I have never run my own business but I found this thread interesting.
From an 'outsiders' point of view, why not charge a mark up?
As a consumer I expect to pay a mark up, isn't that just business as usual?
I thought that was why we buy stock at wholesale so that it can be marked up for retail.
From talking to the folks in the office we have no 'standard' mark up. Small items get marked up substantially and larger items get a lesser markup. I list everything on the T&M slip, tie wraps, wire nuts, rolls of tape, screws, etc. and the office bills it all out. They certainly do not tell the customer what we paid for the stock.
When my mechanic installs a part I pay more for it than if I go and buy it at the auto parts place.
It seems you are giving up a substantial revenue source if let the stock go at cost.
