Co-op's?

[nuisance26]

~Does anyone belong to a co-op?How does it work and what kind of deals do you get?~

[marie_squared]

what is a co-op?

[nuisance26]

Co-operation?Co-organization?I don't know what it stands for , but it's a group of people who buy things in bulk and split them up to get better deals. Does anyone belong to one?~

[severina]

We had a co-op in the town I went to college in. It was open to members and non-members. It seemed to specialize in natural foods and organics. Sort of like an early, independent Whole Foods. If you wanted to be a member, you volunteered a certain number of hours per month and got to purchase things at a discount, perhaps at cost?

I don't know if all co-ops are like this.

[QuilterMom]

I buy from 2 different co-ops. The first offers organic produce plus you can sign up to make purchases from United Buying Clubs (natural and organic products). The second one only gives the opportunity to make purchases from United Buying Clubs.

There is a 20% surcharge on the produce through the first one because the person in charge does all the work (she does not let anyone help sort the orders, etc.) plus everyone that orders splits the cost for a snail inspection fee and splits the delivery charge. The items from United have to be ordered in case quantity so people split cases or buy entire cases themselves. Everyone also splits the delivery charge for that as well.

There are no work hour requirements or membership fees at either one I buy from. All co-ops work differently though (they all have their own rules).