You do have to set up an account, I am not sure what the parameters are. I do know that if you do not have a "House" account (what shops have) and you go with just a tax id you have I believe a $250 minimum. Everything is on bolts and yes you do have to buy the whole bolt. It is not like a retail store, they don't have people to help you. The people working in there are pulling orders and getting them ready to ship out to Shops.