What does “Wholesaler” mean?

A wholesaler is a dealer who mainly sells to other dealers rather than to end customers. They buy in volume, from collectors, estates, retailers clearing stock or other trade sources, and move watches quickly at trade prices, relying on turnover rather than a large margin on each piece. Many wholesalers also buy from the trade, so the same business can be both a source and a buyer for a retail dealer.

For a retail dealer, a good wholesaler is a reliable source of inventory and a quick exit for stock that isn't moving. Wholesale prices sit below what the public pays because the buying dealer still has to carry the watch, photograph it, market it, offer a warranty or returns, and wait for the right customer. Trust is everything in this part of the trade: payment terms, memo arrangements and honest condition grading only work between people who have dealt with each other before or can check each other's references.

Example: 'Trade only, no retail enquiries. Three Submariners available today, wholesale price on request.'