Wholesalers increase the cost of marketing and price of the products goes up. State whether this is an argument which favors elimination of wholesalers.
Elimination of Wholesalers:
1. Wholesalers are middlemen between the manufacturers and the retailers. They increase the cost of marketing and price of the products goes up. The consumers have to pay higher price. By eliminating wholesalers, prices of the products will decrease and the consumer shall benefit. The manufacturers will be earning more profit on account of lesser prices of the products.
2. Wholesalers are unnecessary links between manufacturers and retailers. Their presence in the distribution channel obstructs the smooth and quick delivery of goods from the manufacturers to the ultimate consumers. If they are eliminated, the unrestricted supply of goods takes place from the manufacturers to the retailers and the consumers.
3. During the slack seasons and scarcity in business activities demand, the wholesalers resort to hoarding and stocking of goods and sell them at exorbitant prices charging excessive profits.
4. In certain regions, the wholesaler is the sole distributor of the product. He occupies the monopolistic position and exploits both the retailers and the consumers by charging higher prices if the wholesalers are eliminated it would be in the best interest of both the retailers and the consumers.
5. Big and established retailers such as large departmental stores can afford to make their own purchases directly from the manufacturers without approaching the wholesaler. The wholesalers are easily eliminated.