Bulkbuy various bike components

Who is willing buy various parts in bulk?

Yes please!!
1
20%
Hell no!!
4
80%
 
Total votes: 5
OyabunG
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Bulkbuy various bike components

Postby OyabunG » Sun Jan 07, 2007 9:27 pm

Hi all,

I am new to this forum and just want to gauge the interest if any of buying various bike components using bulk purchasing power of the members. Effectively it can be anything, but I am thinking wheelsets, lighting systems and so on.

What are your thoughts?

Cheers
Daryl

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europa
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Postby europa » Sun Jan 07, 2007 9:38 pm

Okay mate. First post. A seemingly commercial post. I'm locking this thread and I invite you to discuss this with the administrator. I'm sorry if this seems a bit heavy handed but we get a lot of first time posters who are only here to promote commercial interests or other money making ideas, and who are becomming adept at dressing those up to look innocent. Have a chat with Christopher, the admin - AUbicycles by Private Message and see what his response is.

Richard
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europa
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Postby europa » Mon Jan 08, 2007 1:19 pm

Daryl's had a chat with Christopher and myself and his suggestion is as it appears on face value. I notice he's also joined in elsewhere too.

Welcome to the asylum Daryl. Sorry for the heavy welcome.

Now, about your suggestion. Tyres and tubes springs to mind. Maybe cables. Handlebar tape. These are all small items though. For larger stuff like groupsets or wheelsets, you'd have to have a bulk deal happening just as I was feeling suddenly flush with cash.

Do you have any thoughts on how this might work? Any contacts?

Richard

OyabunG
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Postby OyabunG » Mon Jan 08, 2007 1:46 pm

Hi Richard,

Not a problem, I can see you are protecting the forum and thanks for the welcome. Right now I am trying to gauge the interest of maybe a specific item the members are after. As we speak I am trying to get contacts in the wholesale/distribution industry interested in a bulk buy option. To date no success so this idea might be dead even before we start something.

In terms of how this may work, maybe create a seperate category within this forum where deals can be posted. Members gauge EOI for product and orders go through. We might need a ABN to deal with manufacturers but I haven't done that much research to date, it is purely an idea for now. Ideally to attract discounts worthwhile for everyone we need the numbers to participate. If any distributors are interested also please post or contact me so we can get the ball rolling.

We are not out to make money here, just trying to attract some really good deals. I don't know, if others have any ideas of how we can proceed by all means please send comments.

Cheers guys.

Daryl

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Postby timbo » Mon Jan 08, 2007 11:41 pm

I think the main problem with the idea is that while we all might need a specific item from time to time, we all have a different idea on what is the best product for our bike and our needs. For example, if twenty of us decided we all needed a new a pair of tyres, the order would be for twenty different sized tyres of different models from different manufacturers, and trying to get a discount for such I diverse order would be next to impossible. You would then have the hassles of chasing up payments for our orders, and further problems if one of the orders turns out to be faulty, and then what seemed like a good idea turns out to be a total pain in the backside. Its a good idea, and one which would probably work for a local bike club, or a group of mates, but for a bunch of people from all over the country whose only connection is an internet forum, seems like having the potential for too many hassles.

OyabunG
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Postby OyabunG » Mon Jan 08, 2007 11:57 pm

I tend to agree with you. Maybe like you suggest its more suited to a specific club or social group then left open on the forum. I am still interested in trying to organise something if the need is out there, maybe for a tubeless wheelset or whatever the case maybe.

Thanks for the comments Timbo appreciated :D

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europa
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Postby europa » Tue Jan 09, 2007 12:07 am

Here's a thought from right out of the bushes.

A few years ago, I was an active aeromodeller. In the particular discipline we flew, there was stuff all in the shops (who all preferred the big dollar bling bling items ... sound familiar? :? ). I set up a small business where I imported hard to get items - basically, I contacted the suppliers and manufacturers and set up a specialist shop. The taxation boys weren't interested because I was too small (seriously). The local shops weren't bothered because I was supplying stuff they weren't interested in carrying. The local fliers were interested because they knew where they could get specialist stuff 'now'. It made me enough cash to finance my hobby, but only if I lied to myself about the financial realities.

There is possibly a place for someone to take up this position here. Lights? I can't see that. Tyres? You'd be busy fighting Torpedo7, etc. However, there may be some way for an entrepreneur (sp?) type to get in hard to get stuff, like those fancy soft brake pads who'se name I can't remember at the moment, or carriers, or ...

It's worth thinking about, but you'll need to be brave, financial and creative to make it work.

Richard

OyabunG
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Postby OyabunG » Tue Jan 09, 2007 7:40 am

Good suggestion Richard, ideally I would like to be organising niche equipment purchases like you have said. This way, manufacturers who don't have a strong presence in the market here can get the product out to the general public but at the same time we will not upset the good standing of all the dealers national wide.

If people can comment on specific brands and products then maybe I can try and source the products. In reality even a bulk purchase from overseas can be more economically viable even with duties then buying here on the local market.

Daryl

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europa
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Postby europa » Tue Jan 09, 2007 10:06 am

Import duties can be an interesting one. I was never charged import duties, though every package was clearly marked with what it was.

An email to Sheldon Brown might be interesting. What European businesses spring to mind? Can anyone with overseas and local experience lend a thought to what they have but we don't?

The problem you've got is that bikes tend not to be high consumers of bits. It worked in aeromodelling because we were always building things, then crashing them - I plan not to follow that latter route with my bikes :roll:

Richard

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merida901
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Postby merida901 » Tue Jan 09, 2007 10:44 am

I have my own Fitness Hire Business and i am continually trying to get contact at different places to be able to offer different things to my customers and let me tell you taht some of these companys are really picky about who they deal with.

But if there is any help i can offer or anything you might think i might be able to help with please let me know.

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Postby AUbicycles » Tue Jan 09, 2007 1:42 pm

Lot of interesting discussion on different angles, how about a few more angles.

There used to be an Australian website (Maybe called redant or something) that used critical mass to get products discounted. If 10 people purchased, they would save 10% for example, if 100 people purchased they may all save 20%.
One issue is organisation... someone has to 'champion the cause' and manage the whole thing, manage everyone in the buyers group and organise haggle for better prices plus the logistics. This is a lot of work and it is inevitable that a few people who committed pull out (even when it's too late). Advance payment or deposite is a good idea however there needs to a way of making sure the operater and participants are trustworthy (for example an ebay style truehand).

Getting things overseas means that there are a few unknowns, particularly customs duty (which may come) plus the added logistical effort of someone collecting and re-posting out to all buyers. One idea would be to approach a local importer / distributer, I have a few listed here. If you can show them that you have done your homework... you know exactly what you want, how much, then they may be able to assist by firstly getting a wholesale price and then importing it. There is small, markup (importer profit) however a number of issues are solve.

Management of the user group is a task... there needs to be a large group of people who all want the same thing... can this be done... how are new unknown people regulated? Does the organiser get a cut for organising?

Lots of questions, it important to think it through and work out if if the energy involved in making a small saving is worth it. I think that when the concept is refined a bit more with a clear idea how it works, then many of problems and issues will be solved.

tinstaafl
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Postby tinstaafl » Wed Jan 10, 2007 1:57 pm

It's probably a good idea under ideal circumstances but they will probably never exist.
I do not feel secure enough on the internet to make a financial commitment.
Earlier posters have pointed out the plethora of makes and sizes and types for something as simple as tyres and I think that this would be across the board and then to take into account BMX, MTB, Road, Hybrid, Racing, Downhill, etc. types of basic bike I have severe doubts that it is viable.
Sorry for the downer but you did ask for an opinion.

Robert

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bda20
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Postby bda20 » Wed Jan 10, 2007 7:45 pm

Also in a forum of just over 500 that is not really what I would call big buying power :?

You think about it and what do you think the chances are of say 20-50 all wanting something simular at the same time. :(

Not to sure about everyone else but the idea of waiting maybe weeks (think import) for a item to save a few bucks just doesnt sound good to me. That is why they are still lots of parts in bike shops. Most people if they want something ether need or want it asap.

I still dont like buying stuff over the net (call me old fasioned) i just like to look and feel it and no I dont like going into a bike shop looking or even trying if I had no intetion of buying it there :roll:

OyabunG
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Postby OyabunG » Thu Jan 11, 2007 3:17 pm

Guys all brillant points, I am glad for the input which has given me further areas to think about. Constructive critisim is gold so don't hold back. For small priced items I myself could not be bothered waiting weeks for a deal to go ahead then also waiting for the goods to arrive.

This is more for high end products, say wheelsets in the $1k+ bracket which would make me think twice before rushing out an purchasing retail.

I agree co-ordinating this will be huge and well like anything done the first time it will be damn hard. Even to get your foot in the door with a wholesaler is hard work and still like you say some only want to offer places goods where you can have the touchy feely effect :)

In terms of numbers well maybe we co-ordinate with bike clubs and so on to get more numbers to increase buying power. But again you have all made VERY good points!!!

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