Let’s discuss and study if we can benefit from buying in bulk

bulk1     bulk4  bulk7  C  Numerous ideas flow through the Club and it’s members. For the farsighted, members see we should look at buying in bulk. However, we should discuss and study if bulk buying works. Perhaps, the idea is just too big, as we are not a cooperative. Perhaps, we don’t have someone to lead and take us through. Perhaps, we have not seen the benefits as yet.

Honestly, I have little time to take this lead. But to hold the issue and not discuss further and not taking advantage of our group would be short-sighted and negative. Many ideas are short-term or short-lived..

If someone in our membership can coordinate and lead the discussion in depth, we may be able to start with one product or one service. If you are interested to take this challenge, let me know. We need a leader or even a coordinator.

 

Terence Seah (Whatsapp +65 9489-4360).

 

Author: Terence Seah

Founder

12 thoughts on “Let’s discuss and study if we can benefit from buying in bulk”

  1. For those of you who may be puzzled with the pictures that are attached to Posts, you may like to know that I have asked Gabriella Chua to select suitable pictures and add them to my Posts. She has been doing a good job, I am thankful to her for spending the time to take up this task.

    Thank you Gabriella.

    Now, what are those pictures you have added to this Post?

    Terence Seah

  2. Before we explore the possibility of purchasing in bulk for economies of scale, we have to look around who have capitalised on this concept and thrive.
    For the provisions of household items, today who are the biggest players.
    They are NTUC FAIRPRICE, COLD STORAGE, SHENG SIONG etc.
    which completely outbid the provision shops. How? Yes they buy in bulk. But also they have high turnover of consumer goods which help to maintain the
    freshness for the benefits of consumers in terms of price and good expiry dates.
    Two pictures are displayed here: one is apple and the other is grain. These two are perishable goods. Despite the sizable numbers of SHC members, can the
    club really achieve the economies of scale in its bulk purchase?

    Robert

  3. Hi Terence

    Hahaha!! I’m v tickled by your question!
    Just back from coffee chat. Have to rush to Grandma’s school. Will be back with an explanation later.

    Cheers :-)

  4. Hi Terence
    I have chosen some new pictures which I hope depict the topic better?
    Aiyo, in the process of posting the new pics, your paras went haywire.
    :-(

    Ooh la la! I enjoy adding cartoons or ‘hilarious’ pictures to your posts ~ to inject fun and laughter to your forum page.

    Cheers

  5. I think there is no doubt that we would not be able to beat the giants when it come to buying bulk. But, at the same time, if we do not think out loud and explore the possibilities among ourselves as a group, nothing is going to ever happen.

    Take travel as an example. Why do some members go travelling as a group? Is there an advantage? We do travel companies have packages for groups for 1, 5 and 20 pax?

    Take going to a restaurant, as another example. You go to a restaurant, and eat alone. Another time, you go to the same restaurant, with a group size of 10 pax. There are sure benefits in sitting down at a table of 10 vs a table of 1.

    One day, you went to a shop, and you saw a little bag. You love it so much, so you ask how much it costs. The seller says $1, and unkindly refuses to budge and sell the bag to you for $0.90. But, what if you decide to buy 10 bags; one for your niece, one for your auntie, two for your friends, ….. There must be a difference when buying in bulk.

    Someone called me yesterday, and told me to watch a Channelnewsasia program on TV. It’s about the elderlies in Japan. I didn’t watch the program, but this friend of mine told that in a certain perfecture in Japan, the shops do not sell children’s pampers. Instead, they sell only adult pampers. SHC members may not need adult pampers now. But, our elderly parents do. Do you know what are the types of adult pampers available in Giant? Do you know how much it costs per piece? I am quite sure I dont need adult pampers now; but maybe I will need them in the near future. It costs almost $0.80-1.50 per piece.

    Seniors need many items. If we crack our head, think aloud, we can see many items we need as we age. What are they? And if we can buy together in bulk, we can benefit from it. Let’s keep our eyes open.

    Terence Seah

  6. would like to put a bee in Terence’s cap…

    Can SHE start an online business buying in bulk and selling to elderly consumers… focus solely on the silver market.

    Terence, how about brainstorming this idea? ?:)

  7. Hi Jassmine,

    Restaurants, especially Western restaurants, like to put a stalk of flowers in the middle of a square table for two. But little does the restaurant know that this stalk of flower tends to block the communication between and among the diners. Talk away the vase and stalk of flowers.

    And yes Jassmine and everybody, go ahead, let’s share our ideas.

    (I am on the way to PJ in a coach).

    Terence Seah

  8. I was having lunch with a business colleague a while ago. One topic which I discussed with him was my business of selling “Used Condoms”. Then, I found out that he is related to selling “Unused brand new condoms”. This is one of the best selling condoms, and the factory exports to the huge China market. Now, I am thinking if we can bulk buy condoms.

    I raise this, so as not to be blocked in thoughts by that rose in the middle of the table. Now, we have adult diapers, ovaltine and condoms. What do you see as possible?

    Terence Seah

  9. Hi Jassmine and members,

    Every idea needs brainstorming, to make sure our projects are feasible and practical. And, this is why I enjoy reading the ideas and suggestions from members. Some ideas may seem rediculous, but it still can be a good idea, either this way or that way. I agree bulk buying among SHC members and the elderly market can benefit some of us as we get older. None of us are getting younger.

    Most of our members are good at offering ideas. But because no money or effort is put in, the idea has no push. Many ideas can work, if the driver has an objection and the determination.

    Last weekend, some SHC members who have their own business suggested that we consolidate the products available from members within the Club. Some of the items include elderly equipment, adult pampers, used condoms (too many too shy to talk about this) and Casio watches (it’s still an idea).

    The discussion went on and hit the wall, when it comes to promotion and marketing. How do we market the Bulk Buying products? A website is not going to work if it is not promoted, nobody will go to the website. There were a few other ideas, but this needs further brainstorms. One expensive way is to advertise in the TV or the newspaper.

    Keep the discussion going. And if you have a product to offer for bulk buying to members and the public, do add it here.

    Terence Seah

  10. Hi Terence
    Generally people are not willing to put in the effort ( a lot of work!) for free when others just coolly benefit from their effort. When I suggested SHE starting an online business in bulk buying, I was thinking people who take up roles in the bulk buying business would be paid and we can expect a certain level of professionalism from them.

    There are some things, like health products, people buy regularly and these things are getting more and more expensive, hence if they can get 15% – 20% off from an online source, I’m sure they’ll be very happy to buy from that online store.

    For promotion of a website – given the large population in SHC, just rely on word of mouth and social media :)

  11. Hi Jassmine,

    I do agree with you that there are benefits in bulk buying. Yes, we need time to identify what members and seniors want that we can benefit from bulk buying. At this moment, I see us identifying what the products or services are.

    Yes, I do think that those who are organising the bulk buying should work out their own margins and compensate the benefits. It is a good amount of work. So, I have only read KennethT making a solid suggestion of one ovaltine can per month. The other product which has breezed up recently is adult diapers.

    A few members who had toyed some ideas with me on Whatsapp wanted a marketing team to be set up. Yes, you can use word of mouth or social media, but the owners of the product have their own ideas. The owners should do the drive, and where the club can support, it would be great.

    Let’s see what other ideas or suggestions cropped up by the end of this month.

    Terence Seah

Leave a Reply