How to Buy Furniture Wholesale: A Guide to Trade Prices

Your Guide to Wholesale Furniture Trade Prices on Daniel House Club

Wholesale sourcing lets designers secure the right pieces at the right price—without chasing a dozen reps or juggling shipping calculators. At Daniel House Club, we aggregate 150+ brands under one digital roof and give qualified trade members direct, volume-based pricing with no minimum orders or yearly quotas.

This guide breaks down how wholesale buying works, why it matters, and the steps to make the most of every purchase.

Understanding Wholesale Furniture Buying

• Definition: Wholesale buying means purchasing directly from manufacturers or authorized distributors at prices well below retail. You take on retailer tasks (curation, logistics, client service) and keep the margin.
• How it differs from retail: Retail pricing includes keystone markup, processing fees, and showroom overhead. Wholesale strips those extras—expect ~20–60% savings versus MSRP, plus freight.
• Qualification: Most suppliers require business credentials (license, EIN, resale cert, or accreditation). At DHC, a simple trade application and active design portfolio unlock trade pricing.
• Volume flexibility: Factory-direct often wants container quantities; multi-vendor platforms like DHC let you buy smaller quantities across many lines at wholesale rates.
• Responsibility shift: As the “retailer,” you handle freight claims, warehousing, and white-glove delivery. Knowing these responsibilities upfront protects your margin.

Benefits of Buying Wholesale Furniture

• Cost savings: 20–60% below MSRP funds your fee, cushions client budgets, or both.
• Broader assortment: Full catalogs, COM options, and customizations—not just floor-stock SKUs.
• Competitive edge: Present unique pieces before they hit mainstream retail.
• Predictable profit: Transparent markups on wholesale cost create steady revenue.
• Faster approvals: DHC project boards surface real-time trade pricing in shareable quotes.

Learn practical margin tactics: Make Your Margins with Daniel House Club.

Choosing the Right Wholesale Furniture Suppliers

Balance cost, lead time, and specialization. Confirm each vendor’s track record—on-time delivery, clear freight terms, and responsive service often matter more than a glossy catalog. Match strengths to your project: quick-ship upholstery for tight timelines, custom casegoods for signature pieces, or regional makers to reduce freight.

Strategies for Buying Furniture Wholesale

• Map specifications early: Draft your FF&E schedule before sourcing; quantity forecasts improve freight and volume terms.
• Use Concierge: Our team tracks, sources, consolidates, and troubleshoots—centralizing the support you’d expect from multiple reps.
• Study market cycles: Factories clear discontinued finishes pre-catalog updates—great for value-driven projects.
• Leverage trade shows: High Point, Las Vegas Market, Atlanta Market, Field + Supply, BDNY—efficient ways to vet new suppliers and trends.
• Simplify shipping costs: DHC tiers offer flat-rate or free freight (by membership), so you don’t need truckload pooling across clients.
• Skip freight negotiations: We handle collect vs. PPA decisions centrally—no vendor-by-vendor wrangling.
• Use digital tools: Checkout shows wholesale cost, retail comparison, and margin—use data to explain value to clients.

Key Considerations When Buying Wholesale Furniture

• Quality control: For large/custom orders, request production photos, finish samples, or third-party inspections via DHC before final payment.
• Regulatory compliance: Verify CAL-117, FSC, or ANSI/BIFMA where applicable.
• Shipping logistics: Ocean freight averages 6–8 weeks port-to-port (plus ~2 weeks customs/drayage). Domestic LTL typically 5–14 days.
• Storage planning: Confirm storage options/timelines for shifting installs; verify availability and fees.
• Currency & duty: Quote in USD when possible; verify HTS 9403 duty rates if importing.
• Sustainability goals: Consider FSC wood, low-VOC finishes, and regional makers to reduce emissions.
• Warranty terms: Wholesale warranties often require you to initiate claims; document site conditions and timelines.

How to Buy Furniture Wholesale — Frequently Asked Questions