[yllek]

I know some mamas here buy from fabric co-ops, and I've joined a few on Yahoo. So far I've just been lurking, trying to size up the way it works. For those of you who have ordered from co-ops, would you mind answering a few questions for me?

Which co-ops are your favorites? (And if there are any that aren't so good, maybe you could PM me about your experience?)

PayPal... I've been crawling all over their site, trying to figure out how it works.

What exactly is a funded account? And why do I pay more if I use a credit card?

How long does it usually take to get your order? In general, can you request a particular method of shipment? Or does it really depend on the person running the co-op?

What do you do if you aren't happy with your order? Is it just a "buyer beware" type thing?

Thanks for any input, mamas! I so much want to start buying a bunch of stuff from these co-ops, but I'm a bit intimidated about the process.

Kelly

 

[twouglyducks]

Which co-ops are your favorites? (And if there are any that aren't so good, maybe you could PM me about your experience?)
fleeceandfabric, sewingsupplycoop... those are the two I stay with now. Mostly b/c too many was getting too tempting. Oh, bluegrassbabyshop coop is alright, too.

PayPal... I've been crawling all over their site, trying to figure out how it works.

What exactly is a funded account? And why do I pay more if I use a credit card?
Funded means it comes directly from your bank account or debit card OR there is already cash in your paypal account.


How long does it usually take to get your order? In general, can you request a particular method of shipment? Or does it really depend on the person running the co-op?
It totally depends on the person running it, what is being cooped, how quickly everyone pays, how fast the company ships, when you order (as in, were you the first person to order, or the last. Some things have BIG minimum orders and take a long time to fill), whether UPS loses it or not. :LOL It can be 2 weeks, or 2 months or more.

What do you do if you aren't happy with your order? Is it just a "buyer beware" type thing?
I say join one, and just watch it for a while. If there aren't many posts, or if the owner seems rude or snippy, if customers are happy. If the list is moderated, the owner has the choice to just delete negative posts, so you have to be careful.

Thanks for any input, mamas! I so much want to start buying a bunch of stuff from these co-ops, but I'm a bit intimidated about the process.

Kelly

 

[yllek]

Thanks for your response, twouglyducks. Sewingsupplycoop is one of the ones I signed up with, but there are sooo many posts, I'm too shy to ask questions there.

I really hope I'm not sounding too stupid here, but how does the cash get into a PayPal account if you don't use your credit card?

Kelly

 

[twouglyducks]

Yeah, sewingsupply is very busy, but just jump in. It's not too bad.

PayPal... it's just an instant, wireless transfer. It's like using a debit card, but with a 3rd party (paypal) so you don't actually have to send your personal info to everyone you buy from.

 

[pageta]

Paypal doesn't charge you if you use your credit card, but it does charge the person who accepts your payment. That is why people will try to give you a different balance if you don't use funded paypal (which, by the way, is illegal per master card and visa). If you accept credit cards, you are not supposed to set minimums for charging a credit card nor are you supposed to have a different price for credit transactions. But that's what people do. If your paypal account accepts credit cards (you have to upgrade to that account), you are charged fees on ALL transactions, not just credit card transactions. Thus they will give you a different paypal address (and with that, a higher amount to pay). If Paypal takes money out of your checking account, it shows up on your statement just like an EFT (eletronic funds transfer) like if you pay your credit cards online or have bills automatically drafted from your account.

 

[Chaxanmom]

I've been doing co-ops for quite awhile and I still email the owner when I join a new one to figure out what the current co-ops are, when they end and all that. Unless it's really obvious or something. They almost all automatically send a file with the details but it doesn't always list current co-ops so that's why i email them. Most lists have SO much mail that it takes awhile to figure it out and I'd rather look like a dork than risk missing a good deal. LOL!

 

[puddingpop]

I would definitely suggest reading reviews of the co-ops (I think there's a bad apple yahoo group for posting about this stuff) -- while the majority of people are honest and generous and really go above and beyond to run co-ops, I think it's prudent to do your homework, too.

Oh, and co-ops are definitely addictive -- you never want to miss out on a great fabric purchase opportunity!

 

[yllek]

Everyone's input has been so helpful. I've signed up for the co-op review yahoo groups, so I'm going to wait just a bit longer before doing my first co-op purchase. It's just agonizing to lurk on those lists, seeing other folks grabbing some really great fabrics at half the price of what I paid, but since I've got a fabric order coming, I can't justify buying more at this point. But once I'm done with this batch, I'm taking the co-op plunge!

Thanks for your guidance, ladies!!

Kelly

 

[Chaxanmom]

Quote:

Originally Posted by yllek since I've got a fabric order coming, I can't justify buying more at this point.

Just a head's up for ya...I tell myself this prior to every fabric purchase. Congrads if it actually works for ya! lol!

 

[yllek]

Hey, Tiffany, I'm trying here!

I'm new-ish to sewing, but have been knitting for years. You should see my yarn stash. If I could have a yard of fabric for all the times I've said, "I can't justify another yarn purchase," but bought anyway... Anyway, I wouldn't need to hang out on co-op lists!

Kelly

 

[Brayg]

Diaperfabricscoop is great--Mary is wonderful.

MomufacturedDeals--Holly is also wonderful.

DiaperFabrics --Pam's great

sweetnappiesco-op--I have an order in right now--Haven't received it yet, but so far so good as far as the communication, etc.

lisasfabricco-ops--I have a HUGE order in here right now--I also haven't received it yet, but I like the feel of this one too.

I'll stop now...I belong to too many and it's getting rather confusing for me! :LOL

 

[mimim]

Don't forget about Terri's co-op - fullmoonbabygearco-op. She does lots of great woven prints and hemp, plus other stuff sometimes.