Group Buy.

[paranoid56]

I know two site owners who are still trying to pay off members from bad group buys that happened years ago.

why would they site owners have to pay? they are usually shielded from those things. i know all the forums i am on are.

as somebody who does group buys on subaru boards its really not all that hard. usually we deal with 10-30 qtys. snapon would usually be the first choice but they wouldnt deal with us i bet.

it would be cool if they would let one of the dealers buy at educational prices and make a few bucks on that price and sell them at a "group buy" as we would still be getting a great price.

 

[jshillin]

I've been in on groupbuys from a few auto sites and they have always worked well. A lot of it depends on the item, the discount and the number required to get the discount. But 1st thing is, finding what people want and propositioning a company OR proposition a company 1st that we are looking for tool group buys to see what they are willing to offer. It's some work for whoever would head up the group buy.

 

[mcmaster68]

Hey, i like this idea. I'm down for a set of Snappy 80's I've been wanting to upgrade for a while. I'll even buy all three drives, a match set of chromes in 1/4, 3/8 & 1/2. Let me know dealers?

 

[Stuey]

why would they site owners have to pay? they are usually shielded from those things. i know all the forums i am on are.

I think he meant that the site owners were trying to get those that owed $$ to pay the group-buy organizers and initial financers.

Are you guys serious?

This is what this thread sounds like:

We want steep group-buy discounts for an unspecified number of tools that we have not yet identified, from a manufacturer that we have not yet chosen.

Group-buys are more effective when purchased from smaller manufacturers or retailers/distributors.

A company like Snap-on probably does not have the ability or protocol to handle a group-buy of the small size that GJ would request.

If you guys are serious about this, I have a few small companies in mind that we might be able to arrange a group-buy with. HOWEVER, before anything can even be discussed here, we have to IDENTIFY A PRODUCT!!

 

[j-easy]

I would like to see a group buy on those Phoenix Systems Brake Bleeders.

 

[Sleeper]

Racedeck would be a good idea for a group buy.

2X on Racedeck

I think the garage systems like flooring and shelving might be more successful than general tool buys.

 

[chadster1]

2X on Racedeck

I think the garage systems like flooring and shelving might be more successful than general tool buys.

Agreed. This tool forum is just a small group of a larger forum.

 

[cronic]

I would like to see a group buy on those Phoenix Systems Brake Bleeders.

I am in on that as well.
I would love to get a deal on the v12 or the maxpro .....

 

[daveblank]

This is the easy part, hard part is getting one of the tool companies or dealers to offer us stuff. Seems like they are making amazing money or they don't care about this forum?

That's a blanket statement that's just wrong in too many ways. This forum has a few current & former tool distributors that come here. To say they don't care is foolish. If they didn't care, they wouldn't be here. As fas as "making an amazing amount of money", I wish. I make 1/3 of what I did as a tech. But, I love my job & have no plans on changing back.

Sometimes we get good deals. If you look at this thread, you'll see that I tried to pass it on.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=43638&highlight=cfr15t

0 sets were sold. Would you like to know why? Because, like it's already been said. Our forum is too broad on it's members & the types of tools owned, used, & needed. If my offer was on a ratchet only forum, it might have done better.

BIG hypothetical story here..... what if I did a group buy on a 4325R toolbox for 25% off? Responses would be "my box is already bigger" or "that's way bigger than I'll ever need". Things like that.

 

[Blacknwhitepit]

Here is what I can offer:

My Snap on guy has two of these left. He is asking $311 (before taxes).. Maybe I can get him down to $300 apiece (without taxes and shipping charges). If I bought both of them, he probably would let me have them for $648 out the door

$324 plus actual shipping.

Would anyone want them?

-BWP

OK. I bought both sets from my Snappy guy and can sell them for $324 plus actual shipping.

Only problem is that I only got one set today... The other I will pick up next Friday....

I have let the guys who are interested know via PM.

-BWP

 

[daveblank]

OK. I bought both sets from my Snappy guy and can sell them for $324 plus actual shipping.

Only problem is that I only got one set today... The other I will pick up next Friday....

I have let the guys who are interested know via PM.

-BWP

That's a nice gesture.

 

[arkracing]

I think the only way it would work is if SO were to extend the 50% Educational discount to GJ members (doubt that would ever happen, but one can dream right?). I know that I would probably buy quite a bit of stuff if offered that. I'm tempted to find a student now and let him make 10% or whatever.

A group buy on 50 of 1 type of ratchet doesn't work well. You would have to offer a discount over a broad spectrum of tools. Everyone will want something differant.

 

[matthew]

Snappy would probably just be pulling business away that it would get anyways at higher margins, can't see why they'd do it.

I'd nominate Knipex... regardless of whether guys are Snap-On / Matco / Craftsman fans, there seems to be enthusiasm for Knipex, they're still rare enough that lots of guys don't have them, and their distribution is limited enough that there would be a benefit to selling a few hundred sets here. Realistically if they put together a set of 3 or 4 pliers, and perhaps 100 to 200 of us were looking to buy, that would be a revenue of around $20-30k. The question is whether 100 people would buy - but given the high price of Knipex at retail, even guys that have some might spring for another pair if the price was right.

 

[american lockpicker]

If its Knipex I might be interested.

 

[paranoid56]

i would say that group buy didnt work well as that is one funky set if tools. i know i would have got on it if it had normal sizes. it needs to have all the sizes. i know for me its missing every size i use. LOL\

That's a blanket statement that's just wrong in too many ways. This forum has a few current & former tool distributors that come here. To say they don't care is foolish. If they didn't care, they wouldn't be here. As fas as "making an amazing amount of money", I wish. I make 1/3 of what I did as a tech. But, I love my job & have no plans on changing back.

Sometimes we get good deals. If you look at this thread, you'll see that I tried to pass it on.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=43638&highlight=cfr15t

0 sets were sold. Would you like to know why? Because, like it's already been said. Our forum is too broad on it's members & the types of tools owned, used, & needed. If my offer was on a ratchet only forum, it might have done better.

BIG hypothetical story here..... what if I did a group buy on a 4325R toolbox for 25% off? Responses would be "my box is already bigger" or "that's way bigger than I'll ever need". Things like that.

 

[Evogun]

That's a blanket statement that's just wrong in too many ways. .

Well if you read my "statement" it ended in a question mark. So it was a question right?

Sometimes we get good deals. If you look at this thread, you'll see that I tried to pass it on.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=43638&highlight=cfr15t

0 sets were sold. Would you like to know why? Because, like it's already been said. Our forum is too broad on it's members & the types of tools owned, used, & needed. If my offer was on a ratchet only forum, it might have done better. .

Well one try does not make it unreasonable. The offer you gave witch was a miss match set didn't work because it was that miss matched also you gave no time for ppl to save or prepare for this expenditure. Group buys take a couple weeks to complete.

BIG hypothetical story here..... what if I did a group buy on a 4325R toolbox for 25% off? Responses would be "my box is already bigger" or "that's way bigger than I'll ever need". Things like that.

Well, again you have to make it smaller affordable items. Like 25% off ratchet set or socket set or wrenches. I think that world go over well.

-50% is dreaming, unless someone gets someone high up with some say so to bend the rules.

This is still viable idea and if we keep at it something will happen. If we shrug it off, it will die a fast death.

I saw today a member trying to find interest in a group buy on screw drivers.

So that's a positive start.

 

[devilphrog]

I am interested in any group buy... but if it's knipex, count me in!!!

 

[daveblank]

Well if you read my "statement" it ended in a question mark. So it was a question right?


also you gave no time for ppl to save or prepare for this expenditure. Group buys take a couple weeks to complete.



Well, again you have to make it smaller affordable items. Like 25% off ratchet set or socket set or wrenches. I think that world go over well.

Your statement was just that, a statement. It started with "seems like" not something to the effect of "I wonder" or "do you think". You might have meant it to be a question but the wording states otherwise. I view the question mark as you trying to see if other members feel the same way.


I gave the time that I had. You ask for 25% off? That deal was 42.5% off & the shipping was out of my pocket. While I admit that the socket sizes were odd, it was a good deal. Matco will put items out there & we have 1 week to get it done. I have a district meeting next Saturday, I got the reference guide in an e-mail last night. The discount is for us to give to our regular customers, I just tried to pass it on here.


If you want something special, send me a pm. I'll keep my eye open for a special sale. But, like I already said, many times I don't have much time to work with.


As far as smaller items, I used the toolbox as an example. But, I'll play your game. Lets say a 1/4, 3/8, & 1/2 ratchet set is put together. Lets say the deal that I get is all green long handle, locking flex head, & fine tooth. How many of these or more will exist
"I want orange"
"I want chrome handle"
"I have too many long ratchets, they need to be short"
"I hate fine tooth, I want coarse"

Like I said, due to the broad customer base on GJ, a group buy on any 1 item will not be a big hit.

 

[sberry]

I doubt anyone that spends 320 for 9 end wrenches gives a **** about 20$.

 

[bry@n]

The only way to do this is discuss it with the dealer first.

Sat the new SO ct561. They are $220. Get the dealer to give a price for 10 sets sold. Then pose it to the cust base. I have done many GB's and they work great but the guy that does the GB gets beat up (like Daveblank said).

If we could get the SO ct561 for a good price, would people do it?

Of course above is just an example.

Many questions also,
who is trusted to hold the money?
who ships the stuff?

I would personally rather deal with the dealers on the site. They give to us and I'd like to give back to them. (if they are interested). The deals that have been posted in the past have just not fit my needs.

I know I'm rambling but one last thought. I know my dealers and they do well with their route. They aren't gonna do all the leg work, take the orders, ship etc...Its just too much work to do and they are making less money on the sale. So it would be up to the person doing the GB to do the leg work.

BWP,
great gesture and great deal. If somebody needs wrenches, you should be all over this.

 

[bry@n]

I doubt anyone that spends 320 for 9 end wrenches gives a **** about 20$.

I do and I have a lot of stuff. $20 is something else I can get. Make deals on 5 items and now I have $100 towards something else.

Look at it that way.

 

[M900]

Daveblank, I just read the thread where you tried to sell those socket / ratchet sets.

Thanks for the offer!!


So...
Is there a group buy item picked out yet?
If you have an idea, maybe you could start a thread for that item, like my thread.

I doubt anyone that spends 320 for 9 end wrenches gives a **** about 20$.

You would be wrong.

 

[M900]

I do and I have a lot of stuff. $20 is something else I can get. Make deals on 5 items and now I have $100 towards something else.

Look at it that way.

Another logical person....
GET OUT OF HERE! J/K

 

[sberry]

Yes, I get the logic, spend 1500 so I can save 100. Just think, spend 15K and one can save a grand, at that rate a guy could get rich in a hurry.

 

[M900]

Well...youre going to spend the $1500 eventually anyway, right?
May as well save a little cash if you can manage it.

 

[sberry]

Well...youre going to spend the $1500 eventually anyway, right?

Not me. They cant price it cheap enough to interest me, dont need it anyway.

 

[M900]

Not me. They cant price it cheap enough to interest me, dont need it anyway.

So, youre saying youve cured the "TOOL ACQUISITION DISORDER"?

Not me, along with most people here.


Say you did need it. You would rather pay full price?

 

[Stuey]

A lot of you still aren't getting it. It just isn't right to decide to have a group buy and then figure out what the product will be. It doesn't work like that.

Unless and until someone concretely identifies a product that is either not available at lower quantities or is available at an unreasonably high discount at high quantities, all this talk is moot.

 

[M900]

A lot of you still aren't getting it. It just isn't right to decide to have a group buy and then figure out what the product will be. It doesn't work like that.

Unless and until someone concretely identifies a product that is either not available at lower quantities or is available at an unreasonably high discount at high quantities, all this talk is moot.

+1
Thats why I said this.



"So...
Is there a group buy item picked out yet?
If you have an idea, maybe you could start a thread for that item, like my thread.
"

 

[BlindViper]

Its been said in this thread. I am pretty sure you arent going to get any volume in a forum of this type. In a gun forum or car forum yes. But most people here have the tools they need. You might be able to pull it off on a new tool that no one has. But logistically any price break might not be worth it after shipping.

 

[Gearhead559]

i can set this place up with some group buys, but it wouldnt be tools...

after market speed parts mainly, like Trick flow, UPR, BMR and so on....

 

[sberry]

So, youre saying youve cured the "TOOL ACQUISITION DISORDER"?

Not me, along with most people here.


Say you did need it. You would rather pay full price?

Actually I am not a tool addict, not a compulsive collector. My interest in tools is pretty much a production issue. If I need it I would likely buy another USA brand, 30$ and pay for it the first use in many cases.

 

[tonydanzah]

group buy on calcon socket racks?

 

[scottmlew]

group buy on calcon socket racks?

I am still willing to organize this, but the response I got when we put out the feeler was pretty minimal, and the discount folks were looking for was quite high. Still, I'm going to contact the company to see if there is anything we cna work out. But, the more the merrier, so if you're interested, PLMK!

 

[Busted Bolts]

Maybe it could be various items that are "hot" movers on the truck. If the members on the site had a good discount they might be swayed to purchase them. It could mean more volume for the dealer and full payment rather than driving around burning up fuel and wear and tear on the truck. Not to mention getting only 20 bucks a week or sometimes nothing and tying up capital for the dealer. Just a suggestion

 

[Evogun]

But, I'll play your game you rouge!

Hey, I fixed it for you.

I'm not interested in a discussion about he said, she said.

Seems there is a lot of talk and negativity from your side don't tell us what can't be done, start contributing what can be done. Seems like you want to contribute well contribute something positive and useful to this thread.

I see a lot of interest out there. If you wanna help make a call and see if Matco wants to support a deal for a group buy on this forum. They can decide what they want to offer. This way your not and you will have a couple weeks to organize a proper GB.

If it fails then your point is made. By the way large ticket items are not the way to go keep it under $200.

Good Luck and wish you the best.

 

[t100]

something new, not too many people have got the chance to buy it already. something have gained a lot of interested, i.e. lengthy discussions on the forum. something not certain industry specific, widely used by most people. something special, not too many alternatives out there:

conclusion:
Snap On 3/8 ratchet in 1/4 drive body FCF72

 

[bmwpower]

Why does it have to be one item in particular?

None of the tool trucks are gonna give us a deal anyway...

 

[krooser]

There HAVE been group buys here on GJ... you just haven't been here long enough to notice...

 

[T56 Impala]

I'm in the group that says a GB would not interest me. That is unless you know of someone who found a stash of vintage tools they are selling!

Seriously, I've been part of several automotive related group buys. The only time you get a decent price, is with an upstart company. They maybe an upstart retailer or a manufacturer. Either way, for them it is money "spent" for advertising. Rarely, and I mean VERY RARELY, do you get any kind of discount from an established manufacturer. Much less one the size of SO, Mac, Matco, Wright or even Toptul. (Yes, Mike gives us great deals, but again, it is a trade off for free advertising and or volume to help him get established. If this is incorrect, Mike is welcome to correct me.)

Now, if there were a NEW tool manufacturer, here in the USA, who was starting up and claiming great quality, I bet we could get one heck of a deal as a group. Not going to happen soon though.