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.