When at least 100 people were ready to buy, Joel would confirm prices from the suppliers and notify everyone by mail. Since suppliers had quoted cash terms, no credit card or COD orders were accepted. The basic idea for the PV Bulk Buy has not changed. Increased volume gets lower prices. Today spreading the word about the Bulk Buy is simpler thanks to internet.
Information is shared farther, wider and faster.
People are still encouraged to tell others about the Bulk Buy and send them to this web site. Suppliers are very cooperative because they can sell a lot of equipment through one cash customer - the PV Bulk Buy. We still mail information to people who request it and get a lot of phone calls, but rely heavily on email to answer questions and control telephone costs. Orders and payment are received by mail and equipment is drop-shipped from warehouses. Delivery time averages 22 days from receipt of order.