Re: Co-op buying club New England & NY

[Guest guest]

Switched from what? Our co-op has been using United Buying Clubs, and

I'm not always terribly impressed with the prices. Even at their

wholesale level (without co-op fees), I can get many things cheaper at

Whole Foods.

I'd be interested to hear what the thinking was behind switching to

Associated Buyers.

Thanks!

Tamara

>

> Our local has just restarted and switched to Associated Buyers.

> http://www.assocbuyers.com/index.html

> Minimum order $350, smaller quantities available, local products

>

> Wanita

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[Guest guest]

I'd also like to know more about the switch. I too am using United,

and their availability and service erodes more each month. I don't

expect it to necessarily be cheap, I just want to be able to get what

I need.

> >

> > Our local has just restarted and switched to Associated Buyers.

> > http://www.assocbuyers.com/index.html

> > Minimum order $350, smaller quantities available, local products

> >

> > Wanita

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

We switched from. United upping quantities and prices was the main reason

besides wholesale equal to Whole Foods or more. Went a year not doing any. We

had to order United through local small whole foods shop and pick up there.

Associated delivers to coordinator's house. Others happy with their first few

orders. Haven't ordered myself yet. Will have a better idea when my catalog

arrives.

Wanita

Switched from what? Our co-op has been using United Buying Clubs, and

I'm not always terribly impressed with the prices. Even at their

wholesale level (without co-op fees), I can get many things cheaper at

Whole Foods.

I'd be interested to hear what the thinking was behind switching to

Associated Buyers.

Thanks!

Tamara

[Guest guest]

--- In , " tamara_zzzzz " <Tamaraz@...>

wrote:

>

> Switched from what? Our co-op has been using United Buying Clubs, and

> I'm not always terribly impressed with the prices. Even at their

> wholesale level (without co-op fees), I can get many things cheaper at

> Whole Foods.

>

>

I'm curious too. The co-op I found uses the United Buying Clubs. I've

only been a member since March. Several times I find something I'd be

interested in and it is not available at our stop. Also most things

must be purchased by the case. I can't read the labels either. I was

glad to find them though, they are a bit cheaper than the HFS, but

much further drive. There is no minimum order individually. We don't

have a Whole Foods are comparable store nearby. Giant is the next

closest thing. They have a big selection of organic produce. They seem

to have gotten more since I was there last. I really don't have much

faith in their " Nature's Promise " brand. Anyone have thoughts on that

brand?

[Guest guest]

Phil Lang wrote:

I'd also like to know more about the switch. I too am using United,

and their availability and service erodes more each month. I don't

expect it to necessarily be cheap, I just want to be able to get what

I need.

Forgot about United's out of stock aggravation too. Availability very important.

Our co-ordinator just told me Associated tells you ahead of time if an item is

out of stock and gives you option to reorder or replace it with something else.

Had to order a years subscription to Associated's catalog. Should have it in

next few weeks just before our monthly order date.

Wanita

[Guest guest]

wrote:

>I can't read the labels either.

>

You actually can read the labels on many, not quite all, of the products

United carries. http://www.unitedbuyingclubs.com/PRODUCTS/LogIn.htm

You'll need a login code, which your coordinator can provide, then you

can search the ingredients files by product code or description. Some

manufacturers even have pictures of their products. This database is

improving over time.

As far as cases go, we set up an email list for our members to

communicate about splitting cases. We also were able to set up a

surplus in our co-op budget to allow members to buy a half a case of

something and split the rest into surplus where other members can buy

one or two or the original member can come back later and buy up the

remainder. We also buy popular items while they are on sale with the

surplus account and store for members to buy individual amounts and

still take advantage of the sale price....hopefully, our stashes hold

out until the items go on sale again.

Availability is a pain with United.....especially on new items. I did

some judicious probing and got confirmation that they don't stock all of

the items in the catalog, particularly with items they are introducing.

They include items before they are stocked to see what kind of response

they get. If enough members order, they proceed to order stock for the

warehouse, which is why many new items are so hard to come by. I

suspect they do the same thing on some more esoteric bulk items.

For the last few years with us, United has had a spotty record and very

uneven performance. They have improved tremendously, but not so

stellarly that I wouldn't like to have some other options available to

us. I was a bit disappointed when I contacted Associated and found out

that we're outside of their area.

I'm going to keep an eye on them, though....so I appreciate the lead!

--s

[Guest guest]

I emailed for a catalog and was told I wasn't in the delivery area.

Oh well...

>

> I'd also like to know more about the switch. I too am using United,

> and their availability and service erodes more each month. I don't

> expect it to necessarily be cheap, I just want to be able to get what

> I need.

>

> Forgot about United's out of stock aggravation too. Availability

very important. Our co-ordinator just told me Associated tells you

ahead of time if an item is out of stock and gives you option to

reorder or replace it with something else. Had to order a years

subscription to Associated's catalog. Should have it in next few weeks

just before our monthly order date.

>

> Wanita

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