Official Luthiers Forum!

Do any of you have wholesale or reseller relationships with industry suppliers? If so, I'd be interested in learning which companies offer accounts for builders and how they work. I've looked around a bit but have not found any useful information. If it matters, I have both federal and state tax identification numbers, as well as a city business license.

Thanks,

_________________
George :-)

I have quite a few and it was nothing more than a phone call or emailing and asking if they will provide luthier pricing.

Most companies will require proof that you are a going concern. Some ask for Business registration documentation, industry afflilcation memberships and Website address etc.

And most require a certain volume per year or minimum order.

_________________
Allen R. McFarlen
Barron River Guitars & Ukuleles
Facebook
Cairns, Australia

Thanks! I appreciate your reply. Minimum orders/volume may be a stumbling block for me unless I can crank up my output. Hmm ... will continue to investigate.

_________________
George :-)

Are you primarily an electric or acoustic builder? The elec suppliers tend to have better wholesale discounts.If you buy enough from Stew Mac they just give you the wholesale pricing automatically. For acoustic a lot of the suppliers *( the main ones) give a discount if you buy more then 5-10. Also keep in mind that its the shipping sometimes that makes everything expensive unless your buying multiples to spread the cost out.

_________________
https://www.instagram.com/fostinoguitars/
https://www.facebook.com/PuraVidaUkuleles/

To this point, I've built only acoustic instruments.

_________________
George :-)

Hardware and electronics are easy to get wholesale if you are a legit business and have the documents like tax license and an EIN. Allparts & WD music are two of the big ones but even small companies like Fralin Pickups will give wholesale pricing if you have the paper. I get all my bone blanks and a lot of my fretwire from Allparts.

Lumber is harder to get wholesale if you are not buying in 100's or preferably 1000's of BDF at a shot and acoustic wood sets are a highly specialty item which usually means harder to obtain at substantial discount........

_________________
Brian

You never know what you are capable of until you actually try.

https://www.howardguitarsdelaware.com/

StewMac recently (March 2018) implemented a new policy on 'to the trade discounts' - the SM 'Advantage' automatic discount pricing was replaced with a Wholesale Pricing Program. The new program requires a higher $2,500 yearly minimum (versus the $1000 Advantage discount), requirement for EIN or other business ID, and a web site - pretty much evidence of a going business concern. Discounts apply to far more items, though - over 700 according to the StewMac site, and unlike the Advantage program, there is no threshold amount which must be purchased...just the yearly minimum to remain in the program.

We have business relationships with a number of parts and materials providers, and requirements to be considered a B2B customer vary from the standard EIN, business license, and yearly minimum to a note to the effect that we are a business. My recommendation is to call or send an email to the sales and marketing point of contact for the company of interest and inquire...sometimes, that is all that is needed.

Finally, we do not expect anything like wholesale pricing from other small businesses that sell highly specialized products in small quantities, such as specialized jig or fixture builders...these businesses are already more or less selling 'to the trade' only, and the pricing reflects that customer base. Otherwise, it depends...if ordering a large quantity of items, we might ask for a quantity discount or some adjustment on shipping (e.g., actually cost versus advertised rate).

_________________
We have become a civilization that elevates idiots, prostitutes, and clowns. Am I still to defend it? Yes, for its principles. Yes, for what it was. Yes, for what it still may be.

-Mark Helprin, The Oceans and the Stars: A Sea Story, A War Story, A Love Story (A Novel)

Ameritage used to give a good discount on their cases if you are a builder. Both standard and custom.
Not sure if they still do. You would need to call them and ask.
My experience in buying shop supplies over 40 years is that the discount comes with bulk or consistent ordering from the same company.

D'Addario and LR Baggs have been the most beneficial for me. I go through a lot of strings and pickups. Very easy to deal with especially LR Baggs.
I also have accounts with Fishman ($2000 minimum for first order) and SFM who distributes Hiscox cases and AER amps. Good price break on cases but shipping is a killer!

I joined NAMM a couple of years ago and made a lot of contacts at the shows. You do gain a bit of respect from some of the larger dealers but I probably won't continue my membership as most of their other benefits don't apply to me.


T

They still do. I order a handful of custom cases from them per year.