New E commerce site (sales, sell, companies, money)

[ajmac10]

Hello everyone, this question may only apply to a select few people in here, but here's the jist of it. I'd like to start an ecommerce website selling outdoor sporting goods equipment and accessories; hiking, camping, skiing, cycling gear etc. Company will be based out of the Denver, CO area with lots of outdoor marketing ideas already in the pipeline. I've got a vision to one day open a brick and mortar store once the website and brand name takes off in the community and in the web world.

Here's my question, how would I go about forming a relationship with brand name manufacturers in order to market and sell their products; (North Face, Columbia, Spyder)?? I know a lot of people have advice about drop-shippers, but I just get the feeling once I give my money to one of those sites that I'm going to get ripped off.

Any info or advice would be great. I'm at the product development and business formulation stage in the process, so I'm open to all types of ideas from those who have done something like this.

[Saltatrix]

Sound like you need to start a relationship with the 'distributors' -How will you generate traffic to your site?

[daddiesgirl]

The best place to start is at the manufacturer. Get in contact with them and ask "I'm starting a new retail/commerce store and would like to retail your products. Who would I talk to?" Almost all companies will either give you their salesperson's contact info, or at the least, point you in the right direction with a distributor that's authorized.