Amazon Pricing

[00Buck]

Sometimes I'm just stunned at prices on Amazon. Frequently I find items where 1 unit might cost $4.65 and four units will be $20. Are Amazon customers that challenged in basic arithmetic?

Another tactic is what I call fishing for fools. I have a couple of celadon pots that we put on the porch in the summer. I can't recall exactly but I probably paid less than $50 for each of them. I saw an identical pot for $2200 dollars on Amazon. They call it a fish bowl. Maybe that's the difference. Wow!

Installation prices are another interesting area. I just bought some resin cleaner for the water softener. The listing included an offer to install a new softener in the same place as the old one for a mere $543. At least it included hauling the old softener away.

I know there are multiple vendors on Amazon. That accounts for some differences, but some of these prices are just crazy.

PS Those $2200 pots used to be offered for $1100.

[AX17609]

Sometimes there's no rhyme or reason to it. Not long ago I was looking for quart-sized Ball jars (for canning). All I could find on Amazon was a package of 2 for $99. Today, you gan get a dozen for $23.52 with free shipping.

[Guitars+gems]

Doubtful that prices like that were set by Amazon, but by the 3rd party sellers. I try to buy only the things where the orders are fufilled by Amazon. I find the prices to be fair, and I love the convenience of the fast deliveries.

[Nyghthawk]

I like the "fishing for fools" euphemism. I am going to steal that one, just sayin'! I have seen similar "deals" on Reverb or Ebay where a used item, not necessarily in very good condition, is listed for more than a new one would cost. *shrugs* there is one born every minute...

[KevWind]

Yes you gotta watch Amazon pricing because of (as Guitars +gems) said, vendors setting their own prices sometimes it is great prices, other times a true ripoff

[muscmp]

just like musical equipment on the AGF, reverb or ebay. no reasoning behind it.

play music!

[robj144]

A lot of times, however, it's one vendor selling the single item and a different vendor selling the items in "bulk".

[00Buck]

Though this be madness, yet there is method in it.

[jhmulkey]

You should check out some of the Amazon Marketplace prices on out-of-print books. "Used from $0.99" "New from $659.99". Another phenomenon is when you try to buy more than 1 of some small item, and the shipping charge doubles with each item added, as if they're going to ship each one separately. No thanks; I'll pass.

[Dr. Spivey]

Originally Posted by jhmulkey

You should check out some of the Amazon Marketplace prices on out-of-print books. "Used from $0.99" "New from $659.99". Another phenomenon is when you try to buy more than 1 of some small item, and the shipping charge doubles with each item added, as if they're going to ship each one separately. No thanks; I'll pass.

Some sellers use an algorithm to set prices. It tracks other sellers and as supply diminishes, price increases. Some sellers will go back and lower the price eventually, to sell the last item. Others use the high price as a place holder. If more of the same item become available for sale, they just have to lower the price, rather than relist the item.

Amazon dictates a minimum shipping rate, per item, on third party sales. Either something is a deal or it isn't. Don't fixate on what percentage of the price is "shipping". For instance, lots of used books and cds are priced at .99 or 1.99 with 3.99 shipping. The sellers are obviously using the mandatory shipping rates as part of their profit margin. So what?

[PorkPieGuy]

I used to get on ebay and watch iPods sell for about 20%-30% more than what the local Walmart sells them for. Back then, people used to also sell $25 gift cards to whatever store for $30 or more.

I don't get it.

[Mr. Jelly]

Originally Posted by PorkPieGuy

I used to get on ebay and watch iPods sell for about 20%-30% more than what the local Walmart sells them for. Back then, people used to also sell $25 gift cards to whatever store for $30 or more.

I don't get it.

That's how pawn shops and junk shops sell their stuff. People think they are getting a bargain. Making the customer happy is what it's all about.

[The Bard Rocks]

I don''t buy from Amaze-azon. They are already way too influential. Making it easier to be righteous about it, I have always been able to to find the same thing cheaper off Amazon.

[philo426]

How do you feel about Ebay?

[barricwiley]

I have found MF to be the same way.
Use your calculator if you need to.