Who else has given up on wholesalers?

[Sean H.]

I've been buying houses for 3-4 years now. I mostly just buy stuff on mls, or from neighbors of properties i own who are moving. Everytime ive got on a mailing list of wholesaler, i just get junk. Its either in a small town, or no meat left on the bones (they probably wont get an offer on mls). I buy in durham, nc, and the area has appreciated a lot. 

Are the good wholesalers just selling directly high volume flippers? Or does a wholesaling business really only function in an area like the midwest where people are more willing to give away their houses? 

I mostly just wonder if the only people who actually buy from wholesalers are newbies that dont understand their numbers.