS Wholesale is to help new entrepreneurs or business owners succeed in the sunglass business,” he says, and that means more than supplying today’s hottest styles and fashion trends. “We have everything it takes, from displays to accessories and much more,” he adds.

For 2012 CTS plans on continuing with its best practices, focusing on fashion, functionality and top of the line customer service. Finding a niche in sports sunglasses, CTS foresees a good market for its Xsportz line in the new selling season. And at a wholesale price of $1.33 per pair, retailers also foresee a good selling season, expecting to make a hefty profit retailing these sunglasses for $8 to $12 per pair.

Affordable Prices

Over the years, sunglass suppliers have experienced increasing difficulty in providing popular styles and designer products, as well as competitive pricing. However, CTS offers a Designer line that gives retailers and vendors the ability to stock designer styles such as aviator and wayfarer sunglasses at affordable prices. “Bachelder notes, “Carrying the CTS Designer line means providing your customers with fashion-forward attitude, without the price tag. Keeping these great shades in stock means having the most desirable merchandise on hand, and available for immediate sales.” With no minimum order, buyers also have the opportunity to verify the quality of CTS’ sunglasses before placing a larger order. “We know that our products are top quality, and once our customers and their customers have the opportunity to see them, they will know too,” says Bachelder.

For CTS, it’s about satisfying the customer. “Customers of CTS Wholesale can be assured that our staff has first hand knowledge of not only the product, but the venues in which they sell. It is with this understanding of the industry from both sides that lends itself to our dedication to customer service, prompt shipping and low pricing,” Bachelder notes. He takes pride in selling and shipping to many different types of wholesale buyers, including gift shops, swap meets, mall kiosks, and more, believing his products are marketable in any venue. “We are noticing many distributors coming into the marketplace are drop shippers,” Bachelder says. “It makes it easy for us to set ourselves apart, being a direct importer with a large selection, and being able to work directly with our customers.”

Also successful in its deliverance of top of the line customer service is PR Sunglasses, a sunglass distributor for over 25 years that has learned to focus on service in a fickle, fashion-forward industry. “It is not easy to predict what will be the new hot product. We are constantly watching the fashion media to follow up on new trends,” says Janice Chien, sales manager. “Our mission is to provide the most current fashion trends in the sunglass industry, with good quality, competitive pricing, and most importantly, customer service. The customer always comes first with us, which is why they keep coming back.”

PR Sunglasses carries thousands of sunglass styles, including its best selling Sports Wraps, Lady Fashion Frames and Reading Glass lines. Last year, the Aviator and Wayfarer lines were popular, a trend Chien believes will continue into the spring of 2012. “However, while everyone was looking for “retro” styles last year, in 2012 more colorful frames will be popular,” she adds. And for low wholesale prices ranging from $13 to $36 per dozen, retailers can offer these new neon styles and make a decent profit margin at $5.99 to $24.99 retail per pair. In addition to numerous styles, colors and varieties of eyewear, PR Sunglasses also carries cords, cases, and countertop and floor displays to better showcase its lines. Minimum orders start at $100, and most orders ship on the day they are placed. “We do provide volume discounts for customers who buy in bulk,” adds Chien. Pricing is available on request, and new registrants to the site only need to provide a Tax ID number to begin ordering.

Now is the time to start stocking up on high profit sunglasses, whether your customers are looking for fashion, sport or simply everyday styles. The season is calling for bright, bold, fun and functional, and those wholesalers with a fashion forward eye will help in updating your spring line, and do so at highly competitive prices.

For more information:
Kachina LLC
1640 East Edinger Avenue # L
Santa Ana, CA 92705
Toll Free: 800-550-1231
Tel.: 714-550-0209
Fax: 714-550-0210
Email: info@kachinallc.com
Website: www.kachinallc.com

Pacific Link
1223 Coronet Drive, Ste 3
Dalton, GA 30720
Toll Free: 866-824-0079
Fax: 706-272-7979
Email: infopacificlink@windstream.net
Website: sunglassespacificlink.com

CTS Wholesale, LLC
3525 Brady CT. N.E.
Salem, OR 97301
Tel.: 503-364-3486
Toll Free: 800-796-3486
Fax: 503-589-4121
Email: info@ctswholesalesunglasses.com
Website: www.ctswholesalesunglasses.com

PR Sunglasses
7596 Harwin Drive
Houston, TX 77036
Tel.: 713-975-8252
Toll Free: 800-777-7656
Fax: 713-975-8257
Email: info@prsunglasses.com
Website: www.prsunglasses.com

Check out the electronic edition of the February 2012 issue:

East Coast Merchandiser February 2012

Midwest Merchandiser February 2012

Western Merchandiser February 2012

Officially Licensed Merchandise

Moraux notes that American Tee Shirt currently offers about 15,000 products on its wholesale site, selling not only t-shirts but also long-sleeve shirts, hoodies, hats, bags, wallets, posters, and other items for hundreds of bands and artists, all of which are officially licensed. With a quick turnaround time, the wholesaler is dedicated to maintaining the relationship with its customer base through excellent service that will keep them coming back year after year.

New items arrive throughout the year, usually a few times per month, with a larger amount often arriving near the end of the year as companies look to release goods with that year’s tour dates listed. “We look forward to having a constant flow of new products to keep our customer base happy, and the opportunities are always going to be fresh,” Moraux adds. “We find that once people find us, they stay with us.”

American Tee Shirt’s goods are generally 20 to 30 percent lower than other distributors’ music merchandise, Moraux explains, which allows for most flea market vendors to mark up the goods at double or triple the wholesale price. With a minimum order size of only $150, buyers can make small or large purchases and have the merchandise sent quickly. “We stand behind our products 100%, and never get goods shipped back to us,” he adds. “We’re a reliable, time-tested source for retailers.”

For more information:
American Tee Shirt
6318 Easton Rd.
Pipersville, PA 18947
Tel: 215-766-7737
Fax: 215-766-9477
Email: info@Americanteeshirt.com
Website: www.americanteeshirt.com

For more news on quality suppliers, click here.

Operating year-round, the market is open Fridays 10-3, Saturdays 9-4, and Sundays from 10-3, with room for about 25 vendors indoors and 30 outdoors. Tag It has a large variety of merchandise, with everything from antiques and knives to brand new furniture and sporting goods, as well as food vendors selling outside.

A Community Affair

“We’ve gotten a great reception,” Lewis notes. “This is a wonderful area, and a great property to put a flea market on. The community has been absolutely amazing, from the neighbors coming out and seeing what’s going on to the vendors coming from all over the place and selling their stuff.” Further expansion may include additional outdoor spaces and a community garden, he adds.

Rental rates range from $10 to $20 per day, depending on the size and location of the space. For more information, call 1-330-725-7000.

For more flea market news, click here.

Opening February 2012, located at the newly remodeled Cookeville Mall building, fully heated and air conditioned indoor space available. Market hours are Fridays 8am – 8pm, Saturdays 8am – 6pm, and Sundays 8am – 4pm. Please contact Charlie Whited at 931-349-5710 for booth information. Weekend rates available.