AlanRatcliffe
Just an idea so far...
It's almost time for me to do my yearly string buy. I get a pretty good price because I buy in bulk and due to professional relationships built over the last 25 years or so.
What I was wondering is if it would be worth trying to get together one single huge order for the forum - buy in bulk and then distribute to members. Ideal would be to be able to supply at lower than usual prices (even with shipping from me to you), and still make a small margin.
You'd still have to buy a fair quantity of strings at a time to make shipping worthwhile (exact shipping method to be determined by what's most cost effective but still reliable) - say 10 sets. Single sets by normal post is a bit too risky these days...
As I said, it's still an idea at this point, but what I want to do now is gauge the response, so that I can get an idea if it's worth looking into further (and so I can haggle with numbers on my side).
So please chime in below if you would be interested and how many you would likely buy (e.g. I usually buy 40+ sets at a time: 24x electric, 12x composite nylon, 3x electric 12-string, 2x electric bass, 2x coated steel acoustic).
So once again, if you're interested, please chime in below.
el-guapo
Hi Alan,
Great idea: do you have access to one source who can provide all major brands?
Carry on gauging the response... ? :?
Sean
Chime 2
I'd probably do 10 sets electric, and maybe 5 sets coated steel acoustic.
kayDUB
I'm keen; 10x electric (diadario 11s), 10x acoustic (to be decided)
Norman86
Yeah why not? Whats the minimum? Also, what brand/s?
AlanRatcliffe
Depending on what's needed. With a big enough order, I may be able to go wholesale with the various distributors. If not, it'll mean working through retail, which will limit the discount a bit. That's something I'll investigate once I get ballpark quantities.
Atmarama
I'd be interested in flatwounds for electric as well as PB acoustic & some nylon strings too...
Norman86
By when do you need to know?
AlanRatcliffe
No Huge rush. Just want to see if it's worth doing the legwork on...
el-guapo
Hi again Alan,
I'd do:
- 10 sets of electric 11s;
- 10 sets of acoustic 11s;
- 4-6 sets of electric 10s;
- a few sets each of electric and acoustics 12-strings.
Usually D'Addarios but I'm open to other ideas.
I'm not sure how 'uniform' the order would have to be, but if all or only some of that can add up to a group buy that saves us all some cash I'm keen.
Shibbibilybob
Hey there man.
Unfortunately Alan has decided (since posting this) to bow out of GFSA for a while (perhaps forever), so I am not sure he'll see your post.
May I ask what "Elixirs can't leave NOrth America" rule you speak of?
canonball
Thanks for responding, Shibbibilybob. I did not know of Alan's absence.
When I ordered Elixirs from stringsbymail.com 5 months ago they were happy to pack and ship - of course SAPO strike has happened since, so there are now 2 boxes with my name on, parked at either customs or PO, no one is telling me. Since shipping the order the company now pastes this on every listing:
"At the manufacturer's request, Elixir Strings are only available for shipment to addresses in the United States and Canada."
Which I have found is now in line with every other retailer, MF et al.
If you find Elixirs in ZA they are marked at 2x retail, and you can have what's on the shelf. Obviously the Baritone and Fender VI are not regularly stocked items, but I have had a sales rep at Marshall Music CBD tell me in as many words that they are not interested in bringing in special orders for customers.
Hence my interest in whether or not any other members have a channel for getting Elixirs into ZA.
