Hello! So you're probably on this page because either A) you were directed here by one of my own order forms or B) out of genuine curiosity!

But regardless, here you will find the following information on:

- the "who/what/when/where/why" of group orders
- the "how" of group orders
- the process
- the "for future reference"
- the "FAQ"

Hopefully you spend the time to read this and actually fully understand what it means to join a group order! This should make things clear in the future :)

Happy reading!

"Group Orders" (or GOs) are conducted by camera-wielding fans of a kpop group, lovingly dubbed "fansites". These fansites go around and take pictures of their idol at official schedules, like airport visits, concerts, music show appearances,  etc and release HDs of those pictures for other fans to see!

How fansites spend money on idols:

-Exhibit A is buying food trucks and sending catering teams to their waiting room for music shows/drama filming, buying advertisements on buses or the subway, and buying the idols lots of brand-named birthday presents!

-Exhibit B is for the fansite's own personal use, like buying albums to get into fansigns, concert tickets, plane tickets to attend overseas schedules, and updating their camera to take higher quality photos!

These fans spend a lot of time and money trying to keep active by going to every schedule that the idol has, and so in order to fund the birthday supports/drama supports/their own expenses, they organize things called "Supports"

"Supports" are when the fansite sells items made of the photos that they personally took themselves. Those photos are then made into things like photocards, postcards, posters, cloth banners, fans, photobooks, and DVDs! While most of the money goes towards the idol (1 birthday can easily cost the fansite upwards of $15,000 USD), some of it does go back to help the fansite stay afloat.

While most group orders are only done domestically (usually within Korea), a Group Order is when a GOM takes over for the fansite in their respective country to collect the fees and distribute the goods! GOs make it possible for international fans to receive the same goods that domestic fans do.

International fans can send the money for the support (and receive the goods) through the group order manager (in this case, me) and the GOM takes care of the collection of funds and distribution of the goods on behalf of the fansite.

Here's how things usually work:
1) GOM asks fansite/Fansite asks GOM if they can open a GO
2) GOM makes a form
3) Participants fill out the form, and send the 1st payment to the GOM
4) Once the support period ends, the GOM sends the money to the fansite
5) Time passes (as quickly as 2 weeks or as long as 9 months) as the fansite produces the goods
6) Fansite contacts the GOM for the EMS (international shipping) payment
7) GOM asks the participants for the EMS payment
8) GOM pays for EMS
9) GOM receives goods
10) GOM contacts participants and asks for the domestic shipping payment
11) Participants receive goods!

All payments for the goods will be done through PAYPAL'S GOODS AND SERVICES.

Paypal is a quick, safe, and easy way to send online payments as you can pay with your Paypal balance or with your bank account that is linked to your Paypal account. When I receive a Paypal payment, I do not see any of your personal information aside from your name.

Paypal's Goods and Services requires an additional fee. This fee will be added onto the listed prices.

*I REQUEST THAT EMS AND DOMESTIC SHIPPING FEES BE SENT USING "FRIENDS AND FAMILY"*

Other options, such as Venmo and Concealed Cash, will not be accepted unless in certain situations. These will be discussed between the participant and I on an individual basis.

The payments for group orders are as follows:

               1st - For the goods themselves, as stated and converted into USD by the fansite

               2nd - The EMS fee, which will be calculated based on [weight] divided by [number of people participating and goods bought]

*EMS, an international postal service called Express Mail Service, is specifically used for shipping the goods from South Korea to my house. The shipping is based on weight in proportion to the distance, so if more people order, the cheaper it'll be. The goods will usually only take between 3-7 days to arrive once they are shipped from Korea if using EMS.
While the goods will take a short amount of time to arrive after being shipped, know that the fansites don't necessarily ship goods out as soon as they receive EMS!
         
               3rd - Domestic shipping, which will depend on the weight and amount of goods bought, and Paypal fee (if necessary)

*Shipping to Canada will be more expensive! Keep that in mind.
*I will use USPS Priority Mail whenever I can, as it is the safest for the price that you are paying. If you have other alternatives, let me know!

ADDITIONAL PAYMENTS:
For big group orders, sometimes sending the money through will incur a fee to the fansite because of the currency exchange, and in order to offset that the fansite will ask for more money. This will be added on to the domestic shipping because I only see the fee after I send the EMS.

If you think you may have a problem with not being able to pay, then play safe and refrain from joining.

The prices listed on the forms DO NOT include EMS or domestic shipping fees (or Paypal conversion fees when incurred)!

The general process (for my group orders at least) is as follows:

               1st - Fill out the form, to which I will get an email notification

               2nd - Send payment through Paypal (using "GOODS AND SERVICES") as soon as possible (within 48 hours please)

*Note: I do not send confirmation emails about payment and/or completion of the form. Please contact me if you would like confirmation as I would only reach out in case you did not fill the form out correctly.

               3rd - After the deadline passes, I will send the fansite the funds.. I will try to keep you informed every step of the way in terms of payments, changes in goods, and delays, but sometimes even the fansite won't update me about the status

               4th - Maybe as soon as 2 weeks (or as slow as 9 months), I will contact you about EMS, in which you will pay me through Paypal again.

The EMS fee deadline is 2 WEEKS

               5th - After getting the package, I will notify you about the shipping cost. The earlier you send this to me, the earlier I ship it out. This is done on an individual basis.

The wait between asking for EMS payment and asking for the domestic shipping payment can vary, as does asking for the domestic shipping fee and actually shipping it out.

Filling out a form is a commitment which affects not only you, but also the rest of the people joining, the fansite themselves, and the group order manager (because I'm responsible for it).

You MUST be willing to follow through with all 3 payments, because not paying for EMS puts me in an uncomfortable position in which I PAY OUT OF MY OWN POCKET

In a case where I wait too long, I will be expected to pay instead of you to keep the group order going (and I can't be expected to do that every time someone gets cold feet or can't make a payment in time).

I already participate in my own group orders, so I am helping shoulder some of the EMS burden already

If you fail to make your 1st payment by the deadline that your form was submitted under (for example, if you fill out a form for the early donation gift but you haven't paid me yet), I will delete your form and you will not be considered in getting the goods
If you want to qualify for early donation goods, you MUST be mindful of the early donation deadline and pay before then.

Failure to make a domestic shipping payment is totally on you. I'll just keep the goods, but be mindful that I don't really use my house as a storage for your fansite things.

You will be given a 2 week grace period to pay for either the EMS, domestic shipping, or both if I gave them in one lump sum. I understand that people have jobs and other bills to take care of, and hopefully 2 weeks is enough to collect another paycheck! I will not be reminding you about the 2 week period. If the 2 weeks pass and you don't send me any payment (talk to me about payment plans if needed),  your order will be forfeited.

However, if for any reason you must drop out, please let me know as soon as possible.

But, you will NOT be getting your money back

***NO REFUNDS WILL BE GIVEN FOR BACKING OUT/CANCELLING/DROPPING***

By dropping out, you will no longer receive any more notices of me asking for EMS and domestic shipping, and you will not receive the goods.

You will not be blocked from my account because I understand that things happen, but know that you will not be getting a refund and that that money will be used to help buffer EMS for everyone else.

If you do not ever make your EMS and domestic shipping payments, I reserve the right resell your goods in order to make up for the fact that I had to pay for your portion of the EMS

The deadline for me to consider reselling your goods is 2 weeks from my first notice.

Do not get angry with me if you come back months later to find out that I've sold your goods because it is inconsiderate for you to not adhere to my deadlines.

My house is not a storage unit. Please pay for your domestic shipping as soon as possible out of respect to me!

I will not be contacting each person individually on the update of the group order. Please ask me directly if you have any questions, and I'll try to get you an answer. Most of the time I'll just RT a notice that the Fansite posted and hope that you either follow me or the fansite.

Fansites don't /actually/ individually inform me of what's going on regarding the group order, so sometimes it can be weeks in-between updates. They usually close the order and then they start making the goods, so production takes time.

Unless there's a change in goods/significant problem in production/a mass delay in shipping, they tend to not even make a post/tell the group order leaders about it.
Please understand this and know that I am NOT the fansite, so I can only provide you with the information given to me by them.

I will contact each person individually for EMS fees and domestic shipping fees, and not send out a mass email or DM so I don't spread your personal email/Twitter etc.

For additional Paypal fees, I include that in either the EMS or domestic shipment payments and don't count it as an extra payment (usually because it's less than $2)

I will try to send out the goods as soon as I get your domestic shipping payment, but most of the times I'm only able to ship things on a Saturday, please understand!

Domestic shipping will be doing using USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate, meaning that I will either use a flat envelope (for most average set sizes) or a box (which can hold the most expensive sets, like the $100 ones). These both have tracking, so if you need it, please ASK me for it as I do not voluntarily tell each and every participant what their tracking number is as that would take too much time.

I am located in NJ of the East Coast of the US, so keep that in mind if you're ordering from Canada since there's no cheap flat-rate shipping option.

I can do meetups! They must be at my convenience however and I'd be willing to talk this out!

I try to pack everything as safely as possible, with bubble wrap in packages if necessary and tape over the envelopes.

If I don't like the way I've packed something or think that it may be damaged, I will contact you and ask you if you are okay with the condition that it is packed in and will ask for your opinion in case you want me to use a bigger package.

I aim to be as friendly as approachable as possible. If you have questions or concerns, do not hesitate to ask.

Please fill out the form FIRST and then send payment!

PLEASE make sure that you are willing to pay for the EMS, regardless of how expensive it can be! If you try to beg out of sending me EMS money or you don't ever send it because you think it's too expensive, I'll just resell your goods and you will not get a refund.

I will be deleting forms if you do not send payment within 48 hours without notice. I know that not everyone has the money on hand, but I don't want to be kept waiting for a payment that I'm not even sure will come.

Do not get angry at me if the goods arrive in the US and you suddenly have the audacity to ask me for them when YOU haven't paid for EMS (don't pretend like you did).

Please don't just send me money and not fill out a form...  (this has happened before and) it's very confusing and misleading. You will be refunded immediately if I do not see a corresponding form response in a few days.

You are not required to follow me to participate in my group orders, but it does make it easier if you do so you can see me tweet updates.

I do not send confirmation emails after payments, but if you need me to confirm payment, please include it in the Paypal note.

Please keep up to date with my own updates. If I ask you for the EMS payment, then try to adhere to the deadline I set, or just send it to me ASAP. Do not keep me waiting for the payment because you will not get your goods until you do so.
The earlier you pay, the earlier I pay the fansite, therefore the earlier everyone gets their goods! Don't be the one to keep everyone waiting.

I WILL withhold goods if you do not pay for EMS or domestic shipping but let it be known that I don't like having all of the fansite stuff take up space just because you didn't see my update.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE inform me if you've changed your address since when you filled out the form! Unless you tell me, I will be under the (natural) assumption that your address is as is, therefore, I will not be responsible if I ship to the wrong address.

Think of GOs like a pre-order period. Just because you pay for it that second, does not mean you will receive the goods then and there.
The goods take time to make as they are all personalized and aren't sold commercially.
Fansites usually give a time in their original notices that they expect to ship goods. Unfortunately, these are not always accurate for a variety of reasons. Either production errors happen or personal life gets in the way of the fansite themselves.
Some group orders I manage to complete within a month from the deadline date because the fansite was selling goods that they had already produced, had on hand, and could ship immediately.
But most fansites make their goods after the finalized number of orders come in so they don't produce more than necessary.

Cheering slogans usually take about 2 months to be produced.
Dolls will take up to 10 months.
Birthday supports can take up to 10 months.
Photobooks can take up to 5 months.

There will be a gap of time between when I ask for the EMS payment, and then the domestic shipping payment, and when I finally ship it out.

Just because I ask you for the EMS money does not mean that that package will get to me immediately. The fansites themselves control the shipment schedule, so chances are they collect the money all at once and then gradually send out the goods by country.

Please expect some delay between me asking for domestic shipping and me actually shipping the goods out.

PLEASE DO NOT file a claim on Paypal if you think your goods are late :) Either the fansite hasn't sent stuff out, or they didn't send enough, or personal life gets in the way and shipping your goods out hasn't become a priority. Ask me for updates, sure, but don't try to take legal action like that without talking over the situation with me first.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE Notify me when you've changed your address since you first filled out the form! If I send it to the wrong place, then it was your fault for not letting me know in the first place. I am not responsible for that misplaced mail.

Please note that I am not particularly active on Twitter due to personal reasons and that updates will be given as they are posted by the fansite!

EMS is known to be expensive, and unfortunately, I cannot accurately predict how expensive it can be.

EMS for slogans and fan sets can be pretty cheap (I've gotten it down to $14 before but turns out the fansite overcharged LMAO) while EMS for photobooks/birthday supports can easily go up to $40.

Keep in mind that there will be variation with the EMS costs for all of mine (and other's) group orders! Just because it was cheap once, doesn't mean that it will be the next time.

As unfortunate as it is, Infinite does not have too strong of an international/American/Canadian fanbase, so sometimes EMS is just expensive because not too many people have joined that GO

I've opened a rather limited range of group orders, because after everything I still choose to work with Infinite fansites. In case you wanted to see a review about the quality of a fansite's goods and/or their attitude as a person, look no further! I will try to be as unbiased, but know that any comments made about the fansite's goods are purely subjective to my own tastes. I will not be reviewing all of the fansites and will only be reviewing the ones who I've done repeat orders for and/or wish to order more from them!

Dongwoo
    Spring Rain
         Goods - High quality, great pictures, not too much in quantity so may not necessarily be worth it.
         Professionalism - Has had a history of scamming people, which is why I only opened a GO when I knew that I would be collecting the goods personally.

Woohyun
    Bliss in You
         Goods - Good for what you're paying for. Has really high quality eye-contact photos with Woohyun
         Professionalism - Has always been on time with payments and shipments.

    Center of Attention
         Goods - My favorite. Absolutely beautiful photos! Generous with the quantity
         Professionalism - Is very kind! Was very happy to see me at TSC3 and other than that is very good with shipping on time and providing updates.

    WH Charming
         Goods - Maybe not the most high quality, but makes up for everything with quantity! Probably received over 25 photocards in one group order and included extra EMW stickers.
         Professionalism - Was a little pushy and not the most patient.

    Sonagi WH
         Goods - Very gorgeous. Pictures are all high quality and the lighting in the photos is spectacular. Goods are quite unique too. Easily one of my favorites.
         Professionalism - Very professional. On time and would inform me about changes with the goods.

Hoya
    But I Do
         Goods - Cute! Obviously has a lot of love for Hoya and is pretty good about the price/quantity ratio.
         Professionalism - Very cute, sweet, kind, and accommodating! Is willing to chat outside of group order activities. Is friendly and personable.

    Vavavoom
         Goods - My favorite Hoya fansite. Photos are all high quality (and mildly airbrushed) but the price was always good. Always has the best photocards.
         Professionalism - Very professional

Sungyeol
    Loeyeol
         Goods - Has yet to receive them.
         Professionalism - Is not professional at all. Does not return my DMs regarding a package I've been waiting on since March. Sold out of some sets even though she was informed that there would be some USA purchasers. Has been relatively rude/standoffish.

    Teardrop
         Goods - Bright, vibrant colors! Good quality, cute, always very very very generous with her quantity!
         Professionalism - My favorite Sungyeol fansite! Met her at IENYC and was very kind, generous, and talkative! She gave me a free slogan set. When I'd do GOs for her, she'd be very accommodating and is a good fansite to work with.

    Yeolgrina
         Goods - Pretty! Well edited and good amount for the price you're paying.
         Professionalism - Professional.

Myungsoo
    Made in L
         Goods - Very beautiful. Easily my favorite Myungsoo fansite. The photocards/photobooks/posters are all really high quality. The photobook pictures are actually breathtaking. Doesn't have a lot of stuff, but the quality makes up for the quantity.
         Professionalism - Professional. Didn't make a fuss when I mentioned a lost shipment.

Sungjong
    Monodrama
         Goods - Beautiful! On par with Made In L in terms of quality. Always took the best photos of Sungjong and the editing is perfect every time. Obviously knows Sungjong's angles and is good with lighting
         Professionalism - Professional.

I have done group orders for over a year now, and I have completed over 60 group orders. That means that I have probably shipped out over 500/600 packages within the last year.

Here is my track record and proof: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/15MR1_a5ikeKoPTOJnW7cfj4vDJthjyiyAB6GCCHvJaY/edit#gid=0

Your attitude = my attitude.
Do not be rude to me and expect me to treat you courteously in return.

If you decide to send mean comments to my curious cat and I manage to figure out that it is you, well yikes.

I am a fan like you, so please respect that I'm taking time out of my life by taking care of your payments and shipping.
I like to think that I am doing the fandom a service by being a GOM, as there aren't many Inspirit GOMs, but remember that I do not think of being a GOM as my job.
It is just something I do when I want to (while I do try to keep it professional), and that just means that sometimes I'll be on Twitter just tweeting and having fun. I'm not trying to offend you personally if it looks like I'm ignoring you at that time.

Please keep all of my personal info (full name, shipping address, personal email, paypal account, facebook) private! Do not post those out on a tweet and please understand if I redact a letter with a * to keep my personal information safe.

While you may see that I take frequent Twitter hiatuses and maybe only tweet once every few days, do not think that I am ignoring my GOM responsibilities!
I take hiatuses because life gets in the way and I do not have the time that I previously did to chat and fangirl. I DON'T take hiatuses to get away from my orders. If it seems like I'm not tweeting about my orders, it's because there's nothing to tweet about.

I might be a little unresponsive on Twitter but that DOES NOT mean that I'm ignoring you! I'm just a lot busier than I wish  I'd be and so I have to prioritize my time

All updates will be posted as they are given. No notice or tweet? No update.

I'm a full time student who's taking an overload of credits, while working a job, while also involved in Greek life and other extracurriculars on campus, while also maintaining a healthy social life . I have a life and other priorities and I hope you understand that!

I DO NOT (I DO NOT!!!!!!!!!) make a profit from doing group orders!
I have my own job to pay for things thank you.

REQUESTS are OKAY! :D

While I would most likely open any and all Infinite-related fansite group orders without being prompted (aside from the few fansites I won't work with), please DM me with the link to a group order you'd like me to open! I'd have to think about whether or not I'd have time to deal with the forms and shipment and whether or not I anticipate having a lot of people order.

I have the right to reject requests too.
Sometimes I won't open some because I don't expect a lot of people to order it and I don't want to have to deal with people getting upset with me over the EMS price (which isn't set by me at all).

I am also open to opening GOs for ASTRO!

They're my second bias group and while its unfortunate that their company doesn't allow them to sell goods, it seems that around the end of the year there are some Season's Greetings and Birthday Supports?

I will not open any GOs for bands like BTS/EXO/Got7/Pentagon/Monsta X/SF9/Twice/Red Velvet, or any other group that already has some set USA GOMs opening those orders.

I will not be held responsible for any damages in shipping, whether during the shipping from Korea to me or from me to you. However, I will notify everyone of any damages that should occur.

I will not be held responsible for any lost mail (either from Korea or from me to you). Before I receive the goods and after I send them out to you, I have no control over how the post office handles them. All I can do is try to send them as safely as possible (keeping in mind the cost factor). None of my sent mail has ever been lost, and I hope to keep it that way.

If the goods are DAMAGED, LATE, OR LOST, I AM NOT LIABLE FOR IT (but I will try to contact the fansite about lost goods/failure to send goods).

You CANNOT ask for a refund if the goods are lost in transit from me to you, or from South Korea to me. I'd love to be able to pay everyone back, but that requires dipping into my own personal funds. Please do not just try to file a report again me.

If I send the package to the wrong address because YOU did not notify me of a changed address or the one on the form was incorrect, then the situation is out of my hands and I will not be responsible

I'm not the maker of the goods, so I can't be held responsible for any delays in production, shipping, failure to produce goods, changes in goods, etc.

The fansite holds all the responsibility for creating and delivering goods.

Refunds will only happen if the order is cancelled by the fansite, which can happen due to low interest. I will inform you if any of the group orders I do get cancelled.

If the fansite cancels before I send in 1st/2nd payments, refunds will be immediate because I will still have the money in my Paypal.

If the project is cancelled after I've already submitted the money to the fansite, I cannot refund anyone unless the fansite has fully sent all the money back to me.

If a fansite fails to send a few of the sets, I will deal with the fansite personally.

I'm a busy person and have a personal life as well. Please stick to the deadlines I set and don't expect me to send out the goods immediately because I still have my own schedule to follow.
 
Do not get angry with me if production is slow... I'm not in charge of making the goods, I only help distribute them so it is out of my control

Do not make passive aggressive comments about "being disappointed" by the goods. All of the details are listed and you get what you paid for. The goods are also subject to change by the fansite. If you have a problem with the production quality or quantity, bring it up with the fansite, not me.

I am allowed to change any of the terms of my group orders without prior notice, and they WILL apply to your group order, even if the change was made after your order!

- All personal information given to me through this group order will ONLY be used for the purpose of this group order, rest assured

Please contact me DIRECTLY if you have a problem with the way I run my group orders.

No one has complained before about my GOM skills, but if you would like to discuss something, please DM me and don't jump straight to trash talking or aggressive curiouscat messages.

By following through with my GOs, you agree to all of the statements above