Acrylic Flame Polisher Group Buy?

[John Schulz]

John,

Since I was the one to ask about the $1,800 (a guesstimated figure), I'd like to point out I wasn't suggesting there was fraud or greed involved, I was simply asking a valid question that did not appear to have been answered yet. If the new units are cheaper by nearly $20 compared to the last batch, why is the to-the-door price still nearly $50 more?

Seems to me if the cost to-the-door is the same as last time, the $20 difference in unit cost would go to Cliff as a "finder's fee". I questioned the extra $15 necessary to ship each unit to the door, as well as the surprising jump in dock fees... it appears that Cliff may be able to get a better deal with the dock shipper if he hammers them a bit on their high prices, and I don't understand why UPS is suddenly charging 50% more to ship the same item 4 months later... was the estimated weight entered incorrectly?

Dan, no harm done in your questioning the latest price.

Glad you asked though - Apples to Apples, the unit is cheaper (or was, based on a larger volume, new price ~may~ be different now, as I type this). The SHIPPING from China and dock fees, etc. have gone up TREMENDOUSLY!!! THAT is where the overall "additional" $50 is going!

FedEX ground (cheapest way to ship for Cliff) is actually $45 and change AT MOST. So, a $50 fee is not unreasonable for all Cliff HAS done, IS doing and WILL CONTINUE to do... I am in Illinois. Will it NOT cost Cliff $50 to send out my package. I will gladly pay the $50 to receive the package though, in appreciation for his hassles and time and labor to make this all happen for us.

For those from the first group buy - IF YOU CAN HELP in reducing the costs on this group buy, of which you have no investment, PLEASE help Cliff with contacting the shipper or even the company used last time and see if you too can make an impact on reducing the price of this group buy. What's in it for you? Nada - Zip - NOTHING! Well, except maybe a little appreciation from those who are involved in this group buy.

If my "tone" sounds harsh, it is not meant that way. Just calling out the facts. I deal in facts every day with my regular career, and bluntness (or is it diplomacy? I get them confused ALOT) happens!

========
Thanks Dee for Steve's "permission slip". Steve - you want in?


My thanks to all for making this happen.

John

[Thad Nickoley]

sorry going to have to pass right nnow.

[jack Halley]

My economy has changed some recently and will have to pull out.

[Deane Shepard]

I would encourage those dropping out to carefully consider the deal. I signed up for the last group buy on these and then when it came time to send the money, I had had some financial change and while I really had the money, it would mean delaying some other spending and I just wasn't sure how much good I would really get out of the tool, so I dropped out. Since then, there have been MANY times I wished I had not done so. I have had a number of jobs where I thought "That flame polisher would have made this a lot easier." I was very happy to see another purchase opportunity come along. The price is definitely less than what is generally available and who knows when, if ever, another group buy opportunity will come along. Trust me, you don't want to be trying to sand, buff and polish something by hand and thinking "if only I had not dropped out, this job would already be done."

Think it over.

Deane Shepard
Universal M-360
On Order Flame Polisher

[Adam Orton]

I would love to be in on this but I live up in Canada and I suspect that would be a shipping nightmare for you. Not something I would want to put someone through. They told me 5 minimum purchase and if there were enough Canadians it might be doable on our own turf.

[Tom Phan]

I am dropping out

[Keith Outten]

I'm in, check will be sent on Monday.

Thanks for setting this up.

[George Brown]

I'm in.

Mailing out check this weekend.

Thanks for all your work.

[Bob Savage]

Check is in todays mail.

[John Schulz]

Updated updated list / information
OK, here's the updated list now, with the updated pricing.
PLEASE CONFIRM whether you are still participating.

in 1) John Schulz
2) Phil Salvati
in 3) Keith Outten
4) Steve Clarkson
in 5) Paul Brinkmeyer
6) Kevin L. Waldron
7) Dave Russell Smith
in 8) Rudy Ress
in 9) Bob Savage1
in 10) Cliff Patrick
in 11) Marc Winlund
12) Rodger D. Cooley
13) Alexander James
in 14) George Brown
in 15) Deane Shepard
16) Sean De Gazon
17) Mark Beito
in 18) Gary Nicholls
in 19) Eric Allen
in 20) Donald Bugansky
21) Maggie Brown

For clarification, TOTAL PRICE = $362.00 to your door.
$230 for the Unit
$82 Importing costs and freight to Ohio
$50 Domestic shipping to you from Ohio
===========
$362 To Your Door

Send payment to:
K&B Industrial Supply
104 County Road 120
South Point, OH 45680

Cliff will need to have your check in hand no later than October 8, 2009. Include with your check, your delivery address - where you want the unit shipped to.

Thanks to all.

[donald bugansky]

I'll send the check in the Monday mail. Count me in.

Bugs

[Mark Beito]

Check will be in your hands on Tuesday. I missed out on the last group buy, and I'm happy someone is taking the time to put together another one. Thanks.

[John Barton]

Well, we definitely have some interest here.

For the "numbers" here is the list of names so far ... (included below)
Please - everyone, chime in if I misread your intentions or interest.
Let's keep this an open topic until October 1st, and make a decision
at that point, after (hopefully) more interested parties wish to join in.
Keith, since you know best on the "local" TOS details, can Cliff Patrick
possibly do something with the Importing with insight/details from
Jack Harper (Jack, I hope I'm not stepping on your toes, as your
insight and help would be - and has been already sooo very helpful).
The one area we definitely need help with is the Importing - possibly
covered by Cliff. (Thanks Cliff for offering to help here)

Here's what I have so far, in order of posting - looks like 13 seriously
interested so far. Maybe 15 (???) if the price is right? (9-4-09, 9:30am)


John Schulz
Phil Salvati
Steve (Scott) Shepard
Steve Chalmers
Keith Outten
Steve Clarkson (definite possible maybe – perhaps)
Paul Brinkmeyer
Kevin L. Waldron
Lisa Higginbotham (interested, but not right now)
Adam Orton (Canada - any import difficulties from the US for this?)
Duane Parcells
Dave Russell Smith
Rudy Ress
Jack Halley
Bob Savage1


---------------------------------
Epilog Mini 45w, Corel X4

I live in China. In Xiamen to be exact. If I can be of help here let me know. We export a container or two every month from China as well as I ship two to three boxes to the states every week. We can let it all go through our broker in the USA.

My email is jb@jbideas.com - Sterling Gaming is the company I work for - www.sterling-gaming.com

John

EDIT: I made this post without reading the whole thread. I don't mean to step on anyone's toes here. Was just offering my help with anything to do with China since I live here. That offer stands for anyone who needs it.

[John Schulz]

I live in China. In Xiamen to be exact. If I can be of help here let me know. We export a container or two every month from China as well as I ship two to three boxes to the states every week. We can let it all go through our broker in the USA.

My email is jb@jbideas.com - Sterling Gaming is the company I work for - www.sterling-gaming.com

John

EDIT: I made this post without reading the whole thread. I don't mean to step on anyone's toes here. Was just offering my help with anything to do with China since I live here. That offer stands for anyone who needs it.

Thanks John, I will let Cliff know about your offer on Monday morning.

[John Schulz]

OK, here's the updated list now, with the updated pricing.
PLEASE CONFIRM whether you are still participating.

in 1) John Schulz
2) Phil Salvati
in 3) Keith Outten
4) Steve Clarkson
in 5) Paul Brinkmeyer
6) Kevin L. Waldron
7) Dave Russell Smith
in 8) Rudy Ress
in 9) Bob Savage1
in 10) Cliff Patrick
in 11) Marc Winlund
12) Rodger D. Cooley
13) Alexander James
in 14) George Brown
in 15) Deane Shepard
16) Sean De Gazon
in 17) Mark Beito
in 18) Gary Nicholls
in 19) Eric Allen
in 20) Donald Bugansky
21) Maggie Brown

For clarification, TOTAL PRICE = $362.00 to your door.
$230 for the Unit
$82 Importing costs and freight to Ohio
$50 Domestic shipping to you from Ohio
===========
$362 To Your Door

Send payment to:
K&B Industrial Supply
104 County Road 120
South Point, OH 45680

Cliff will need to have your check in hand no later than October 8, 2009. Include with your check, your delivery address - where you want the unit shipped to.

Thanks to all.