Purchasing Group Buying Clubs

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Purchasing Group Buying Clubs

• By Sara Sack, Ph.D.
• Assistive Technology for Kansans
• [phone]

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The Buying Club Model.

• Consumers form groups to purchase goods in bulk
  in order to save money.
• Advantages Doesnt take much capitol to start.
  Can result in considerable cost savings.
• Disadvantages Does not work well for customized
  equipment. Hard to find enough people wanting to
  purchase equipment.

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Retail Storefront Model

• Generally used by food cooperatives.

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Mail-Order Catalog Business

• Very similar to buying club model. Best suited to
  low-tech supplies, software and items that are
  not customized.

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IDENTIFYING STATES THAT HAVE COOPERATIVE BUYING
PROGRAMS FOR AT

• Kansas currently has a limited group purchasing
  plan primarily for software and word processors
• MD, FL, WI
• www.wati.org. PixWriter talking word processing
  program (regular price 180, buying program price
  105 plus 5 shipping, Quicktionary Reading pen,
  WYNN Reading Software)
• Others?

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KANSAS PLAN

• Working with consultant to develop cooperative,
  create business plan, and implement cooperative
  purchasing activities
• Working with consumers, consumer organizations,
  schools, and others to identify items to buy in
  bulk.