Where to get wholesale items for homes in Central Ohio

[Bryan Rhoads]

Hi,

I'm looking to start real estate investing in the next couple months and I was curious if there's anyway that I can go to lowes or home depot and not be charged sales? I didn't know if I had to apply for vendor's license and/or federal ein and go to a lumberyard and give my information to them or what? What is the usual discount for lumber, cabinets, shingles, plumbing, and electrical? Since I', a military retiree, I get a 10% discount at lowes every day. I believe HD honors it as well. I know when I came back from Iraq in 2005, HD gave their employees 20% coupons and I got a hold of at least 20 of them and used them to build my new house. I saved lots of money doing that. Thanks for the help.