DotCoop is a small-scale preorder cooperative buying club serving the greater Boston area. In 2008 it spun off of a food coop that had been in operation in nearby Somerville for over three decades.
Currently, we receive deliveries every four weeks from Associated Buyers at our pick up location in a private home in Dorchester, Massachusetts. Our orders routinely include all sorts of kitchen staples and dry goods, frozen and refrigerated items, personal care products, dietary supplements, and other household supplies, but not fresh produce at this time. Every month, we can take advantage of ordering from literally hundreds of sale items, in addition to the economy of direct ordering from the distributor. Occasionally, households also combine to order from other vendors on DotCoop's account, to take advantage of other bulk purchasing savings.
Our software allows for multiple households to efficiently order from the electronic catalog, including the ability to split large cases and bulk items. Paper catalogs are available in addition for a $24 annual subscription fee, but all ordering must be done through the online system. Household invoices are available for payment via PayPal bank transfer or electronic check within one week of delivery. Paper checks and credit cards are not accepted.
Approximately once every four months, each ordering households is required to help breakdown the monthly order after it is received (on a Tuesday evening), which takes about one hour's time. Addiitionally, ordering households are required to attend twice annual weekend potluck business meetings in July and January.
DotCoop is operating with a comfortable number of households at this time, but those interested in learning more about membership or about setting up their own coop are welcome to be in touch. Please contact membership@dotcoop.org for more information.