Welcome to the Faire Growth Formula: A Private Podcast Series from She Sells Differently
You’ve probably heard of Faire Marketplace if you’ve spent even five minutes in the wholesale world. And if you’re a product-based business owner wondering whether selling wholesale on Faire is right for you—you’re in the right place.
I’m launching a brand new private podcast mini-series, the Faire Growth Formula, to help give you a clear perspective on the pros and cons of selling wholesale on Faire, so you can decide if it’s the best move for your wholesale strategy.
Let’s talk about it—from one product-based CEO to another.
First, What Even Is Faire?
Faire launched during the pandemic, in response to an urgent need: connecting brands and retailers when in-person trade shows like Atlanta Market (you know, the massive ones with 27-floor showroom buildings?) were no longer an option. It became a digital space where retailers could discover brands, place orders, and even get terms and protections they’d never get ordering directly.
Today, Faire has grown into a marketplace with over 700,000 retailers shopping and just over 100,000 brands selling. That kind of buyer-to-seller ratio? That’s a huge opportunity for visibility… when used strategically.
But like anything in business, it’s not all sunshine and sold-out SKUs. So let’s walk through the real pros and cons so you can decide if Faire fits your goals.
✅ The Pros of Selling Wholesale on Faire
Let’s start with the good stuff—because there’s a lot of it.
1. Built-In Buyer Incentives
Faire knows how to woo retailers. With perks like:
- Net 60 payment terms
- Free returns on first-time orders
- Shipping discounts via the Faire Insider program …it’s no surprise retailers are shopping here in droves.
And let’s be honest: most of us small batch brands aren’t out here offering net terms or free shipping to new retailers. Faire fills that gap for us.
2. Buyer + Brand Protection
Ever had a retailer go silent after a damaged shipment? Faire steps in. You’re not just selling into the void—there’s customer support on both sides. That’s peace of mind you can’t always get when going direct.
3. Faire Funded Promotions
Twice a year (during Summer and Winter Markets), Faire will actually match your promotion up to 5%. So if you run a 5% off deal, Faire kicks in another 5%—without taking it out of your pocket.
It’s like getting a little help on your advertising budget, courtesy of the marketplace itself.
4. Faire Direct = 0% Commission
If you send a retailer your unique Faire Direct link, you’ll keep 100% of the order—no commission fees. It’s a brilliant way to nurture direct relationships and use Faire as your order management tool.
❌ The Cons You Need to Know
Alright, deep breath. Let’s talk about the drawbacks—because informed decision-making is your superpower as a CEO.
1. The Commission Fee
Faire takes 15% commission on orders from new retailers they bring to you—and up to 19% after fees, payout schedules, and first-order deductions.
But context matters. A trade show booth can cost $8K–$15K, plus travel, samples, and your time. And working with traditional sales reps? They’ll often take a 20% cut.
So yes, it’s a fee—but it’s also a tradeoff for reach and convenience.
2. You Don’t Own the Retailer Relationship
Just like you don’t “own” your Instagram followers, you don’t have access to retailers’ contact info on Faire. If the platform disappeared tomorrow, would you still be able to reach your wholesale accounts?
This is why building off-platform relationships is key (and why that Faire Direct link is gold).
3. Algorithm Overwhelm is Real
Much like Etsy or Amazon, Faire has an algorithm. And yes, it can feel like a black box. Retailers often get shown the same brands repeatedly—and if you’re not proactively working to optimize your shop, you might get buried.
Good news? You can boost visibility with small, consistent effort. I recommend my students spend 30–60 minutes every week or two updating listings, running promotions, or engaging with new retailers.
Consistency beats complexity here.
4. No Cookie Trail with Faire Direct
If a retailer clicks your Faire Direct link but doesn’t order immediately, then comes back later through another route? Faire doesn’t attribute that sale to you—meaning you could miss out on that 0% commission benefit.
It’s frustrating, yes. But it’s part of the reality of selling in a marketplace.
5. Product Distraction is Built In
Faire will show “You might also like” recommendations on your product pages. That means other brands (maybe even your competitors) show up alongside your listings. You’re not the only shiny object on the shelf.
Final Thoughts: Is Selling Wholesale on Faire Worth It?
Here’s the bottom line: Faire is not the only place you should be wholesaling. But it is an incredibly smart place to start or scale your wholesale business.
Think of it like this: Faire is your outsourced sales rep. It connects you with buyers, helps you manage orders, and gives you tools to grow. But you are the one steering the ship. It takes strategy, effort, and intention to make it work long-term.
And when you pair Faire with your own direct outreach, email marketing, and trade show strategy? That’s when the magic happens.
What’s Next? Visibility Mistakes to Avoid
In the second episode of the Faire Growth Formula private podcast, I’ll walk you through the top 3 mistakes brands make when trying to grow visibility on Faire—and how to fix them. If you’ve ever felt like your shop was invisible, you don’t want to miss it.
Make sure you’re subscribed to the secret podcast here.
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P.S. If you’re ready to stand out, attract buyers, and sell more on your Faire site, check out my Faire Visibility Playbook course here.
