***GENERAL INFO***
This serves as random info pertaining more to new members, and those wanting to venture down the black hole that is India Mart. You've been warned. Haha
I've received several questions through DMs and rather than reply to all this is easier.
From what I’ve been able to determine, the Indian market essentially operates in three arenas stocking wholesalers, wholesale distributors, and retail. Even accounting for risk, pricing at the wholesale and distributor level is still significantly cheaper than domestic or other sources we’re familiar with here. The main missing piece so far is a proven, reliable reship option, which means the risk/reward factor still exists. That said, based on the pricing I’ve evaluated, even two to three seizures would still be cheaper overall, as long as retail is avoided for the most part. We’ll probably all vary in opinion on that depending on total order volume, cost, and how much you’re personally willing to spend and risk across transactions.
You’ve probably noticed how wildly prices vary from vendor to vendor. It’s not so much the manufacturers, that part is fairly consistent but rather the pricing of identical items.
For example::: Vendor A may have brand name medication-1 at a very low cost, while Vendor B charges triple for the same item yet offers a completely different medication-2 at a fraction of Vendor A’s price. I’ve determined the first “remedy” they often offer is pushing a different, lesser manufacturer. Don’t jump to this right away stick to your guns and pursue the item you want at the price you’re aiming for. They know the market is flooded on IndiaMART and that competition is vast.
There’s very little internal logic unless you map it out. My goal with this is to develope a list to bring some sanity to the purchasing process by identifying the best route for specific items rather than relying on a single vendor. While this requires multiple orders from different sources, it should ultimately produce the lowest possible cost with the highest efficiency.
I currently have three orders out as of today and have already pushed back on shipping costs, which were excessive. I’m also evaluating margins on shipping. One vendor immediately cut their shipping cost in half after I called it out, and I’m hoping to leverage that with others. That should give a clearer picture of true costs while also weighing whether certain shipping options offer a better probability of landing.
Honestly, a while back I was informed they’re aware of this thread, and it wouldn’t surprise me if some have taken to the board to gain intel. Their culture is very business/cunning oriented and at times overly pushy oriented so hopefully, if that’s the case, they’ll read what’s going on here and accommodate accordingly for the business avenue it brings.
Pricing fluctuates heavily based on quantity. For one item, I priced it by strip, box, and then multiple boxes, and the price drops to nearly one third at the multiple box level, significant enough to rule out single strips or small quantities altogether. Where possible, pricing at the box level offers meaningful additional savings.
Honestly, with all of this, I’m just bored and I enjoy negotiations so it’s been a fun process, conveniently enough. My concern is that by the time I gather enough solid information, something will change and I’ll have wasted my time. But for now, I endure the constant “sir,” “Mr,” and “friend.”
***SIDE NOTE***
I’VE IDENTIFIED WITH CERTAINTY ONE ENTITY BEING TARGETED FOR SCAMMING.
SKY HEALTH IS A LEGITIMATE ENTITY; HOWEVER, NUMEROUS ACCOUNTS EXIST THAT ARE SCAMMERS. IF YOU INTEND ON USING THEM, ENSURE IT IS THE WELL REFERRED TO AND REVIEWED “SKY HEALTH.”
IT WON’T BE HARD TO DETERMINE...THE SCAMMERS USUALLY REPLY WITH
“SUP YOU NEED SOME MEDS OR SOME STUFF?”
ANOTHER WORD ON SCAMMING.
TRY TO DRAG YOUR ORDER OUT AND GET A FEEL FOR WHO YOU'RE COMMUNICATING WITH. TYPICALLY AFTER A FEW DAYS IF IT'S THROUGH WHATSAPP, THEY OFTEN GET BANNED. SO UNLESS YOU'RE IN A HURRY PROLONGING THE CONVERSATION HAS PROVEN TO BE BENEFICIAL.
WITH THAT SAID I HAVE COME ACROSS MORE LEGITIMATE VENDORS THAN NOT. IT'S A BUSINESS BUT DO YOUR RESEARCH.