"trade price" - how does it work?

[Franco Cozzo]

I keep hearing people refer to things as "trade price" as a discount for mechanics and the like, how does that work? Do apprentices get trade price?

[Fireblade]

Trade Price is usually reserved for people in the trade, hence "Trade". If your an apprentice approach your boss about getting some parts for your car (Im assuming here) if he is a good boss he should have no problem with this. Or if you know someone in the shop they might give you trade for your parts anyway. I get trade price on most of my stuff just from knowing a few guys in the local parts shops. And the rest I get from one of 2 mechanic mates.

[b2tf]

Its generally about 10% off the cost of parts give or take a bit. I do give it to people I know that are in the trade or who buy a lot of gear but people who come in and ask for it straight out generally get knocked back.

[Franco Cozzo]

Yes I was wondering about that because I'm an apprentice mechanic, but I don't have anything besides my employment certificate to prove I'm in a trade for this discount, but I don't really feel confident in asking for it just in case i come across like an ******* trying to scam my way into discount.

The spare parts division will give us discounts though at work

[Fireblade]

If you go local to your workplace, just let them know where you work and they might give you Trade, it is worth a try.

[Work Horse]

Trade price is not something you get, it is something that is given to you.

It is at a retailers discretion who they give it to, so you need to think about it from their point of view.

A retailer offers trade price to people who purchase a large volume of whatever it is they are selling.

So as a mechanic, always buy your parts from the same places. If on your second or third visit they don't offer you trade price, ask them a matter of fact "are you charging me retail?" If they say yes, tell them you are in the "trade". If they don't offer trade price, use someone else. If they do offer you trade price stick with them and form a relationship.

Trade price is about 35% less than retail so it's worth pursuing.

[platinumXR]

I used to get asked "Oh can I get trade price on that?" and I'd say "Sure, can I just get a look at you're MVIRC quickly?"....."My what?"..."sorry mate, trade price is for tradespeople...."

[LukeGT]

As mentioned its important to use the same suppliers and build a relationship to earn trade pricing. Drop the name of your business when ordering parts (even order over the phone and then pickup) and when they give you a price ask if its retail or 'my' price.

[buggerlugs]

If you are going to use them regulary, open an account. Most will give you trade then. As has been said, try to be loyal to the supplier . It works both ways.........

[OLDFORDNUT]

mate go to suppliers in your WORK shirt and just ask them while telling them you are an apprentice, you will find most will give you trade straight up if not just be polite and ask.most trade discounts are more in the region of 20 - 30%

[FGII-XR6]

it will be different depending on the supplier if one won't give you trade price find one that will . using the name of your work will help but most places will be cool with giving an apprentice trade price as you are the tradie of tomorrow and it's good to get your loyality early

[OLDFORDNUT]

Originally Posted by au3xr6

it will be different depending on the supplier if one won't give you trade price find one that will . using the name of your work will help but most places will be cool with giving an apprentice trade price as you are the tradie of tomorrow and it's good to get your loyality early

Spot on

[Qwik6]

If your an apprentice, why can't you just order what you want through work?

[PimpMyHubcap]

Speaking as an importer/wholesaler who has to set the distributor + trade + rec retail price, I get asked for the RRP all the time for products that I shouldnt even be setting the price for (Do it yourself ya lazy so-n-so....I dont sell it retail)

I dictate to my tradies (customers) what they pay but then they have to on-sell to their retail customer.

It`s very simple to work out really. Are you the end user of the product or on-selling?
End user: pay the RRP and let the people who can supply survive.
Tradie on-selling: start an account, get the benefits with cashflow and charge RRP.

Oh.........I`m not in the auto industry but some things should work the same.

Cheers
Mick

[Franco Cozzo]

With opening an account, can I do that at most hardware stores? I have Bursons near by my work and same with Total Tools (which do offer this thing called "Insiders"). I plan on buying over $2000 worth of tools and will remain a loyal customer if they offer me discounts.

About ordering through my work, I'm not sure if they will do that for me, I have to talk to my workshop and service managers.

I'll wear my Honda uniform when I go to buy any tools, thanks for the advice guys.

[ebxr8240]

Yep works both ways...
A place up in Hornsby wouldn't give me trade or any discount..
Latter that month there was a storm..
Their power supply service cable was on the ground..
POA [point of attachment] was damaged..
I made safe and went to the next job..
Went back that afternoon and they where charged $550 for a temp elect supply...

[svo supporter]

Being in the auto industry myself, I can buy parts/tools at trade price through my workplace. Generally speaking, with the OP's situation wanting to spend some coin on tools, onsite tool suppliers eg snap on, send out van to supply the industry with the necessary tools.

However seeing as though he OP is near Bursons, walk in there with the workshirt on, during work hours and consult them about buying at trade price. Mention to them to check with your workplace that you do actually work for them and see if they'll come to the party. If not, walkout and try the next supplier with the same speil.

The reason behind doing it during work hours, is it is easy to leave a job and not return a workshirt. So by Bursons or any other tool/auto parts supplier being able to have a checkable story, it should go along way towards helping out getting that all important discount.

[ratter]

If you are an apprectice, do not be afraid to ask the supplier for the discount, they may ask for some sort of proof before giving it to you though. When I was an apprentice ( a couple of years ago : ) we normally had to get a trade order form from our employer to receive the discount, many stores these days just give it to any body with no proof.


Why do non trade people expect to get trade discount?

Would middy's for example give me electrical contractor prices if I was to buy electrical items from them? dont think so.

[mik]

Originally Posted by ratter

If you are an apprectice, do not be afraid to ask the supplier for the discount, they may ask for some sort of proof before giving it to you though. When I was an apprentice ( a couple of years ago : ) we normally had to get a trade order form from our employer to receive the discount, many stores these days just give it to any body with no proof.


Why do non trade people expect to get trade discount?

Would middy's for example give me electrical contractor prices if I was to buy electrical items from them? dont think so.

ahahhahahah :

[ratter]

shudup and respect ya elders



:

[mik]

many years ago i had a contact that could get me trade price, wait for it...........less 40% , its not what you know............

[Franco Cozzo]

I can get staff discount at Bunnings because Mum works there, but they don't really sell the brands I'm after unfortunately, they mainly sell Sidcrome and Kincrome.

Thanks for the advice guys, keep it coming.

Also, how do I find out where the Snapon van is? Or can I buy their tools from a storefront?

[Full Noise]

Originally Posted by Big Damo

Thanks for the advice guys, keep it coming.

Back in the “olden days”, we had a trade school identification card, basically just a photo ID that you could flash at places to prove that you were an apprentice mechanic.

Some parts places, once they got to know you, would give you their own card so that if someone who didn’t recognise you was serving, they’d give you trade price as some people behind the counter wouldn’t be familiar with Batman Automotive being a trade school.

However, some places wouldn’t give you trade price unless you had a trade order. Also, with the Total Tools “insiders”, just check as more often than not, the discounts fail to appear at the checkout when you’re paying the bill.

Cheers

[Full Noise]

Originally Posted by Big Damo

Also, how do I find out where the Snapon van is? Or can I buy their tools from a storefront?

Give them a call. I’ve only ever seen the vans driving around so they could give you an idea of when a van will be in your area.

http://www.snapontools.com.au/contact_us

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by Big Damo

Also, how do I find out where the Snapon van is? Or can I buy their tools from a storefront?

I think they only sell from the van, but if you want their stuff dont think 'trade' is cheap.

Snap-on stuff is good but biiig dollars.

[Jastel]

Originally Posted by ratter

If you are an apprectice, do not be afraid to ask the supplier for the discount, they may ask for some sort of proof before giving it to you though. When I was an apprentice ( a couple of years ago : ) we normally had to get a trade order form from our employer to receive the discount, many stores these days just give it to any body with no proof.


Why do non trade people expect to get trade discount?

Would middy's for example give me electrical contractor prices if I was to buy electrical items from them? dont think so.

Ummm, to save money??

I know what the prices should be and most retailers want my business.
I only pay cash so no credit issues, some of the prices they spout off the computer just make me laugh

My biggest problem is you set up a deal with the boss, but when you go in the boss isn't there and the new kid wont give you the right price, You go elsewhere and spend a few grand on bits and the next day the boss rings you up and says why dont you shop here???

I play them off against each other too, I say forget it there only $x down the road

It's your money shop where they treat you right, I commonly get discounts of over 50% of shelf price.

Even Ford can move on prices if you buy enough

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by GasOLane

I think they only sell from the van, but if you want their stuff dont think 'trade' is cheap.

Snap-on stuff is good but biiig dollars.

Yeah I know, the guys at work have all been telling me spend up big on the items you use all the time like spanners, sockets, screwdrivers, ratchets and impact gun. the 13pc metric Snap On spanners are $800, the impact gun is another $800. Very expensive.

I'm looking at snap on for the things we use all the time, SP Tools for everything else.

[Full Noise]

Originally Posted by Big Damo

Yeah I know, the guys at work have all been telling me spend up big on the items you use all the time like spanners, sockets, screwdrivers, ratchets and impact gun. the 13pc metric Snap On spanners are $800, the impact gun is another $800. Very expensive.

It’s all good and well for them to say “spend up big”, however, they’re not the ones picking up the tab.

So you’re an apprentice working on Honda cars?

Realistically, how often do you break spanners or sockets? My guess would be not very often, unless you plan on hooking ring spanners to open enders, or putting pieces of pipe on the end of ring spanners.

My advice would be to buy Sidchrome or the Total Tools (TTS) brand. You will get a lot more for your money and if you break one, they will replace it.
If you are pretty close to your Total Tools branch, they will swap broken tools over on the spot, no iffs or buts, whereas with Sidchrome, you’ll have to wait until a sales rep comes to the shop to inspect them.

It you are going to work on trucks or earthmoving equipment, that’s a different issue, but if you’re only working on cars, In my opinion, Sidchrome, TTS or Kinchrome are fine for what you’re using them for.

By the way, when I was an apprentice, I had a Chicago Pneumatic ½ drive impact gun and the housing cracked like a chocolate egg on Easter Sunday. So even when you buy expensive stuff, it doesn’t mean that they’ll last.

[naughts]

Originally Posted by ratter

Would middy's for example give me electrical contractor prices if I was to buy electrical items from them? dont think so.

Mick.
I'll get your Electrical stuff for trade price, you get me my auto stuff for trade....... Deal ?????

[ebxr8240]

Ratter [QUOTE]Would middy's for example give me electrical contractor prices if I was to buy electrical items from them? don't think so.

If this was referring to me??
The company I work for has a large truck maintenance section ...
Which deal with them big time..


I'm not a contractor..