Carpet, laminate and tile samples

This is something I totally learned on my own.  Do you have a reseller's tax ID # or Federal tax ID#?  I was able to set up designer's accounts at local vendors just like an interior designer or builder (the discounts aren't as deep for interior designer/redesigners as they are for installers and builders, but what's a girl to do?).  I actually have about a hundred basic laminate samples on a cord that I have with me (they are small; about 2" x 1" and you can grab these at Lowes or Home Depot) and use when making Formica selections - although most of the time my clients go granite or other solid surface.  For carpet and tile samples I just go to my vendor(s) of choice, see what the best deal is (and what I can get the best mark up if applicable) and pare down the possibilities to one or two samples which I take back to the client for final approval before ordering. If you can't set up an account at a local supplier then you can still do basically the same shopping retail.  Good luck! 

Letitia ~ Most recently I had to get carpet samples to show to a client; I just went to Lowe's, left the deposit for the sample board of carpeting and when I was done (same day) I returned it and got the deposit refunded.   Home Depot does have some actual little sample pieces that you can take (free). 

When I started my business I actually got some fold out sample boards from a carpet place I found online.  I basically like it for showing the pile and colors, not to actually purchase from this place.  You might do well to hook up with a local flooring store and as you develop a relationship with them, you probably wouldn't have to leave a deposit for the samples.