Group buying power

[Halo Blu]

Anyone interested in a "Group Buy"?
I also build AK-47 rifles, (and on The AK Files.Com), we pool our money, and buy items in BULK.
We all know what we need/want, and buy items in BULK. Together, as a whole, we can get things we need much cheaper, than buying individually.
I'm not trying to "under-cut" any of the vendors here. We can buy through them, if we all agree.
I think some of the HIGH DOLLAR items, like Krytox, Fast wheels/axles/Etc. are all available online for MUCH cheaper prices, but- if the vendor knew we were buying in BULK, we might get a discount.
I've found 1.1 POUNDS of Krytox GPL 100 online for $235.84, and that sure beats the $20.oo price for 1 Dram=1/8 of an Oz. price.
I'm sure we could apply the BULK buying power, to everything we need, to Pinewood Derby Online.
At the AK Files.Com we send things out for bid,(Through our vendors/and Local/Online Deals) and then pick a winner, based on time/availability/price/etc.
The way it works, someone calls out a part they need, and interest builds/ or doesn't.
We wait a week or two, and then buy, when bids meet our expectations.
I think we can apply this to Pinewood derby parts by calling out- "I NEED ... Does anyone else need???" O.K. That being said, there are also benefits to being a member. Members of the AKFiles.Com get special treatment by our vendors for sending them business, even when we don't buy in bulk, we buy OFTEN!
I'd like to hear your input, Customers and Vendors alike.

 

[Crash Enburn]

With the exception of Krytox or Jig-a-loo, there really isn't much bulk to be purchased. The wheels and blocks and whatnot that DD4H sells are made by him. It's not like he's just a clearing-house for some Pinewood Derby sweatshop in China.

 

[Halo Blu]

I'm not trying to call out, any specific vendor.
Wood blanks on any type of wood, can be found through many vendors/World-Wide. Our local hardwood flooring place has exotic wood "On Sale" from time to time. DuPont sells Krytox cheaper at certain times throughout the year.
I'm only seeking interest in buying BIG, to save Money. Do you "NEED" 100 wheels? (So, do I!) Let's buy 200, and save a few $$$ together.

 

[Kinser Racing]

FWIW paying a little more helps provide a place to race. Our support of DerbyDad4Hire will keep us racing.

 

[Halo Blu]

Sorry Guys. I don't mean to offend anyone, or any Vendors. I only thought if we could buy 100 count of an item/ any item, we might get a better price.
I only used Krytox as an example, because of it's high price.
Cheaper items would fall as well, if we bought 1,000 + of (???) Whatever.

 

[TRE]

If john doesnt make money we dont have this site or place to race

 

[derbychip]

agreed we need to support the league but..... if I can save some $$ on a thing or two then I have that much extra to buy the extra set of wheels from DD4H

 

[Halo Blu]

I may have messed up- BIG TIME!
I'm a "NEWBIE" please forgive my trespass.
I didn't know who owns what, or who sells products, here.
But... Given the opportunity - If they had a solid build of 100+ items, we might be able to discount.
Right now, I need 4 bodies, 16 axles, 16 wheels, Etc. I need tools, preps, DVD's, and other STUFF... Do You? Let's pool our money, and go BIG!
I don't think any Company would turn down the chance, to compete, Apples to Apples.

 

[B_Regal Racing]

I do not think you offended anyone. FWIW, I do not understand the "politics" in the PWD world either, but they are certainly evident. I choose not to be involved, and just like to race.

With the exception of Krytox or Jig-a-loo, there really isn't much bulk to be purchased. The wheels and blocks and whatnot that DD4H sells are made by him. It's not like he's just a clearing-house for some Pinewood Derby sweatshop in China.

Agreed. One small bottle of Krytox will last a year or two. Jig-a-loo, well, everyone has to secure their stash. As for everything else, I trust that John is putting the same effort into my wheels as he does his own. He has a nice shop, holds a nice race, and all's well with the world.

 

[Rocket car]

Somebody has bought jig in bulk and is selling it for a cheaper price.

 

[Safer Racer]

Also ---- Do you know what John is putting in the Krytox that makes it even faster ???
We are also paying for all those hours of TESTING that he does.

 

[Halo Blu]

Nope. I don't know what John adds to make it faster. Truth be told, I don't know who John is. I'd like to delete the entire thread. I feel like I've stepped on toes.
Sorry John. Didn't mean to call together, a mass of money, into your pocket.

 

[ngyoung]

John is aka Derby Dad 4 Hire, as well as NPWDRL owner and operator.
I understand what you're suggesting. I don't think you are stepping on toes. Even with a bulk discount I don't know how you come out ahead after breaking it up to ship to multiple people. If someone was close to me I would be happy to jump in on an order to split the shipping costs.

From that I have read, even the vendors can't get raw wheels in bulk for a discount. They pay the same price for each set that we do from scout shops. As for turned wheels the prices are really based on the labor involved. Doing a bulk order doesn't really cut down on the labor involved.

As for turning wheels in bulk I have seen one vendor showing off their setup using an automated lathe system but they don't compete in any leagues to prove their quality. Not sure how well the yield is on that kind of setup if you get an order for 100 sets of wheels.

Axles I am sure John gets them machined in bulk already from a shop that he works with to design to his specifications.

 

[The Iceman]

One thing you might have overlooked is Johns Krytox has an additive and is proven (I believe) to be faster then Krytox alone.

http://www.shop.derbydad4hire.com/Krytox-GPL-100-Oil-DerbyDad4Hire-Secret-Mix-L-002.htm

 

[Kinser Racing]

John turns all of the wheels himself. He is a true craftsman of his trade. No toes were stepped on so no worries. /images/boards/smilies/wave.gif

 

[Halo Blu]

Sorry John, and Sorry loyal customers,
Over at the AK forum, the items are MUCH more expensive, so we try to buy rifle barrels, trigger groups, stocks, whatever in BULK. It works in a nation-wide delivery Co.(like Fed-Ex/UPS because we buy, when it hits FREE delivery.)
100 rifle barrels is a lot of money, but... we get a discount, AND FREE DELIVERY to our mailbox, or local FFL.
This only came up, (or came to mind), after spending $65+ on Tungsten/ or @$100.xx on each car!(3 Cars!!!) I thought Vendors and customers, alike would like to pool their money to buy Tungsten, Krytox, or a Pine Tree or two.
I still think, together, as a whole... We can contribute to our vendors, and save a few bucks by buying in quantity. If John tied his buy- into ours, he might get a better price, as well.
He can even lead the group when he is ready to buy. "Hey guys, I need Pine, who's with me?" I need Tungsten... Etc.
Every small Company needs "EXTRA" buying power. We can be that steady form of income while he expands. 5%-10% discount seems fair to Members, or- a ("Tungsten" Membership) can be offered for $10-$20 donation a year for some sort of BONUS to be determined by John. (Speed secrets, etc.)
I'm not trying to under-cut anyone. I just thought, as a whole, we could spend our money a little better.

 

[Kinser Racing]

I think you're missing the point to Johns business. We are his customers, he is our vendor. It goes; "Hey guys I've got pine, tungsten, and Krytox, who needs to purchase some?" That's what keeps us a place to race. Your example would be like Arsenal saying "Hey guys, I need some milled barrels, who's with me?' That's not going to happen, right? I hope you understand. /images/boards/smilies/thumb.gif

 

[aircooled]

+1!!!!

 

[Mister B Racing]

+1

 

[BulldogRacing]

John Gives discounts and sales throughout the year. I own a small business and I don't give discounts unless I run low on work. When my work load starts to fill I will bump my prices back up due to demand. John supplies high end top notch products. This is why I'm patient, why I'll pay a premium for quality. If I want bulk I'll go to the big box, but try and ask someone at Home Depot to really tell you how to fix something, If I want an expert I will go where the experts are. Thank you John for this forum and for the venue to race in. I'm not a follower, I'm a natural skeptic, therefor it took a lot of reading and small purchases from John to get me down this road of giving such a high recommendation. I have called John a few times, which is something I don't do, and he picks up or calls back quickly, he is polite, honest, and to the point. I will pay for his products because he can make them a heck of a lot better than others I have bought, I wish I could get all the money I spent on cheep bulk type products back and purchase DD4H products. I hope John does very well and does not get sick of this business, I sure appreciate the service he provides. It has pushed me to holding local races for the young men I work with on a more regular basis, I'm trying to recruit some of my buds to get bit by the bug and start racing in the NPWDRL.