Amazon and its crazy pricing

[HTSS_TR]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0038B1OM6/ref=oh_details_o00_s01_i00

My E430 driver rear brake light had a circuit board problem for some time, tried to repair it without success. Wife complaint about brake lamp malfunction warning everyday for few months.

So I tried to find the replacement circuit board but it isn't available and found the complete 4 pieces kit Anzo USA on Amazon for $42, it's Chrome not Red/Clear as OEM. The lens kit includes 10 bulbs.

Since the price of Red/Clear was $152 and Chrome was only $42, I bought the Chrome instead. Installed on the car last weekend and wife like it, it does make the car looks difference. Today went to MB dealer for free car wash and Starbucks coffee(free too), someone like it and asked how much did I paid for the new tail lens, they did not believe it was that cheap. I checked the price on Amazon few minutes ago, the current price is $162. The same kits is more than $200 on Ebay.

For whatever reason Amazon had it for 1/4 the normal price, I don't know how long it was price at $42.

Sometimes you can get ridiculous low price from Amazon, but it usually lasted only few days or few hours. If Amazon is the seller then you are sure to get it at the price you ordered.

 

[Colt45ws]

There was a post a couple weeks ago about some RP that got posted on Amazon by a third party at less than $2/quart, IIRC. It didnt last very long and everyone who ordered it got their orders canceled.

 

[01rangerxl]

A lot of times you can find made in China/Taiwan lights, plastic grilles, bumpers, etc. online or at Certifit for dirt cheap compared to OEM. I'm sure other $42 lights might pop up on either eBay or Amazon, it's just a matter of getting them before that particular seller runs out.

Certifit is consistently inexpensive with decent quality. Not OEM quality, but pretty close. For example, a fender for my truck from Ford is $210. From Certifit it is something like $35 or $40.

 

[HTSS_TR]

Third party on Amazon market place is not reliable, pricing mistake/error may result in cancellation. But Amazon always honor the price if they are the seller. The only time they may cancel the orders was if they don't have it in stock.

 

[HTSS_TR]

The lens kit I received is made in Taiwan, the quality is not as good as OEM but very decent, it fits the car very well and all bulbs are working.

I checked the price for the same Anzo part number, and nobody has it for less than $200 except on Amazon for $162 now.

 

[teambeechstreet]

Sounds like quite the steal! A little over a year ago I was looking to purchase a specific Clifford alarm and was quoted about $350 for the alarm plus $150 for install. Thought I'd see if Amazon had the particular model and it did... for $125! I ordered it w/ the free 2-day shipping and took it down to a shop to have it installed. I told the gentleman doing my install that I only paid $125 for the same alarm he had quoted me $350 for and he called me a liar. So we hop on his computer and he pulls up the alarm on Amazon... it is listed for $300! I luckily had the invoice from Amazon showing the $125. He said that was cheaper than what he paid for them direct from the supplier. Never lucked out on anything else like that from Amazon ever again.

 

[eljefino]

Yeah I got some Mann filters and other somewhat hard to find tune up parts for my mercedes 240d off amazon. Went back a week later and the prices all doubled from what they had been and were in line with brick and mortar shops.

 

[FirstNissan]

Thats happened to me so many times on amazon, its become a running joke.
Just got a replacemetn headlight last week for my versa. Paid 65 shipped. On ebay its 120. After that one day, it jumped back to 106 on amazon.

I got a bunch of NASA dvds for 5 and 6 bucks one day a few months back. After that, movies jumped to 15 and 20 bucks a piece.

 

[eljefino]

"They" say Amazon tracks you and teases you with a better/worse price if you're thinking about something and keep returning day after day to browse. IIRC they used to give a better price to Linux browser users as they were allegedly more tech savvy.

Amazon is the new Walmart; don't trust them for any sort of benevolence but take advantage when you can.

 

[HTSS_TR]

I add what I like or what I think I need it in near future into shopping cart, and check it once in a while. If the price drops substantial then I buy it, if not I wait until I need it.

 

[Warstud]

Crazy in a good way of course. When I needed a fuel pump I checked Amazon first. Found the one I needed and went to the AAP website to verify it was the right one. And what do you know.... AAP wanted $360 vs $180 from Amazon. Almost 1/2 price. Go figure!

 

[L_Sludger]

Those chrome taillights look gaudy and ricey. But the Amazon point is true - sometimes you'll find some off-color parts for super-cheap. Case in point, when I did a supercharger project for my 1UZ-FE LS400 long ago, I found all sorts of Prestone 6-rib belts for sizes very similar to my application for $.99, or $1.99 or $2.99; MSRP $18-25.