A topic was raised to me at the recently monthly gathering. It’s about "Gathering fellow members to join in bulk purchases". We had also members raising this sometime in the forum; but members have not taken this idea up. Actually, it was Jonathan Ong, who raised this up with me; and I remembered Kenneth Tan had also raised this before, with ovaltines.
Some members had raised ideas of co-operatives too. Put it this way, I support this idea, although I don’t think we need to set up a co-operative. The doors are open; and if you yourself want to purchase a product, and you know a company is willing to give you a good discount if you can gather 5 persons to buy the same product with a 10% discount, by all means, go ahead and let other members know, through the Club’s forum. Make sure it is a good deal and offer. It can be a cruise, 3 months supply of ovaltine, 3 sets of notebooks, 20 kopitiam vouchers, a car pool, two-to-go trip to anywhere, anything…
As long as we keep out of MLM products, I hope you can share your good buys with other members. State the original price and the offer price or discount. State the closing date. Please do not use this as an advertising, even if you have no interest.
If you do not get the number of people to participate in the bulk purchase, please let members know by the closing date. This would be courtesy.
I have created a new category called "Group buying".
Terence Seah
Hi Terence, food for thought. Yes, I shall consider the options available. If we can find a venue for our gathering where there are no strings attached, we can have our own members to do the catering, whether its for outdoor activities, breakfast, lunch or dinner gatherings.
And for bulk orders for Mekhala’s curry pastes and sauces and spa products, if its on a regular basis, I could negotiate for a special member’s price.
Thank you for the suggestion Terence.
Cheers
Caroline
Hi KennethK,
What you say, I have always taken note. Remember you suggested the idea of buying “overtine in bulk”. SHC is big enough. Then, on another day, you supported the idea of buying A4 copy paper, if we can get it cheap in bulk. This triggered a short discussion, although the idea did not last long.
But, you are right. SilverHairsClub is big enough. We belong to the SilverHairs group of modern Singapore. We have common need items. What are they? Not to joke about, but seriously, we all need walking sticks. We need adult diapers, maybe one a day.
What else? We need electric wheelchairs. At some stage, each of us will need one. What about beds which can turn us to one side, at the press of a button, so that we dont get bedsore. I saw a number of reports on robots helping us to move. They are available, from US and Japan manuracturers.
Maybe we dont them all these items now? Maybe our parents do. But, very soon, we will need all these elderly items.
Can we buy in Bulk? How can we go about it? Are you in this business? If we can hear you, we might be able to take a relook at how SHC can be a part of this much needed venture;.
What do you think elderly Singaporeans need?
Terence Seah
I was looking at our coming fleamart activity this Saturday. Thinking a bit deeper, it seems that we have many members are in entrepreneurs.
We should look deeper and discuss how we can create little ideas here and there. Food items seem rather attractive; and we do know of members who love to cook, have special receipes and best, are able to sell them. I took notice of Susan who has created bak chang and CarolineG who has her receipe for curry paste. All these are saleable, Hou Chong marmalade jam has already built a name for himself. I hope we can all support one another to make these self created products marketable and saleable.
Let’s be creative, and come up with ideas. And, on this point, I am seeing that we can have more “food for sale” items at future SHC gatherings. We could have roti prata with curry, for morning breakfast gatherings. One of our members can do up this item, for hungry members, and we may not need to go to a proper food court or restaurant. Caroline, I hope you can consider doing this breakfast item with your curry paste.
SusanT, I would also like to ask you to make bak chang for a possible lunchtime event. You can sell your bakchang at $2 each and we can all have a wonderful lunchtime snack.
Over the years, I have observed the members who have brought potluck items which they do themselves. They are tasty, and members love it. I remembered LilyH made a buge pot of chichen curry for our beach party. We definitely can ask her to make the curry again, and let us have a go at $3 a plate. Of course, if we have 80 pax, then you have to prepare for 80 pax.
Although I have not tried, Kristy makes beautiful “cup cakes”. For me, I would not makan it, except if it is sugarfree. But, I am seeing a future event, where we have a monthly gathering with Kristy’s cupcakes. She can also supply the cups and coffee from cold storage. We can even buy in bulk from her, for our events. We have to wait until she is operated on after Christmas.
I am not an ideas person. But I observe members’ strengths and skills. I take note of suggestions every now and then. Just., want to share with you another thinking of how we handle food and drinks at future events.
Terence Seah
In March 2013, we started a discussion on “Bulk buying” and we had interests. Unfortunately, no one wanted to initiate and no one wanted to distribute, so that members can benefit from the lower price.
I guess no one wants to do so, because there is a cost to doing so, so is the time involved. I think after 7 months, the idea of bulk buying may die off. Or perhaps, SHCians don’t need to be bothered with small discounts.
So, Kenneth, Frisna, Geok Suan and Johnny, no lower price ovaltines, cruises, etc. In all economies, if the price is attractive, members will buy. If the prices are not attractive, members will just go away. Supply and demand.
Let’s keep the discussion and idea going on. Think of something, and if it benefits SHCians, let’s do it.
Terence Seah
#12: ha ha kenneth, you’re good at passing the ball too – back to me! yes, i’m a good coordinator!!
Hi Kenneth,
How about delivery service only to SHC members, but they have to pay at retail price.
Convenience is the key word to sign uo for this service.
Profit from bulk purchase goes to the delivery man if he or she find it justifiable.
Just my thoughts after reading from #9 to #12
If this is not workable, just laugh it out. :)
Hahaha!!
Frisna, I cannot be co-ordinator leh! And you cannot be like Terence and try to pass the ball to me.
Imagine that I have to buy 40 bags of Horlicks, 300kg of Thai rice, 90kg of sugar, 48 cans of condensed milk and 48 cans of evaporated milk just to “get the ball rolling… and the system in place”. I might as well run a provision shop!
Frisna: We also need to set up a distribution system… are you a good choice to coordinate the delivery of the goods?
#3 Terence: sorry only replying now.
ha ha you’re good, heard someone said before “give suggestions, you’re asked to be in charge!”
I dont mind to be coordinator but shopping is not my hobby hence i’ll not dig, hunt, showel for a bargain and do not have much time to serve various sites on the nets either looking for a good buy. hence, i’m not a good choice for this task and have to decline your offer. sorry…
#9 Hello Kenneth: why don’t you be the coordinator and get the ball rolling?
am sure once the system is in place, members would chip in to buy in bulk
Hi Kenneth,
I think the main reason for this not taking off is there is no initator to buying these items or any items. I think members expect the initator to start the price xx$ for a certain volume eg yyy cans.
For someone to be an initator, he/she must have contacts to a supplier. What do you think?
Terence Seah
As usual… no action, talk only.
I would like to buy the following at group discount or bulk purchase price:
2.5kg Horlicks
10kg Thai fragrant rice
3kg Fine Refined Sugar
6 cans Full Cream Condensed Milk
6 cans Full Cream Evaporated Milk
Anyone? Or is this post going to evaporate like the milk?
Hello Winnie,
1.I had same problem last week, hung x10. Then son said try Google and it worked. Try it too. Now font very small. Hope only on my screen.
Like to join your friends on Sats if dates suitable. My e-mail add : geoksuanlim@yahoo.com
Thank you.
Geok Suan
Hi Winnie #6,
Please contact admin@SilverHairsClub.com re the offering of travel and tours to members.
Terence Seah
Hi there Geok Suan,
Some of my friends are organising local trips to farms and wholesale outlets on weekdays or Saturdays. I can put you in if you are interested. Write to me: wintan@singnet.com.sg.
Hi Terence,
Is there something wrong with this Silverhairsclub website? It keeps hanging on me and disappearing from the screen. I hope the problem gets resolved soon. Thank you. BR win
# 2 – “liked”
Hi Frisna #1,
The “Group Buying” is a category. In other words, when a Post is put up, the member can allocate it to “Group Buying”. Let’s wait for two months, and see if the interest on “Group buying” catch on. If yes, I think we can develop this further.
If you are keen, I am ready to let you lead this idea and make it as a regular item, every month, very similar to what Jassmine is doing for the Online Flea market. The idea is to promote “Group Buying”. Also, not to let ongoing posts be driven further now the list of Posts. Maybe, how about “Group buying coordinator”? If you like to take up this role, I would be pleased to have you set up the base rules.
Terence Seah
Hi Terence and all SHCians,
Many of us will remember that the CCs used to ( they no longer run such nite tours) conduct night tours to the Jurong fish market (wholesalers)or Senoko Fish market and the tour ends at Chinatown for the tourists to have b/fast before going home.. Many “uncles and aunties//senior citizens” would be the participants,
Good to engage the seniors in something they like.They are probably busy during the weekdays.
These Fisheries or fish markets sell their Fish in Bulk , fresh and cheap too, I understand. Probanly needs a few families of SHCians to share the purchases.
If one of our SHCians would like to lead a tour to our Fisheries, I would like to be on one and perhaps share the Bulk purchase too. Thank you.
Good night.
Geok Suan.
Hi Terence
Yes, i’m interested in this.
May I know where did you put the “Group Buying” category? May I suggest putting it under SHORTCUTS?
Also can you put “Ongoing Activities” under shortcuts too? Many times my activity/event is BURIED down below when it’s still ongoing. I hope with this new button, more members will sign up as it’s easier to locate/remember. Thank you!