Analyzing the competition

[Charles Daniel]

I'm planning an e-commerce website to sell computer components. Since I'm still in the planning phase, I've been investigating inventory sources (wholesale destributers). My investigation has revealed that many of my would be competitors on the web are selling products at or below the price quoted to me by wholesalers. Being a first time business owner, I'm not exactly sure how the competition can come about this. In my mind I've narrowed down the possibilities as follows:

- The wholesalers that I've investigated are price gouging.
- The competition is dealing in mass quantities to earn discounts.
- The competition is making up the difference somehow by inflating
the price of other items.
- The competition has a better source of inventory.

Can anyone shed some light on this subject?

CMD

[webmoon]

Being an exclusive partner with a particular carrier for a particular kind of product might give you a bigger discount on that product.

Some of your competition may only carry certain brands.

You think?

[sayasfx]

There might be several reasons for this just like those that you've mentioned but keep in mind though, that price is not everything. You can have the lowest price and still not make a sale.

What's important is that you're bringing your products to the right people that needs it. Provide good service and convenience and you're keeping customers happy.

By the way, If you have a business website that you want to be featured for our subscribers to see, submit your website for Business Website of the Day at www.sayasfx.com/businesswebsiteoftheday