have you ever use vanilla beans to cook with them?

Yes, I've used whole vanilla beans. I have a bakery. There great depending on wwhere they come from. You have to remember to keep the temp/. below 350 to keep the vanilla bean flavour.

i use them in my cheesecakes and bread pudding. sometimes even in some pies instead of vanilla extract. wholesale beans? cool! do you mind sharing your source? i spend $10 on a jar that has one pod in it. i have not been able to find (in the stores) any better prices.