I am a member of the Blue Ridge Woodturners in Roanoke, VA. I also run the club's store where we sell various turning supplies, such as CA glues, end grain sealer, and H&L sanding discs, to our members. The goal of our store is to be able to sell good quality products to our members at less then regular retail prices and to make a bit of a profit for the club's treasury. We do this by purchasing in bulk and negotiating good pricing and shipping costs with our supplies. Currently we would like to seek out a vendor of high quality 2" and 3" H&L sanding discs in a full range of commonly used grits that would be cost effective for our members. Ideally we could purchase these sanding discs directly from the manufacturer and not have to deal with a for profit "middleman" who adds cost to us. Therefore, we are open to any and all suggestions of suppliers of H&L sanding discs that we can contact to see if we can "make a deal." Obviously we will be glad to share what we find out for other turning clubs who operate a "store" for the benefit of their members, or even for individuals. Look forward to your suggestions.
Thanks, Peter Toch
From this sentence, I read it to mean the author seeks to buy directly from the manufacturer. Steve Worcester, Vince Welch, and other vendors are the 'middlemen' he seems to be referring to. I invite the author of the original post to correct me if I am mistaken.
All of us are middlemen in that none of us are the manufacturer., the woodturning community is too small to sustain it. Generally, if the public can buy direct from a manufacturer, the "middleman" wouldn't want to carry they product as there's no money it it. Inventory carrying costs is money.
There is direct from the manufacturer, which is calling up Mirka/3M/Norton, etc and placing an order or direct from a distributor, 2 different things. Most of us are buying direct from a manufacturer, but this is a huge number for a club, even a club with 500 members would have a hard time doing it as there are yearly volume ($$$) commitments.
Talk to the "dealer" about it. But before you do, have some numbers of what your expectations are. Talk about what you can do for them, how many members, how much product you are looking for. There isn't anywhere as much money in abrasives as most people think. Think about the variety you want to buy, sizes, mandrels, pads, etc., there is different margins in each and the overall purchase may yield better club pricing.
And how you plan to pay. Time to money is a big factor in big purchases.
Typically the question is can I get a club discount? The question is too vague. Say, our club wants to buy $XXX and want to know what type of discount we can get. if you are a descent size club, tell them ou will put an add in your newsletter as well as buy the product. Repeat business (or potential) helps ALOT.