r/Framebuilding • u/sam1641 • 6d ago

Question about distributors for a school program.

I have started a program at my boarding school building/altering frames and teaching bike maintenance. I have tried submitting the form to apply for an account with QBP, and have not heard anything back. Is it possible to become a part of the distributor network as a school? It would obviously be a game changer in terms of what I can offer.

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u/dasklrken 6d ago

Not qbp, they require it to be a brick and mortar business. Possible but difficult to get exceptions, but youd have to already be established, they dont do "oh good you have a plan", they only do "you are established, now you can work with us". Down near the bottom are the requirements: https://www.qbp.com/doing-business-with-q

JBI BTI Might be better bets for getting an account.

Not sure on the supplier side for frame building/tubing, afaik in small volume it is pretty much order from the same retailers as everyone else. But I'd love to know if there is a more whole sale option as well.

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u/sam1641 6d ago

Thank you for this info, I will reach out to JBI and BTI.

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u/NamasteMotherfucker 6d ago

You could reach out directly to component manufacturers. Your needs may fall under existing community outreach or PR programs.

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u/Unlikely-Office-7566 5d ago

Are you in the USA?

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u/sam1641 5d ago

Yes, Rhode Island

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u/AndrewRStewart 4d ago

Hopefully wholesalers are worried about maintaining consumer/retail prices as the shops they sell to, and collect their invoices from, need to resell the stuff at enough a price to make a profit (and thus pay their bills and their employees). Better distributers will be concerned about the undercutting of retail prices that a non profit or academic entity can so easily end up creating.
I would talk directly with the distributers and perhaps have a school admin do the initial contact. I would also be concerned about insurance. I can easily see situations that could go really bad law suitwise if a kid got hurt. Do the teachers involved with the frame altering "classes" have any fabrication industry credentials? Andy.