Shopping Co-operatively
You shop Co-operatively when you
• Select items from the Bestsellers list because the items you order are added to those already ordered by others. The complete order is placed with our supplier when you, or you and others have ordered at least the minimum required by the supplier. This helps us keep costs down, reduces the price you pay and speeds delivery for everyone.
The Co-op keeps a small number of the most popular items on hand. They can be ordered or picked up at anytime. Each week volunteers assemble orders and place them in our pick up location to await your arrival or label them for delivery to your home.
Generally however, orders are placed with our suppliers at the end of every second month – January, March, May etc. Members are reminded in advance of deadlines and asked to order enough of the items they normally use to meet their needs until the next scheduled order date. Orders can be picked up when they arrive, or arrangements can be made to have them delivered to you. See DELIVERY on the left side menu, top page of the website.
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Pricing and Discounts
The price that you pay for the items you buy through your co-op is kept low:
• Through pre-order case lot buying. Your order is combined with the orders of other members. The complete order is placed, with a supplier, when there is enough call for the items you want to meet supplier minimums and attain the best possible price.
The Co-op asks that you to order at least a half case when ever possible. We bring in a full case, ship half to you and place the remainder in the on hand area for other members to order or pick up as they wish. This helps us keep a supply of popular items in the website's On Hand area and reduces the chances of losses due to items passing there best before dates.
• By using this website to keep you informed of the status of your order and letting others know what you need so that they can include the same products in their own order, if they wish. This ensures that you get the things you want in the shortest possible time.
• By handling pre-sold items. Most items are sold before they reach the Co-op. As a result the Co-op avoids the need for expensive shelf space as well as a number of other costs that retailers face.
• By members, who have time, volunteering to help run the co-op. You might be ask to do things like sort orders for pick up or delivery, data entry, serve on a co-op committee or the Board of Directors.
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Joining the Co-op
The Burnaby Co-op is owned by the members it serves. It provides goods and services at the lowest possible cost by acting as a buyer on behalf of its members rather than as a seller to them. It exists to improve the quality of its members' lives.
This is something we do for ourselves. It is one part of our lives that we have decided to keep out of the hands of the capitalist hoards. We own it and we run it. The costs and the work are divided among the members who also share the benefits. Each year, based on what they spend at the Co-op, members receive a share of the Co-op's profit in the form of a Patronage Refund.
To become a member you must buy at least one share (valued at $10) and commit to purchasing a total of 25 shares ($250). The Co-operative has the right to ask members to pay the balance owing on these shares at anytime but generally you contribute $50 when you join and the rest is paid from your share of the Co-op's profits.
Benefits & Obligations of Membership
Application for Membership
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