Thoughts:
“In business, confidence sells faster than experience.”
“If you sound like a pro, people treat you like one.”
“Stop begging to be taken seriously. Present yourself like someone who already is.”
I’ll be honest with you…
I’ve persuaded almost every supplier I’ve ever met.
And it’s the smartest thing I ever did for my business.
Let’s not pretend. This market no dey smile.
Especially when you’re new.
Suppliers can smell a beginner from 6 miles away.
The moment they sense you’re still “testing”, they start doing you like spare parts.
Price go change.
Response go slow.
Product wey dem get for store go suddenly “finish”.
They don’t have time for trial-and-error people.
So instead of telling them, “I’m new and just trying this product”…
I always say:
Number 1: “I’ve sold this product before. We’re about to relaunch now and I want a reliable supplier to work with long-term.”
Suddenly, their tone changes.
They start respecting me.
They offer better prices.
They even start suggesting faster delivery options and flexible payment.
It’s crazy how just one sentence can make you look like you run a 100M naira business—even if you’ve never made your first sale.
This business? It’s not about what you have. It’s about what you look like you have.
It’s not fake. It’s survival.
Because in Nigeria, people treat you based on how they perceive your status.
You must learn to package yourself – not lie foolishly, but position yourself as a serious person.
Think of it like wearing suit to a job interview.
You might not be rich, but you’re dressed like a CEO and that changes how people treat you.
Same with suppliers.
Talk like a pro, and they treat you like one.
This simple trick gets you quality products, better terms & cheaper supplier prices
Strategy #1: “I’ve Sold This Before” Hack
Suppliers don’t want students.
They want strong business partners.
You must sound like someone who’s done this before, even if your only “campaign” was reading 3 blog posts and watching my video.
Tell them confidently, “We sold a lot of this before. We’re restocking now.”
You’re not lying. You’re prophesying. Speak it into existence.
No one enters a Lagos danfo and says, “I’ve never been to Oshodi before, please help me.”
If you do that, conductor MIGHT go show you pepper and overcharge you.
You enter confidently. You pay.
You form like you know your way even if you’re watching every road sign like a hawk.
You remind the conductor your bus stop. Or better ask a fellow passenger.
Same thing here. Confidence is your currency.
Strategy #2: Ask for “Trial Pricing” But Talk Like a Big Buyer
Once you sound like a returning seller, ask for better pricing with logic.
Say: “We’re about to scale this again. I just want to test a new supplier before we go big.”
This statement does 3 things:
- It shows you’re serious
- It frames you as someone with buying power
- It invites them to EARN your business
They’ll now compete for your money. even if it’s just ₦100k you’re starting with.
From our coaching calls, over 70% of new sellers who follow this exact script get better pricing than those who beg suppliers.
Positioning over pleading.
Strategy #3: Create Proof Even If It’s Small
You want to look experienced?
Have your social media page ready.
Have orders you want to show them on your phone.
Create a salespage for products. Even if it’s just 2 products. Look ready.
Anything to show them that you mean business.
That way, when you message a supplier, you don’t look like a random “Hi Sir” hustler.
You look like a business.
And people treat businesses better than they treat individuals.
If they ask “how many units do you normally buy?”
Say: “We usually move between 50–100 units weekly when we scale up. But I want to start small first to confirm your quality.”
Now you sound like a serious business. Even if it’s just 5 units you wan buy.
Don’t be rude. Don’t overdo it.
You’re not forming Dangote.
You’re just showing that you’re a serious buyer – not an unserious tester wasting people’s time.
Also, if they give you good price and you no buy?
They’ll block you.
This strategy only works if you’re ready to order. Even if it’s small.
Now… if you’re reading this and you’re wondering “What exactly should I say?” or “Where do I even find suppliers that respond fast and give good prices?”…
That’s the part I built an entire system for.
Inside Ecommerce Success Launchpad, I’ve already written out the exact scripts you’ll use to talk to suppliers – even if you’re a beginner.
You’ll get:
- ✅ Done-for-you supplier scripts
- ✅ Hot product supplier list (local & China)
- ✅ Winning product samples you can show suppliers
We also teach you how to:
- Spot suppliers that give wahala and avoid them
- Negotiate like someone who knows what they’re doing
- Set up delivery before your first order even lands
This is not just theory.
You’ll literally watch over my shoulder as I show you how I set it up in real life.
You’ll go from “newbie” to “respected ecommerce owner” without making the painful mistakes most people make.
Go here to Join Ecommerce Success Launchpad now and finally get the edge you’ve been missing
You just need to look ready and I built ESL to help you become ready.
Let’s do this.
