By "a lot of plants" do you mean purchases in the 1000's of dollars on a monthly or weekly basis? That's the typical customer wholesalers service. You may be able to qualify as a master gardener for a small discount at some retail nurseries as a courtesy, but it is nowhere near wholesale pricing. In my area, retail nurseries don't even offer wholesale pricing to professionals - there is a professional discount offered but again it is nowhere near wholesale. Wholesale pricing is reserved for wholesale customers with substantial buying power.

Sorry, but I agree with ninamarie. This is how we make our living. Would you provide your time and wages at 1/2 price? Would you agree to having your salary cut in 1/2 by your employer? If so, please let me know what business you are in and I will come over to get that deal.

The reason that your question ruffled some feathers is that, generally speaking, the mark-up in THIS particular business is pretty thin and the over head can be high. It is also labor intensive, and those who are actively involved in the production of these 'wares' value their hard work, rightfully so.

Today, the public's best chance at bargain basement prices exists in the big box stores. Quality, selection, professional assistance, and other factors might be missing, however.

You might want to seriously consider growing a few things from seed, too. I find it pretty easy to grow hundreds of annuals and perennials for my own use (and sharing with friends) with little mess and not a whole lot of space. In your climate, you could do quite a bit outside.

Check over in the wintersowing forum - there's many folks that do mailing of plant/seeds and then those who participate in onsite plant swaps. As a personal gardener this may the way to go to save money and get some unusual plants that work in your area.

Even if you decide to go into the pro end of it buyiing wholesale means you would also have to mail the state on a monthly basis all the sales tax it is owed on items bought.

Hey, I'm going to the swap mentioned in Skokie and I work in the trade. But this is actually for fun for my own garden though - lol.

I do have some customers to whom I sale plants at wholesale prices, but they order massive amounts. This would be corporations who landscape perhaps or golf courses, but I still have to tax them since they are the end user. I demand certificates of exemption too for true wholesale and if it's perennial stock, I also need to see their nursery stock certificate.

I occasionally get a small landscaper whom I suspect is buying for friends and family. I can't argue with them if they say no when I ask them if it's for private use, but I do ask so that I can tax appropriately if it is. I have to keep immaculate records of non taxable sales for audit purposes. Some wholesale g'houses will not even mess with taxable sales.

I will sometimes give discounts on retail prices to certain groups like garden clubs doing public projects, or community gardens, or educational groups. Heck, often I donate those.

Your question didn't offend me, but if you could see some of the manipulating we sometimes get from people who are not as honest and straightforward as you, you'd understand why triggers get tripped.

The thought that the buyer has is that (s)he is buying more plants IN ADDITION TO what the retailer would. The seller knows that selling to the "volume" buyer at a discount price DISPLACES the sale at full price because they can't restock it. .... especially if you would otherwise still buy from them.

If you will sell out at fullprice what you can't replace, you would be throwing away money by selling it for less.