This is a ridiculously inefficient way of doing business. Ideally most transactions should be off the shelf as otherwise transaction costs beat any 'savings' from dealing with friends.

The only 'upside' is it gives people in the middle of an organization a way to make money on the side.

PS: Enterprise discounts on enterprise prices are generally a cost increase. That said, bulk discounts can be standardized as there are savings for selling in bulk.