Oil sold at Walmart

[dparm]

Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
The question is: If big auto parts store chains like O'Reilly buys
their oil in volume, why can't they have low prices like Walmart?



Wal-mart simply buys more, giving them better negotiating power.

Remember that something like 10% of all of the US's imports are sold at a Wal-mart.

 

[901Memphis]

http://www.businessweek.com/innovate/Nus...f_wal-mart.html


Has this been discussed here?

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
The question is: If big auto parts store chains like O'Reilly buys
their oil in volume, why can't they have low prices like Walmart?

Because walmart buys it in an even larger volume, and thus gets even better price from the mfg. Wasn't there an article saying that Walmart is now the largest motor oil retailer in the country?

Besides, Walmart is willing to operate on thinner margins. Auto part stores are not.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

The only difference is 5 quart jug opposed to 5.1 quart jug. Or whatever they have to do to get around the "only sell 5 quart jugs to walmart" clause.

Walmart is high volume, low margin.

The price of oils at Autozone, Advance, KMart is crazy!

 

[BlueOvalFitter]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
The question is: If big auto parts store chains like O'Reilly buys
their oil in volume, why can't they have low prices like Walmart?

Because walmart buys it in an even larger volume, and thus gets even better price from the mfg. Wasn't there an article saying that Walmart is now the largest motor oil retailer in the country?

Besides, Walmart is willing to operate on thinner margins. Auto part stores are not.

Even when I was working and making very good money, before becoming disabled, I would do all of my shopping at WM. Why go to a mall and pay their high prices? Or, grocery stores that can't compete with their everyday prices? There were a few things I would not buy at WM; Boots (Red Wing), auto parts, tools, and a few other items.

 

[jimmy87]

Advanced auto has some sweet deals every now and then on oil, orielly's and az not so much. That 5 qts of havoline Full Synthetic and p1 oil filter for $20 was a walmart like deal.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: BlueOvalFitter
Or, grocery stores that can't compete with their everyday prices?

Maybe this varies by location, but fresh produce (veggies, fruits) at my local Walmart isn't exactly fresh. The stuff is really low grade and looks like it's ready to expire. Hence I prefer other places for such items, even if they cost more. Alas, we're getting off topic here.

 

[99Saturn]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: BlueOvalFitter
Or, grocery stores that can't compete with their everyday prices?

Maybe this varies by location, but fresh produce (veggies, fruits) at my local Walmart isn't exactly fresh. The stuff is really low grade and looks like it's ready to expire. Hence I prefer other places for such items, even if they cost more. Alas, we're getting off topic here.

^ I agree, same by me. I have no problem getting all types of stuff at Walmart, including oil, but I find I'm able to get a much better deal on a bunch of stuff by shopping around, local grocery store included. There everyday price might be better but not sales prices this month's Quaker State Ultimate Durability at AAP is just one example for me.

 

[y_p_w]

Originally Posted By: jimmy87
Advanced auto has some sweet deals every now and then on oil, orielly's and az not so much. That 5 qts of havoline Full Synthetic and p1 oil filter for $20 was a walmart like deal.

No Advance around here, although I hear a lot of radio ads for them. It's mostly about their website, where they mention shopping in the comfort of your own home wearing whatever you want - "go commando" if if floats your boat.

O'Reilly took over all the old CSK stores a few years ago. During the transition they would use the same familiar sound of the old CSK commercials and insert the O'Reilly name in there. I do remember getting their specials on oil, and it wasn't too bad. $2.99/bottle for Mobil Super 5000, so I bought a case. It was for my wife's Civic, which takes less than 3.5 quarts on an oil change. A gallon jug would be ideal, but jugs are nearly all 5 quarts now.

 

[accent2012]

I hate to say this, but for the past year, I have yet to see a much better oil/filter deal offered at Autozone/Discount Auto/OReilly's than at Wal Mart. I just bought a 5 quart jug Castrol Edge (gold bottle) for $23. This wasn't on sale at autozone, and at the other stores, which they wanted over $35 for it. Regular price of that oil at walmart is $27, which still comes out cheaper than the other stores. Shopping at those places for basic stuff is highway robbery, even when they have sales.

Even if I need a part for my car or someone else's car, nowadays it's just cheaper to get the part online than at those stores. I can actually get a part from Rockauto.com that was actually made in the same factory the OEM part was, not in some duralast POS plant in mexico or china that will only last a few months. Even with the cost of 2-day shipping, the overall price of said part comes out cheaper than at the parts store, and knowing that I bought something made in the same factory means it will work the first time and I won't have to deal with sending it back.

So why bother ever going to those stores when you can save money and get quality parts/products elsewhere?

Who cares if they are losing business. They offer poor quality products at high prices, the typical brick and mortar business nowadays thanks to the Internet.

 

[BlueOvalFitter]

Originally Posted By: accent2012
I hate to say this, but for the past year, I have yet to see a much better oil/filter deal offered at Autozone/Discount Auto/OReilly's than at Wal Mart. I just bought a 5 quart jug Castrol Edge (gold bottle) for $23. This wasn't on sale at autozone, and at the other stores, which they wanted over $35 for it. Regular price of that oil at walmart is $27, which still comes out cheaper than the other stores. Shopping at those places for basic stuff is highway robbery, even when they have sales.

Even if I need a part for my car or someone else's car, nowadays it's just cheaper to get the part online than at those stores. I can actually get a part from Rockauto.com that was actually made in the same factory the OEM part was, not in some duralast POS plant in mexico or china that will only last a few months. Even with the cost of 2-day shipping, the overall price of said part comes out cheaper than at the parts store, and knowing that I bought something made in the same factory means it will work the first time and I won't have to deal with sending it back.

So why bother ever going to those stores when you can save money and get quality parts/products elsewhere?

Who cares if they are losing business. They offer poor quality products at high prices, the typical brick and mortar business nowadays thanks to the Internet.

Very well said!

 

[Garak]

Originally Posted By: volk06
When will this question stop being asked over and over and over?

As soon as the USA Walmarts either quit insisting upon having their own size of jugs (with little Walmart markings on the labels), or, alternatively, when they start charging more than everyone else like they do up here.

No one up here questions Walmart oil other than Supertech, which is occasionally 1/4 the price of the name brands. People like to question something that seems too good to be true.

 

[itguy08]

Originally Posted By: BlueOvalFitter

Even when I was working and making very good money, before becoming disabled, I would do all of my shopping at WM. Why go to a mall and pay their high prices? Or, grocery stores that can't compete with their everyday prices? There were a few things I would not buy at WM; Boots (Red Wing), auto parts, tools, and a few other items.


The fact is Wal-Mart's prices on average are no better than their competitors. Especially in groceries where it has been documented that manufacturers will make a "Wal-Mart size" that is less product for less price. But the per whatever cost is more.

Sure, there will be a certain basket of goods that will be considerably cheaper at Wal-Mart than others. But on average their prices are about the same as everyone else.

 

[BlueOvalFitter]

Originally Posted By: itguy08
Originally Posted By: BlueOvalFitter

Even when I was working and making very good money, before becoming disabled, I would do all of my shopping at Walmart. Why go to a mall and pay their high prices? Or, grocery stores that can't compete with their everyday prices? There were a few things I would not buy at Walmart; Boots (Red Wing), auto parts, tools, and a few other items.


The fact is Wal-Mart's prices on average are no better than their competitors. Especially in groceries where it has been documented that manufacturers will make a "Wal-Mart size" that is less product for less price. But the per whatever cost is more.

Sure, there will be a certain basket of goods that will be considerably cheaper at Wal-Mart than others. But on average their prices are about the same as everyone else.

Are you stating that mall prices are better than Walmart? I doubt that very seriously. A person can shop at Walmart and practically buy everything they need. I know it's this way in my case.

 

[itguy08]

Originally Posted By: accent2012

Even if I need a part for my car or someone else's car, nowadays it's just cheaper to get the part online than at those stores. I can actually get a part from Rockauto.com that was actually made in the same factory the OEM part was, not in some duralast POS plant in mexico or china that will only last a few months. Even with the cost of 2-day shipping, the overall price of said part comes out cheaper than at the parts store, and knowing that I bought something made in the same factory means it will work the first time and I won't have to deal with sending it back.

So why bother ever going to those stores when you can save money and get quality parts/products elsewhere?


Cause what happens if you get bum parts? Now you have to wait for a shipment or go somewhere else.

Got burned by this when I did the drums on the wife's car. Ordered them up from RockAuto. Put them on and one or both was out of round and had pulsating from the rear. RA shipped me a new one - same thing. Ended up having them machined locally vs another round of parts. Had I bought from a local place I could have simply returned/exchanged them both.

And - there are only a handful of companies that make parts and many times they are the same thing sold under multiple brands. Grew up in the auto parts business (thanks to my Dad), and for the most part the parts are the same, just the name on the box is different.

If you want OEM quality, you need to buy from the OEM...

 

[99Saturn]

Originally Posted By: accent2012
I hate to say this, but for the past year, I have yet to see a much better oil/filter deal offered at Autozone/Discount Auto/OReilly's than at Wal Mart. I just bought a 5 quart jug Castrol Edge (gold bottle) for $23. This wasn't on sale at autozone, and at the other stores, which they wanted over $35 for it. Regular price of that oil at walmart is $27, which still comes out cheaper than the other stores. Shopping at those places for basic stuff is highway robbery, even when they have sales.

Even if I need a part for my car or someone else's car, nowadays it's just cheaper to get the part online than at those stores. I can actually get a part from Rockauto.com that was actually made in the same factory the OEM part was, not in some duralast POS plant in mexico or china that will only last a few months. Even with the cost of 2-day shipping, the overall price of said part comes out cheaper than at the parts store, and knowing that I bought something made in the same factory means it will work the first time and I won't have to deal with sending it back.

So why bother ever going to those stores when you can save money and get quality parts/products elsewhere?

Who cares if they are losing business. They offer poor quality products at high prices, the typical brick and mortar business nowadays thanks to the Internet.


I have to respectively disagree, particularly with AAP pricing. I can fully understand if the price is cheaper at RockAuto or Walmart getting it there. I also see the argument that there are pretty often that the price you see at the local parts store is going to be more than elsewhere, particularly oil, but I can think of at least a few sales in the last year that I've picked up stuff at AZ, AAP and Pepboys for cheaper than Walmart or RockAuto. Also, the RockAuto shipping often counteracts a lot of the savings, at least in my experience.

 

[99Saturn]

Originally Posted By: BlueOvalFitter

Are you stating that mall prices are better than Walmart? I doubt that very seriously. A person can shop at Walmart and practically buy everything they need. I know it's this way in my case.

In the case of groceries (name brand particularly) I definitely beat the Walmart price on a lot of stuff. There are a number of things throughout the store that from my experience can be had elsewhere cheaper too. Maybe not under one roof, but definitely by doing some looking. Nothing against Walmart, I just want a better deal when I see one.

 

[itguy08]

Originally Posted By: BlueOvalFitter

Are you stating that mall prices are better than Walmart? I doubt that very seriously. A person can shop at Walmart and practically buy everything they need. I know it's this way in my case.

I'm saying that Target Vs Wal-Mart, K-Mart vs Wal-Mart, grocery store vs Wal-Mart, etc.

http://www.cockeyed.com/citizen/walmart_vs_target/walmart_vs_target.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jon-hotchkiss/are-walmarts-prices-the-lowest_b_2399177.html

http://www.squawkfox.com/2013/06/03/target-walmart/

It all depends on what you buy and for groceries, savings of $1-2 a week is not worth it at al, IMHO.

And for cheap clothes, sign up for Old Navy's mailing list. About every week I get some sort of coupon either in store or online. And most times it's 10-20% off.

 

[BlueOvalFitter]

Originally Posted By: 99Saturn
Originally Posted By: BlueOvalFitter

Are you stating that mall prices are better than Walmart? I doubt that very seriously. A person can shop at Walmart and practically buy everything they need. I know it's this way in my case.

In the case of groceries (name brand particularly) I definitely beat the Walmart price on a lot of stuff. There are a number of things throughout the store that from my experience can be had elsewhere cheaper too. Maybe not under one roof, but definitely by doing some looking. Nothing against Walmart, I just want a better deal when I see one.

The main reason Walmart works for me is, they have the electric handicap carts. That, and I usually buy Walmart brand (Great Value) groceries. My meat area is covered by my family. They butcher their own pigs and cows. I don't need much so Walmart is my store. They also honor any other stores sales add.

 

[HangFire]

Originally Posted By: dparm
Originally Posted By: oilchangeguy
Is there any difference in the oil (all brands) that Walmart sells, than auto parts stores? Even some conventionals are almost 10 bucks cheaper for 5 qt jugs at Walmart.



Economy of scale.

Mobil's website even has a page that explicitly says, "The stuff at Wal-mart is the exact same."


I can't find that exact quote. This is what I found, which says much the same thing:

http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/MotorOil/Car_Care/AskMobil/Walmart_Collection.aspx

http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/Moto...ty_Walmart.aspx