I made two materials purchases yesterday at places where I have "business" or "wholesale" accounts.
1. I ordered some stuff from the first one. On their retail side, there was free shipping with a $25 order. I ordered 3 items at $8.99 so I qualified for free shipping. On the wholesale side, the items were $8.09, drat, not quite $25. Added a small items to get the total over $25 but because it was the wholesale side, free shipping was not offered and it would have been $8.95 to ship. So, cheaper to buy retail.
2. Ordered a bunch of wood products. From their internet side (the retail side) I calculated an $85 order. Now, mind you, the retail side has quantity discounts up to 1000 on most items. Called the order in to the wholesale side. She calls back later, my order is only $55, so it doesn't meet their minimum. If I order more of the item I'd bought a lot of, I'd meet the minimum order. I decided I'd rather have another item to fill the order. No, that's only on the retail side. So I get more of same. So it was $10 cheaper to buy more and throw away 20% of it.
I just ordered 100 ft of 5/32 polyrod for slide toppers. Shipping was $ 15.95. If I ordered 1,000 ft then shipping was $ 15.95.
Really ????
BTW, It took me 3 years to find this polyrod in this size. I could have bought it through an RV dealer at $ 1.97 ft. Instead I opened an account with the wholesalers and paid .06 cents per ft. Since I now have an account with them I am going to start offering parts for topper and awning assemblies as I get calls for that quite often.
Chris