Servo COOP (group) buy

CaptnJackSparrow · #1 (**permalink**) 03-24-2008, 11:26 PM

Most of us are able to find HiTec HS-425BB and Futaba S3003/3004(HiTec 425BB equiv's) and for abt $15/ea. I am going to look for sellers for a quantity purchase, best price for the most servos, from sellers in the US (no foreign sellers). There is the Lindberg skull COOP going on now, I was wondering?, to abt the end of the month. For 3-axis skulls, each requires 4 servos (3 movement, 1 jaw) and at $15/ea, they can really add up. If we can find a seller, either online or local hobby shop, willing to get them in quantities (approx 30-50 servo order) how many of you would place an order for servos at a lower cost?

I'm figuring on (an example cost)

1-10 servos, $15/ea(or normal price)
10-20 servos $14/ea
20-30 servos $13/ea
30-40 servos $12/ea

The total cost would be determined as soon as the COOP is closed, we look where the number of servos would fall in the price breakdown (ex: 54 servos ordered by 10 people, @11/ea = $551.00, plus $39 shipping(guess)= $590 total, makes it just under $6 per servo ordered. I bundle the servos, ship them off to each buyer for abt $10, would make each servo abt $8-$9, saving abt $6-$8/ea.

Payments would be by PayPal, CashiersChk/Money Orders. There might be a way to pay the seller directly, thru PayPal or by check, so the CO-OP Manager wouldnt have to deal with $$.

UPDATED: A Local Hobby Shop(LHS) will sell us the Hitec -425BB;'s for $12/ea. I would package them and ship to you. Your costs would be the # of servos you order, plus cost of shipping. This would be a cost-only order, no profit for me. We will be using USPS Flat-rate shipping, small box(can hold 12 servos), $9.95, or larger box (holds 30+ servos), $14.

If you have a seller that treats you well, and can give good prices for quantity orders, let me know and we'll check if they'll work with us.

We all come out ahead doing COOP(group) orders, again, this is a cost-only COOP, no profit for the Coop Manager. Details to follow...

Is there enough interest in bulk ordering servos for 3axis skulls for cheap??

indianaholmes · #2 (**permalink**) 03-25-2008, 04:34 AM

This is the major cost of the three axis skulls. I did two last year and it was a blast trying to get everything lined up and working. So I'll need eight(two lindbergs). I'll keep watching this thread.

perdidoman · #3 (**permalink**) 03-25-2008, 05:42 AM

I'm in for 4 servos. : )

DooBeeDooBeeDoo · #4 (**permalink**) 03-25-2008, 05:52 AM

Good idea (especially after I just found the skull-ordering thread). I'd be down for a set of four if you got everything together.

You mentioned re-packaging. Can I get mine in pretty pastel Easter colors for my birthday? Or maybe something in a nice tweed?

CaptnJackSparrow · #5 (**permalink**) 03-25-2008, 07:56 AM

Arrrrg, DBDBD.. you'll take nothing, an' like it!!!

I was going to start with at least ten servos myself, the totals we have so far...

CJS - 12 paid 03/26/08
IndianaHolmes - 8 paid 03/30/08
Perdidoman - 4 paid 03/28/08
DooBeeDooBooDoo - 4 mailing
Dionicia - 8 paid 03/27/08
Jimmyzdc - 8 paid 03/28/08
GothicPrincess - 4 paid, 03/31/08
MtOct31 - 8 paid, 04/01/08
Wilbret - 4 paid 03/29/08
--------------------------------------------------
Thats 62, as of 04/03 @ 10:00 am MDT

Servo cost = $744.00,
Ship cost = $79.60
---------------------------
COOP total = $823.60

We now have local hobby shop, Franks Hobby House in Phoenix, that will sell Hitec HS425BB's in bulk, for $12/ea. USPS Flat-rate shipping.. abt $9.95 for a 6"x6" box, $14 for a 10"x10" box. If I can get it in the box, it's $9.95 or $14 to ship regardless of weight.

RBC · #6 (**permalink**) 03-25-2008, 08:19 AM

Thanks Tj for starting this Thread. I don't need servos this time But Everyone else might and I dont think they will find a better deal.

dionicia · #7 (**permalink**) 03-25-2008, 09:13 AM

I know a guy that deals in RC cars. I will talk with him to see if he can get us a deal.

wilbret · #8 (**permalink**) 03-25-2008, 09:55 AM

I'd be in for some as an excuse for a new project.

TheGothicPrincess · #9 (**permalink**) 03-25-2008, 10:42 AM

I am new to this, so how many servo's would I need per skull?

CaptnJackSparrow · #10 (**permalink**) 03-25-2008, 11:35 AM

Hi GP! if you arrrre planning the full 3-axis project, you need 4 servos in all, three for head movement(nod, rotate and tilt) and one for the jaw. If you want to do just nod and rotate movement and add tilt later, you'll need three.

Here's a ballpark figure for shipping.. eight Hitec servos, shipped Priority Mail from Mineola FL, to Phoenix, abt a pound in weight.. the cost was $8.15, so figure the cost for shipping would be approximately that to send anywhere in the US('cept maybe AK or HI).