Welcome to the Yard JerseyBob. The Scrap Yard buying process is tough to explain although there are quite a few threads on the process. If you are needing something ASAP, then the secondary market (bladeforums, knifeforums, etc) is the way to go. If you are looking for to learn the "buying direct" process in general, hang out a bit and do some reading. The Bussekin business model is unique in many ways, some good, some not so good depending on how you look at it.

Here is a recent thread http://www.scrapyardknives.com/ubbthread...ge=0#Post191197 on the buying process. There are others.

Ron