at cost/wholesale

[Silverobama]

I read two sentences.

He's selling them at cost/wholesale.

How do I read them correctly? Should they be:

a) He's selling them at cost.
b) He's selling them at wholesale.

 

[probus]

They are both correct but they have different meanings. "At cost" means he is selling at the same price he paid when he bought them. Wholesale means he is selling them in large quantity at a lower price than he would charge for one or a few.

 

[Tarheel]

There is an expression that goes I can get if for you wholesale.

 

[probus]

And in some circles, paying the usual retail price is regarded as a sign of stupidity.

 

[Tarheel]

My post is probably too subtle. While using "at" is not wrong, it's probably not used more often than it is.

 

[Silverobama]

They are both correct but they have different meanings. "At cost" means he is selling at the same price he paid when he bought them. Wholesale means he is selling them in large quantity at a lower price than he would charge for one or a few.

Is this also correct?

He's selling them wholesale.

 

[probus]

Yes. In my variety it's more common to omit "at". See @Tarheel's post number 5.

 

[tedmc]

I have not heard of "selling at wholesale". It is usually "selling wholesale" or "selling at wholesale price(s)"