Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
I am interested in opening a bent and dent store in Greenville, Alabama. I have a prime location on main state highway with building and parking. I need some help with suppliers and regulations please.
By L. P.
Silly question from across the pond but what is a bent and dent store? Regards, Pam
We are located in Suwanee GA and could supply just above everything you need product wise. Email me at phardy AT salvagedsolutions.com and we can discuss what you need. We supply products to many salvaged stores in the Southeast.
Hi. I am an owner of a salvage store in NY. It is called That Discount Place. You can see it on Facebook. My family also had 3 stores in Indiana.
Hi LP
We are the largest wholesaler or Salvage Grocery in the region and are the primary vendor for almost all of the bent and dent / discount grocery stores. We are family owned, in business for 30 years. Our warehouses are in St Paul, MN and we ship across the country. We sell mixed loads of Dry Grocery, Frozen Grocery and Fresh Grocery- by the case or by the pallet.
Give me a call as we would like to explore doing business together. I can also be helpful with advice as we have helped many stores open.
Michael Burt
I am opening a salvage grocery in Dubuque, IA and am looking for salvage grocery wholesalers. Are there any recommended ones in my area or that will ship to Iowa?
search.yahoo.com/
Search for the above, lot of information there, good luck.
We are out of Indiana and can provide frozen and cooler product. We also do banana boxes.
Jill,
I can provide you with dry, refrigerated, and frozen product; in code, short code and out of code.
I am looking to start a bargain bent and dent type small grocery store in Greenville, South Carolina. Anybody have any ideas where I can get the merchandise for the store nearby?
By corey9602 from Greenville, SC
We supply many of the salvage stores in the southeast. Please email me at phardy AT salvagedsolutions.com and we can help you.
Hi we run a salvage warehouse in Charlotte NC and supply a lot of start ups and regular salvage stores since 1985 call Doug 704-277-8007
I would like to open a salvage food store in Kentucky. Where do I find a supplier?
I would like to start a scratch and dent business. I live in an area where wages and jobs are low paying. There are no places near here to buy low cost groceries and or appliances. I would like info on starting this type of business.
By Barron
I am starting a Bent and Dent food store. Where can I get the food?
By Tom from Waterford, OH
Might be a good idea to make sure you can get the food before you advertise or even plan to open. Beyond that, I would contact the local food manufacturers and larger grocery chains to find out if they ever have any surplus.
I live in Missouri and need info on starting a store, suppliers, etc. Any help would be appreciated.
By Cathy S.
There is a lot of information about Bent & Dent stores on Thrifty and you can Google a question also. It can be a complicated process but it can be done.
Each state may have different rules/regulations so you may have to research through your local offices. Florida sales tax office did, at one time, carry leaflets on opening a store like this so maybe you could ask at your local office. You will need to have an "account" with your sales tax office anyway so go and ask questions.
I'm considering adding salvaged foods to my store. I live in a depressed area near the border of Arizona and New Mexico, in a small town. Everything is extremely expensive here and real grocers are an hour away. Where can I find outlets to purchase salvage foods?
By Elaine
Even though you have an existing store, I believe you will still have to contact your state and county to learn about selling salvaged food.
After that, it would help you a lot to find a salvage store in a larger city and ask them for help. Most owners will be glad to help - if they know you will not be competing with them.
My family has this type of store and there is so much to learn that it would be impossible to try and help over a forum like this.
There may be help or a book on this subject - try Google.
I work with a wholesale food company. We could help you with this. please email me at tntdyno at rconnect dot com
I would like to open my own dent and bent store in Effingham Illinios. I want to know how I get started so I may get on this ASAP.
By Pamela from Effingham, IL
I can guide you on what you have to do to start a Bent & dent Store. I had 10 Bent & dent stores at one time before I got into strictly wholesale. I can supply you with salvage bent & dent food, Pet food, Health & Beauty Aids, Candy & so much more. You can go to my website www.sbkliquidators AT weebly.com & fill out a contact form or call at 724 -971- 7185. I'll look forward to hearing from you.
What is the average cost of opening a salvage grocery store? And the annual profits? I am wanting info on opening one and supplying in Texas.
I am looking for information about opening one in Florida.
What is the total cost for all products to open a bent and dent store?
Are there any suppliers for discount or Bent N Dent groceries in the Utah/Idaho area?
I am starting my own dented canned food store. Where do I get my stock?
By Jimmy
Looking to open a salvage grocery store in New Hampshire, and would like to know if anyone has any info on reputable suppiers in the New England area. Thank you!
By Chris
Start your research with answers that have been given others on Thrifty.
Opening a salvage store is very complicated and legal aspects should be researched before looking for "suppliers" (if you have not already done this).
Almost any store in your community could be a "supplier" as most stores use services like this (usually larger stores).
The problem is that almost all stores will use a bidding process to find their buyers. This is many times required by state laws (called "fair" by state/county). This means you would have to find when a contract will be up for bid and go through the whole process and you would be bidding against very experienced store owners.
The contract would have a time frame (maybe 3 - 6 or 12 months). Also you will find that part of the contract will require that you purchase EVERYTHING they have that week. Also, they are usually very strict on the "buyer" being on time and if you miss a week they can cancel your contract.
Most new store owners will try to buy from the person who "wins" the contract and this way they can buy only what they can afford and learn the business in the process.
I was in a bent and dent years ago, now again, how can I have one?
By Jane W
I assume you wish to know how to open a store? If you will Google; how to open a bent & dent store? You will see lots of sites and some may help you. There is a lot to know about opening a store like this.
A lot of the sites are selling eBooks on this subject but I do not know anything about these books. There is probably a "Dummies" book on this? Takes lots of research and several weeks/months of filing government forms, finding resources, etc.
I am interested in starting a bent and dent store in south eastern Minnesota and was wondering if anyone had some information or contacts to purchase merchandise to start up my store. Any information or contacts would be very much appreciated. Thank you in advance!
By Lacy May
Hello and good luck with your idea as I believe the Bent'n Dent stores are great. I live in Florida and I know the laws are very stringent on what and also how you can open a store like this. You may have already gone through your local zoning board but if not, that is a good place to start.
As to finding products to sell - you will have to do your own research in your local or surrounding areas as anyone in this business will not usually share their "contacts".
After you have all of your permits you can visit any local store and ask your questions. Stores usually have "sales" every week and some stores use the highest "bidder" but most stores have contracts for certain periods of time and you have to bid on these.
There is lot to learn in this area but it can be done. You may be able to find a helpful person at one of your local Bent and Dent stores.
I am planning to open a dent and bent grocery store. I have a great location, but I need to find out where and how to get product.
By Mark R
Where would you be planning on opening this new store?
Does anyone know where I can find wholesale/salvage food vendors that sell by the box or pallet?
Thanks!
By Diane W. from Fountain Inn, SC
I live in Anderson, SC, go to church in Greenville,. SC. This week a lady told me about a place on Wade Hampton Blvd, in Greenville, called Save Mor or Save More - have a box sale every 2nd Saturday, $8 a box. She says the food goes quickly. Don't know what time they open, but might be worth it to check out this store.