Group Buy: Bessey K-Body Clamps

[Chris Padilla]

<i>Let me state right up front that if you cannot pick these clamps up from Terry Hatfield's home in Springdale, Arkansas (or have someone pick them up for you), you probably shouldn't read any further or get involved in the Group Buy. This idea was spawned from the fact that a fair number of Creekers will be attending Terry's BBQ event from September 17-19, 2004, and we thought it might be the perfect spot to distribute the clamps and take advantage of a quantity deal. The clamps must be picked up before the 19th or Terry gets to keep your share...he isn't a warehouse after all but I'm sure he could find use for a few extra freebie Bessey's!</i>

Amazon Tool Crib sent out a recent catalog (#405/July 2004) that has decent prices on these clamps if bought in quantities of 10. The following table summarizes what is found on page 69 in the catalog:

<p><center><TABLE BORDER="1" CELLSPACING="5" CELLPADDING="5"><TR><TD> Max. Opening </TD><TD> 10 Pak Each</TD><td>"Group Buy" Each</td><td>"Group Buy" Each w/ $25 Discount!*</td></TR><TR><TD>12"</TD><TD> $ 242.90 </TD><td>$ 24.29</td><td>$ 21.79</td></TR><TR><TD>24"</TD><TD> $ 260.90</TD><td>$ 26.09</td><td>$ 23.59</td></TR><TR><TD>31"</TD><TD> $ 296.90<td>$ 29.69</td><td>$ 27.19</td></TR><TR><TD>40"</TD><TD> $ 323.90 </TD><td>$ 32.39</td><td>$ 29.89</td></TR><TR><TD>50"</TD><TD> $ 332.90 </TD><td>$ 33.29</td><td>$ 30.79</td></TR><TR><TD>60"</TD><TD> $ 359.90 </TD><td>$ 35.99</td><td>$ 33.49</td></TR><TR><TD>82"</TD><TD> $ 569.90 </TD><td>$ 56.99</td><td>$ 54.49</td></TR><TR><TD>98"</TD><TD> $ 649.90 </TD><td>$ 64.99</td><td>$ 62.49</td></TR></TABLE></center><br>

Some other incentives are as follows:

*EACH order of 10 clamps will get a $25 discount!! This means that you can immediately knock $2.50 off per clamp!! I may have to place 5 or 6 separate orders but no big deal!!

No tax and no shipping will be charged (assuming we spend >$199). This catalog says we can get $25 off an order over $199 using the code: grandslam4x5. I just ran a sample order in Amazon and for whatever reason, the price in this catalog doesn't match the price online. In fact, the 40" is listed at $37.95 each and when I put in a quantity of 10, it doesn't reflect any discount for buying 10 (final price is $354.50 which includes $25 discount). I'm sure a phone call would clear things up.

Depending on the size of the order, it might be difficult to figure out when to freeze the order and place it. We really, really, really want to make sure ALL clamps arrive at Terry's in time for the BBQ...that is the main goal of this Group Buy. With that in mind, I plan to place the order on Sunday, July 25 so get your order in by July 24. The $25 off ends on July 25 as well although it seems they *always* have dollars off sizeable orders.

To place an "order":

Simply post to this thread with what you want. I am going to keep track in this post of who wants what. I hope the software cooperates with what I have in mind!

Keep in mind that it is very, very important that we must order in groups of 10. As we get closer to the deadline and we don't have the correct numbers to order 10, 20, 30, etc. of a particular clamp, things will need to be adjusted either up or down. If you're the last to post that you want 7 31" clamps, for example, and that brings the total to 19 31" clamps, you will be asked to buy one more to make it to 20. If you're the last to post that you want a certain number of 24" clamps and it pushes the total number of 24" to 21 clamps, we will be forced to only buy 20 and you will only get 3 if you really wanted 4. If the total for 40" clamps is at 20 and you're the last to post that you want 4, you won't get your order unfortunately--up your order or try to find someone to order some to get the number to 30. There are no exceptions to this, we can only buy in groups of 10.

So the moral of the story for ordering? Order early so we have plenty of time to make adjustments. The time stamps on our posts should make it easy to track changes...even if you go back and edit your post, that time stamp is recorded on the post. I would like you to not edit posts...just make a new post to keep confusion down.

Here is a list I will update as order posts are made to this thread:

<p><center><TABLE BORDER="1" CELLSPACING="3" CELLPADDING="3"><TR><TD> Clamp Style </TD><TD>Waymon Campbell</TD><td>Chris Padilla</td><td>Larry Browning*</td><td>Person D</td><td>Person E</td><td>Person F</td><td>Person G</td><td>Person H</td><td>Person I</td><td>Person J</td><td>Person K</td><td>Person L</td><td>Total</td></TR><TR><TD>12"</TD><TD>a</TD><td>6</td><td>c</td><td>d</td><td>e</td><td>f</td><td>g</td><td>h</td><td>i</td><td>j</td><td>k</td><td>L</td><td>6</td></TR><TR><TD> 24"</TD><TD>a</TD><td>6</td><td>c</td><td>d</td><td>e</td><td>f</td><td>g</td><td>h</td><td>i</td><td>j</td><td>k</td><td>L</td><td>6</td></TR><TR><TD>31"</TD><TD>2</TD><td>2</td><td>c</td><td>d</td><td>e</td><td>f</td><td>g</td><td>h</td><td>i</td><td>j</td><td>k</td><td>L</td><td>2</td></TR><TR><TD> 40"</TD><TD>2</TD><td>2</td><td>c</td><td>d</td><td>e</td><td>f</td><td>g</td><td>h</td><td>i</td><td>j</td><td>k</td><td>L</td><td>2</td></TR><TR><TD> 50"</TD><TD>4</TD><td>b</td><td>4</td><td>d</td><td>e</td><td>f</td><td>g</td><td>h</td><td>i</td><td>j</td><td>k</td><td>L</td><td>8</td></TR><TR><TD> 60"</TD><TD>3</TD><td>4</td><td>c</td><td>d</td><td>e</td><td>f</td><td>g</td><td>h</td><td>i</td><td>j</td><td>k</td><td>L</td><td>3</td></TR><TR><TD> 82"</TD><TD>a</TD><td>b</td><td>c</td><td>d</td><td>e</td><td>f</td><td>g</td><td>h</td><td>i</td><td>j</td><td>k</td><td>L</td><td>#</td></TR><TR><TD> 98"</TD><TD>a</TD><td>b</td><td>c</td><td>d</td><td>e</td><td>f</td><td>g</td><td>h</td><td>i</td><td>j</td><td>k</td><td>L</td><td>#</td></TR><TR><TD>clamps</TD><TD>11</TD><td>20</td><td>4</td><td>d</td><td>e</td><td>f</td><td>g</td><td>h</td><td>i</td><td>j</td><td>k</td><td>L</td><td>35</td></TR><TR><TD>deposit</TD><TD>405.90</TD><td>570.40</td><td>147.96</td><td>d</td><td>e</td><td>f</td><td>g</td><td>h</td><td>i</td><td>j</td><td>k</td><td>L</td><td></td></TABLE></center>

I am going to require a deposit of the FULL the amount you plan to spend not including any discounts--I will be happy to refund money when the clamps are picked up (I'm just trying to protect myself here). When I receive your deposit, the * will be removed from your name on the table above. The absolute quickest/easiest way to get me the money is to PayPal it (cpad@cisco.com) to me. My PayPal, unfortunately, is NOT set up to take credit cards...only direct deposits from bank accounts (I'm not a business after all! ). I'll certainly take checks via snail mail but please, please, please mail it to me early. PM/Email me for my home address.

So with all that said (I hope I've covered it all), thanks for your order and hopefully it all works out for us. I'm sure this initial post will be amended as I've left out stuff or didn't address an important issue or something so feel free to post that as well.

Of course, if this doesn't work out, you will get your money back...no worries!

Bessey all the way!!

[Frank Pellow]

Chris, I ignored your instructions and read this even though I can not go to the BBQ. The great prices that you are getting makes me even more sorry that I can't attend. (Now if Terry were in a nearby state such a Michigan or New York ...)

I want to compliment you on how well you have organized this Chris.

[Terry Hatfield]

Oh come on Frank....Arkansas is RIGHT BY Canada.

Terry

Official Warehouse of the Bessey Big Buy Blowout

[Frank Pellow]

Oh come on Frank....Arkansas is RIGHT BY Canada.

Terry

Official Warehouse of the Bessey Big Buy Blowout

Are you going to give us some states in order to make that true?

[Scott Coffelt]

Chris this may be what you were thinking, but I would suggest placing a seperate order for each 10. Since you get $25 off for orders over $199, each order would be that and you would get to take advantage of it. Just a thought.

[Chris Padilla]

Scott, correct! That would work just fine and is a much easier way of saying what I was trying to say. Thanks!

In fact, in the end, it probably wouldn't be too tough to get the right numbers to order...I'm sure that people would be willing to buy a few extras at these prices to get the savings.

[Richard Allen]

Hi Chris

Have you considered contacting the US distributors for Bessy clamps to see if a wholesale purchase can be made? Here is the phone number.

1-800-828-1004

They might be interested in selling two hundred 24" clamps for $3800 or something like that. Might be worth a toll free call.

Thanks

[Chris Padilla]

Richard,

That could work, too, and is a great idea. Certainly Amazon is paying less than what they are selling for...even with all the free shipping and added discounts and no tax.

I'd like to see how many folks jump on this bandwagon so I have some real numbers to use.

Thanks!

[Waymon Campbell]

Chris - First let me say you did a beautiful job with the post. Also, thanks go to Terry for even entertaining the idea (you da man, Terry). One correction on my numbers though. I wanted only 3 - 60" ers. You got me down for 4. Also, can you PM me with your address and I'll cut a check for half the amount ASAP. And my offer to split the up front expense still holds if you need it.

One suggestion would be to add a total dollar amount row after the total clamps row. That would allow folks to quickly see what their total is (and calculate their half deposit). You could plug in the prices as we have currently and change as necessary. Just a thought...

[Chris Padilla]

Waymon,

Thanks..still working on some s/w 'glitches' that messed up some spacings but I will add the line you request...no problem. BTW, you are stuck with 4 60" so hahahaha... PM coming....

[Larry Browning]

Chris,
I am sure that I will be ordering some of these clamps. But I have not decided on the sizes and quantities. Plus, I have to run thinks by the boss first, and she is out of town until Friday. But I just wanted to let you know I'm in on this deal.

Larry

[Chris Padilla]

Got your name in, Larry. Thanks!

[Larry Browning]

Chris,
After checking with the boss, I have decided to order 4 50" clamps. Please update my column. That's $147.96 if my math is right.

I went to Woodcraft in Tulsa yesterday and priced the 50" clamps. $49.99 each. that's a $13 savings right there! without any additional savings in discounts and sales tax. I sure hope you get some more responses on this deal. Come on guys! This is a great deal that Chris is putting together. Let's make it happen.

Larry

[Chris Padilla]

Larry,

I've got you down for 4 50" Bessey clamps. You'll have a PM with instructions on how to get me the funds.

Thanks very much for your order...I think the week after the holiday will spur a bit more action on this post.

[bob williams]

I think I read a post somewhere about the discounted price on quantities for Amazon. Although the catalog says there is, the website doesn't. It had to do with the limitations of the website (nobody buys the same book by the dozens, so the website was never designed to do it). I got sandpaper that way, if you buy 4 or more it is supposed to be $2.00 cheaper according to the catalog. I had to email them and they (tool Crib) fixed it for me. I will try to dig up the email adress of who I dealt with if anyone is interested.