- #1
Where do you buy your chemicals from?
- Thread starter thankz
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- Chemicals
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Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around the challenges and experiences of purchasing chemicals, particularly for individuals not affiliated with institutions. Participants share their thoughts on pricing, availability, and historical context regarding the purchase of chemicals.
Discussion Character
- Debate/contested
- Exploratory
- Technical explanation
Main Points Raised
- Some participants express frustration over rising prices for chemicals, citing specific examples of price increases for certain quantities.
- There is a shared sentiment about the difficulty of finding suppliers willing to sell to individuals, with many noting that prices tend to be higher for non-institutional buyers.
- One participant reflects on the historical context of purchasing chemicals, contrasting past experiences with current regulations and availability.
- Concerns are raised about the implications of off-label uses for chemicals and how this affects supplier willingness to sell to individuals.
- A participant humorously suggests starting a chemical company to resell dimethyl ether at a high price, indicating a perceived market opportunity.
- Another participant mentions the cost of Everclear as a potential alternative, noting that taxes contribute significantly to the price.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants generally agree on the challenges of purchasing chemicals as individuals and the impact of regulations on availability and pricing. However, there are varying opinions on the specifics of pricing and the implications of these challenges.
Contextual Notes
Some discussions reference historical practices and regulations that have changed over time, highlighting a shift in the accessibility of certain chemicals. There are also mentions of liability and regulatory costs affecting pricing, but these points remain unresolved.
- #2
Borek
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Whatever people are willing to pay.
There are many suppliers, have you checked their prices?
There are many suppliers, have you checked their prices?
- #3
thankz
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well I bought it for $45 for 125grams then they raised the price to around $85 for 125grams, I feel like I'm getting ripped off. 
- #4
Quantum Defect
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I have had some diffculty finding places to buy chemicals as a person not affiliated with an institution. When I have found outlets that will sell chemicals, they invariably charge more. I have only bought pretty innocuous things: Zn and sodium hydroxide for making "silver/gold" pennies.
I am in the US.
Of course, it wasn't always like this. I had a pretty good chemistry set (Gilbert) when I was a boy, and you can read about Oliver Sacks buying a lump of sodium to throw into a pond when he was a boy in his memoir "Uncle Tungsten." All in all, I am probably happier that my 11 year old son cannot go and buy a lump of sodium from a store to play with.
I am in the US.
Of course, it wasn't always like this. I had a pretty good chemistry set (Gilbert) when I was a boy, and you can read about Oliver Sacks buying a lump of sodium to throw into a pond when he was a boy in his memoir "Uncle Tungsten." All in all, I am probably happier that my 11 year old son cannot go and buy a lump of sodium from a store to play with.
- #5
SteamKing
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Yeah, I still have my Gilbert chemistry set, and I think, a fair sampling of the reagents which were shipped with it. Pre-EPA, you could get away with a lot that you can't now. I think if the government could track down all these sets, everyone who had one would be sitting on a hazardous waste site at the least, if not a Superfund site.Quantum Defect said:
Given the off-label uses for some of these chemicals, I can see why suppliers are not eager to sell to individuals, or charge high prices to discourage casual buyers.
The next time you have to undergo a background check to buy OTC cold remedies, thank a Meth head!
- #6
Bystander
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"Should?" With or without the liability insurance for supplier, dealer, shipper, packaging, indestructible labelling? Finished product, common sodium salts? Pennies a pound for two nines. Three nines? Times ten. Uncommon anions? Times ten? Hundred bucks a pound.thankz said:
- #7
thankz
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can someone tell me where I can find an isomer of dimethyl ether cheap, I could start a chemical company and resell it for $100 a pound!
- #8
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Everclear goes for around ten bucks a pound. Not cheap, but half that is taxes.thankz said:
- #9
thankz
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I could even run my car on it 
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