Discuss the process of getting your t-shirt line into brick and mortar stores and selling offline. Topics include industry tradeshows, events, line sheets, sales reps and other retailing tips and advice.
Can anyone tell me how to find ASI Suppliers by their ASI #? I'm not a member of ASI. Surely there's a site to locate them by their number. Thanks,
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You could try a google search. Often times suppliers post their ASI number on their website which would get indexed and be searchable by search engines.
I think you have to be a member of ASI to search their actual database: ASICentral
You do have to be a member of ASI to search the actual database.
Generally google-ing will find some asi suppliers, but they aren't going to sell to you unless you are a member of ASI.
Your best bet (if you are going to start doing promotional stuff) is to become an ASI member, or find a local ASI dealer who can order the items for you.
OK this finally answers a question for me I have gotten a gazillion advertisements in my email from ASI members since I registered for the long beach show, now I know who they are, thanks
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There are a couple of other options on the Promotional Products side for databases. PPAI (the non-profit association) has a database that last time I checked allow the manufacturers to put other industry numbers (i.e. ASI #, SAGE #, UPIC) in there as well. Access to this database is free. It is called the UPIC - Universal Product Industry Code - I believe. It has been a while since I have looked at the promotional products side of the business. But, PPAI and ISS are doing some joint things at the upcoming trade shows...you might be able to get more information from there or in a magazine.
The second free database called DistributorCentral. DistributorCentral lets decorators (or what they call Promotional Products Distributors - PPDs) free access to a database that contains a good variety of products to choose from. It is not as large as ASI's database, but it does have the core stuff. Check it out at DistributorCentral The Promotional Products Industry Software Leader - Home.
ASI has some great products and services and I don't want to take anything away from them. But, if you are just getting started...the price can be a little steep and you should know about other alternatives.
They key to the promotional products industry is that they want to make sure that you are going to be reselling the products before you get access to these databases to protect the pricing information. So, you must first qualify to get an industry code. Some of the qualifications can be different, but basically all you need to do is show them some receipts from different apparel distributors (Alpha, Broder, Bodek, American Apparel,... - remember, apparel is the largest segment of the promotional products industry) and you should be fine.
As a member of UPIC, PPAI, ASI, Sage, and Distributor Central...let me clear up one thing...you do not have to be a member of ASI to buy from ASI member. However most of the ASI members will only sell to qualified distributors and you will need a membership in one or another professional association. On occasion, if you are not a member, you will be asked to provide copies of a certain number of invoices to show you are in fact in the 'business' and not trying to shop wholesale for personal use only. I use Sage database more than ASI...does that mean it is better...nope...just that I am used to it and it serves my purpose..So I have the limited ASI membership w/o the database to search for items. Sage just gives more..such as free hosting of your website.. You cannot search for ASI number in Sage, nor can you search for Sage number in ASI.. Since most companies that are selling wholesale will have membership in both, it has not presented a problem for me.
I would suggest that all get UPIC..just for future use in case you need it..afterall it is free like distributor central where PPAI, Sage and ASI are paid memberships
I realize this thread is 3 or 4 years old. However, for the benefit of those who may pull this thread up in asking the same or a similar question, let me say, that you definitely do NOT have to subscribe to (no one is really a "member" of ASI) ASI's service (which still are quite pricey) to do business with ALMOST ALL ASI-listed suppliers.
For the first 10 to 12 years I was in business on my own, I subscribed to ASI's services as a Distributor. But, then, they dumped me. And I haven't looked back since.
Over the years, yes, there were a few suppliers who would not do business with me. However, bad economies have their humbling effects. A supplier who 10 years or more ago said they would not do business with non-ASI distributors started sending me e-mails to me last year to "beg" for my business. (We are not quite so proud when other 'proud' ASI-listed distributors are NOT doing quite the business with you they use to).
IF YOU PAY UP FRONT, almost ANY ASI-listed Supplier will do business with you. IT DOES HELP, HOWEVER, IF YOU ARE INDEED A FREQUENTLY REGULAR RE-SELLER of PROMOTIONAL PRODUCTS.
I have done business with mostly ASI-listed Suppliers for around TWO DECADES or LONGER now, and have done fine.
But, back in the 1980's, I built my own database of suppliers. I enter newly listed ASI suppliers in it. Occasionally, I have gotten help from others, if I can't find a supplier myself online.
Finding an ASI Supplier by Their # 
I have gotten a gazillion advertisements in my email from ASI members since I registered for the long beach show, now I know who they are, thanks 
