Buying Wholesale Silver Jewellery In Bangkok, Thailand
Posted: Tuesday, June 13, 2006
by Paul Ignacik
Wholesale Silver Jewellery
If you are considering selling sterling silver jewelry ,you have made a good choice.Silver is enjoying a huge surge in popularity right now.Many prospective or existing retailers prefer to buy their sterling silver jewelry from local wholesalers.Or perhaps a wholesaler in another state.This is an acceptable way to get started,but if you really want a huge selection and true wholesale prices then I would recommend taking a trip to Bangkok,Thailand.The extra effort will certainly improve your bottom line and you will probably have a lot of fun doing it.I know that I do.
Getting to Bangkok is easy as it is a major metropolitan center and well serviced by almost all the major international airlines.Accomodation is available at short notice and very reasonably priced.There are many 4 and 5 star hotels available but cheaper ,clean, secure accomodation is also available for $25 - $40 a night.It is sometimes possible to negotiate a discount rate if one plans on an extended stay.
Where To Shop:
One of the 3 main areas for wholesale silver jewelry is Charoen Krung Road (New road), by the post office or GPO as the locals call it.This area is a buyers dream come true.There are dozens of wholesale shops on both sides of the street.The range of designs is a little overwhelming at first ,so it is good to remember to stay focused on your target market.Everything imaginable in silver jewelry can usually be found here.Special orders are done as well if you have a design you would like made.However due your appropriate due diligence to insure that you are dealing with a reputable manufacturer.
Another area that deserves mention when discussing wholesale silver is Narai Phand ,close to the world trade center.It is in between skytrain stops ,but almost every cab driver knows where it is.The selection is not as large as New Road ,but the items are unique and not to be found anywhere else in the city.I usually make a stop here for silver bracelets as the price seems to be the best.
Also Khao San road has many wholesale silver outlets.This area is a backpackers haven but over the last few years the discount silver business has really taken off here.The side streets off of this street are also worth checking out as they all sell something a little different.
In general I can say that the quality of the workmanship in Bangkok is good to excellent.All product that I have bought there is definitely .925 silver and wears very well.However like any booming business anywhere,there are those who set up shop and thinking only of the short term profit ,sell product that is less than it should be.For example many silver rings set with semi-precious stones are glued in and not claw set.This would be fine except that the glue being used is not an epoxy base.As a result some of the stones come out very easily.
It is a good idea to feel your way around and check out the prices.Talk to the owners and shop managers if possible.I also make a point of seeking out other buyers and comparing notes with them.They just might be able to steer you to that design that you have been looking for.
An excellent way to do all of this and more is to attend the Bangkok jewellery show.This is held twice a year.Usually late February/early March and mid September.This is a world class event, with buyers coming from all over the world.The display area is huge and it takes several days to see it all.However it is well organized and silver jewelry is in its own section which makes it a little easier getting around.The drawback to this approach is that the city is very busy and a lot of silver stock is getting bought up ,so you may have to place an order to get what you want.I have found that if I arrive say 2 weeks before the show ,the wholesale shops are well stocked and I have the best selection.
Ordering Online:
After you have established a relationship with the wholesalers that you have chosen,it is possible to order online once you arrive back home.Many silver jewelry outlets have their own websites and will fill orders online ,providing that their minimum amounts are met.Payment can usually be done by electronic bankdraft.Of course it is important for your invoices to be as accurate as possible.This will smooth the customs clearance when it arrives in your home country.Remember to ask for an exporters statement of origin or Form "A".This can often reduce your excise and duty payable when you are billed for that.
This article was written by Paul Ignacik, publisher of http://www.wholesale-silver-jewellery.net" . For further information, please visit http://www.wholesale-silver-jewellery.net"
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Top-level comments on this article: (10 total)Thank you so much paul, i have planned a trip to bangkok on 7th August, and have been searching everywhere on tips for buying jewellery in bangkok to no avail. I have a jewellery business in australia, and have found it awefully hard to get any information on where to look. i have printed your advise out and will have it close by my side, i'm sure i will find it helpful. thanks again, tracy. please contact me if you have any other tips!`
Yes, Now I know where do buy wholesale Silver in Bangkok for my store in New York
Good advice but a new market has sprung up in the Pratunam Centre up the road from Narai Phand.Many of the wholesalers have moved from Narai Phand to this centre when I was there in Nov 2007 and more where about to move.On my last day We went to Khao San Road and were very impressed with what we saw in the surrounding streets as far as silver is concerned.Have been buying silver in Bangkok since 1995.
Yes, very helpful - thanks Paul. One question I have is on haggling the wholesale price. When they offer, say, 22 THB per gram of silver, is there room to negotiate at all or is it a fixed price? Anyone that can help on this one please? (Date: May 2008)My experience is that wholesaleprices are not negociable. What you could do is to try to round up the total amount. When you become a regular customer, rules could change, but when the relationship is fresh prices are pretty fixed.
HiI´d like to buy wholesale silver in Bangkok, do you know a store shop on line?Thanks a lot!
Thanks for the information. I will be in Thailand from Jan 13th through Feb 26 of 2009 and plan to buy silver jewelry for resale in the USA. I am very concerned that the percentage of silver may not be as stated by the manufacturers. Is there an association or organization that test or certifies the jewelry is as stated. If not, how do you or anyone really know what they are getting? How do you verify a dealer is reputable?Great article, very informative and useful information, i would just like to recommend on one company that i buy from them for the last 2 years, I'm not aloud to write their website or e-mail address but I'm sure you will be able to find them, their name is elf925 , worth to check them and their prices.
Pls can anyone help me,Is da 1ºtime I´m going to Bangkok,To attend the silver jewelry fair,and want bo buy silver in da wholesarers.I want to ask some questions.1º Can I take the silver jewelry I buy with me in da plane?Is there any problem on the customss?
hi... i m planning 2 go 2 bangkok by aug-sep 2010 its 1st time me 2 be dere. so much money can i carry in cash 2 buy silver. i m planning 2 buy nearly 20kgs silver. and how many kgs silver is allowed in planeSend it by U.P.S lot less hassle, they clear customs and deliver to your door they have a promotion box for 20 Kilos.Don't even think about carrying it back its just not worth the customs problems and the need for an agent.Dave U.K. 20 years experience.
Excellent post. I remember when I started trading silver to london, it does well provided you find the right suppliers. Manka jewels in my opinion quite honest one's I found as I don't need to go to thailand anymore; they send it to me at my door step. As Dave said carrying is a huge hassle.
Great article. Heading there in a month to source some jewelry manufacturing & do some buying. I'd like to establish myself as a buying agent for larger companies - I have over 20yrs in wholesale, retail, production & marketing of art & jewelry. Any thoughts or leads? Also, can I use a credit card when shopping in most of these places? I've heard a fair amount about plate being sold a solid & I don't want to carry a test kit. Thank you - oh, it's bbopnbarb (at) gmail (dot) com Thanks!
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