Cohousing-L Mailing List: Whaddya Know About Consumer Buying Clubs?

[Margery McIver (hodee]

Fellow Cohousers (and Bulk Buyers):

Our cohousing group is beginning to shop for big-ticket items like windows,
flooring systems, appliances, etc., hoping to reap some bulk discounts to
make our project more affordable.

One thing that has come across my radar screen recently is something called
the United Consumers Club (UCC), a nationwide buying club. It's different
from Sam's Club, Costco and the like; it cuts out even more middle people by
helping consumers buy directly from manufacturers.

Based on things I have heard and read about UCC so far, I have some serious
trepidation about it, but not enough to completely overwhelm my curiosity.
So, I am wondering if anyone out in Cohousingland has been a member of UCC
(or some facsimile -- Citishopper is the other such buying club I have heard
of) or knows anyone who has been a member. I would love to hear either
positive or negative testimonials about your UCC or Citishopper experiences.

I know a couple who joined a local UCC affiliate very recently, and it cost
them $2,300 up front for their first four years of membership and $95 a year
for the next six years (it's a 10-year contract). These fees may vary around
the country, I don't know.

On the other hand, Citishopper was charging only $50 a year for membership,
with a three-month trial for a penny, and guarantees that you save the price
of membership or your money back (according to a Minneapolis Star-Tribune
story of 10/30/97).

Thank you for any feedback you can offer on UCC or Citishopper, or any
general advice on how best to seek out bulk discounts.

Sincerely,

Leo Horrigan
Hundredfold Farm cohousing project
Orrtanna, PA (near Gettysburg)
http://users.supernet.com/rhubarb