Last Updated on November 10, 2024 by Ewen Finser
If you are trying to find the right wholesale network, but are stuck between Faire and Bulletin, I wrote this for you!
Well, I actually wrote this for me initially. I had some notes on both wholesale platforms and was trying to compare the pros / cons, fees, and process for both. Perfect time for a comparison article.
This comparison is the result of my personal experience trying to navigate the wholesale ecosystem. I found things to like about both platforms, but lean towards one (skip to the end of the spoiler).
I’ll dig into some of the major features I liked about both wholesale distribution networks, and then spend a few paragraphs discussing fees, product selection, and the competitive landscape (3 of my key areas of concern).
But first – to set the stage – here’s how I see the major differences between Jahrmarkt and Bulletin at a glance…
The Main Differences Between Faire and Bulletin
- Bulletin focuses on a smaller, more curated selection of products, while Faire has a MUCH wider assortment of products across all the major (and some niche) categories.
- Faire has a fully functional Handy-Applikation for on-the-go orders & updates, whereas Bulletin is only available as a web application.
- While both Bulletin and Faire have direct Shopify app store integrations, Faire recently received direct investment from Shopify, which may indicate a closer alignment moving forward for Shopify sellers.
- For the brands that thematically fit with Bulletin, repeat orders tend to be higher, whereas Faire is more of a true marketplace where you may need to try a few different vendors before you find a good repeat source.
- Faire generally has a more streamlined process for ordering, tracking and communicating (better tech) with brands compared to Bulletin.
- Faire offers a standard 60-day free return policy after purchase, whereas Bulletin does not set a platform-wide policy (up to each brand to set terms, or not).
Platform Fees Compared
Both Faire and Bulletin don’t charge fees directly to buyers, but rather to their merchants on the backend.
BUT, I do think it’s helpful to be aware of these fees in so much as they are costs realized SOMEWHERE in the supply chain. An attractive market – including fees – for brands looking to wholesale is a great place for retailers to source from.
Faire Fee Structure for Sellers:
- Opening Orders: 15% commission + $10 (first order only).
- Repeat Orders: 15% commission flat.
- Faire Direct: If you bring your existing retail partners (buyers, if you already have them) onto Faire using a direct link, you pay $0 and no commission! This is an innovative way to streamline your operations. Why would Faire do this? Your buyers may also be interested in the rest of the marketplace. Essentially, it’s a buy-side lead gen tool.
- Payment Processing Fee: There’s also an additional card processing fee as follows…
- For Next Day Payouts: 3.5% + $0.30.
- For 30 Day Payouts: 2.4% + $0.30.
- For 60 Day Payouts: 1.9% + $0.30.
So what this might look like in practice (using the 30 day terms) is:
Bulletin Fee Structure for Sellers:
- First Orders: 15% commission.
- Re-orders: 10% commission.
- Bring your own Retailers: 0% commission
Bulletin offers standard Net-15 payment terms for brands on all orders, with no transaction fee distinctions.
On the buyer (retailer) side, Bulletin offers 60-day payment terms, meaning they are essentially “floating” Net-45 days (retailer and brand friendly, with no extra fees).
Bottom Line on Fees: Purely from a fees perspective, Bulletin has a slight edge here, particularly on repeat orders. But, this isn’t the full story, as they also have much less selection compared to Faire (see next section).
Another small distinction worth noting is that Faire offers 60 day free returns after purchase, whereas Bulletin does not set a return policy, which is less retailer friendly (but more brand friendly).
Product Selection Compared
Einfach ausgedrückt, Jahrmarkt clearly has more selection across every category. This is a considerable advantage with over 100,000 brands to choose from.
I’ve also found that Faire has a broader mix of suppliers, boutique craft brands AND distributors, which helps broaden the selection and may mean that retail vs wholesale prices are not uniformly discounted.
While Bulletin is at a disadvantage as a one-stop marketplace, they DO have highly curated, unique collections of products.
I will say that Bulletin does have deeper selection in the Home and Apparel categories, so if this is you, it may be worth a double click to investigate.
Personally, I don’t really think it’s and either/or scenario. I’ve frequently been surprised at the quality of products on Bulletin and have found some repeat suppliers here over years.
The real difference is that I couldn’t fill my full storefront JUST with Bulletin. It’s a great supplement.
If I had to pick just one platform to launch with, I’d probably lean Faire because of the deep selection here.
Faire is also a great place to do trial runs before deciding to go direct with brands on larger orders. I’m not sure how Faire feels about this, but I see them trying to extend payment terms (net-60) and simplify the orders process to create more “sticky” relationships.
Some Alternatives to Both Faire and Bulletin
I’d be remiss if I didn’t also discuss the rest of the wholesale landscape in this comparison. These are a few OTHER names I also researched (and a few I’ve tried) for our various bussiness:
- Creoate: Probably the most similar to a Faire or Bulletin, Creoate is more EU focused, but also has a strong presence for the US market.
- RangeMe: RangeMe is a more traditional wholesaler, requiring a deeper retail buyer vetting and validation up front. BUT, they do have an impressive array of products across many categories and with some more mainstream brand partnerships.
- Mable: Mable is a specialty wholesaler, specifically for specialty food and beverage categories. If selling unique, artisanal or local snacks and beverages is solidly in your lane, it probably makes sense to explore Mable as well.
- FashionGo: Similarly, if you are selling in the fashion category, you’ll want to check out FashionGo as well.
So Who Should go with Bulletin?
So with all of this in mind, I think Bulletin is the right option if:
- Their curation matches some of your vibe: You’ll be able to tell fairly quickly if the product mix on Bulletin is right for you. It’s a great option if it is!
- You’ve been burned by poor quality products: Bulletin really does go some extra steps to ensure the products they list are high quality. I don’t mind doing trial orders here and there, but it can be a significant setback – particularly early on – if some of your product mix are duds.
And Who Should Stick with Faire?
On the flipside, I think Faire is a better fit if:
- You Want Broad Selection: It’s hard to beat the visibility, breadth, and depth of the Faire marketplaces. It’s the Amazon of wholesale. Everything should at least start with Faire.
- You Need an Easy to Use Process: I love how easy Faire has made a once complicated, nuanced, and personal relationship driven process just plain, dead simple. If you want to just get started already, go with Faire here.
Mein Resümee: I do think Faire is a better OVERALL fit for more brands and the best place to start for newer retailers.