I'm thinking of starting out selling wheels that I will hand build. I don't want to give up the day job immediately so I plan to start (very) small by building one or two sets a month. Is there a way I could buy the components at trade prices for such low quantities and could I even set up as a business to qualify for a trade account, on such a small scale? Just thinking about the best way to start up.
I don't tknkw the answer, but wheel building is the one bit of bike maintenance I can't do and give to my LBS.
I've always provided the bits myself, either my existing hubs onto new rims or bits I've bought off ebay or whatever.
I have bought spokes from the builder occasionally but generally I just pay for the labour.
I don't know if I'm your typical customer🤷♂️
Talk to the suppliers and distributors/importers of the parts you want to buy. set up a Trade acct. I doubt if you buy in small qty at first that you'd get much of a discount, but that's partly up to you and your ability to negotiate.
Alternatively, find a Chinese manufacturer, buy a years supply of parts cheaply and become your own distributor and re-seller of your own hand-built wheels.
Others have covered the trade pricing points. Don't forget if you're selling on any kind of commercial/to the public basis to get some product liability cover in case of failure and injury to the user.
Also remember to have a couple of spares of everything you sell in the event you have to replace a failed component. No customer will thank you for delays while you order in another, or find that it's no longer available. Then factor the cost of those into the total you charge.
I think tbh that for the quantities you’re talking about, the trade price from importers or manufacturers is going to be no cheaper, or possibly even more expensive than the deals available on line.
Some companies, Hope for example, won’t deal with you even on a pro Forma basis unless you have a bricks and mortar shop front.
You'll find it cheaper to buy stuff online.
heres some cheap shimano XT/105/saint hubs to get you going
https://www.evanscycles.com/bike-components/hubs
Do you think you are going to be able to sell wheels at a price that pays for your time and makes a profit?
Done similar in past life many years ago, not wheels.
Everyone ignored me first time round.
Attempt again after getting website up, creating intro deck and high level business plan showing scale over 3yrs. Was able to get trade accounts with decent discount in anticipation of future scale that way with a few of the CO’s that intro’s me to their UK distributors and essentially vouched for me at an early stage. Before I managed to do that I’d look to pick up fire sale bargains from overseas and eBay etc. if you’re attacking a niche that not many specialise in then you have a chance.
Speaking to others while I was trying to get started some were also just buying retail at zero markup just to make a name for themselves initially before going back.