Kole Imports & Closeouts, which has been a family-owned US wholesale general merchandise and closeout supplier since the 1980s. Located in 24600 Main Street Carson California 90745 USA, the company is well-known for bulk supply to retailers, discount stores, flea markets, fundraising groups, nonprofits and eCommerce entrepreneurs.
Business & Product Overview
Kole Imports is one of the leading variety goods wholesalers in the U.S., carrying a large variety of merchandise. Their product selection ranges from:
Household supplies and closeout items
Toys, gifts and seasonal decor
Beauty products and retail merchandise
Office and craft supplies
Pet products and lifestyle items
Kole Imports carries a wide range of value items which make them a popular option for retailers needing products that are a good price and have a good market in discount stores or for anyone requiring a comprehensive variety of product selection from one supplier.
Kole Imports source their product lines through manufactures and importation, which includes the buying of discontinued products and excess overstock items from the U.S., allowing buyers to obtain bulk closeouts from their website at great discount prices.
Wholesale Ordering & Access
For wholesale prices and to place an order, buyers are typically required to sign up for an account and will be expected to meet order minimums. Wholesale suppliers generally do this to distinguish them as genuine resale businesses. Although some customers claim the minimums are acceptable, other retailers say that it can be a drawback for smaller purchasing orders.
In addition to accepting online wholesale orders, Kole Imports has an international wholesale program, offers worldwide shipping and offers dropshippers a range of packages for eCommerce.
Online Presence and Reviews
Reviews about Kole Imports are quite mixed:
Positive signals
Trustpilot reviews are in the region of 4.0 to 4.1 out of 5 based on customers complimenting them on their wide product selection, price and fast delivery and ease of ordering. Many sellers appreciate being able to select a lot of different items from one company.
Mixed or negative signals
Customers have received broken goods in shipping, packaging damaged or not sufficiently protective and on many occasions although issues with products arrive damaged then they are reimbursed; however, buyers will need to wait some time to get a reimbursement. Many marketplace sellers have complained that it is difficult to acquire a commercial invoice required for Amazon FBA ungating and other market platforms which can prevent some sellers from receiving there merchandise to re-sell within reasonable time limits.
BBB complaints show customers have had issues with late shipments, damaged items and have not always received adequate communication, although, if there has been a dispute and the complaint has been reported through the BBB then sometimes customers can achieve compensation for their issues. Given these signals, business buyers may wish to check on the warranty they can expect for shipping and communication to ensure a business sale transaction will run smoothly.
Our Opinion
In my humble opinion, Kole Imports and Closeouts is an established and reputable wholesaler providing variety goods for various business purposes. While they possess an extensive product range and many positive reviews, mixed feedback on certain customer service aspects such as communication and paperwork required for specific market platforms suggest a degree of caution before committing to large orders. Buyers may want to ensure they get clarity on:
Minimum order requirements and price tiers are provided in writing.
Request a small sample order prior to a bulk purchase.
Ask for the documentation type provided on invoices if needed for market platforms such as Amazon/Walmart.
Review their return and refund policy.
This would minimize potential surprises and ensure a successful purchase.
About Suppliers Central
Suppliers Central is a directory of wholesale suppliers located across the world and provides business buyers with up to date supplier profiles and product details along with contact information prior to sourcing their inventory. Kole Imports & Closeouts’ website is registered with Suppliers Central under a closeouts and variety goods category for business sellers looking for wholesale purchasing solutions.
Final Words
In summary, KoleImports.com, a popular choice for wholesale general merchandise, has a significant amount of positive customer reviews but does require due diligence due to mixed feedback. Their website features many great choices and prices, which are beneficial to retailers, resellers and eCommerce sellers who are seeking wholesale goods.
They require minimum order amounts to purchase wholesale and do ship dropshippping orders worldwide and may not always provide clear documentation like a commercial invoice which many marketplace sellers would expect, though it seems they are usually willing to provide it upon request. It seems they also accept wholesale clients from both the U.S. And globally.
