Are you getting your rehab supplies at wholesale?

[lpittenger]

I recently was working in Las Vegas for a couple of Furniture and Accessories showrooms, where all of the Interior Designers, Hotel Owners, Developers RE Stagers, and Retail Stores would come to a huge trade show and purchase things for their businesses and clients. Of course furniture is not probably something you would like, except I hear rehabbing houses and furnishing them is starting to be a big thing now, but the accessories part would be something of interest. They have lighting fixtures, bathroom and kitchen fixtures, etc. Now in our trade show you just have to have a business license to be able to come to the show and purchase, but some you have to show sales receipts. But what I'm thinking here is getting hooked up with the manufacturers (you don't have to attend a show) and buying the things you need to rehab directly from the manufacturer instead of retail. Our MSRP (Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price) for our products would be about 2.5% of the wholesale price. Another thought is you could upgrade the things you put in a house for the same price as what you are paying for now. This is what I plan to do, I am going to go get a business license under "Decorator" and then I will start getting all sorts of offers for catalogs from the industry. Now some manufacturers have minimum purchases, but usually it is like $500 the first time, then like $250 on all orders after that. They are all different, but it is worth your time to contact say the the stove manufacturer and see if they will send a catalog and ask the minimum purchase requirements. You may even get a manufacturers rep to come to you and take your orders. You could be paying 1/2 the price you would normally pay for things and really as a rehabber your doing the same job as an Interior Designer, so you should be getting the same benefits they get.

[Dan Auito]

Let us know if it shakes out! The concept sounds plausible but there are always a few stumbling blocks.

[FL Beachgirl]

Ok, it's official...I am going to swipe that idea right out from under you ;)
And I might even use it to offer to other rehabbers in my area that could stand to save a few bucks here and there :) maybe charge a small commision per purchase...............hmm, wheels spinning as of now :)

Jennifer

[lpittenger]

Oh you go girl! You and I have the same idea! Don't forget to get your resale license though, you know for sales tax! When you see the catalogs you will be amazed at some of the markups! You can even go into the home after they move in and get them things to decorate their home for a discount! I loved being in the industry, but I had to move back to Idaho to take care of my folks, so that took care of that job.

You sound a lot like me, the brain is always going, so please share some of your thoughts!

[Ceres]

Many times a manufacture is represented by a independent sales company and may be your only gate way to purchase the product at your target price. Good Luck

[lpittenger]

Yes, when you call the manufacturer, they will probably prefer you work through a Manufacturer's Representative. Some will work with you directly, we did, but some will have a Rep contact you. You will still get the same price "wholesale" whether you work with a Rep or not. For those of you who live in a Trade Show city, sometimes at the end of the show or between shows they will sell their samples for like 50% off of wholesale. At the end of the show, "if" they sell their samples at that time, just about anyone can get them, but when they sell them between shows, the Rep will usually contact their best clients and give them first choice. You can always give the Rep at the show your card and ask to be contacted when they have their sample sale, however as I said the samples may go to the high volume clients. If you have a business license and you can visit Vegas at the end of January and July, it is kind of fun to go to the show! It is 5 days and a whole lot of people. They have 2 buildings built now and plan to have 6 more built it is going to be huge, but this show is just for furniture and accessories. The majority of those showrooms are furniture, but there are plenty of accessories too. If you can get into the "Hospitality" shows that is were they have a lot more fixture type things because they cater to Hotels, Motels, B & B's, businesses in the hospitality industry.

[SoldierInvestor]

Funny enough I ran into a awesome deal. A home builder around here struck me a deal that I could scoop his left overs up for a brutally low price. He always over orders and its a easy way for me to grab up some sweet stuff.
What can I say sometimes luck punches you in your mouth so you cant miss it. I believe some people call that fate as well.

[lpittenger]

That is a sswweeeett deal! I imagine it wouldn't hurt to talk to more builders, you could probably get things from a few of them, if you needed that much! I don't call that fate my friend, that is being blessed! I think I will talk to a few builders my own self!

Linda

[SoldierInvestor]

Yeah im putting something together. I may be new at REI, But I did not say that I don't have skills in negotiating or sales.