How does a normal guy buy a credit default swap?

I work with some hedge fund guys who made a killing buying credit default swaps. If I were to want to buy say 20k of these guys as part of my overall portfolio to garauntee a bond, where would I go. It seems most companies will only speak with you when you have over 5 million involved.How does a normal guy buy a credit default swap?
They made the money because CDSs went up in price. Why would you buy at that higher price?How does a normal guy buy a credit default swap?
First, hit yourself in the head with a mallet. Then, put your head in a vice and have someone screw it really tight. Then light your hair on fire.



If you still want to buy a CDS after that, repeat procedure.



AFAIK, CDS's come in big units.and are not suitable for small investors until they commoditize the market and trade it on an exchange. Maybe not even then. Remember these are one up contracts, each one is unqiue and negotiated, and it probably costs a chunk of change just to get the deal done and papers checked by an attorney. And then again when you try to sell it.