topic Re: O/T- What determines pricing on Amazon? in Beauty

O/T- What determines pricing on Amazon?

girl2010 — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 21:12:20 GMT

Any savvy shoppers know why the prices on Amazon fluctuate day-to-day?

I have my eye on a toy for my 3 yo daughter. A few days ago it was listed as retail $27.99, w/ and Amazon price of $22 and change. I got interrupted (by said 3 yo) but I went back a day or so later to order it and it was up to $23 and change. Yesterday I checked in and it was $24 and change. Just for grins I checked today and it's down to $19 and change.

I haven't ordered yet, since now I'm wondering how low will it go? To jump or not to jump!

Has anyone else encountered this and how do I know I'm getting the best price? I don't buy many new toys, and a $5 difference in price is significant to me.

Re: O/T- What determines pricing on Amazon?

Suzeecat — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 21:17:10 GMT

I got a Kindle Fire for Christmas and wanted to get a nice leather cover. I researched and found the best reviews for the Amazon brand one. I put it on my wish list until my next payday. Payday rolled around and I went to purchase and found that the price increased by $10! I thought "no way". A month later I got an ad when I opened my Kindle to see the same cover on sale for 1/2 price. I'm so glad I said "no way" to the higher price.

To answer your original question, I have no idea about the whys and who's of the pricing. I assume that when it's an outside vendor that the vendor can change their price at will, but when it's an Amazon product, I would expect more consistency. Clearly my experience disproves that theory! Good luck with your decision!

Re: O/T- What determines pricing on Amazon?

ahoymate — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 21:18:28 GMT

Supply & Demand!

Re: O/T- What determines pricing on Amazon?

rat2e — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 21:21:04 GMT

Walmart???

Re: O/T- What determines pricing on Amazon?

mima — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 21:26:36 GMT

I don't know, so I'm no help either. However I had this happen to me at Walmart's online site. I wanted a Samsung Note 3 and would go look at it on the Walmart's site because they had the unlocked version. I wanted to use it with Straighttalk service. When the price went down I didn't order it because I was still fighting with myself on whether I should spend that much money on a phone. Then I went back and the price jumped back up and I was mad at myself for not ordering it when the price was down. Then a couple days later (I was stalking the phone LOL) the price went down a bit lower than the lowest and I couldn't jump on it fast enough. Maybe they want you to jump on it while the price is low???? It kind of pressures you into buying it? And if people buy at the higher price that is just a little extra profit for them. Totally guessing here...

Re: O/T- What determines pricing on Amazon?

susan kay — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 21:44:51 GMT

Yes, I agree, it's supply and demand. I always do a price comparison online if I'm interested in a particular item. It's funny if you are trying to buy shoes on Amazon. Depending on your size and the color you are interested in, you can pay $20 more for the same size shoe, in a different color.

Re: O/T- What determines pricing on Amazon?

jackthebear — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 22:21:17 GMT

No idea on the why but last week or so I had Fitibits in my cart and was wait for a gift card the price varied by $10 over a 5 day period. that was a total of $30.

I had them in my cart then took them out the price went down again. Not sure if they have some kind of software that monitors your cart, then adjusts the price to see where the price point where you buy is.

Interesting

Re: O/T- What determines pricing on Amazon?

Tigriss — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 22:23:56 GMT

The sellers change price due to other cheap prices on the market as other change, they change.

Re: O/T- What determines pricing on Amazon?

jackthebear — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 22:24:24 GMT

I just googled this

They do it constantly, not surprising they are price gougers, They are playing not very nicely with Publishers. , after putting all the bookstore out of business they want to be the only publisher.

Not going to post any links, it is easy to find out

Re: O/T- What determines pricing on Amazon?

Hoovermom — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 23:05:53 GMT

Business, isn't it!!

Re: O/T- What determines pricing on Amazon?

bonnielu — Tue, 01 Jul 2014 03:45:55 GMT

I put items in my cart that I might like. I just wait. Then I buy the ones that GO DOWN.

I do think the seller might change. Check to see if the price change depends upon the seller. If an item sells out there is someone else who sells it. If not it just might be an attempt to MAKE THE SALE by lowering the price.