PSA: Don't swipe recklessly for others

[aygart]

I'm not understanding then - they're holding the products, what could go wrong?

That’s a scary reality, because when these businesses fold they might conveniently go bankrupt while owing buyers lots of money. There isn’t as much imperative to preserve a reputation if you’re going out of business, especially if the buyers deal with “the company” and have no idea who who’s behind it all…

And when they are forced to be winding down a lot of things can easily go wrong and expenses may be to much for a wind down.

[AsherO]

And when they are forced to be winding down a lot of things can easily go wrong and expenses may be to much for a wind down.

Euclid, inventory is only as valuable as you can move it for. If your gameplan was x marketplace (e.g. Amazon) and the game changed where you can't move the inventory there, then it's only as valuable as wherever you are able to move it.

That takes time, and if the BG owner is a shady fly-by-night operator who was only being honest to uphold the reputation that keeps their business going, then once that last part is out of the equation and they're losing their pants, they might pass losses on to the buyers who never signed up for that risk.

[aygart]

Euclid, inventory is only as valuable as you can move it for. If your gameplan was x marketplace (e.g. Amazon) and the game changed where you can't move the inventory there, then it's only as valuable as wherever you are able to move it.

That takes time, and if the BG owner is a shady fly-by-night operator who was only being honest to uphold the reputation that keeps their business going, then once that last part is out of the equation and they're losing their pants, they might pass losses on to the buyers who never signed up for that risk.

All that inventory with nowhere to sell it

Water water everywhere
yet not one drop to drink

[neveryou]

I wonder, how could amazon have figured out where he sourced his inventory from? Does that mean they linked the ship to address and see that other accounts bought for him?

Google is suing a yid for breach of terms and conditions. He had a buying group, and Google tracked the devices that people bought for his BG through the places that he sold them.

Depending on the product Amazon could've probably tracked the device

[Euclid]

Euclid, inventory is only as valuable as you can move it for. If your gameplan was x marketplace (e.g. Amazon) and the game changed where you can't move the inventory there, then it's only as valuable as wherever you are able to move it.

That takes time, and if the BG owner is a shady fly-by-night operator who was only being honest to uphold the reputation that keeps their business going, then once that last part is out of the equation and they're losing their pants, they might pass losses on to the buyers who never signed up for that risk.

All that inventory with nowhere to sell it

Water water everywhere
yet not one drop to drink

Ah that makes sense. Yikes

[Yehuda57]

 if the BG owner is a shady fly-by-night operator who was only being honest to uphold the reputation that keeps their business going, then once that last part is out of the equation and they're losing their pants, they might pass losses on to the buyers who never signed up for that risk.

The risk is even if the bg is being run by the most honest, reputable people with the best intentions. If they get stuck, they may be unable to pay customers even if they really wanted to.

[Yo ssi]

The risk is even if the bg is being run by the most honest, reputable people with the best intentions. If they get stuck, they may be unable to pay customers even if they really wanted to.

Wouldn't they have buyers before they ask people to buy?

[neveryou]

The risk is even if the bg is being run by the most honest, reputable people with the best intentions. If they get stuck, they may be unable to pay customers even if they really wanted to.

They lose money on products all the time.
One of the big bg lost over million dollars in iPhones to a russian buyer over a few years ago, hes still in business

[neveryou]

Wouldn't they have buyers before they ask people to buy?

Not for every product

[Yehuda57]

Wouldn't they have buyers before they ask people to buy?

Read the thread. Sometimes Amazon and other avenues get closed in a second, and you end up stuck with a ton of inventory you can't get rid of.

[aygart]

They lose money on products all the time.
One of the big bg lost over million dollars in iPhones to a russian buyer over a few years ago, hes still in business

I am happy that they were able to recover from that, but not all can and is they are shut down from they largest avenue for sales that can easily be too much

[AsherO]

The risk is even if the bg is being run by the most honest, reputable people with the best intentions. If they get stuck, they may be unable to pay customers even if they really wanted to.

Yes but at least they’d return what they can when they can, and all of it if they can. The unsavory folks (the type that hide behind aliases and the corporation name won’t do that.

Both are a concern, I agree.

[AsherO]

They lose money on products all the time.
One of the big bg lost over million dollars in iPhones to a russian buyer over a few years ago, hes still in business

Someone survived an airplane crash once in very specific circumstances, so airplane crashes are no longer a concern for anyone.

[neveryou]

Someone survived an airplane crash once in very specific circumstances, so airplane crashes are no longer a concern for anyone.

You think in business people make money on every deal they make?

[aygart]

You think in business people make money on every deal they make?

How many survive their whole model collapsing?

[Mo2]

The mindset seems to be that if it’s a buying group then it isn’t reckless. Someone posted a few posts up that they don’t risk more than they could afford to lose. I’m afraid that attitude isn’t the norm for people buying for these groups.

I posted that.  the benefits vs. risks aren't great enough for me to take big risks. but even losing a few products hurts and cancels out the benefits.
For people that drop off and receive immediate payment is another story as the risk is much smaller when you have check in hand though still some risk till the check clears.

It's good that people are posting about risks. bc they do exist and everyone should make informed and responsible decisions

[AsherO]

You think in business people make money on every deal they make?

Fine with me as long as people realize what’s at risk.

You can jump outta a plane without a parachute too, it’s your body

[AsherO]

For people that drop off and receive immediate payment is another story as the risk is much smaller when you have check in hand though still some risk till the check clears.

Agreed, there’s risk but less risk.

It’s the BGs that have no transparency about ownership, process, prompt acknowledgment of receipt, straightforward ETA for payment, AWOL attitude when items get lost or demand disappears for a product, etc. that are disconcerting. When the business implodes these are the ones most likely to leave the buyers stranded with exorbitant CC bills to pay and little-to-no-recourse.

[Mo2]

Agreed, there’s risk but less risk.

It’s the BGs that have no transparency about ownership, process, prompt acknowledgment of receipt, straightforward ETA for payment, AWOL attitude when items get lost or demand disappears for a product, etc. that are disconcerting. When the business implodes these are the ones most likely to leave the buyers stranded with exorbitant CC bills to pay and little-to-no-recourse.

show me one group that does not have at least one of these issues...

[Joeymc]

show me one group that does not have at least one of these issues...

TDB seems pretty good with these issues. They send out updates of where they're holding with scanning in packages and they are responsive in the customer service tickets when there are problems.

My experience with MYS has been much the same (although overall slower) but I appreciate some may have had issues with them in the past.

This is not an endorsement. And as always, don't spend more than you can afford to lose.