Signing up for Handshake

Note

Handshake marketplace is shutting down on October 27, 2023. For more information about the shutdown, refer to the Handshake marketplace shutdown FAQ.

To access product wholesale prices, contact suppliers, and buy products on the Handshake marketplace you need to sign up for a Handshake retailer account. When you sign up for a Handshake retailer account you need to provide valid business information and your contact details.

Requirements for a Handshake retailer account

To sign up for a Handshake retailer account, you need to meet the following requirements:

• Your business needs to be located in the United States.
• You need to have an open online store, brick and mortar store, pop-up store, or booth located in the United States.
• You don't sell on third party marketplaces, such as Amazon, Etsy, and eBay.
• The products that you sell in your store need to comply with the Handshake Terms of Service.

When you sign up, you need to provide accurate information. If you provide incorrect or inaccurate business information, then your Handshake account might be subject to deactivation.

Deactivated Handshake retailer account

If your Handshake account is deactivated, then you receive an error message when trying to sign in. There are multiple reasons why your Handshake account might get deactivated:

• You didn’t meet the Handshake retailer requirements.
• You violated Handshake Terms of Service.
• Suspicious activity was detected on your account.
• You provided incorrect or not enough information about your business.

The Handshake team might send you an email asking to provide more information about your business. If you don't reply to Handshake with the requested information about your business, then your account is deactivated. If you believe your account was deactivated by mistake, then contact Support.

Reseller ID

A reseller ID is sometimes referred to as a reseller's license, reseller's permit, resale certificate, or sales tax ID. A reseller ID confirms that you're authorized to resell products, collect sales tax from customers, and purchase products at wholesale without paying sales tax. Suppliers can ask you to provide your reseller ID, and any other required documentation.

If you don't have a reseller ID, then refer to your state tax department about the requirements and the process to get one. These requirements can vary by region, and the following states don't issue reseller IDs:

• Delaware
• Montana
• New Hampshire
• Oregon

If you operate in one of these states, then you don't need a reseller ID.

Create your Handshake retailer account

You can go to handshake.com and create your Handshake retailer account. If you have a Shopify account, then you can install the Handshake: Buy Wholesale app in your Shopify admin.

If you use your Shopify account to create a Handshake retailer account, then your Shopify account information is automatically added to your Handshake retailer account.

Create your account on handshake.com

When you create an account on handshake.com, you need an email address that links to a Shopify ID. You can use an existing Shopify ID or create a new one.

Steps:

1. Go to handshake.com.
2. Click Sign up for free.
3. Enter your email address, and then click Sign up for free.
4. Connect a Shopify account:
   • If you have a Shopify account, then connect it to Handshake:
     1. If your email address is connected to multiple Shopify stores, then select which store you want to connect to Handshake.
     2. Click Agree and continue.
   • If you don't have a Shopify account, then create a new Shopify account and connect it to Handshake:
     1. Click Create new account.
     2. Complete the Shopify account registration form, and then click Create Shopify ID.
     3. Enter your business details and contact information. Make sure that the information is correct, because you can't change it after you create your account.
     4. Check By signing up to Handshake you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
     5. Click Create account.
5. Optional: Select the product categories that you're interested in, and then click Continue. Select the values that are the most important to you and your customers, and then click Finish.

Install the Handshake: Buy Wholesale app to your Shopify admin

If you have a Shopify account, then you can install the Handshake: Buy Wholesale app from the Shopify App Store in your Shopify admin. To install the app, your store address needs to be in the United States. When you install the app, you're directed to handshake.com to confirm your registration.

Steps:

1. Go to the Handshake: Buy Wholesale page in the Shopify App Store.
2. Click Add app.
3. Click Install app.
4. Click Agree and continue.
5. Optional: Select the product categories that you're interested in, and then click Continue. Select the values that are the most important to you and your customers, and then click Finish.