Reverse sourcing means starting on Amazon instead of with a supplier’s price list. You find a product that already sells well, identify the brand, then find the brand’s distributor and open an account. Because you start from proven demand, fewer of your sourcing hours go to products that never sell.
Quick answer: Find a listing with steady sales and several FBA sellers, check the brand allows resellers, then contact the brand or ask who its authorized distributors are. Open an account and run the numbers before you order.
Reverse Sourcing Step by Step
1. Find a Listing That Sells
Look for products with steady sales rank, several third-party FBA sellers and a stable price. Use the checks in how to find profitable wholesale products.
Good places to start:
- the seller storefronts of other wholesale sellers on listings you like
- best-seller lists in categories you can sell in
- “frequently bought together” products from the same brand
2. Identify the Brand
Note the brand name and manufacturer from the listing and packaging. Check the brand’s website for its wholesale or retailer page.
3. Check the Brand Allows Amazon Resellers
If many sellers are on the listing, the brand may allow resellers. If only the brand sells, it may not. Check whether the brand is gated in your account too.
4. Find the Distributor
- Ask the brand: “Who are your authorized distributors?”
- Search the brand name with “distributor” or “wholesale”
- Look for the brand on our list of brands we supply
Directories can also help; see wholesale supplier directories.
5. Reach Out
Send a short, professional email with your business details and what you want to buy. Our wholesale account email template gives you a ready-made version.
Tips
- Keep a spreadsheet of brands, contacts and replies.
- One distributor often carries other brands you can sell too; ask for the full catalog.
- Expect some brands to say no; move on to the next listing.
For the other ways to build a supplier list, see how to find wholesale suppliers for Amazon FBA.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is reverse sourcing better than working from a price list?
They work together. Reverse sourcing finds brands with proven demand; price lists then show you more products from the same supplier.
What if the brand will not sell to me?
Ask for its authorized distributors. If none will work with Amazon sellers, move on.
Do I need a lot of tools?
No. A research tool like Keepa helps, but you can start with Amazon listings and the brand’s website.