Group Buy Proposal

shiveley

Active member
I recieved the following offer from a vendor. It seems like an amazing offer, but I just don't have that much freely available cash to undertake something like this on my own. I'd like to gauge the interest of other MARS members to see if they might be interested in a group purchase towards something like this? I'd love to be a part of a buy like this, but I just can't make this work on my own. If you would be interested in going in on this buy let me know and I will make arrangements for shipping and delivery. It seems like a great deal, and it would be hard to pass up, but if other MARS members aren't interested in participating I'll probably pass on it.

Let me know what you think. This vendor, who happens to be the owner of Freedom Filters, has been a pleasure to communicate with, and has been generous thus far. I've attached his original message below for your review. I've also asked him to send pics of the units for our review. That way we can make individual selections prior to reciept of the shipment. Of course, if we do do this, we will have to make some sort of arrangment to decide who gets what. I could probably go as high as making half of the buy in on my own, but I would definitely be interested in bringing others in as well; and not solely because of the expense, but also because I really have no use, or room, for that much equipment.

Let me know what you think.

His message is as follows:

I have at my shop, a newer 150 gallon allglass aquarium (undrilled), a newer 110 allglass (undrilled), 2 good 90 gallon condition all glass (undrilled), a custom glass 95 gallon, 36x18x33 high (undrilled), a 150 gal all glass with glass pre filters and drilled for 1" and 1.5" bulkheads, a 25 gallon per day rodi filter, 150 gallon poly water tank, used for saltwater, a 10' long by 8' high acrylic cube set up (like a store display for fish), I would like to donate all of this to your efforts if you or your associates could use it, You would just need to pay for shipping, a 10'x10' space on a truck, coming from miami, I would guess freight would cost $500-700, let me know.

Al - Freedom Filters
 
Why don't you just list what items you want and see what else others are interested in, and then split up the shipping per item and or size? Maybe whoever takes the big tank can pay 200 and everyone else splits the rest. $500/8=$62 Thats a heck of deal for 100+ gallon sized tanks. Possibly cheaper depending on freight costs.
 
Well, I certainly don't have the space for the large display tank. But your suggestion is valid. Once I have pics it will be easier to discuss selection choices. Also, on a side note; I'm working on arranging shipment through my wife's company, and if that works out shipping could conceivably be much much cheaper. But then again, an offical trucking company might equate to safer transport as well. Just mentioning that as a possible option. Anyway, I will work on getting the pics and will post them as soon as I have them.
 
I'm interested in the poly tank.
But would need to know cost.

Is this stuff for free and we just need to pay freight?
 
additionally added items and info

additionally added items and info

This guy is too much, he has added the following items, and promises to throw in any other loose items he has lying around his shop as well. What we are going to do with 400lbs of live rock is my question, but if he's willing to throw in more stuff who am I to refuse. and again, these items are all free, and are being donated to us because of a research project that I am currently working on with him and a variety of other vendors. All we would need to do is pay the freight fees to have the items shipped to us from Miami.

Pics will be posted as soon as I recieve them.

His updated message is as follows:

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Sat 3/24/2007 12:36 PM
To: Shiveley, Jonathan

Jon, using your shipper would be great, I can put and wrap all the tanks on pallets, I would guess, 3 4x8 pallets would hold every thing, I have other various equipment as well that I would send also, 1/3 chiller, older but working, various, power compact ballasts, and about 400 lbs of nicely shaped live rock that would have to be sent in 2 or 3 55 gallon garbage cans full of salt water which I have extra as well, I will put battery back up air bubblers in the cans so it is nice and fresh when you get it. I also have a rough 150 acrylic tank , good for rock storage, an older wet dry, 2 Berlin skimmers and other items I would include. All I need to know is when your truck will arrive and It must have a lift gate so we can load. I will buy a disposable camera on Monday and snap all the pictures, then fedex you the camera. Thanks Al
 
I'm interested in the pre-drilled 150, the chiller, the pc ballasts, the berlin skimmers, and about 150lbs of Live rock.
 
He's supposed to send me pics this week, so I'll definitely post them when they come. Hopefully everything's in decent condition. Anyway, when I get pics it will be easier to let people decide who gets what.

I'll keep you informed.
 
I just started reefing myself and was looking in on joining MARS my only problem is I could never attend any meetings if i joined. (bad work schedule) But I was wondering if I would have to be a member to get in on this buy.

I could sure use a skimmer and some live rock. ;)
 
wh1te

wh1te

No, you wouldn't have to be an official MARS member to be a part of this.

We should have a better idea of how much it will break down to (cost wise) by individual participant once I am able to post pics and see who wants what. Right now I'm taking requests, but I'm sure that pictures will go a long way toward cementing decisions. And since it's basically a fixed amount based on freight, the more people involved, the cheaper for everybody.
 
Well in that case if i can get ahold of one of the skimmers count me in and I could use some of the live rock as well.

I think im gonna join even though I cant make it to the meetings.
 
Being a member would definitely be a plus, and besides, you'll find many members willing to trade and/or sell pieces that are, for the most part, cheaper and much nicer than those found in a LFS.
 
Yeah thats what seems I have been lurking in here for quite some time and I actually just sent payment for my membership so now I really am a member.
 
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