cds/dvds/computer games

[oxford_fan]

when a big retailer like hmv, for example, buys a wack load of cd's, does anyone know where they get them from? is there 1 main distributor or do they go direct to record companies? and is it the same for smaller, indipendent retailers?

[Simon Pieman]

i think the smaller retailers go to a wholesaler. I'm not sure bout HMV but i would have thought they get them direct

[oxford_fan]

i think the smaller retailers go to a wholesaler. I'm not sure bout HMV but i would have thought they get them direct

how do you get in contact with wholesalers then if you were just starting out, for example? is there a directory of them somewhere?

[Simon Pieman]

http://www.thewholesaler.co.uk/trade/distributor/Music_CDs_and_tape_wholesale_suppliers_directory/

i always remembered was difficult to find information about this out when i did my business studies project.

[Dazzza]

Very tricky to find!

Like Pieman said I would have thought the likes of HMV simply buy vast amounts direct from the distributor and then ship to each store.  While the smaller operators deal with licensed 2nd party distributors who will deal to the smaller retail units.

I tried to source cheap region 2 DVDs from Hong Kong, where CD wow used to get all of their stock, but without actually physically going out there it's very hard to get the right contacts.

Do not pay to join a wholesale directory what ever you do!

Two out of every three so called trade wholesalers on the web are scams so it's best of avoided all together when looking for stock.

Are you thinking actual shop, selling online, small scale - friends & family or ebay?

[Simon Pieman]

my dad went to school with some bloke who owns a record shop. Could get him to email some info

[spacey]

If you look on the back of a CD it will have the name of the company that distributes it.You have to set up an account with that company if you want to order stuff. I've got a book that lists contact numbers for record companies and distributors called The music week directory, all the info you needs in there.

 http://www.subscription.co.uk/home/prods.asp?m=124

[oxford_fan]

cheers for your help lads, i've always fancied owning my own shop one day so was just curious rather than actually putting any plan into action at the mo.

[Whits]

I work in Computer Distribution and no one i know has ever head of us. But its the biggest Distributer in the UK. The middle men are always quite annonmous.