Quote:
Originally Posted by David Noll
I know there is a post on similar lines but my situation is a bit different...
My team has the money we need to operate but we don't have sponsors for materials, instead of getting people to donate/reduce price on tools and metal we have to shell out the majority of our budget to buy this stuff.
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I don't know of many teams that get materials donated, other than bits and pieces. Some sponsors will donate some machine time, but not materials.
We have learned that many suppliers (aluminum tube, plate, etc) will reduce the price if you buy in quantity, but it is a volume discount. Many of these suppliers are low margin businesses and cannot afford to give things away.
Maybe by planning, you can make one big purchase for a lower total cost.
For tools, try a wholesale tool or harbor freight type place for items that will be low utilization, but spend the money for higher quality tools that you use on a regular basis (drills, hand tools) or you will buy a new one every year.
And, as a few others have implied, if you are attending 5 events this year, you are probably one of the top budgeted teams in FIRST.