While it will be nice to get these as soon as possible, my understanding is that these are not not yet ready to ship out yet. So there is no gain from hurrying right now and closing out earlier.
Has this status changed?
The gain is getting in line ahead of other (potentially large) orders. We need to get the order in as soon as we hit 597. Does anybody in this group want to risk delays to benefit stragglers?
I want ~arklan and John K to be working efficiently with ~friedcat such that financial transactions and the tactical details of shipping go without a hitch. There may be some competition between group buyers themselves, and that is probably where the biggest 'bang for the buck' is to be had in terms of getting these things in a timely manner.
If individuals get their payments in order in a timely manner, that will make things that much easier for the business arrangements to be made and made tightly.
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In the next rendition of a group buy, I'd like to see a 'side pool' open after a cut-off date. Basically stranglers could place orders and participants could up their purchase if on a queue (by sending funds.) As early people welsh of flake out, the gap could be filled in with money sent to the 'side pool'. This so that a specific block of funding was more rapidly available for a set piece count to facilitate business arrangements in a timely manner.
Of course people who sent funds to the 'side pool' would just get their funds back if they don't get extra gear. That is the reason for a trustworthy and active escrow-like agent.
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Another thing I would like to see would be an initial over-charge to cover potential eventualities. I'm specifically envisioning customs and bulk shipping hassles and that sort of thing. The operators of the group buy would then have some funds readily available to work with. If the operators are reliable they will keep good and open records and re-fund people for the overages which were not used.