From what I've seen, U.S. chemical companies don't want to deal with residential customers for any reason, even involving chemicals that aren't listed or remotely suspicious.  I guess the general idea is that there's no good reason why an ordinary person would want unusual chemicals.

Overseas suppliers don't seem to care, but are generally expecting you to order a few hundred kilos a week and go pick it up at the dock.

Am I going about things completely wrong, or is the answer basically if it's not available at the hardware store or a photography supplier, you're not going to get it, at least without the DEA calling?

From what I hear you can contact the companies that will supply individuals and have them order you chemicals from another chemical supply place that only sells to business, etc..

You wouldn't believe how many doors open up when you say you're a business.  Half of them don't even check for credentials.  Do it all the time.  Just don't go through any major suppliers like Aldrich nowadays unless you're dealing with their overseas branch.  Keep searching. There are literally mountains full of chem suppliers if you search right.

What sort of chemicals is it that you have in mind?

I dont know why you guys dont get into gold and pgm metal recycling.
truly you can order heaps of chems to either refine these or to test if they are pure.

evey one wants to know you as your into something that makes heaps of money.
the tech is pritty easy which makes talking your way through shit easy as well.

simple get into making nice smells for your partner

look into hobbiest perfumery supplies you will get heaps of stuff for basic phenethylamines from them.

I can buy a reasonable amount of stuff but still prefer to make what I can though.
if you look at my first synth on the hive under quantum you will see I am a total synthesis nut.

may take longer but its not such a bad thing. means I get a realy good grasp on the basics and
that in the end I can have a nice stocked lab without buying a heap of stuff that is traceable.

customs are your biggest enemy when buying chems as you can always get the stuff from asia
and real cheep too.


make a nice little ebay site and charge way to much  

this way if you do sell some of your precious ingredients your cutting a profit.

as for the harder to get reagents look into rare earth dealers and look on ebay.

there are still places you can even buy PCl5 and POCl

POCl3, PCl5 ARE still available here... (ass-of-europe aka Portugal)

And Spain, also, and I believe in most europe...

As far as I know they aren't illegal to buy, and they are pretty cheap...

Someday I'll need to research something funny to do with the ones I have around...