How to Ask a Brand for Wholesale Pricing (and Get a Reply)

Updated September 2026 · 8 min read

Short answer: To ask for wholesale pricing, send the brand a short, specific email that says who you are, where you sell, which products you’re interested in, and that you have a resale certificate. Ask for their line sheet, minimum order, and terms, then follow up once after about a week if you don’t hear back.

Brands get a lot of emails asking for “your wholesale prices.” Many go unanswered because the sender looks like a shopper hunting for a discount, not a real store. Knowing how to ask for wholesale pricing the right way changes that. This guide shows you what to prepare, what to write, and how to follow up without being a pest.

Why don’t brands reply to wholesale requests?

Put yourself in the brand’s shoes. A small brand might have one person handling wholesale, customer service, and shipping. When an email arrives, they’re asking a few quick questions:

• Is this a real business? A vague message from a personal email with no store link looks risky.
• Is it a good fit? A handmade soap maker may not want to sell next to discount goods.
• Will this person actually order? Brands have learned that “send me your prices” often leads nowhere.
• Is the answer already on the website? If there’s a wholesale form and you skipped it, you may be ignored.

Your job is to answer those questions before they’re asked.

What should you have ready before you ask for wholesale pricing?

If you don’t have a resale certificate yet, get that sorted first. Most brands won’t sell at wholesale without one, and it saves you from paying sales tax on inventory. Our guide on how to get a resale certificate walks through it.

Where should you send the request?

Before you write anything, look around the brand’s website. Check the footer and menu for links labeled wholesale, stockists, retailers, or trade. Many brands have:

• A wholesale application form. Use it. It goes straight to the right person.
• A wholesale email address. Often something like a “wholesale@” inbox.
• A sales rep or agency. Larger brands often send stores to a regional rep who handles your area.
• A listing on an online B2B marketplace. If so, the pricing may already be visible once you have a buyer account.

If you can’t find any of these, use the general contact form or email and put “Wholesale inquiry” in the subject line.

How do you ask for wholesale pricing by email?

Keep it short. Five to eight sentences is plenty. Here’s the structure that tends to get replies.

Copy-and-paste email template

Subject: Wholesale inquiry from [Store Name], [City, State]

Hi [Name or Brand team],

I own [Store Name], a [type of store, e.g. gift and home shop] in [City, State]. We’ve been open [X years] and sell [short description of what you carry] to [who your customers are].

I came across your [product line] and think your [specific product 1] and [specific product 2] would be a great fit next to our [related category]. I’d like to carry them for the [season] season.

Could you send your wholesale line sheet, along with your opening and reorder minimums, payment terms, and current lead times? I have a resale certificate and can send it along with any application you need. You can see our shop at [website or social link].

Thanks so much,
[Your name]
[Title], [Store Name]
[Phone] | [Website]

Why this template works

It proves you’re a real store, shows you actually looked at their products, and asks for the exact documents they already have on hand. A line sheet is the standard document brands use to share wholesale prices. If you’re not sure what one looks like, read what a line sheet is and what buyers look for.

What questions should you ask about pricing?

Once the brand replies, the wholesale price itself is only part of the picture. Ask about the things that change your real cost.

Question	Why it matters
What’s the suggested retail price (MSRP)?	Tells you your likely margin
What’s the opening minimum? Reorder minimum?	Sets how much cash you need up front
Are there quantity discounts?	Bigger orders may lower your unit cost
Who pays shipping? Is there a free-freight threshold?	Freight can add a lot to small orders
What are the payment terms?	Prepaid vs. net terms affects cash flow
Do you have a minimum advertised price (MAP) policy?	Limits how you can promote the product
Do you offer exclusivity in my area?	Helps you avoid competing with the shop next door

Some brands offer price breaks at higher order levels. Our guide to tiered wholesale pricing shows how to tell whether a bigger order is actually worth it.

How long should you wait before following up?

Give it about a week. Small brands are busy, especially before trade show season and the holidays. If you haven’t heard back, send one polite follow-up in the same email thread:

“Hi [Name], just following up on my note below. We’d love to carry your [product] this [season]. Is there a wholesale form or rep I should contact instead? Thanks!”

If there’s still no answer after another week or two, try a different channel, like a phone call or a message through their social account. After that, move on. A brand that can’t answer a buyer’s email probably won’t be great at shipping orders on time either.

What mistakes get wholesale requests ignored?

• “What’s your best price?” with no other details. It reads like a bargain hunter.
• Asking for free samples in the first email. Offer to buy samples instead, or wait until they know you.
• A copied message sent to fifty brands. Brands can tell. Mention at least one specific product.
• No proof you’re a business. No link, no location, no resale certificate.
• Negotiating before you’ve ordered. Ask for standard terms first. Discounts come after you’ve shown you can sell their products.
• Ignoring their process. If the site says “apply here,” an email may just get sent back to the form.

What if a brand turns you down?

It happens, and it’s usually not personal. A brand may already have a store near you, may only sell through reps or distributors, or may not sell to online-only shops. Ask politely whether there’s a distributor you can buy from, or whether they’d reconsider in six months once you’ve built up your shop. Then thank them and move on to the next brand on your list.

FAQ

Can I ask for wholesale pricing without a store?

Yes, if you have a registered business and sell somewhere, like online, at markets, or through pop-ups. Be upfront about how you sell. Some brands only work with physical stores.

How do I ask a supplier for a better wholesale price?

Wait until you’ve placed an order or two. Then ask about volume discounts, prepay discounts, or better pricing on a larger seasonal order. Give them a reason that works for both sides.

Is it OK to call instead of email?

A call is fine, but many small brands prefer email so they can send documents. If you call, follow up with an email that includes your store details.

Why do brands ask for a resale certificate?

In states with sales tax, a seller generally needs a valid resale or exemption certificate on file to skip charging tax on a sale meant for resale. Rules vary by state, so check with your state tax department.

Sources

• Multistate Tax Commission: Uniform Sales & Use Tax Resale Certificate