Sourcing the Product

 The one thing I learned about sourcing is that there is no one good way to source.  There are so many things to consider and the importance of those items change based on what is being sourced, that you need to know what you are selling ad to who before you ever decide on where to get the product.  A cursory look for options is probably a good idea when you are trying to decide what to sell but any more research at that point is a waste of time until you have a business plan in place.  What kind of business and what you are selling can change what source points are important.  Shipping is less important than variety if you are looking to have a lot of inventory but want a large option base for your customers.  Shipping becomes more important if the item you are selling is constantly being upgraded or improved.  A new cell phone today is trash in six months when the next greatest phone comes out.  Waiting a month for a delivery could mean you are left with unwanted stock.  Once you know what kind of business you are going to run and what you are going to sell, then it is very important that you research the heck out of the source options.  No aspect should be ignored.  It may not end up on the list of most important aspects but take a minute to consider anything that can be compared.  How long a sourcing company has been in business is usually not a consideration but take a minute to see how they compare.  A one year old business with price and warranty points that are amazing may be a better option on the surface but a 40 year business with consistent good reviews may be the better option.  Pick your big factors to consider but don't ignore the rest.