linx

Do wholesalers only sell to bike shops? I'm workiing on some ideas for a bike and don't want to pay retail prices on parts, so if you have any ideas where I can source items at wholesale, please let me know? Thx.

Wordbiker

https://www.tradekey.com/buyoffer_lis...ycle-Parts.htm

n4zou

Only is your willing to purchase a 20' container packed full.

Wordbiker

Exactly.

Why would anyone want to sell you bike parts at no profit just because you don't want to pay retail? If you want wholesale prices, get a job at a bike shop.

blamp28

It's really quite simple. Just put your hard earned cash and family fortune on the line, pledge your personal property and open a bike shop. Stock loads of goods in the hope that you chose right and don't get stuck with inventory that you can't sell. You can then buy all you want wholesale. With any luck you wont encounter customers that want to cut you out of the supply chain in an attempt to buy at the same prices without any of the associated risks. I'm just saying!

linx

Thanks for tip!

linx

Why?

Little Darwin

So, you not only want to stiff a generic local bike shop, you want to stiff one that pays you.

Why not just ask them who they get their parts from, or go rummaging through their catalogs or contact lists?

Maybe you can see if you can piggy back on one of their orders and just eliminate their mark-up. You seem like a model employee putting their needs above your own... surely they'll bypass any profit and spend whatever effort is needed to get you everything you want in exchange.

Barabaika

There are many online shops and eBay where you can buy parts cheaper than a bike shop from a wholesale warehouse.

www.nashbar.com
www.aebike.com
www.jensonusa.com
www.biketoolsetc.com
www.bikepartsusa.com
www.gvhbikes.com

There are online shops that sell classic parts: www.benscycle.net www.velo-orange.com

blamp28

No sweat. Just trying to help you see your question from a diferent perspective. I have no Idea how to respond when I find out that you work at a bike shop and can likely allready buy at a discount. Maybe you can start a union at your shop too

old_alfie

Utter naiveté, totally clueless.
alf

blamp28

Agreed

linx

No so.

old_alfie

Every older subscriber here has learned how to prioritize his limited funds, particularly those subscribers who in earlier times served our Republic and did it without sounding Pharisaical.
alf

Brightwork

There are ways to order from a wholesaler without being a real shop. All involve a bit of misleading on your part and a registered company with the proper tax numbers. For the $25 you'll save, just buy online.

blamp28

Sure, just LIE and you can get a great deal. Not even an option for a person with integrity.

blamp28

So you're willing to serve your country. Thank you for that by the way. But you are also willing to screw the business owner who gave you employment. NICE.

linx

Thanks.

danielguzman78

Not sure about bike part wholesalers but in most industries it's hard for any wholesaler to just sell to joe shmoe. I've worked with computer part wholesalers in the past, to them it's not worth selling to random people.

you may find some stores online who sell items for less simply cuz they dont have to keep a storefront. try them.

as for playing "I was serving my country in iraq" card... i think that's a crappy and irrelevant.

Mondoman

Linx, it remains a bit of a mystery to me *why* you don't want to deal with your bike shop for the parts, as they are your best shot at getting wholesale-ish prices for smaller quantities.
Otherwise, you need to make it worth a vendor's while to sell you parts at a cheaper price. The less it costs someone to sell you something, the bigger the potential for a discount. Typically, that means you (a) purchase in quantity and/or (b) require *no* support. If you generate a reasonable stream of purchases, perhaps you could talk with another local bike shop about getting a discount; this may or may not be better than just ordering online as mentioned above. In any case, once you get a reseller ID from your state, you'll be able to avoid having to double-pay on sales tax.

Mondoman

The back and forth aspersions starting at post #8 are a bit much. It's a safe bet to assume ignorance until there's real evidence of malice.

StephenH

What kind of parts and what quantities?

For example, Wald makes a lot of generic bike parts, but sells only wholesale. Pretty much, you'd need a business name and address to set up an account, maybe bank references or something as well.

One thing to watch is that in a lot of places, you can't legally run a business from a house, even though there is seemingly no logical reason not to- simply a matter of zoning laws.

Be careful buying parts in bulk from a vendor you haven't dealt with before- there is some low quality stuff out there.

neil0502

blamp28

GOT IT but I don't get it. That's fine as it's really none of my business. I'm not really trying to come off as harsh but I do tend to stick up for the small business owner who has usually put much or all at risk to be in business and it seems that you want to get around that reality. If you are trying to start your own business then fantastic and good luck with it. My apology if this is the case. I applaud you for taking the risks and hope you reap the rewards. If, on the other hand, you are just trying to cut a deal normally reserved for those with a bigger stake in the game, then my remarks are in line. Thanks again for your service to our country.

Wordbiker

If I found out that an employee was buying parts at wholesale to operate a side business repairing bikes and taking away business from the shop, they'd be terminated.

Employee purchases are for the employee's personal benefit only in exchange for the advertising it brings to the shop, and as a perk for loyalty shown. It is not for financial gain of the employee, and many shops have policies that strictly forbid the selling of parts purchased through EP until a designated amount of time has passed, and also forbid them being sold at a profit.

If you're hurting for cash, ask your boss for a raise and/or more hours at the shop. Dealing under the table on the side is not the way to become trusted with more responsibility.