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It’s exceedingly rare for a vendor to be cheaper on shipping (and in total) than Amazon is for me. Especially if you consider shipping speed and return hassle/
by phil21 1y ago
It’s exceedingly rare for a vendor to be cheaper on shipping (and in total) than Amazon is for me. Especially if you consider shipping speed and return hassle/expense.
Really depends on what you buy, but about half the time I buy from a vendor direct I end up regretting it if I’m in a hurry or not 100% certain of the product before ordering.
- toast0 1y agoHere's an example from my recent life: Buying a 6-pack of pinballs. Amazon is $17, shipping included with prime [1], Marco is $10 + $13 shipping [2]. Amazon wins, but if you also need some 555 bulbs, Amazon is $5 for ten [3], and Marco is $2.25, shipping stays at $13. One pack of pinballs and one pack of bulbs is $22 or $25.25, but one pack of pinballs and three packs of bulbs is $32 at amazon vs $30 at Marco. Time to arrive varies, but Amazon is quoting me a week for the pinballs at the moment, and Marco got me my last order in a week. Also, I have no doubts about Marco's supply chain. I see similar things when ordering parts for my midlife crisis car. There's a couple things where it is better to get parts on Amazon, but most things it makes more sense to go to a niche specific site or a car parts vendor. [1] https://www.amazon.com/Ball-Baron-Polaris-Non-Magnetic-Pinballs/dp/B0D18QPTHV https://www.amazon.com/Ball-Baron-Polaris-Non-Magnetic-Pinba... [2] https://www.marcospecialties.com/pinball-parts/PB116-6 https://www.marcospecialties.com/pinball-parts/PB116-6 [3] https://www.amazon.com/CEC-Industries-Bulbs-W2-1x9-5d-T-3-25/dp/B00JNFDJWY https://www.amazon.com/CEC-Industries-Bulbs-W2-1x9-5d-T-3-25... [4] https://www.marcospecialties.com/pinball-parts/165-5002-00 https://www.marcospecialties.com/pinball-parts/165-5002-00