Skin in what game? Like I get a commission or something? I like saving $$. I am a contractor with a family and money is always tight. I have an older boat and try to save where I can. When I find a good deal on a desired product I like to pass it along, with nothing extra worked in it for me.
I have found with a GB you need a group. One forum doesn't seem to get the amount of participants required, so I spread the word. Here is proof of it on the PN Forum.
http://www.planetnautique.com/vb3/sh...Group-Buy-2012
They couldn't get enough in 2012. The GB was closed down in post #40 of that thread. They only had 5 participants. The next year I contacted the same dealer and spread the word through inboard specific forums and 40 boaters benefited from the discount.
I have only set up 3 GBs, as you mentioned. One for PP last year, one for Comptech trick release and a flag holder. I have asked for permission from the sites admins (including WW = not allowed). It takes me a lot of effort to keep up with all the sites. I have benefited from others setting up a GB and appreciate their efforts and don't mind contributing my time. I guess I have been too aggressive in marketing? I just don't want another boater to say, "How come I didn't know about that deal?"
I have never met any of the dealers of these products. The ONLY benefit (other than saving $ like the other participants) I have received from organizing these three GBs is from the flag holder. The owner sent me a flag holder for free of his own generosity. I did not ask and was going to buy it like everyone else.
I don't have anything to do with this years PP GB, but my hat goes off to the guy that does!