Getting Trade Prices for small orders?

[Sapele66]

Hello,

I’m looking into setting up a small garden furntiture business and am in the process of pricing my timber supplies. The first supplier I am about to contact supplies to both the trade and the public.

Now while I’m a long way off registering for vat or making bulk orders I’d still like to get trade prices.

So I’m wondering:
• Can I get trade prices for small orders?
• What is the best way to approach timber suppliers to ensure that I get trade prices / the best deal?

Any information / tips really appreciated, Paul

 

[scwazrh]

Prepare your purchase order and email / fax / phone it to 4 or 5 suppliers.Even better is to drop into the suppliers with the list and ask them to price it up for you.

At the moment you will get the best price for paying cash over the counter irrespective of trade or public.

 

[computerman]

Buy a pair of snickers and a sweatshirt, rub in some sawdust, put a t-sq and timber chisel (old looking), then visit the supplier and talk the talk.

There should be no need to talk about trade or public prices, they will assume you are trade - if they dont, shop elsewhere.