Complete noob question: best place to buy FAQ?

[kschachn]

Originally Posted By: Quartz
Well, I think all large companies are evil to some degree, it's unavoidable. The problem with walmart though is that they actively strongarm product makers into making significantly reduced quality versions of their products to meet walmart's artificial price points. You can't trust anything you buy there, even if it's a name brand. I'd much rather pay a bit more from another place and know I'm getting the real deal rather than the watered down walmart version misleadingly sold under the same label. Maybe motor oil hasn't had that happen to it at walmart yet, but there's something to be said for paying for peace of mind.


Maybe?? The oil you buy in Walmart is the same brand-for-brand that you buy elsewhere. Exxon-Mobil even says so on their website.

No one ever has shown different and we've gone over this a thousand times here on BITOG.

 

[Quartz]

Originally Posted By: kschachn
Maybe?? The oil you buy in Walmart is the same brand-for-brand that you buy elsewhere. Exxon-Mobil even says so on their website.

No one ever has shown different and we've gone over this a thousand times here on BITOG.

Sure, I guess, but Lego and others tried to hide their issue too for years before it came out... how many people here are running chemical tests on fresh stuff they just bought? Even if it is the same, I still don't like them as a company.

Either way, I don't want to get into a long argument about it. If I end up having to buy from walmart then that's what it is, but I'll look around at other places first to see if I can get whatever I decide on for a similar price.

 

[Wolf359]

Originally Posted By: Quartz
Originally Posted By: kschachn
Maybe?? The oil you buy in Walmart is the same brand-for-brand that you buy elsewhere. Exxon-Mobil even says so on their website.

No one ever has shown different and we've gone over this a thousand times here on BITOG.

Sure, I guess, but Lego and others tried to hide their issue too for years before it came out... how many people here are running chemical tests on fresh stuff they just bought? Even if it is the same, I still don't like them as a company.

Either way, I don't want to get into a long argument about it. If I end up having to buy from walmart then that's what it is, but I'll look around at other places first to see if I can get whatever I decide on for a similar price.


It's standard conspiracy theory nut job thinking. There is a certain kernel of truth to it, but it gets blown way out of proportion. What typically happens is that have the manufacturer make a slightly different product so they can have a different SKU so it cuts down on price matching. Costco tends to do it too, they do a slightly better job though because sometimes their products are better like a DVD player including a cable with a particular SKU/model number while everyone else with a different one doesn't. But it actually costs money to set up the production line to make two different products. Especially when it comes to process manufacturing which is what oil is all about. See my first sentence. Walmart does have a reputation for certain things, but this one isn't deserved. Their in house Supertech oil is actually pretty good too.

 

[Garak]

Originally Posted By: Quartz
I saw that, and while it certainly tells me what to expect re: sales, It doesn't really help with what usual non-sale prices are (and doesn't tell me anything about what places are reputable overall)

That's where I was getting with the location bit and the distributors. Some geographical locations have a lot of sales going on all the time, or good everyday prices, and lots of competition. Others do not, as we see in the thread already. If you live in a small town 100 miles from anything resembling a major centre, your purchase options are going to be different than someone living in Dallas.

Personally, I prefer to buy from the oil companies' distributors, generally speaking, since I know that no one has messed with the product (which is seen occasionally at Walmart), and Canadian retail has too much markup. Generally speaking though, U.S. Walmart regular pricing is very hard to beat. But, you're no fan of Walmart, neither am I. I haven't bought oil from Walmart for a few years, and I think I've gotten some pretty good pricing despite avoiding the place; I think I've actually done better by avoiding it.

I do pay some attention to U.S. lubricant pricing, by virtue of being on this board. A lot of the U.S. parts stores offer prices that we would envy. Some do not.

If you're willing to buy by the case (as in they won't sell you a single 5 quart jug), the distributor is always a good choice, since they will often offer a fairly stable and fair price, and you know what you're getting.

 

[Quartz]

Originally Posted By: Garak
Some geographical locations have a lot of sales going on all the time, or good everyday prices, and lots of competition. Others do not, as we see in the thread already. If you live in a small town 100 miles from anything resembling a major centre, your purchase options are going to be different than someone living in Dallas.

That's a fair point.

Anyway, I think I have enough information now to go hunting. Thanks everyone for your help.

 

[Nate1979]

Originally Posted By: Wolf359


It's standard conspiracy theory nut job thinking. There is a certain kernel of truth to it, but it gets blown way out of proportion. What typically happens is that have the manufacturer make a slightly different product so they can have a different SKU so it cuts down on price matching. Costco tends to do it too, they do a slightly better job though because sometimes their products are better like a DVD player including a cable with a particular SKU/model number while everyone else with a different one doesn't. But it actually costs money to set up the production line to make two different products. Especially when it comes to process manufacturing which is what oil is all about. See my first sentence. Walmart does have a reputation for certain things, but this one isn't deserved. Their in house Supertech oil is actually pretty good too.


Yeah, I've never understood the whole conspiracy Walmart get's the lower grade oil with their cheaper price. Does that mean Costco get's this lower grade oil as well? They are selling it in 6 quart boxes that often matches the price of Walmart when it goes on sale. So all of the stores out there who have the cheap Mobil 1 are getting the inferior product but stores like Autozone somehow have access to the better stuff and thus they give a better price? LOL.

The price spread for the same product (non-oil related) across stores like Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, Autozone, etc can be very significant. It's all about volume, efficiency, and expected profit level the company is willing to take.

 

[Wolf359]

Originally Posted By: Nate1979
Originally Posted By: Wolf359


It's standard conspiracy theory nut job thinking. There is a certain kernel of truth to it, but it gets blown way out of proportion. What typically happens is that have the manufacturer make a slightly different product so they can have a different SKU so it cuts down on price matching. Costco tends to do it too, they do a slightly better job though because sometimes their products are better like a DVD player including a cable with a particular SKU/model number while everyone else with a different one doesn't. But it actually costs money to set up the production line to make two different products. Especially when it comes to process manufacturing which is what oil is all about. See my first sentence. Walmart does have a reputation for certain things, but this one isn't deserved. Their in house Supertech oil is actually pretty good too.


Yeah, I've never understood the whole conspiracy Walmart get's the lower grade oil with their cheaper price. Does that mean Costco get's this lower grade oil as well? They are selling it in 6 quart boxes that often matches the price of Walmart when it goes on sale. So all of the stores out there who have the cheap Mobil 1 are getting the inferior product but stores like Autozone somehow have access to the better stuff and thus they give a better price? LOL.

The price spread for the same product (non-oil related) across stores like Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, Autozone, etc can be very significant. It's all about volume, efficiency, and expected profit level the company is willing to take.


The simpler answer is sour grapes. They're just making up stories to explain why they didn't get it there and paid more for it.

 

[Garak]

Ironically, our Walmarts here get whatever sizes everyone else gets, except when the 4.73 L (5 U.S. quarts) sizes show up, those are on special. It winds up protecting other retailers and their price match policies, not Walmart itself.

And, for their occasional online purchase options for oil (which are rare and expensive), they use different packaging, too, as in cases of quarts.

 

[sgtrockjoe]

Well said Nate1979.

 

[sgtrockjoe]

Well said Wolf359.