The difference between Faire vs. Tundra Wholesale
As an independent retail business owner, there was a time when your only option to buy or sell your wholesale products was at in-person market wholesale events like AmericasMart, Las Vegas Market, and Dallas Market.
Over the past few years, this has changed drastically.
Now there are platforms that offer you the ability to sell wholesale or buy wholesale – all online.
Faire and Tundra are two of these online wholesale marketplaces.
If you’re a maker you can sell to brick and mortar store owners and if you’re a brick and mortar store owner, you can buy from makers and brands.
Both Faire and Tundra launched within a couple of years of each other. I’ve often wondered what’s the difference between the two. So if I’m wondering, I know all of you are wondering too.
Let’s break down Faire vs. Tundra:
COMMISSION (FOR MAKER/SUPPLIER)
- FAIRE charges commissions of 15-25% to the Maker
- TUNDRA has a Zero-Commission model. Brands with a Gold Badge indicate you get the products at the lowest price online.
- FAIRE offers free returns on first orders with makers. From the date your order is placed, you have 60 days to return the product. This allows you time to try out the product and return what doesn’t work for a full refund. Any reorders from a Maker are not eligible for return.
- TUNDRA does not offer returns – citing their lower prices and low minimums reduce the risk for retailers.
- FAIRE offers free shipping on your first order.
- TUNDRA has free standard shipping on most products. All products marked with the blue truck icon have free standard shipping.
TERMS (FOR BUYERS)
- FAIRE – Net 60 payment terms are available for all orders (eligible for brick & mortar businesses) and they occasionally offer Net 90 terms.
- TUNDRA – Approved organizations are eligible for Net 60 payment terms on all purchases on Tundra. Net 60 payment terms are free for qualified buyers; interest and/or penalties only apply if payment is not made within 60 days.
HOW DO FAIRE AND TUNDRA MAKE MONEY?
- FAIRE collects 15-25% commission from Makers/Suppliers. They also offer an Insider subscription program to brick and mortar businesses. Insider is Faire’s exclusive subscription program with free freight — the more you buy, the more you save! Members are granted free domestic freight on all orders from select makers and early access to the newest arrivals.
- TUNDRA does not charge a fee, markup, or commission on orders between buyers and suppliers and never will. Tundra makes money by providing optional services and features. Buyers can purchase expedited shipping, insurance and prepaid duties and taxes for international orders at checkout. Suppliers can pay for faster storefront setup as well as select brand promotion opportunities.
IN SUMMARY
Both platforms have similarities and differences. In the end, I can appreciate that Tundra does not charge it’s suppliers (makers) a commission. Makers work extremely hard at their craft and when they wholesale, their profit margins are cut drastically. So this makes selling on Tundra much more profitable for them.
Faire’s free shipping offers and subscription are appealing but I find it’s a one-time offer and the orders that qualify for free shipping are limited. For small brick and mortar business owners, it’s a nice benefit to test a maker’s products knowing that you can return the items if they don’t sell in your store but Tundra’s lower prices are a nice benefit too!
So, in the end, you choose what’s right for YOU and your business. It doesn’t take much to set up accounts with both Tundra and Faire. Test them out yourself!
OFFERS FOR MAKERS AND BUYERS:
FAIRE: There are currently no offers for buyers. If you’re a Maker who hasn’t applied to sell on Faire yet, CONTACT ME and I’ll send you a special link where you’ll receive 0% commission on all future orders I place with you and I’ll get a credit to spend $300 in your Faire store. Click HERE to visit Faire’s website.
TUNDRA: Whether you are a buyer OR seller, click HERE to sign up for Tundra. BUYERS get $50 off their first order and SELLERS get access to thousands of new buyers.
*Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links or referral codes, and at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase after clicking through the link or using the code. I make recommendations because I believe they are useful to shopkeepers. Please do not spend any money on these products unless you feel you need them or that they will help you achieve your goals.
Wow! Was just applying to be on both and thought about this question!
Thanks for the clarification.
You’re welcome! I’m glad it helped.
Are the prices on Tundra in USD or CAD? That makes a big difference when looking at items if I will end up paying more at the checkout. I know that Faire gives the option to choose between the two but I don’t see an option on Tundra.
Good question, Barb, and I’m not sure what the answer is but every time I have sent Tundra a question via their website they replied within 24 hours.
Can you shop for “samples” on tundra or Faire prior to purchasing volume orders? I hope I didn’t miss this somewhere in your article. Thank you for sharing this information.
Hi Shar, I don’t think so but you can reach out to Tundra or Faire’s support team on their website – they have always been responsive when I ask questions.
A friend sent me info on Tundra. This past January I participated at American Handcrafted Wholesale Show in Philly. I was new to wholesale, and did very well at the show as a new maker. It looks like there will be no shows next year, so hence, Tundra. I’m confused about the shipping costs. Currently my customers pay the shipping, which they have NO problem with since they are used to paying for it. Are the buyers buying from Tundra, and then they send me the info on the sale? Then I send it to the customer? Tundra takes the payment and sends me the sale $$? I’m confused…..
Tundra’s support team responds to me every time I ask a question, I would recommend reaching out to them to ask about the shipping.
Can you sell on both?
Hi Diane, thanks for asking. Yes, you sure can!