We have accounts with QBP, SBS, and United Bicycle Supply. We've submitted applications to J&B twice over the last four years and been turned down both times as a nonprofit community bike program.

Is this a new policy direction for J&B? Is it at the discretion of our regional representative? Any advice?

Boston Square Community Bikes
Oakdale Neighbors
1260 Kalamazoo SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49507
www.oakdaleneighbors.org
616-248-2848

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From: Wm Dakota Callaschai <mylifeinthenow@gmail.com>
To: The Think Tank <thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org>
Sent: Tuesday, March 25, 2014 2:24 PM
Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] Beware of Quality Bike Parts and their inflexibility with co-ops

J&B Importers inc!! They have a warehouse like 30 miles from you!!
919-877-1002 give them a call.
Troy Bike Rescue has been gettin our stuff from them for almost 10 years!! Its been great!
On Mar 25, 2014 2:08 PM, "Leslie Peteya" <lesliepeteya@gmail.com> wrote:
Hi all,
Wanted to warn y'all of dealing with QBP.

After 7 years of having a dealer agreement with QBP for your basic small potatoes shop stuff,
we decided to shut down our account with them over their new inability to ship to a new ship-to location.  I succinctly explained the nature of our shop (volunteer, limited shop hours, etc.) and
necessity of shipping to a different location, but it fell on deaf ears.

Damn shame, because they said we were an excellent account with good financial management.

I also wasn't pleased that they said they denied other new co-ops an account based on similar issues.

This comes after their corporate policy of tightening up on third party suppliers, designed to keep the local bike shop in business. Ironically, we're still around after multiple for-profit local bike shops in our area have failed, and as a local community bike shop, we're now being hurt by the very policy designed to protect LBSs.

We still have an account with United Bicycle Supply, and I'm exploring new accounts with Cyclone and Seattle Bike Supply.

Can anyone recommend other suppliers that support our shops with community missions?

Thanks,
Leslie
Durham Bike Co-op





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