Find suppliers for your business with a vetted shortlist
Searching for suppliers means a lot of directories, half-finished websites and sellers who never reply. This prompt has your todo.is agent search supplier directories and company websites for what you need, check the basics like minimum order, certifications and location, and hand you a ranked shortlist with contact details and a ready-to-send inquiry email.
The prompt
- Find suppliers for [WHAT YOU NEED] for my [TYPE OF BUSINESS]. I need about [QUANTITY AND FREQUENCY], delivered to [DELIVERY LOCATION]. Must-haves: [REQUIREMENTS]. Search supplier directories, trade association lists and company websites. Find 10 to 15 candidates and check each one: what they sell, minimum order, typical lead time, certifications, location, how long they have been in business, and reviews or red flags. Put them in an Excel file ranked by fit, with website, email or contact form, and notes. Then write a short inquiry email I can send to the top 5, asking for price list, minimums, samples and payment terms. Don’t contact anyone.
What to change
- [WHAT YOU NEED]: Be specific, e.g. "compostable takeaway coffee cups, 8 oz and 12 oz, with custom print".
- [TYPE OF BUSINESS]: e.g. "two independent coffee shops".
- [QUANTITY AND FREQUENCY]: e.g. "5,000 cups a month".
- [DELIVERY LOCATION]: City and country, e.g. "Manchester, UK".
- [REQUIREMENTS]: e.g. "certified compostable, UK or EU based, custom printing, samples available".
Example result
- Supplier shortlist · compostable printed coffee cups
- For: two coffee shops in Manchester · 5,000 cups a month · fictional example
- Top 5
- 1. Greenleaf Packaging (Leeds, UK)
- • Compostable cups with plant-based lining, certified for industrial composting (certificate on site)
- • Custom print from 5,000 units, lead time 3 to 4 weeks
- • In business since 2011, offers free plain samples
- • Fit: strong. Close by, low minimum.
- 2. Verde Cups (Porto, Portugal)
- • Same certification, custom print from 10,000 units
- • Lead time 4 to 6 weeks plus shipping
- • Fit: good price potential, higher minimum
- 3. Northcup Ltd (Glasgow, UK)
- • Compostable range, print from 3,000 units, 2-week lead time
- • Fewer reviews online
- • Fit: good for testing a small first order
- 4. EcoServe Supplies (wholesaler, Birmingham)
- • Resells several brands, plain cups next-day, printing through a partner
- • Fit: useful backup for plain stock
- 5. Pacific Fibre (Netherlands)
- • Fiber-based cups with no plastic lining; print from 20,000 units
- • Fit: premium option if you want plastic-free
- Red flags found
- • Two suppliers claim "100% compostable" but show no certificate.
- • One site has no company address and copied product photos from another brand.
- Inquiry email
- Subject: Printed compostable cups, 5,000 a month
- Hello, I run two coffee shops in Manchester and am looking for a supplier of certified compostable 8 oz and 12 oz cups with our logo printed, about 5,000 a month. Could you send your price list for printed cups, minimum order quantity, lead time, sample options and payment terms? Thank you, Priya Shah, Daybreak Coffee.
- What to ask before ordering
- • A copy of the certificate, not just a logo on the site
- • A printed proof and a physical sample
- • Who pays for shipping and what happens with damaged stock
How to do it with todo.is
- Copy the prompt and describe what you need, how much and where it goes.
- Paste it into todo.is on the Today screen, or send it to your agent on WhatsApp.
- Your agent researches suppliers and sends a ranked Excel shortlist plus an inquiry email.
- Send the emails yourself, or connect Google and ask your agent to save them as Gmail drafts.
Tips for a better result
- Write your must-haves before you start: certifications, location and minimum order rule out most options fast.
- Ask at least 3 suppliers for quotes. Prices and terms vary more than you expect.
- Always order samples before a big first order, and test them in real use.
- Check the company is real: a street address, a registration number and reviews outside its own site.
find suppliers: FAQ
- How do I find a reliable supplier? Start with trade associations and established directories, then check each supplier’s address, registration, certificates and reviews. Ask for samples and start with a small order.
- What should I ask a supplier before ordering? Ask for prices at different quantities, minimum order, lead time, payment terms, samples, certificates and their policy on defects and returns.
- Can the agent contact suppliers for me? It writes the emails, and with Google connected it can save them as Gmail drafts or send them after you approve. It never sends anything without your OK.
- Can it find suppliers in other countries? Yes. Say where you are willing to buy from, and ask it to note import duties and shipping times you should check.
JavaScript is required to use the todo.is app.