If you’re reading this blog post it means you have taken the initial steps of sourcing from Turkey..

Unlike other countries such as China where B2B platforms like Alibaba provide easy access to thousands of vendors. Or USA sites as FashionGo which has become a well-know B2B platform amongst boutique owners. Sourcing from Turkey however is slightly more complex. Although in 2024 I still can’t fathom why one of the world’s leading textile hubs worth $12.9 billion to be exact, still lacks a straightforward B2B site that seamlessly connects retailers across the globe directly to Turkish wholesalers. I mean can you imagine; how easy life would be if we didn’t have to fly all the way to Istanbul or hire a fashion buyer to visit each wholesale district.

The good news is our team has a B2B website launching later this year…. Finally!!!!

The B2B sites I have seen so far are simply taking images from the vendors telegrams and then reposting them on their websites and reselling them for a markup price, which pretty much defeats the purpose of buying directly from the supplier. Don’t get me wrong there are tradeshows and exhibitions taking place in Turkey monthly, but again they are not widely publicised. Remember most people don’t even know Turkey has a wholesale market yet alone it even exists, which led me to launch Nobarriersgrowth.

So how do you source products from Istanbul without needing to waste money hiring a fashion buyer or middleman?

You’re going to need the following below:

1. Android phone or I phone
2. Telegram and WhatsApp
3. Instagram Account
4. Cargo company
5. Patience (lots of it)

Connecting to wholesalers doesn’t need to be complex. All you need is to download the telegram app. Assuming you already have WhatsApp, you can simply send a message to the wholesalers, and they’ll forward you a direct link to join their telegram channel. Yes, sounds very confusing at first, but wholesalers are skeptical when it comes to sharing their new products with random people. WhatsApp is the first point of contact; you’re essentially introducing yourself to the vendor. Don’t get me wrong, a lot of wholesalers also use WhatsApp to share new designs, but just be prepared for a barrage of daily messages.

You will need to download the telegram app to connect to vendors:

I know, you’re probably thinking why must I go through WhatsApp first to connect to the wholesalers telegram? Remember I mentioned needing patience. This is one of those times! If you haven’t physically flown out to Istanbul and met the wholesalers directly to get their telegram link, chances are you will need to contact them through WhatsApp first to get the link. You can, of course, purchase our vendor list here which has all the wholesaler’s information including, WhatsApp contact number, Instagram handles, and everything you need to start your sourcing journey.

INSTAGRAM

Over 90% of wholesalers in Turkey don’t have websites therefore, Instagram is where vendors showcase their latest designs. The products are usually consist of E-commerce shots of models wearing the new season designs. However  you will still need to contact the vendors through WhatsApp to place an order. Telegram is also where you can see both the prices and sizes of items.Vendors are not going to post everything on Instagram as there are far too many items to upload. In other words, telegram and Instagram are for viewing products, and WhatsApp is for placing orders.

PATIENCE

You’re going to reach out to some vendors via WhatsApp who are going to give you the silent treatment or respond to you hours or days later. This is completely normal by the way because 99% of Turkish wholesalers are super busy. Honestly just use telegram guys it will save you the time trying to translate and send back-and-forth questions regarding prices and products. Remember half of these vendors are working with hundreds of clients, you are not going to automatically skip the priority list because you’re demanding a response. Be patient, send a message and wait, chances are they may not understand English and have forwarded your message to someone else on the team who can translate and help you further.

SHIPPING

Most wholesalers will request your cargo information to forward your goods. Although a small percentage of wholesalers may recommend some cargos to use, the reality is they are not experts at shipping. I have seen wholesalers use the wrong cargos which has caused havoc! Luckily, I have done all the hard work and given you a free one called Fesmina Cargo. They are based in Laleli and ship globally, did I also mention they are super affordable.

The process of getting your stock from the wholesalers to your cargo is simple:

You will place your order with the wholesaler, pay for your goods and give them your cargo’s information, so they can arrange a collection for your stock. Some cargo companies have their own couriers who will come and collect the goods directly from the wholesalers for free and bring them straight to the cargo’s depo. Whilst others expect the wholesalers to drop the items of instead. Some wholesalers may charge a small fee for this, but this is usually no more than 40-60 lira which works out to $4. Once the goods arrive at the cargo, they will contact you and arrange shipment and send all the details such as package volume and price and that’s it! Just remember to contact the cargo company beforehand. Let them know the wholesalers you’re planning on buying from. The worst thing you can do is get your stock sent to a cargo company and they have no idea who you are.