Restaurant Depot question

ElkhornHusker

Can one go in there to look around without being a member?

Photo Egg

Honestly, I have never been stopped at the door.

Sea2Ski

Before we were members, we were stopped at the door.  We said we wanted to go in and look around to see if we wanted to join and they warned us it was fine to do that, but in order to buy, we needed to be a member. 
Walking away, a member said that he would be happy to check out with us and just use his membership if we decided not to join but wanted to buy something.
Reminded me of being in college and going to the beer distributor and waiting for an upperclassman to pull up to buy his order and ask if he would just tack ours onto his.

ElkhornHusker

I was able to see their monthly flyer on their website.

Carolina Q

I think each RD makes its own rules as to who they let in, or even who can be a member. Istr reading on here about one store would give anyone who asked a memb card. 

ElkhornHusker

Maybe I will just show one day and plead ignorance 

The Cen-Tex Smoker

You can get a guest pass at ours just by asking. We have forgotten our card a few times and they had a stack of guest cards at the desk just ready to give out. They never asked our name or membership number- just gave us a pass. 

stlcharcoal

It's not so much walking in, but you'll need a card to buy something.

Like at costco and Sam's,  you can flash "FBI" card at them when you walk in.....they're not looking.

onedbguru

Bears noting again that if you are a KCBS - KC BBQ Society)member ($35/year???) you can get a RD daily pass. 

ElkhornHusker

I would like compare prices before getting the KC membership 

stlcharcoal

ElkhornHusker said:

I would like compare prices before getting the KC membership 

There's no cost for a membership to RD, you just have to have a business license.  Theyll give an owner as many cards as they want, so all of my buddies can get in on my account.

ElkhornHusker

stlcharcoal said:

ElkhornHusker said:

I would like compare prices before getting the KC membership 

There's no cost for a membership to RD, you just have to have a business license.  Theyll give an owner as many cards as they want, so all of my buddies can get in on my account.

I don't have a business license.

NorthPilot06

When you say a “business license” - what documentation are they looking for?  A EIN or something more complex than that?

ElkhornHusker

KCBS membership is $40 per year or $400 for lifetime.

Hub

stlcharcoal said:

ElkhornHusker said:

I would like compare prices before getting the KC membership 

There's no cost for a membership to RD, you just have to have a business license.  Theyll give an owner as many cards as they want, so all of my buddies can get in on my account.

Does the business license have to be for a food related business? I own a law firm and my business license reflects such.  Will that work?

jtcBoynton

“Membership is available to qualifying owners or operators of food businesses and non-profit organizations.”

“You agree to use Your membership only for purchases relating to the operation of Your business or non-profit organization.”

Don’t know how strictly they enforce their rules and it may vary by location.

mEGG_My_Day

Hub said:

stlcharcoal said:

ElkhornHusker said:

I would like compare prices before getting the KC membership 

There's no cost for a membership to RD, you just have to have a business license.  Theyll give an owner as many cards as they want, so all of my buddies can get in on my account.

Does the business license have to be for a food related business? I own a law firm and my business license reflects such.  Will that work?

I have a CPA firm.  I was honest with them and said I wouldn’t be buying for resale, but for company picknicks, break room etc.  They had no problem giving me a card.  I do pay sales tax when I check out, as is appropriate.  I just showed the IRS letter asssigning my EIN. 

blasting

I had no issue.  I was totally honest and said my biz has zero to do with food.  All I had with me was my company checkbook and business cards. 

No problem.  Besides meat, things I've bought include various utensils, knives, butcher paper, drip pans, peanut oil, and foil.

Smoke Em If U Got Em

In Birmingham, you do not have to be a member, nor do you need a business license.  I've been going there for a few years without any issues.

stlcharcoal

Depends on the location.  In STL you need to have something documenting you're a business to get a membership.  I'm pretty sure the form I filled out required my EIN number, then they also ask for a MO resale license for tax free.

A membership in the KCBS or SLBS also gets you in the door because those organizations are both NP and members with RD.

RD just doesn't want a bunch of randoms in there strolling the aisles buying one thing......it's hard enough to navigate through there already.  They cater to the restaurant guys with multiple carts buying $1000's a day or week.

ElkhornHusker

stlcharcoal said:

Depends on the location.  In STL you need to have something documenting you're a business to get a membership.  I'm pretty sure the form I filled out required my EIN number, then they also ask for a MO resale license for tax free.

A membership in the KCBS or SLBS also gets you in the door because those organizations are both NP and members with RD.

RD just doesn't want a bunch of randoms in there strolling the aisles buying one thing......it's hard enough to navigate through there already.  They cater to the restaurant guys with multiple carts buying $1000's a day or week.

After thinking about it, I am in the thought that I wouldn't spend enough to make the $40 KCBS membership worth it.  I would just like to go in there and see it.

Shiff

Their web site usually lists all locations and the email address of the manager. Send the manager an email and explain that you are an avid BBQer and would like to visit to look around.  Ask how flexible they are about membership requirements.  Maybe they will let you join - tell him that they have a good reputation here on the BGE forum.  Doesn't hurt to ask.

ElkhornHusker

Shiff said:

Their web site usually lists all locations and the email address of the manager. Send the manager an email and explain that you are an avid BBQer and would like to visit to look around.  Ask how flexible they are about membership requirements.  Maybe they will let you join - tell him that they have a good reputation here on the BGE forum.  Doesn't hurt to ask.

Just sent the manager an email.  Wait and see what happens.

ElkhornHusker

No luck, business license or tax id number

Photo Egg

ElkhornHusker said:

No luck, business license or tax id number

Check with your local tax/county office.
You can apply for a DBA business license. Call yourself BBQ of All Kinds, or some other made up name.
Years ago I had to renew for a fee each time but it changed and it's just a one time fee now. That's all I needed.

stlcharcoal

Photo Egg said:

ElkhornHusker said:

No luck, business license or tax id number

Check with your local tax/county office.
You can apply for a DBA business license. Call yourself BBQ of All Kinds, or some other made up name.
Years ago I had to renew for a fee each time but it changed and it's just a one time fee now. That's all I needed.

Don't you have any friends with their own businesses??

Everytime I went in I get another "employee" card.  I have 6-7 of my buddies in there on our membership.  I don't have an account there, so they just may on their personal credit cards.

Before I started this company, I think I was using my inlaws auto shop or the real estate office for my membership.

SaintJohnsEgger

I use my KCBS membership card to get a day pass. Of course I have to pay taxes but not all items are taxable (same rules as a grocery store purchase). I was there today and spent $139 which is about normal for my purchases.

Its the only reason I have a KCBS membership and its well worth it just for the RD access. The meat prices are pretty good but they have some unusual names for some items that I'm not familiar with.

mEGG_My_Day

This might work - tell them you opperate a business as a sole proprietorship and thus report your business income on your personal return (schedule C) and don’t have an EIN, only a social security number. 

This is a perfectly legal way to run a business.  They may want your Social.  You will have to be the judge if it is safe to give it to them.

Photo Egg

stlcharcoal said:

Photo Egg said:

ElkhornHusker said:

No luck, business license or tax id number

Check with your local tax/county office.
You can apply for a DBA business license. Call yourself BBQ of All Kinds, or some other made up name.
Years ago I had to renew for a fee each time but it changed and it's just a one time fee now. That's all I needed.

Don't you have any friends with their own businesses??

Everytime I went in I get another "employee" card.  I have 6-7 of my buddies in there on our membership.  I don't have an account there, so they just may on their personal credit cards.

Before I started this company, I think I was using my inlaws auto shop or the real estate office for my membership.

The cost is about 30 dollars to get a DBA and it's good for up to 10 years and you don't have to rely on anyone else.
Can also be used at Sam's Club to get business membership. Same price as normal membership but it gets you in the store earlier. This has been a big help on the way to Eggfests.
As far a paying taxes on stuff you still have to pay all the sales tax. But there is no reason not to legally. If you go the extra step and get a tax ID Number then you are responsible to file forms every year or quarter depending on total sales.
 

SaltySam

Is this for the RD in Kansas City? Or the one here in LaVista/Omaha?

ElkhornHusker

SaltySam said:

Is this for the RD in Kansas City? Or the one here in LaVista/Omaha?

La Vista location