Enter new groups with caution. Upon joining, spend a few days
perusing the available databases and reading current and past
messages. Pay attention to the warning signs. If many group members
seem to be disgruntled and questions arise regarding packages never
received or not received in a timely manner you may want to
unsubscribe. Be weary of moderation. If messages are being moderated
by the owner, this may be an indication that group members have
posted or are posting messages that show discontent, and they are
trying to hide them!
Ask questions!! If you don't know how the group works or what items
are available at that moment...ask!
Pay attention to the rules and be a good buyer! Upon joining a group
read through all the group files regarding policies, payments, fees,
etc, before placing an order.
Ask BEFORE you order how it will be shipped to you. There are some
co-ops that only ship via a
certain carrier like USPS, Fedex, or UPS. Co-op groups that offer a
variety of shipping methods can save you a lot of money.
When ordering supplies at a certain price make sure to ask if
this price includes your share of the shipping to the co-op owner.
Many times you will pay a unit price, plus shipping to the owner,
plus shipping to you from the co-op owner. Ask questions and find
out exactly what you will need to pay when payments are called in.
When paying
for a co-op purchase place your order in the notes section. This
will help ensure accuracy for both parties.
Technically it is a
no-no to ask the consumer to cover credit cards fees, since major
credit cards companies and third party payors, like PayPal, prohibit
it. However, since a co-op is not a business
and the owner cannot afford to pay fees out of their own pockets and
still afford to run the group, it is an acceptable practice to ask
that co-op members using credit cards add the fees to their totals.
This is not the case with pre-order groups and other for-profit
groups. If the seller is making a profit, they have no business
charging you for credit card fees. Anyone doing so is opening
themselves up to lawsuit and it is just not a wise thing to do since
CC fees are tax deductible.
Beware of
co-ops that want to charge a monthly membership fee or charge a
fixed percentage for co-op fees. If a co-op is charging you a flat
rate of 10% for co-op fees then they are making a profit and you
should NOT have to pay CC fees. Also beware of co-op groups that ask
you to reimburse them for time spent away from their family, your
money is better spent elsewhere.
Do your
research! Find out what the wholesale price for the items is before
you order. Some co-ops may be hiking up the prices and in some
instances you would be better off buying the materials direct from
the wholesaler yourself.
Want to know about co-ops gone bad? We'll help
you avoid them!
