AASSA Purchasing, Consolidation & Shipping Service

AASSA provides a purchasing/consolidation service for its member schools for the preferential service charge of only 6.5% of the cost of goods ordered for Full Member schools, 10% for Invitational Member schools, and 14% for non-member schools. The service charge for Full Members is approximately half of that of any other purchasing service available and there are no additional hidden purchasing charges (other than the charge to send invoices by courier, if requested by the school). Because AASSA buys in bulk, we receive goods at a discount from many vendors which are passed along to our membership.

Vendor Discounts as of November 2011

We are in the process of formalizing standardized discounts with our vendors. Many vendors will give a discount (which we pass along in full to the schools) because we order in bulk, or they will have special promotions to those with whom they do substantial business.

The following vendors have agreed to set discount rates up to the following amounts in spite of the quantity of goods being ordered by an individual school. Some companies have subsidiary companies or process through subsidiary vendors which may or may not grant the discounts. Discounts may not apply to certain products.

Some companies’ invoices clearly show the discount percentage and amount for each item and others do not. Companies do not tailor their accounting systems and invoices to the individual customers’ needs.

AASSA will not be responsible for discrepancies between stated and actual discounts but, if informed immediately, will bring such discrepancies to the attention of the vendors for rectification.

Many other companies offer discounts on specific products or on orders above certain amounts, but they will not provide a publishable discount.  Their discounts are granted on a case-by-case basis.

As you can see, our service fees are easily offset simply through discounts you would not otherwise receive and our tax-exempt status.

• Each school utilizing our purchasing service signs a memorandum of understanding with AASSA which includes specific instructions for us to follow in processing their orders.  All orders must be placed through AASSA in order to use the services of Ideal Cargo as our consolidator. 

• Orders are then placed by uploading our excel-based purchase order form, which will be sent to you once we have received your contract.  It takes approximately three months from the time of ordering to the actual shipment of goods in most cases.  It is, therefore, recommended that orders are placed by early March in order to be assured of receiving them prior to the following school year (assuming an August start)..

• At the time of placing orders, funds should be wired to us since the amount of the orders must be on deposit in the school’s AASSA Services Account prior to our placing the orders.  Once funds are received, we place all orders with vendors and track the receipt of boxes at the warehouse.

• Schools will have access to the status of their orders throughout the process on our new online system.

• Prior to shipping, the estimated cost of storage and shipping costs must be on deposit at AASSA so that we are able to pay Ideal Cargo on your behalf.

Shipping

AASSA has had a working relationship with Ideal Cargo for over 20 years and, as such, has reached a special arrangement on behalf of our member schools.  They offer highly competitive rates for warehousing (which is free for 30 days) and shipping to AASSA member schools who purchase through AASSA.  As a result, the most efficient and effective plan is to use AASSA for purchasing and Ideal Cargo for warehousing and shipping, if at all possible.  If you do so, you will receive discounts as a member who is purchasing and consolidating your order through Ideal Cargo.

Some schools ship their goods via the U.S. Embassy and are required to use other shipping companies such as Coco’s or Just in Time.  Goods are generally received by Ideal Cargo, packed for shipment, and then forwarded to the selected shipper.   In this case, the school should expect invoices both from Ideal Cargo and their selected shipper.

Prior to the shipment being dispatched, the school will be informed as to the amount due to Ideal Cargo for handling fees and/or shipping costs.