≡ Menu

Amazon v. Costco

A while back, there was some controversy over Amazon’s price check promotion. The assumption in all the complaints is that Amazon offers the lowest prices and that bricks and mortar stores simply cannot compete. That is not true.

Lately, the weather has been blazingly hot. So, I was thinking ice cream during a recent visit to Costco.

ice-cream_0873

Costco was selling the Cuisinart Pure Indulgence Ice Cream Maker for $39.99.

cuisinart_0874

Using the Amazon iOS app, I scanned the bar code and came up with this:

amazon_0875

Costco beats Amazon by almost 30%!

Next item, which must be a Cinco de Mayo special: Casa Maria Natural Stone Mortar & Pestle.

molcajete_0877

$14.99 from Costco.

casa-maria_0878

From Amazon, it was $45.87 + Free Shipping. This stone mortar and pestle is heavy. So, shipping must cost the retailer a small fortune. When I searched for the same item again today by scanning the bar code, Amazon returned a price of $32.89 + $12.99 Shipping (or $45.88).

amazon_0876

The lesson is don’t buy into the myth that Amazon always offers the lowest prices. For large bulky or heavy objects, this is particularly true. What Amazon does offer is convenience. You don’t have to drive around town to find a specific item that a bricks and mortar store may not have in stock.

{ 0 comments… add one }

Leave a Comment