Large online purchase? Asking for trouble?

[mikeross]

I am considering making a large online purchase from a company I have dealt with before in the past. I know this company is very stealth with its delivery. In the past I have had no issues with 3 separate purchases all under $1000.

My next purchase it going to be just shy of 10k. Am I asking for trouble buying this much equipment online at once, all from the same store? I assume the delivery guy is gonna wonder whats up when I am having 10+ large boxes delivered to my house? I'm also buying a bunch of 4x8 trays that need a special delivery company because of their size. Are these going to be in large boxes?

Another option would be to drive the 9 hours away and pick it all up in person? Only issue I see if handing over $$$$$cash to the store owner. Its gonna be pretty obvious what I'm using the equipment for. Also worried about being followed home but shouldn't be an issue considering I would be crossing 3 states.

Anyways, I would love to hear what you guys think I should do and how I should go about buying this much equipment.

Also wanted to say I have a safe house to mail the equipment to if I were to buy it all at once and have everything shipping.

Comments good/bad and welcomed and appreciated... thanks

 

[wickedpete66]

I always break my purchases up when starting a new room, but if your comfortable with it and dont have nosy neighbors you should be fine.

 

[zenoonez]

I would just drive, drives like that are always an adventure.

 

[Aeroguerilla]

order it up, hope the fedex driver is cool.

 

[mikeross]

order it up, hope the fedex driver is cool.

My neighbors are cool and they are about 30 yards away on either side... They honestly wouldn't notice all the packages. Plus I just bought the place so it wouldn't be to out of place considering I just moved in.

Do I really need to worry about the delivery driver if the packages are regular brown boxes and the return address is just a shop name that doesn't sound like a grow shop?

 

[Rhyolite]

Good luck!

Good luck!

Post erased.

 

[Stoned Crow]

At a minimum, break-up your order by 1/2 and spread it over three weeks. Why even take the chance of showing up on the radar that you want to stay off of. Being able to sleep at night without worry is also worth a high dollar amount.

 

[Kushed]

well Im sure you already know but dont ship supplies to any house you plan on running a setup in. And with that, why worry? You can make a purchase like that no problem and fedex guy is just doin his job droppin off packages, its not their job to be nosey but of course their human....which is why you prepare and plan ahead. If your willing to drive that far then its probably your safest bet(and most expensive) but your not going to be followed across 3 statelines for a purchase at a grow store in another state.

 

[America]

No need to break it up. These types of transactions happen all the time. Order from a reputable store and have it all shipped out in one order. Why waste money?

The way I see it, breaking up your order is exposing yourself more. Four different transactions from a hydro store looks more conspicuous than one big one, especially if its getting sent straight to the grow address.

For all anyone knows, you grow lots of produce in the winter when the climate does not allow. It is about that time..

The only thing anyone looking at any of your bank statements, credit/debit transactions, etc. will be able to see is that you made a purchase from a hydroponics store. It could be 10k worth of rockwool for all they know. I've rolled up to the hydro store and saw four men loading up reflector after reflector into a white van and drive off. Those are the guys that should be worrying.

 

[buddin_904]

just quit growing all together.

 

[mikeross]

just quit growing all together.

GTFO

 

[mikeross]

Can't you break up your order over a set time period? Like order 1/5 of the equipment every 3-4 days apart. Sure it will delay your project, but it will be a lot safer. Plus the store owner doesn't know if your a flourist or what ever they are.
And an order for 10k?!
What kind of grow room are you building?
Like 100 by 100 meter warehouse or something?
Almost forgot, try to order by catagory
Ex. 1.fan
2. Filter
Ect.

A 300'x300' will cost you a hell of a lot more than 10k lol... That 10k won't even cover your a/c in a 100x100 meter room. Thats like a football field squared haha.

This is going to be in a 12x20 room, 4 botanicare 4x8 tables, 4 115gal rez, 8 magnum xxxls, sante fe dehumidifier, 16.2k mini split, 8-600 ballast + bulbs, 1 year of nutes, are the big money items. I also have ton's of little items that all add up... light movers & 8 pumps for example... its a pretty long list of small items. This is going to be a long running show so I plan to set it up "top shelf" in every aspect of the grow.

 

[mikeross]

The only thing anyone looking at any of your bank statements, credit/debit transactions, etc. will be able to see is that you made a purchase from a hydroponics store. It could be 10k worth of rockwool for all they know. I've rolled up to the hydro store and saw four men loading up reflector after reflector into a white van and drive off. Those are the guys that should be worrying.

I was thinking of talking it over with the owner of the shop and just sending over a money order.

Does my name need to be on the money order? Will they ask for ID if I make out 2 money orders of $5000 each? I know if its close to 10k they start to ask some questions.

 

[America]

I was thinking of talking it over with the owner of the shop and just sending over a money order.

Does my name need to be on the money order? Will they ask for ID if I make out 2 money orders of $5000 each? I know if its close to 10k they start to ask some questions.

Its up to you really. Any way you do it is fine as long as you don't say, "Hi, I grow marijuana."

 

[furley]

Would most people really think a bunch of random-shaped boxes are grow equipment? Tell anyone that asks you just spend $10k on audio equipment!

 

[catman]

furley come'on now dude... why would you tell anyone how much money you spent on the stuff.

My 2 cents, I would drive and get it.

 

[donny darko]

I would drive too. I think money orders are only up to 500 anyways. Bank checks can be more but require ID. The hydro guy will love cash and is what they deal with mostly anyways. Place the order online to save the sales tax and go pick it up.

darko

 

[buddah]

dirve and pay cash

 

[City Twin]

I am led to understand ANY transaction through a bank over $3,000 is auto sent to FinCEN ( Financial Crimes Enforcement Network ) under provisions of Homeland Security. This is on the QT, as far as Public Disclosure is concerned..

A transaction of 10K or more automatically requires a Currency Transaction Report. Get to know CTR :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Currency_Transaction_Report

Breaking the transactions down through the same institution, say 4 transactions to the total amount, is considered Structuring, so trying to avoid a CTR filing will instead trigger a Suspicious Activity Report. Get to know SAR :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suspicious_Activity_Report

Get to know Structuring :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Structuring

Maybe the vendor would take Gold coin or bullion?

 

[FunkBomb]

I would break the purchasing down to a multiple different orders placed each day over the span of a week. That way the goods arrive in smaller amounts. If the company you're buying from uses blank boxes you have nothing to worry about.

I would also not worry about the delivery guy/gal. They just want to get you your package and finish their work. Those trucks are stuffed full and their job is to deliver it all by the end of the day. They have to work late if their truck isn't empty. I'm quite sure that is the last thing they want to do.

As for driving or shipping that is your call. I'd rather not pay sales tax and pay shipping instead of driving 9 hours there, and then another 9 hours back.

-Funk