I'm starting a small repair business out of my garage. I'm interested in buying some items in bulk. Things like cables, housing, tubes etc. Any suggestions on the cheapest way to acquire these things without any accounts with the big boys?

the smaller distributors may open accounts with you. probably need a tax id or similar. besides that its the typical internet stops like jensen nashbar universal cambria etc.

Bike Tools Etc (www.biketoolsetc.com) and The Third Hand/Loose Screws (www.loosescrews.com) sell brake and derailleur housing in bulk rolls and inner wires in packages of 100. I don't know if they offer a commercial discount.

Other than that, getting a QBP or other distributor account will be the lowest cost source.

They're pretty particular (according to their policies) about who can open an account. Commercial insurance policy, resale tax certificate, photos of retail location, retail storefront, retail space, etc. are required.

Norco, for example won't even look at you until you have accounts with 3 other big distributors.

just have to register like a real business, get a Liability policy, Tax ID number, and all that ..

Then once you are a business, you can be treated like one..

Some places may give you a little break off retail if you order by the dozens.

There's a difference between fixing bikes for your friends and running a small business out of your garage. It's the reason for a business liability insurance policy.

What if you don't properly tighten a brake cable fixing bolt and the first time the bike owner squeezes hard on the brakes, they pop loose and send him hurtling into a busy intersection. If he gets injured or worse, you get sued. Buying bulk bicycle parts will be the least of your concerns at that point.

I buy things like that through my LBS. I do tech support in their name for a couple of big rides every year and they give me a nice discount on the stuff that I buy through them.