Seeking suppliers of equipment

[Amir H]

Hey guyz

I'm not sure I'm writing in the right forum - please refer me to another one here if I'm not...
I want to conduct a research of price comparison between different suppliers of equipment for therapists in different places around the world.
I'm looking for as many suppliers as I can find for equipment such as massage tables, sheets, oils, tools, anatomy charts, etc...

Being a therapist myself, I'm sure each and every one you guys have his\her own supplier...
Can you please share a link to his\her website\catalog?

And while we're at it - a question:

Approx how much by % are you spending on your supplies?
For me supplies cost about %10 of my monthly income from my clinic.
I regularly buy sheets, oils and candles and I think i spend too much on them....

 

[Morpheus]

Seeking suppliers of equipment

This online store seems to be popular in Canada. But from talking to local MT's Walmart (or IKEA if one is available nearby) works well for the sheets and a local grocery store for grapeseed oil.

Just curious, why do you buy them regularly - they don't last very long? Or get stained? I was under the impression a set of sheets can last for at least a year, that is being used and washed almost daily. I know sheets from IKEA have a shorter life span, but they are also much cheaper, even compared to the ones from Walmart. There is an IKEA in Israel now, right? There wasn't one when I lived there, but it's been over 10 years.

 

[The Stubborn One]

Seeking suppliers of equipment

This online store seems to be popular in Canada. But from talking to local MT's Walmart (or IKEA if one is available nearby) works well for the sheets and a local grocery store for grapeseed oil.

Just curious, why do you buy them regularly - they don't last very long? Or get stained? I was under the impression a set of sheets can last for at least a year, that is being used and washed almost daily. I know sheets from IKEA have a shorter life span, but they are also much cheaper, even compared to the ones from Walmart. There is an IKEA in Israel now, right? There wasn't one when I lived there, but it's been over 10 years.

I buy sheets and throw them away after about 10 sessions because of the stench of the oils...

Anybody else mind sharing suppliers?
I was hoping to see hundreds here...maybe I'm not in the right forum?

I really want to research the price difference in different countries...

 

[Love Life]

Seeking suppliers of equipment

http://www.bodyworkmall.com
http://www.massagewarehouse.com
http://www.massagesupplies.com
http://www.massagemarket.com
http://www.bestmassage.com
http://www.universalcompanies.com

These are just a few I can think of off the top of my head. The first two are the sites I use the most as I get a discount either through AMTA or as a graduate benefit from my school. I just compare prices for whatever item I need each time I buy something.

 

[Kumi]

Seeking suppliers of equipment

http://www.bodyworkmall.com
http://www.massagewarehouse.com
http://www.massagesupplies.com
http://www.massagemarket.com
http://www.bestmassage.com
http://www.universalcompanies.com

These are just a few I can think of off the top of my head. The first two are the sites I use the most as I get a discount either through AMTA or as a graduate benefit from my school. I just compare prices for whatever item I need each time I buy something.

Thanks man!
Most of these I got from google by myself but there were a few I didn't know...

Don't you guys have regular one stop shop suppliers?
I think each and every therapist I know in my country (I know many) has his regular supplier...
I personally know more than 20 suppliers in my small country.
That's why I really thought I'd be getting tons of links to small time local suppliers from therapists here...

Does anybody have a better idea for me about how to get to know as many small and local suppliers as possible?

 

[Pompal 09.]

Seeking suppliers of equipment

Most of these I got from google by myself but there were a few I didn't know...

Then why are you wasting our time with this? Why don't you just google the rest?

Don't you guys have regular one stop shop suppliers?

Like what are you talking about here? Massage oil, creams & other lubricants? Bolsters? Tables? Sheets? Hot stone kits? Instructional DVDs and music CDs?

I think each and every therapist I know in my country (I know many) has his regular supplier...
I personally know more than 20 suppliers in my small country.
That's why I really thought I'd be getting tons of links to small time local suppliers from therapists here...

I don't know what you're referring to here as far as small time local suppliers.... many years ago, before I became a massage therapist there used to be a small store in the capital of my state where a couple massage schools were located that you could go to. You could purchase oil, try out different massage tables and purchase them on the spot... that sort of thing. But that closed up about the time I went to massage school in that same city... 14 years ago. And that city had at least 3 massage schools operating at the time churning out graduates!

Some massage schools may have tiny stores attached these days where a student can buy a few things, but for the most part prices will be better at these larger suppliers via the internet.
*shrug* It is the way of the world.

Indeed the massage supply company I used to purchase most of my stuff from was bought by another, who was bought by another company...

Does anybody have a better idea for me about how to get to know as many small and local suppliers as possible?

Why would you want to?

I mean if it's not in your country, wouldn't the shipping be unreasonably expensive for you or any other locals?

It isn't like I don't know a few more names I could add to the list of places on the internet where I know someone could purchase massage supplies. But as you pointed out... you can google the information yourself. So... why aren't you?

What's the purpose of this thread? Is this thread about purchasing massage supplies from other countries? Or is it about YOU supplying something to these small local suppliers?

 

[school]

Seeking suppliers of equipment

Also, are you still in Israel? And, does it make a difference on which area your at, as I am not familiar with the complete business aspects regarding the strife in the region. Can you even get shipments in from the states for items such as this?

As mentioned above, what is the general purpose for needing the names of US/Canadian companies? And, do you want companies from around the world other than the US/Canada? That may help us to help you.

 

[Jonathan]

Seeking suppliers of equipment

Wouldn't it be more cost efficient to buy products that get the oils out, or switch to a different oil that doesn't stain or turn rancid (and is easier to wash out)? t017 I use cream myself, not oils, but I just had to replace all 6 sets of flannel sheets I bought first out of school 5 years ago. They weren't stained at all, but just too frayed and thin, so they were donated to the SPCA. The 6 sets of cotton sheets I use for summer will probably have to be replaced this summer as well.

I would have to be replacing my sheets every week at that rate. I'd go broke.

 

[Jewels]

Seeking suppliers of equipment

I tried many times buying laundry products which will take the stains out but no use...after 15-20 sessions the sheets never look the same...
I buy my sheets at about $5 per piece at a local factory so if I throw them away after 10 session it's like I waste 50 cents per session...not that big of a deal...

Now, the reason I'm looking for many small local suppliers is because I want to research the market and maybe start selling those cheap and very good sheets.
It's not easy to make a living from treatment sessions alone
I'm not sure how it works in other places, but in Israel - every therapist has a regular supplier (usually in his city) which supplies him every month with sheets, oils, candles, acupuncture needles etc...
Usually these suppliers are also therapists and it's like a side business they have...nothing too big...it's not like they own a warehouse or something...
I thought to myself that there are supposed to be small suppliers in every city in the world and maybe I could get them sheets (and maybe other stuff as well) at a significantly lower price.

In google - I only found about 30 suppliers and they keep showing up in every other search method I tried.
I guess the web is just too big for me to be able to find small suppliers who supply to 20-30 local therapists and all the big suppliers just keep showing up again and again.
That's why I tried asking here... I though every therapist in every city could point me to at least one supplier but I guess I was wrong...?

 

[ilovemuffins235]

Seeking suppliers of equipment

I've never used just one supplier. Table and chair are Oakworks, supplies are from Massage Warehouse and Biotone, my most recent sheets are from Kohl's (I am in love with these sheets). I buy some stuff locally so i don't have to pay S&H (such as the sheets).

 

[Question]

Seeking suppliers of equipment

Thinking about this. Will come back when I get time to get soemthing posted.

 

[justswimmin]

Seeking suppliers of equipment

I do not use one company for my supplies. Pretty much all my supplies come from different sources, and almost always online. I think the only time I have ever bought more then one item form the same company it has been Massage Warehouse.

 

[??Rock Star??]

Seeking suppliers of equipment

nachumro,

I spoke with my husband (European born and such) and he mentioned a few things that may help all of us in this exercise of searching.

He mentioned that in Europe (especially where he was from) people would drive and hour and a half to go to another place inside of their city, before driving 10 mins. to another city for the same thing. (ie. going to the movies) They just never thought in terms of going to another city. May I ask if this is the same in Israel?

Here in the states we routinely drive through multiple cities just to go to the store or to go to work. And, as a rule, we don't have individuals in our cities who would sell something like just massage supplies. We usually purchase supplies (sheets) at a store like Walmart (or some other department store). And, here in the USA we usually order our other supplies from a catalog or online company.

You may have a few places that have a supply company, but, it's rare.

Also, a few things to look at... if you decide to try and keep your sheets, it may be possible that your water is too soft and that is why the soap is not getting the oils out. Or, the brand/type of lotion or oil you are using is not compatable with washing out easily or the soap is not the quality to get these stains out of the sheets. Possibly you need to add some product to your water to make it less soft, so that the soap can work better? Just brainstorming.

I know the sheets you get are cheap, but I wanted to mention it in case it was something you hadn't thought of. I had never thought of trashing sheets after ten visits, because my sheets clean up well. So, that is why the comment is being made here.

Another thing is to look at this thread which gives a huge cross section of the jojoba oil companies out there: Jojoba Oil Revisited - noting that I was told, filtered Jojoba Oil does not stain sheets.

Hope that helps and I'll try to get you the names of some US companies in the near future.