Hey folks. When thinking of posting up a prospective group buy there's a few things to keep in mind.

- Set an expiration date for your group buy. This will keep people from reviving threads that are a year old wanting to know if the group buy is still on.

- Make a final post when it's over to state that it's ended.

- PM me if you'd like and I'll lock the thread once it has ended.

Also, if anyone would like a Poll created to help see who's interested in the buy just let me know and I'll create one. I just need the following info from you:

- Title for the poll, i.e., Great Group Buy on Widgets, Who's In ?

- Poll options: Yeah I'm in ! No thanks. etc.

- Start and End date for the poll. Usually best to start and end it to coincide with the timeline for the group buy.

Something else to keep in mind if you're going to be the "organizer and go-to guy" for the buy ... are you up to it and do you have the extra time to pull it off ? Often you'll get inundated with questions in the thread - do you have the time to check the thread several times a day ?

Unless you're able to have the items drop-shipped from the factory to their doorstep you'll likely be responsible for shipping and most people will expect the same type of service they'd receive if they ordered direct from the supplier. Plan on shipping as close to the day that you receive the item(s) as you can. Nobody wants to wait for a week while the supplier ships to you and then another week for you to get the goods in the mail to them, then possibly another week from when you ship until they get their hands on the merchandise.

Now that you have it all shipped out everything's done ! Not quite. Are you ready for the backlash you may receive because of damaged goods, broken parts, or just parts that don't work ? You'll definitely want to state how this will be handled up front; will you, the supplier, or both handle defective parts replacement ? Also don't forget about items "lost" in the mail - do you want to insure each item against this or at least offer "shipping insurance" to the buyer ?

Well, that's enough to get the point across. :57: