Group Buy Alternative

[ShakeR]

Hi Everyone,

After seeing, participating, and learning more about the group buys here on geekhack, I wanted to offer geekhackers an alternative to group buys if you should be so interested.

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If you were considering organizing a group buy for an item but don't want to deal with the headaches of implementing one, you can contact us with details of the item and - based on reasonable interest - we will buy it and list it on our site.  This will save you the troubles of raising up-front funds, waiting months for product, canceling orders if the MOQ isn't reached,  paying more in shipping (inbound / outbound), logging / tracking orders, dealing w/ PayPal fees, arranging customs docs, etc...

Yes, the price from us will typically be higher than what you would be getting directly from the supplier.  We have to pay our bills / employees and we're taking risk on inventory that may not sell.  However, in cases where, for example, a supplier has a price of $100 at 20 pieces and $60 at 100 pieces and we buy 100, not only do you avoid GB hassles but the price is better as well.  To be clear and to assuage the usual GH conspiracy theorists: If the primary aim of the group buy is to save money regardless of inconvenience / delays and the supplier does not offer significant volume discounts, this is not for you.

If the primary goal of the group buy is to create access to a given product OR volume discounts are significant, this might be a useful tool for those not wanting to deal with the frustrations inherent to group buys.  We can add to our catalog and you guys can have fast and easy access to the hard to find items for which group buys were once mandatory.

Please note:
1) This is not intended to be a duplicate thread of "Name it. We'll do our best to get it." We must be provided with at least the basic information needed to source the item.
2) You can also contact us / post here if you have a group buy that needs help reaching the MOQ.  I can't promise we'll always commit to an order, but we're always open to new items, so don't be shy 

For inquiries, please post below, PM me, or send an email to geekhack@mechanicalkeyboards.com

[lcs]

I think that's a particularly good idea for not so 'wanted' products.

Like my purple laser etched emacs symbol esc

Thanks for this ShakeR!

[SpAmRaY]

This could be interesting, will pass it along if I run across anything that would fit this idea.

[ShakeR]

Happy to help!

After seeing people who ordered Phantom PCBs in a GB months ago end up going to our site - buy them for less and receive them in 2 to 4 days - I wanted to at least put the option out there.

I'm not sure what - if any - response we'll get from this, but at least I can say I tried lol
 

[damorgue]

I'd say just joining group buys and buying up what is left to MOQ or to certain price breaks is sufficient, as you did with the teensy 2.0 GB (which later turned out not to need it but that is besides the point).

[ShakeR]

I'd say just joining group buys and buying up what is left to MOQ or to certain price breaks is sufficient, as you did with the teensy 2.0 GB (which later turned out not to need it but that is besides the point).

Yep.  We're happy to do this as I mentioned.

This method does not utilize our existing infrastructure and the efficiencies that come along with a dedicated support staff shipping out 50+ boxes every day, lower shipping costs, lower transaction costs (the $8 'PayPal Fees' line item on our GB invoice also contributed to the inspiration of this thread), etc. We're OK with both though.

Btw, awesome avatar damorgue. 

[SpAmRaY]

Would you guys consider buying a few keysets here and there to help with MOQ?

What is the possibility of you guys doing your own key sets? Maybe put up a poll and roll your own with signature plastics?

[domoaligato]

or gmk with Lysol.....

[MOZ]

This is great MK, I like the idea and dedication towards supporting the community.

Would you be interested in something like this too:

Handle sorting/shipping: Eg, for someone like me, I can get some things manufactured pretty cheap in India, however if I don't want to handle the headache of sorting and shipping the items, can I organise a GB, and you will receive all the payments from individuals on this website, and then make a bulk payment to me for the items, I ship them bulk to you, you then sort and forward all the items. I think as you mentioned this would utilize your infrastructure and my manufacturing ability (So to say). Would this work for you?

[ShakeR]

Would you guys consider buying a few keysets here and there to help with MOQ?

What is the possibility of you guys doing your own key sets? Maybe put up a poll and roll your own with signature plastics?

1. Yep.
2. Moderate possibility.  I looked at this last year and passed on it.  I can't recall why, but it might be worth looking into again.

This is great MK, I like the idea and dedication towards supporting the community.

Would you be interested in something like this too:

Handle sorting/shipping: Eg, for someone like me, I can get some things manufactured pretty cheap in India, however if I don't want to handle the headache of sorting and shipping the items, can I organise a GB, and you will receive all the payments from individuals on this website, and then make a bulk payment to me for the items, I ship them bulk to you, you then sort and forward all the items. I think as you mentioned this would utilize your infrastructure and my manufacturing ability (So to say). Would this work for you?

Yep.  We can probably streamline it a bit more in regards to the payments and another item or two.  The main goal is to make it as easy on everyone - customers, suppliers, vendors, etc. - as possible. Send me an email and we can iron out the details. geekhack@mechanicalkeyboards.com

[pasph]

Not so good for international peoples, big shipping prices and big vat

[domoaligato]

Not so good for international peoples, big shipping prices and big vat

that depends on if MK would be willing to ship to a proxy in Europe for larger orders.

[ShakeR]

Not so good for international peoples, big shipping prices and big vat

Correct.  As I attempted to point out in the original post, this is not an all-encompassing 'best solution' for all GBs.

Not so good for international peoples, big shipping prices and big vat

that depends on if MK would be willing to ship to a proxy in Europe for larger orders.

We are certainly open to this idea.

[pasph]

Not so good for international peoples, big shipping prices and big vat

that depends on if MK would be willing to ship to a proxy in Europe for larger orders.

Being vat at least 19% of value+shipping i don't know if i still prefer the gamble of undervalued single shipping
Then there is the question if gh is turning in a sort of kb related Amazon, but this is OT

[pixel5]

In some cases, mk.com doing a certain product could be cheaper either way.

Say a product steps like this:
$100/ea - 10 qty
$80/each - 50 qty
$60/each - 100 qty

Well, if we get 70 people interested, thats $80, each. If mk.com buys at the $60 price and charges us $70, thats still cheaper than if the group buy ended with 70 people interested.

Obviously, I'm just pulling these numbers out of my butt for explanation purposes.

[Krigo]

I think this is a good idea, I'll be keepin' an eye on this. Hope it works out!

[ShakeR]

In some cases, mk.com doing a certain product could be cheaper either way.

Say a product steps like this:
$100/ea - 10 qty
$80/each - 50 qty
$60/each - 100 qty

Well, if we get 70 people interested, thats $80, each. If mk.com buys at the $60 price and charges us $70, thats still cheaper than if the group buy ended with 70 people interested.

Obviously, I'm just pulling these numbers out of my butt for explanation purposes.

Yeah, tried to touch on this above "...in cases where, for example, a supplier has a price of $100 at 20 pieces and $60 at 100 pieces and we buy 100, not only do you avoid GB hassles but the price is better as well."

Thanks for the feedback everyone!

[ohgodpleaseno]

What are the chances of setting up something for Topre key set availability?

[domoaligato]

well mk doesn't sell topre boards so that might be a stretch.

[ohgodpleaseno]

well mk doesn't sell topre boards so that might be a stretch.

Yeah

[SpAmRaY]

well mk doesn't sell topre boards so that might be a stretch.

They sell the type heaven.

[domoaligato]

then they need to add topre tot he switch types on the website.

edit: selecting other returns no results.
selecting manufacture topre results this

https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=522

[ohgodpleaseno]

Maybe there's hope!

[Lastpilot]

You guys are missing the big picture here. It's all about GMK doubleshots! If MK sells things at a profit then they have more of a reason to buy us all the way to MOQ!

ShakeR, is this a possibility? GMK ds keycaps are highly regarded, but the daunting MOQ creates hassle for group buy hosts. Would you guys be able to pay your way to a artificially lower MOQ?

[domoaligato]

yeah gmk's are the best for sure. helping ivan/lysol's gb's get to moq would be awesome.

[ShakeR]

then they need to add topre tot he switch types on the website.

edit: selecting other returns no results.
selecting manufacture topre results this

https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=522

Thanks for the heads up!  Topre 45 switch made active! (I have all the switch types in the Database, but typically only make 'stocked' switches active.  Forgot to update this one!)

[ShakeR]

yeah gmk's are the best for sure. helping ivan/lysol's gb's get to moq would be awesome.

Link to GB?

[SpAmRaY]

yeah gmk's are the best for sure. helping ivan/lysol's gb's get to moq would be awesome.

Link to GB?

The current GB is not up yet but will be soon.

The interest check thread is here

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=39280.0

[ShakeR]

We'll try to help out!

[Lastpilot]

This is freaking awesome. Thank you ShakeR!