Wholesale License

[john.m.cole3]

how does one go about getting a license to buy wholesale. Our local club is hoping to get someone licensed.

 

[Clayalaleona]

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.

 

[cromag27]

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.

 

[john.m.cole3]

It sounds like it might not be worth the efforts...

 

[mcarroll]

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.

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. :( :(

 

[pirate2876]

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?

 

[jsker]

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.

 

[cromag27]

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. :( :(

 

[john.m.cole3]

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 ?

 

[cromag27]

Doing business as.

 

[CastAway]

how does one go about getting a license to buy wholesale. Our local club is hoping to get someone licensed.

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.

 

[john.m.cole3]

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.

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]

Doing business as.

Ding ding we have a winner

 

[mcarroll]

Doing business as.

I don't think most people are aware that the first thing a "serious businessperson" does is to pick an online handle. :rolleyes:

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. :D

 

[pirate2876]

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.

 

[john.m.cole3]

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.

Ok good to know. Thanks.