Buying group or trade account? How the math works.
Free trade accounts and paid buying groups both promise contractor pricing. They work in very different ways. Here is the honest comparison, including when the free option is the better deal.
The short answers.
More on the full FAQ, or call Dan at (864) 825-0080.
What is a cabinet buying group?
A cabinet buying group pools purchases from many contractors so the group gets better factory pricing than one shop could alone. Some groups pay rebates on your existing supplier accounts. Swift Space instead sells at factory cost plus one volume-based markup for a $2,000 annual membership, and handles design, ordering and warranty claims.
Is a paid buying group better than a free trade account?
Free trade accounts at showrooms and online sellers usually give a tiered discount off their own list price. A paid group like Swift Space charges $2,000 a year but prices from factory cost plus a stated markup, includes 2020 Design and manages delivery and warranty claims. Compare both on the same job with written quotes.
Four ways contractors buy cabinets.
These are the common models, described in general terms. Terms differ by company, so get the details in writing from anyone you compare.
| Model | How pricing works | Cost to join | Design help | Delivery and warranty claims | Usually fits when |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paid buying group (Swift Space) | Factory cost plus one stated, volume-based markup | $2,000 a year | 2020 Design layouts included on every project | We coordinate delivery and file warranty claims with the factory | You build or remodel several kitchens a year and want the cost basis on paper |
| Rebate buying group | You keep buying from your own suppliers; the group negotiates rebates and passes part of them back | Varies by group | Usually none | You handle them with each supplier | You like your current supplier accounts and want money back on volume |
| Showroom trade account | A trade discount off the showroom's own list price | Usually free | Often offered; some showrooms charge for design | The showroom handles its own orders | Your clients want to see and touch product in person |
| Online trade program | A discount off the seller's list price, often tiered by annual volume | Usually free | Some include basic 3D design | Shipped to you; claims go through the seller | Small, simple jobs you can measure and order yourself |
Low volume, simple jobs.
If you do one small kitchen a year, or mostly single vanities, the savings may not cover a $2,000 fee. A free showroom or online trade account is the sensible choice, and we would rather tell you that up front.
Steady kitchens, real margins.
Our comparisons put a typical kitchen $3,000 to $5,000 under showroom pricing, so a builder doing several kitchens a year usually covers the fee on the first one. Design, ordering, delivery and warranty claims sit with one person.
Five steps to a fair comparison.
- Get written quotes for the same layout, the same door style and finish, and the same box construction.
- Line up the extras: design fees, freight, restocking terms and any minimum order.
- Ask who files the warranty claim if a cabinet arrives damaged, and how long replacements take.
- Spread any membership fee across the kitchens you expect to build this year.
- Send us the quote you already have. We will run the side-by-side for free, and you check the math.