Is it possible to buy fish or corals from a distributor of you have a businesses license? I'm asking because in the area we have a store call restaurants depot. That's where resturants get their food from and only way to shop there is too have a license. Well long story short my mother in law has a business license for her work(not food. Medical) and they accepted it and now we get food at wholesale. So I'm wondering if that would work for a distributor in our hobby too?
Buying wholesale?
- Thread starter Dave0331
- Start date
champion6sigma
New member
Seems like best thing to do is contact directly the companies you are interested in. I would assume it all depends on volume you buy and commitment, length you will purchase
stephenhall1987
New member
I'm sure each company has their own rules. qualitymarine.com requires you to have an aquarium related storefront.
champion6sigma
New member
You need to have a business related resellers license. Ie aquarium store, aquarium service, or online store. Some as stated above want only store fronts. Others require X amount of years of time if it's a service business.
You will need to provide your recent resellers permit #to the stores as well, so they do check
You will need to provide your recent resellers permit #to the stores as well, so they do check
zchauvin
New member
champion6sigma
New member
I'm sure exceptions can be made if you are buying huge constant orders. But if trying to just pay less than online or local lfs, to stock a home aquarium or even a few....that probably wouldn't be allowed. Everyone would do it.
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PorkChop
New member
I have a small business that I run online (not fish/coral related) and what people said is correct. In finding supplies for mine, they all had different rules. It would be up to them as to if they would or would not.
Most companies won't let you buy direct, but only though a reseller, but I have one place that I buy direct. It all depends.
Doesn't hurt to try.. but some places will close your account and not allow you to buy anymore if you don't consistently buy from them. So you might get a few orders though...
-Porkchop
Most companies won't let you buy direct, but only though a reseller, but I have one place that I buy direct. It all depends.
Doesn't hurt to try.. but some places will close your account and not allow you to buy anymore if you don't consistently buy from them. So you might get a few orders though...
-Porkchop
sk8ter20art
New member
As a storeowner there are a few things.
Most have a minimum order of $400+, some are solely brick and morter. It varies from state to state on what license you need. For georgia a business license is required along with a pet dealers license.
Most have a minimum order of $400+, some are solely brick and morter. It varies from state to state on what license you need. For georgia a business license is required along with a pet dealers license.
Curious, wouldn't this be tax evasion, the sales tax specifically?
I honestly do not know, but if you are not reselling the goods and buying true wholesale...
If you are just looking for case quantity at a discount than this is the only one I know of www.livestockusa.org
sixpackgarage
reef mechanic
a quality wholesale company will never sell to the public. That's a big no-no. If you have some random unrelated business, they still shouldn't sell to you.
Reeferz412
Coral Hoarder
Here in FL, you need a business license, saltwater products license, and obviously a business related to the industry. Some places are more stringent than others when it comes to the brick and mortar policy. If you run a successful online store, you may be allowed to purchase wholesale so long as you have all the proper documents listed above.
