For buyers
Buyer guide: sourcing wholesale stock on WholaHub
A practical checklist for professional buyers — how to read grades, size an order, vet a supplier and close a wholesale deal without surprises.
Before you enquire
Every listing on WholaHub is a bulk B2B lot, so the questions that matter are different from retail. Settle the commercial basics before you contact a seller: how much you can absorb, at what landed cost, and how quickly you need it.
- Check the minimum order quantity (MOQ) — some lots only sell as a full pallet or container
- Work out your landed cost: unit price + shipping + duties + expected defect rate
- Confirm the goods grade matches your resale channel
- Ask which country the stock ships from — it drives both lead time and VAT treatment
Reading the grades
Grading is the single most important field in a wholesale listing. WholaHub requires sellers to state it accurately, and buyers should treat any listing without a clear grade as incomplete.
- Grade A — as new, typically unopened or lightly handled; lowest defect rate
- Grade B — minor cosmetic defects, fully functional; the usual grade for returns pallets
- Grade C — visible defects; suited to repair, parts or discount channels
- Customer returns — untested returns, sold by the pallet; expect a mixed grade spread
- Insolvency goods — stock from a closure or administration, often new but sold as-is
- Mixed goods — several categories or grades in one lot; always ask for a manifest
Vetting a supplier
Every supplier on WholaHub is verified against a business registration and a VAT or tax ID before they can list. That is the floor, not the ceiling — use the profile signals to judge whether a supplier fits the size of order you are placing.
- Look at transaction count and average response time on the supplier profile
- Read the reviews left by other buyers, not just the star rating
- Ask for photos of the actual lot, plus a manifest for mixed pallets
- Request a proforma invoice before transferring anything
Closing the deal
WholaHub introduces the two companies and keeps the record of the inquiry. The contract, payment and shipping are agreed directly between buyer and seller, so put the terms in writing before money moves.
- Agree Incoterms explicitly (EXW and DAP imply very different costs)
- Confirm who arranges and insures transport
- Get an invoice with both VAT IDs for intra-EU B2B supply
- Document the condition on arrival — it is your evidence if the grade was misstated
Frequently asked questions
- Does it cost anything to buy on WholaHub?
- No. Browsing, filtering and sending inquiries is free for buyers. WholaHub charges sellers a commission on completed sales.
- Can I buy as a private individual?
- No. WholaHub is B2B only. You need a registered business with a valid trade registration and a VAT or tax ID.
- What is a typical minimum order?
- It varies by listing. Many lots start at one pallet; container-volume listings can require a full 40ft load. The MOQ is stated on every offer page.
- Who handles shipping?
- The seller states which shipping options they offer and to which countries. Transport and Incoterms are agreed directly between the two companies.
- What if the goods do not match the description?
- Document the discrepancy on arrival and raise it with the seller first. If it is not resolved, contact support@wholahub.de — misgraded stock affects a supplier's verification status.