Awl --
I'm looking for the following
Web retailers of this item abound, and most of them proly get their stuff from a few wholesalers. The Q is: Who are these wholesalers, where/how are they found?? Thomasnet.com is not such a big help here.
Wholesalers in particular seem to keep a pretty low profile, which I initially found odd, but now sort of makes sense, if you view the Web as revenue-maximizing machine, where the situation now seems to be that increasingly local sources can meet or beat Web prices, just as small hardware stores can very often meet or beat big box prices, save for their loss leaders/promos.
I think that if a wholesaler has a web presence, the prices you see are retail.
Thus, the choice seems to be these dime-a-dozen retailers (who all charge about the same) or the china-based suppliers who need an order for 1,000 or more.
How does one find state-side ware-housers/wholesalers, who would deliver batches of 50-100-200?
I suppose I could contact some of the alibaba.com chinese vendors, and find out who they sell to, stateside. Does that sound like a plan? Heh, will I need a translator?? Is there any other way, searching on the web? Any other strategies? Any other links like alibaba or directories for fitness equipment-related parts and components?