No more co-ops (Part 2)

THIS IS TO HELP THOSE WITH DIAL UP KEEP UP WITH US
OLD THREAD:
http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/523024/#new

Once I get situated in my new home, I'd be glad to take on some hem co-ops. I miss buying, myself!

I am all for co-ops coming back, but I humbly suggest there be a co-op calendar of some sort so everyone gets a fair chance (or at least more fair, I know life isn't fair) Also, if there is a rule about only participating in so many (great idea), folks could see some of the ones coming available and decide which one(s) they want to go for.

I think there are some great ideas in the last thread, I hope that it can all come together. I would gladly be an 'assistant' to anyone that needs me and then run one myself after I got my feet wet. That way I would know I could get in on at least one co-op :)

Rachel

i could definately organize a small one, would love input from someone who has done a successful one, or team up with anyone who would like to do one together. I have classes for work through november on my days off but could do something after january. i like the regional idea as well, that way the plants do not have to travel as far. great idea tohave a calendar too.

Would love the calendar - I would not mind helping with one but do not have the funds or desire to put one on all on my own. DLs would be perfect :-)

I think some really good points have been made here:

less offerings
limited # of participants
more frequent
teams of organizers
waves of regional segments of a coop

I sure hope we can bring something back for the new year, I'd be willing to assist in something for the northern area, but don't think I could handle being the main coordinator, so if it happens I'm putting myself out to be called upon! Legit

I'd consider doing a public one again when I move back to the US. My JP MG ones were pretty focused - limit of number of packets AND limited participants. Lophophora put his own money up front and I only collected funds AFTER everything arrived safely at my house. So, limited participants, limited quantity and zero risk. It worked fine.

To address the issue of people working - coordinated with Dave to open on a Sunday night (was kinda funny though since we mixed up time zones).

I also did daylilies (again putting all of my own money up front). As I see it, for those who can, this is a way of ensuring no risk to participants. Have a co-op that is open for a very short time, not allowing time for people who can't make up their mind or want excessive substitutions, popular enough that even if someone doesn't pay, there's an alternate willing to snap up the excess. My attitude was: You sign up, you pay - you don't, someone else will take it. So, no risk either way.

But, again - this was daylilies and the other was seeds - it was done at the right time of year, hardy products that weren't very perishable and I always had backup people willing to get the excess.

Anyways, would be good to see them come back... Cheers, Sandra

Legit, you summarized it just perfect.
I join the ranks of those who would be willing to host a small scale/regional coop.

I'm not sure about the "waves of regional co-ops" - at least not in a formal, coordinated sense.

What I would envision is someone limiting a co-op to people in their state or region. If someone else (in a neighboring state or region) saw theirs and wanted to mimic them, offering similar/same items, that would be fine. But I can't see us trying to coordinate "waves" of co-ops. Spontaneity and informality is "a good thing."

Likewise, I think the "gotta join" mindset would go away on its own if members felt confident another co-op was bound to come along soon, and might be for something they *really* want. If some organizers use geographic boundaries (especially for non-dormant plants), that would effectively prevent anyone from signing up for every co-op that comes down the pike, unless they move around a lot ;o)

Terry, I have been with you on your thoughts on limits all the way. This is one time I have to respectfully disagree (if I understand you correctly). :) I don't think co-ops should be limited to regions or areas. It would be fine if we used one company, had a TX person deal with the TX people, an OH person deal with the OH people etc. I just want to make sure that I can get an elephant ear from a LA co-op or a banana from a FL co-op etc. I don't know that someone in MI would do a tropical co-op. I don't know that someone in AZ would do a daylily co-op but I don't want to be not able to join one because I am in the wrong state. Does that make sense or did I misunderstand what you meant? LOL

Ahhh, I should clarify.

I'm not advocating that ALL co-ops must be segregated by region. However, IF an organizer wanted to limit their purchase to include only those living near them, that would be one way they could keep the group fairly small, and would make sense especially if they were ordering live plant material.

Otherwise, it would be up to the organizer to decide whether they'd use a first-come/first-served approach to limit their co-op, or some other way to keep the size of the purchase within limits.

If we limited to area it could save shipping to those close could run by pick up theirs and help pack up the rest. IMHO Mitch

Limiting the participants by an area kinda leaves us that don't live in a real DG populated area out of most, (if not all), of the coops. :(

Geographic restrictions would be at the discretion of the organizer. In some cases, it may make sense to limit a purchase by area, in others it wouldn't. (It was just a suggestion, and as far as I know, we're no closer to Dave's approval than we were back in June.)

But IF co-ops were to return and IF you don't find enough co-ops available to you (whether you missed out because others got in and filled it up, or because you're in a remote location), that would be a good time to step up and host your own ;o)

Very interesting ideas all! Haven't participated in any, didn't plan to either. Do trust most of the DG folks and would be willing to consider it... providing was small and feasible. ~ Suzi :)

Here's another idea to chomp on.

Since our Round-ups are starting to become popular all over, just think how easy it would be to get the one order, bring it to the swap, and have folks there to help sort it? Think of all the reshipping charges saved!
I'm thinking about all types of gingers for next spring.

Would it be a problem to have a co-op on a RU Forum?

I love the way you think, Vi!

That would be a great idea . . . the issue I could see is if there are plants a little bigger then others you might have people upset they got the smaller one or such. I love swaps so much that I for one would not want to see the co-ops and swaps together worried about problems like the one mentioned (I know I tend to see the glass half empty).

Mitch

There isn't any RU's close to me to be able to go to.

Carmen, you know me, I love our folks, and don't think big or small plants would be a problem, do you? Heck, if we get good prices, who cares?

I'm not saying that this is for everyone, but it does make sense to save so much time, effort and costs, and does help with the regional and size questions.

Mitch, I have a suggestion for that! My sister is in a hosta group that puts in a big order in the spring and again in the fall. The plants come to one person (my sister) and she pots them up and brings them to the meeting. Everybody's name is in a jar and is picked out one at a time. That person picks the plant that they want, and when the jar is empty, the names are put back and they start over until all of the plants are gone. Even though the plants come to Julie's house, she doesn't always get every one that she wants, if a popular variety is snapped up before her name is called. For a co-op swap, the people would already know which varieties they were getting, but they would be able to pick the individual plant, and could pick the best one of the variety that they wanted most.

Ronna that would be an great way to fix it before it starts. I just would not want anyone to feel slighted in the co-op - I think of them more for the fun of it then anything else. I have only been in one (the last one still standing the orders are getting here soon I hope!) but I really would love to get in a few more! Mitch