Group purchasing

[Sybarite]

A French forum "Hisse et Eau" is organizing group purchases of :

1) Liferafts (50 on the list)
2) EPIRB's
3) Satellite phones.

Why not do the same here?

 

[Salty John]

Seems to work well. A couple of years ago they group purchased about 50 Metz antennas at a significant discount.

 

[Roberto]

Hello John,

last year the liferaft group ended up with >250 units (!) being bought; needless to say it stirred up a bit the trade side.

This year Epirb/plb just opened yesterday, more than 150 participants only in the first 24 hours.

 

[PCUK]

This needs a new dedicated Forum section and someone to run it. Could be good!

 

[catalac08]

Can work very well-a few years ago the VW owners club members bulk bought a lot of Propex Heater at about half retail price.

 

[gregcope]

Previously seen them called bulk buys

Lotus 7 club of gb once organised at least a container full of stuff.

Should work well for common things.

 

[Alpha22]

Fray Bentos Steak 'n Kidney???? Perhaps a whole container load???

 

[pampas]

pies

Count me in on that one please.:encouragement:

 

[Ludd]

Count me in on that one please.:encouragement:

NOW we know who ate all the pies!

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

A French forum "Hisse et Eau" is organizing group purchases of :

1) Liferafts (50 on the list)
2) EPIRB's
3) Satellite phones.

Why not do the same here?

The opportunities are endless... I posted the same thought a few days ago on a thread regarding insurance... there MUST be opportuniities to get some decent prices across a number of different areas...

There always seem to be people asking about new plotters and radars, ovens, and diesel heaters for example.

 

[roblpm]

RM1070s, half price. All in bright green??

 

[sarabande]

perhaps we should form a mutual aid cooperative society ?

Seriously, the skills are all around the members.


We could end up running a cooperative marina

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

A French forum "Hisse et Eau" is organizing group purchases of :

1) Liferafts (50 on the list)
2) EPIRB's
3) Satellite phones.

Why not do the same here?

So how are they organising it?

Presumably, they set a specification (or a minimum one)?.. or do they pick a specific product first, and then seek prices on a specific item? or range of specific items, of which they'll chose the one with the best price?
Do they then ask for a financial commitment as a deposit to firm up participation, or is it done on an honour system?.. or is there a contract?

 

[The_man_from_ABBA]

So how are they organising it?
Presumably, they set a specification (or a minimum one)?.. or do they pick a specific product first, and then seek prices on a specific item? or range of specific items, of which they'll chose the one with the best price?
Do they then ask for a financial commitment as a deposit to firm up participation, or is it done on an honour system?.. or is there a contract?

More here: https://www.hisse-et-oh.com/

Look for 'Achat Groupé'

From what I could make out, once they've got a sufficiently large number of buyers they start negotiating with the suppliers.

 

[Sybarite]

perhaps we should form a mutual aid cooperative society ?

Seriously, the skills are all around the members.


We could end up running a cooperative marina

In France, given the high premiums for motorbike insurance, an association was formed and they started their own cooperative insurance company which is probably the largest in that field now.

 

[Sybarite]

More here: https://www.hisse-et-oh.com/

Look for 'Achat Groupé'

From what I could make out, once they've got a sufficiently large number of buyers they start negotiating with the suppliers.

Here's the mechanism (in French) :

https://www.hisse-et-oh.com/forums/...1669083-achat-groupe-balises-de-detresse-2015

What I didn't know that there is a new regulation which requires an EPIRB on an offshore yacht. As these regulations are normally European, I suppose it's also or will be compulsory on British boats too??

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

So it appears that they suggest a product area (such as offshore liferaft), and wait until there are sufficient people that have formally expressed an interest, debate the criteria, and then select a model and vendor, or models and vendors, and issue an ITT (Invitation To Tender). Once tender responses have been received, then start taking orders. They have a minimum of 10 people expressing interest before they issue an ITT.

Sounds doable.

For big ticket items though, if you end up with a lot of orders, you'd need to move the money management to the vendor i'd guess, or its a big responsibility for the organiser... you could easily end up managing a quarter of a million pounds with the size of some of the deals they've put together!

I'd be happy to run a small one as a trial... for an item with lowish value.... so that the cash amount involved doesn't get too big*.... any suggestions for a category?

*If it comes to anything, we can have a public debate about how to manage the money transparently and safely.

 

[Mistroma]

Even works with small numbers for higher priced items if supplier has surplus stock.

We approached a few marinas a couple of years ago and asked about reductions for 2-3 (poss. more) boats wintering ashore. It worked out well and the final deal on storage included some free time afloat, electricity, water, lift out/in and pressure wash. We were also charged at the rate for next size down, so worth the small amount of effort.

I was told that it wasn't worth repeating this year as local demand matches supply. Luckily, still managed to find a place with reasonable prices.

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

To kick it off, how about things like...

Hydrostatic release
Danbuoy
LED nav light bulbs
LED anchor light

??

 

[Pladdatoo]

To kick it off, how about things like...

Hydrostatic release
Danbuoy
LED nav light bulbs
LED anchor light

??

Count me in for the LED gear