Meir Cross-1 Case Group Buy

EDIT: This group buy is now closed effective 4/6/06 1:00pm EDST. See posts #79 and #89. If you are reading this and you wanted a case, PM me as soon as possible to get on the reservation list for any residual cases. If your name and correct quantity is not listed below, you are not in the buy

Jan Meir graciously made a number of Cross-1 boards and end panels available for a very attractive price. The panels fit a Bopla case. These cases are only sold in the USA by factory reps. Although they technically have a minimum order of $100, the cases are sold in 1 meter length extrusions. I was quoted $111 per extrusion, plus $2 per unit cutting charge. Therefore, a "minimum order" is essentially $123 for six 6" boxes, for example. This is cost prohibitive for each one of us, resulting in a discussion of a group buy.

I am attempting to put together a group buy. In this thread, I determined (as of 3/18/06) that we have interest for approximately 23 cases, which includes 6 cases to be shipped to Taiwan. I have not yet determined the feasibility and economics of a Taiwan shipment. In any event, we should be able to fill out at least two extrusions.

The following individuals have expressed interest in the cases, followed by quantity if indicated.

[Edit: The following list will be kept current. Last update 4/4/06 01:00 EST]

UserQtySize
69CamaroSS3961Any size
[AK]Zip14" requested
alfiax2Any size
ayt9992Any size
Ballooshi1Any size
bigcat392Both 4"
calaf2Any size
cetoole1Any size
DieInAFire14" Requested
goalie3524"
headchange4u14"
jerb1Any size
klemchang25"
lord.hypnos2Any size
Mazuki24" requested
mb3k04" requested
NeilR2Any size
palchiu12(Taiwan) 5" case
pars24 OR 5" Both same length
rickcr420(Rick offered to help round out the last tube if necessary)
solbergg2Any size
sovkiller24"
teerawit14" case
threepointone24" preferred
Uncle Eric2Any size
xikteny16" requested.
---------------------------------------
Total -49


If I missed your name, please respond to this thread with quantity desired.

Note that each cut consumes 1/4" of the tube and must be deducted from the 1 meter total length of cases from a tube.

Group Buy Procedure

1. I would like each person listed above to reaffirm their interest and quantity. In addition, it is important to indicate the desired case length only if you have a specific preference. If you do not have a specific preference, please indicate "no preference". You might have a specific preference to match a specific amp case. The more "no preference" cases, the better for all of us.

2) I will allow 7 days from the initial posting date for each person to respond, and for any newcomers. At that time, the group buy will be closed at my discretion. I will let latecomers in only if the numbers work. I will feed all the requested lengths into my Cray Supercomputer which will calculate the number of tubes required and, most importantly, the amount of scrap left over. Actually I will do this on paper, the old fashioned way, fitting pieces to a puzzle. During this interval I will try to work out a few issues such as the requested shipment to Taiwan.

3) I will then submit a final request for quotation to the factory's sales agent. If the price comes back as I expect (and I was initially quoted) then we will proceed with payment.

4) Payment will be made via paypal. If you cannot pay via paypal, contact me and we may be able to work something out, most likely money order. If you do not meet your commitment to pay, you will cause problems for everyone else. This GB can only be executed if we can work out economical use of the one meter extrusions and we have no late surprises in the allocation of the extrusions.

5) When all payments are received and cleared, I will order the extrusions. I am told that there is a 2 week lead time for cutting. No unsold cases will be ordered. Zero.

6) I will ship all cases USPS priority mail. I prefer insured, but at a minimum I will request delivery confirmation and if not insured, any loss or damage is on you. This is a non-profit group buy; I will not be responsible for USPS loss or damage. International orders may go some other mutually agreed method, to be determined.

Cost

As far as cost, the base cost of the extrusion (allowing for the cuts) is about $2.93 per delivered inch, plus a $2 cutting charge per case. Lets round to $3 per inch. Therefore, a six inch case costs (6*3) + 2 or $20. A four inch case would run about $14. Add freight in to me (unknown), plus freight out and insurance to you, estimated at $5.50 for one case, and a dollar or two for each additional. I think it is safe to say that a 6" case is going to run you as much as $28 - $29 delivered, and a 4" case about $22 - $23. You will save a couple dollars on the 2nd case, if ordered.

I will use (free) USPS boxes and probably just eat the bubble wrap cost.

The costs above assume there is minimal scrap. If you do not indicate a preference, your case will be 5-6" in length. All those "non-preference" buyers will pay the same price regardless of length, which will be chosen by me. Having thought about this for a couple days, I think this is the fairest way to do this. If you have a fairer method, speak up and we can discuss it.

Please remember that this group buy will only be completed if we all work together and we get the luck of the numbers that yields little waste and makes this economical. Please do not order a 4" case just to save a couple dollars. If everyone does that, no one may get any cases! Please do not confirm your order request if you cannot bear the burden of paying a few dollars more than anticipated.

Regards,
Neil

You're on the list, Uncle Eric. I had you on my spreadsheet but not the post. Crossed in the mail, I think.

I occurred to me after my opening post that Jan Meir may be accepting orders through the end of the month. Assuming he does not run out of panels before then, we might want to wait so that everybody that buys the panels has an opportunity to buy a case. What say ye?

And two it is. Once again my spreadsheet is right and my post is wrong

I don't understand your question. I am trying to accomodate special requests. At the same time I need a little flexibility to try to reduce unsold or scrap amounts, expecially for the last one meter tube.

Thanks for the support, guys! There will be a $10 packing fee.



Just kidding! I think bubble wrap is about $0.30 a foot. I'll toss in something for that when I calculate the cost. The problem here, of course, is that I need to compute the amounts due and collect them before I order, and before I have actually seen and handled the case! Star1 weighed his 4" case, and it came in at 4.66oz for a 4" case. That is about 1.15 oz per inch. A 6" case will weight about 7 ounces. A single case box weighs about 4-5 Oz. From that, I think a single case order will sneak in below the 1lb USPS priority mail flat rate limit. Two or more boxes will probably push that over 1lb. A 1lb box can be shipped anywhere in the USA for $4.05. A 2lb box costs between $4.20 and $6.06, depending on destination. Insurance is $1.35 for $50 coverage, which should be sufficient for 1 or 2 cases; $2.30 for $50.01 - $100.00.

So... you are looking at about $5.75 shipping for one case and up to $8.75 for 2-3 cases. Just for planning purposes.

I will deal with Taiwan via PM.