Imagine that you have started the non-profit of your dreams. You’re ready to help people until you realize that you can’t afford necessary supplies. After some research, you come across TIPS USA purchasing cooperative, and you want to apply.
But what is a buying group? Is it worth joining? Keep reading to learn more.
What Is a Buying Group?
A buying group is an organization that finds vendors and creates contracts with those vendors. Organizations and businesses can join a buying group so that they don’t have to find those things alone.
If you need a variety of services, such as commercial roofing, you can work with a block buying group. Then, you won’t have to spend time and money researching various companies and filling out contracts.
Instead, you can work with the vendors that supply your buying group.
Some buying groups charge a membership fee to cover those costs for the group. However, other groups, like TIPS USA buying group, are free for qualifying organizations, such as school districts, government entities and more.
Should You Join a Buying Group?
If you have a company and need to work with vendors, you can do that alone. You can look for the right businesses in your area for various jobs.
However, that can take a lot of time, especially if you have a lot of options. If you want to keep things simple and work with a vendor immediately, a buying group can help.
You don’t have to have a large business to benefit from a buying group. Even if you only need help with one project, a group can be useful.
Membership can also come in handy in case you ever need a vendor in the future. You can’t always predict what you’ll need help with, so a buying group is an excellent resource.
Determine the Funding
Before joining a buying group, you should consider how the organization funds purchases. You may need to pay a membership fee in addition to the vendor fees.
If you have a smaller organization without much money, you should consider how much you can afford. Then, you can find the right buying group for your needs.
You may also want to know how often you have to participate in buying from a vendor. In some cases, you may be able to remain a member without being as active.
Consider how much joining a USA buying group will cost over a month, a year, or more. If you can’t justify the cost, you can look for a different group.
Research Vendor Partners
You should also consider which vendor partners a block buying group has. If the approved vendors don’t offer the products or services you need, the group won’t be worth it.
On the other hand, if you want to work with multiple vendors, that’s a sign you should join that buying group.
You can join any number of buying groups, so make sure you choose the one that suits your needs. Even if a buying group works with your favorite vendor, you should consider the entire list.
Compare and contrast a couple of vendor lists to see which has more of what you need. Then, you can choose the best buying group for you.
Navigating The Interlocal Purchasing System Buying Group
TIPS USA Buying Group is a national purchasing cooperative that finds competitive purchasing contracts. While they’re in Texas, you can be in another state and still work with them.
If you have a public or non-profit organization, they offer services that are perfect for you. TIPS members can enjoy all of the benefits of a buying group, and you don’t have to pay a membership fee.
However, you will have to fulfill their membership requirements. If you are a private company, you may want to look elsewhere.
But schools and governmental agencies can take advantage of the services that TIPS USA Buying Group offers.
Help With Contracts
If you have a small non-profit or work for a school district, TIPS USA can help you get the contracts you need. Then, you can get access to crucial supplies and tools.
Since many non-profits and public agencies rely on donations to pay for supplies, you want to get the best deal that you can. Luckily, TIPS USA has competitive contracts that you can use when you need new items.
You won’t have to worry about negotiating the contract, so you can get straight to work. All you’ll have to do is place an RFP and wait for the delivery from TIPS vendors.
Complete Large Projects More Easily
If you ever need to build or redo a building, you may need roofing services. You’ll also need to hire a construction company for the job.
You may need an architect or an interior designer. All of these services cost money, and they all have different specialists to complete them.
Hiring that many people can be stressful, so you can work with The Interlocal Purchasing System to hire professionals for everything from roofing to office supplies.
You don’t need to search for each individual company, and you don’t have to shop around for the best rates. Instead, TIPS members get the help they need to find the right professionals as part of the purchasing cooperative.
Save Money
When it comes to buying supplies or even hiring for services, a buying group like TIPS USA can help you save money. It usually costs less per item to pay for 100 units versus 10.
However, if multiple non-profits or schools all need the same thing, you can split the cost. You’ll only have to pay for your share of the bulk order, which will typically be less than buying on your own.
Then, you can make the most of the budget that you have. You can make donations and income go much further than if you sought out products and services independently.
A Better Build with Cooperative Purchasing
If you need to hire a company for a service but can’t afford it, consider joining a buying group. For state agencies, local government and many other organizations, a purchasing cooperative can help you find the right vendor for you, and you can save money.
Do you need help with a roofing project? TIPS USA Buying Group members can contact us for more information.
