Bicycle Mechanics - parts supplier for home mech

Hello all looking for some help in finding out to get parts and supplies for my home shop. I am just starting out and don't have all the requirements like store front, showroom, ext. for the big suppliers. Any help would be great. Not looking to scam anybody just get my little repair business off the ground and see what happens.

Thanks

Contact Quality Bicycle Parts (QBP) to see what it takes to become a wholesale purchaser from them.

Of all the big boys I've dealt with, Seattle Bike Supply seems to be the only one who supports folks who are shy of a store front. They'll still require proof of local and state permits as well as business liability insurance. All the other want to see an actual store front.

=8-)

Quality is one of the suppliers that does their best not to sell smaller and home shops, as the OP has probably already discovered.

I used to sell a number of these businesses, my only criteria being that they are run as businesses, and not in an area already well served by shops. The OP's best shot is with some of the smaller regional distributors or smaller third tier bike companies. If he'll tell us where he's located, I might be able to give him some names.

Thanks for the insight. I am located in Billerica MA, about 25 miles outside of Boston. I am working on the tax id and insurance stuff right now. Just working my way through the process.

Insurance was pretty high when I checked into it a couple of years ago. I decided to skip it and take my chances. I was doing repairs for local people. Never been sued or even blamed. But I stopped doing it, because it wasn't a good use of my time.

Quality is one of the suppliers that does their best not to sell smaller and home shops, as the OP has probably already discovered.
OK, good info. Scratch that recommendation.

Another alternative is to contact some of the smaller on line outfits and ask for a discount. I was getting a discount from one of them if I met a certain order size along with free shipping. A second source of many of my consumables has been bike shops going out of business. Seems like there is one going out every 4 to 6 months around here. Many of my tools, and a lot of my consumables, have been bought in bulk from these shops. Its also a sobering reminder of the viability of a lot of bike shops.

For smaller orders, Jensen is my favorite as they have free shipping for orders over $50 and they price match with a lot of the other lower cost vendors.

Good luck on the insurance.

I justt got the quote back for ins and there is no way I can pay what they want. I to am only really doing college kids and local BMX kids. Maybe if I can make something of it then I will go deeper into it. there is no shop within 6 square miles of me. i grew up in bike shops in norther california and really miss doing it.

Don't sweat insurance. You have no assets, so aren't a good candidate for a lawsuit anyway.

However most vendors will insist on sales tax registration for your state. This is free, but mans that you'll need to collect and remit tax, and to avoid issues, file a notice when you end the business.

If you use a trade name, such as Joe's Bike Shop, that also has to be registered, usually at the county courthouse (varies by state).

Some how once you pay the business license , since it a public record ,
the sellers of store supplies will find You.

filing as an LLC , might protect you from being sued to homeless ness,
since the house is a fixed asset to go after.