Purchasing Group Buying Clubs

By: Sara Sack, Ph.D.Assistive Technology for

Kansans(316) 421-8367

The Buying Club Model. • Consumers form groups to purchase goods

in bulk in order to save money.

• Advantages: Doesn’t take much capitol to start. Can result in considerable cost savings.

• Disadvantages: Does not work well for customized equipment. Hard to find enough people wanting to purchase equipment.

Retail Storefront Model:

• Generally used by food cooperatives.

Mail-Order Catalog Business:• Very similar to buying club model.

Best suited to low-tech supplies, software and items that are not customized.

IDENTIFYING STATES THAT HAVE COOPERATIVE BUYING PROGRAMS FOR AT• Kansas currently has a limited group

purchasing plan primarily for software and word processors

• MD, FL, WI• www.wati.org. PixWriter talking word

processing program (regular price $180, buying program price $105 plus $5 shipping, Quicktionary Reading pen, WYNN Reading Software)

• Others?

KANSAS PLAN

• Working with consultant to develop cooperative, create business plan, and implement cooperative purchasing activities

• Working with consumers, consumer organizations, schools, and others to identify items to buy in bulk.