john.m.cole3
cyclOps
how does one go about getting a license to buy wholesale. Our local club is hoping to get someone licensed.
Wholesale License
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Clayalaleona
Well-Known Member
In the state of Florida you need a SW Resale certificate, a business license and all your tax stuff. Thats the easy part.
The hard part is getting what you want from the wholesaler. If you think you're going to submit a $400-700 order to a wholesaler and get the good stuff you're mistaken. You're gonna get leathers and lots of 'em unless 1) You have an in at the wholesaler 2) You make multiple high dollar orders. Lots of people get that idea.
For transparency's sake, I work for a wholesaler and what a lot of people don't realize is that we have to keep our major stores happy. If its between a 20k a month store and a group of people taking $700, you should already know who is getting the rare fish, corals and inverts.
The hard part is getting what you want from the wholesaler. If you think you're going to submit a $400-700 order to a wholesaler and get the good stuff you're mistaken. You're gonna get leathers and lots of 'em unless 1) You have an in at the wholesaler 2) You make multiple high dollar orders. Lots of people get that idea.
For transparency's sake, I work for a wholesaler and what a lot of people don't realize is that we have to keep our major stores happy. If its between a 20k a month store and a group of people taking $700, you should already know who is getting the rare fish, corals and inverts.
The best wholesalers require a brick and mortar store. unfortunately, there are some wholesalers that will sell to garage reefers but the prices are usually not as good and you may not get the good stuff.
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john.m.cole3
cyclOps
It sounds like it might not be worth the efforts...
pirate2876
Valuable Member
Business license, resale license, and be prepared to show any taxable income. You can set it up as tank maint company and say you would like to purchase livestock for your customers tanks. Whether or not wholesalers will sell to you is a different story. No wholesaler is going to let you go and buy 200 bucks worth or stuff every couple months without a longstanding relationship or a brick and mortar store..Most WS will just outright refuse to sell you anything because in reality, your taking business from them in the long run.
It can be done but, should it?
It can be done but, should it?
jsker
Reefing is all about the adventure
Since you doing your own thing now John, you can DBA and use a current licence to purchase wholesale, you will just have to get a different type licence @Clayalaleona county business tax licence for your DBA.
Unfortunately, you are correct.
My experience is that it's fewer and fewer that have this requirement. I went to a barbershop that was buying their own stuff wholesale.
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john.m.cole3
cyclOps
This topic came up with a few buddies of mine bc one of them is propogating and can't keep enough stock for locals wanting frags. I said I wanted to go in on an order, then someone else showed interest. Before you knew it we had a $500 order and was like, hey I wonder how the guys in town do it that have wholesale licenses.
Just like anything else in this hobby, if I don't know, I ask.
What's DBA @jsker ?
Just like anything else in this hobby, if I don't know, I ask.
What's DBA @jsker ?
Does you club have a LFS sponsor?
My own club has a "sponsor" that offers members 10%. Yet another LFS openly rejects the club, deeming it a competitor.
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john.m.cole3
cyclOps
OUR LFS is crazy over-priced w/ poor quality and will not support our local reef club. we've approached them about giving members a discount and asked them to donate a few gift cards to give away at meetings. I started this club and it is slowly growing. There is another "club" in town that doesn't have meetings and has a facebook page that is primarily utilized for selling equipment. guiding a local club is hard here. Most people view but don't participate. My gears switched to trying wholesale to draw people in for better prices than the LFS can offer.
jsker
Reefing is all about the adventure
Ding ding we have a winner
mcarroll
10K Club member
I don't think most people are aware that the first thing a "serious businessperson" does is to pick an online handle.
Yes, a fake name to do business under is literally one of the first things you have to do. It's not wise to do it any other way, in fact.
pirate2876
Valuable Member
Good luck in TX. If you were in LA I would say you could have a chance. Being in TX, your going to have to resort to transhipping and letting the wholesaler pick your goods.
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john.m.cole3
cyclOps
Ok good to know. Thanks.
