Text file for http://www.awod.com/gallery/rwav/slarsen/amway.html Amway versus local store price comparison, Charleston, SC 1993 Random Selection: AMWAY Distributor Cost (wholesale) .VS. Local Stores Summary: Lot Sizes Based upon Cost /Unit Local Amway # of products from AMWAY more expensive 115 Cost of all items from local vendors $6,932 $7,382 # of products from AMWAY less expensive 30 Cost of all items from Amway $10,027 $10,540 % of items from AMWAY less expensive 21% Amway Price premium on this list 45% 43% # of consumables from Amway more expensive 52 Cost of all consumables locally $299 $730 # of consumables from Amway less expensive 18 Cost of all consumables from Amway $463 $958 % of consumables from Amway less expensive 26% Amway Price premium for consumables 55% 31% AMWAY Amway Cost AMWAY PREMIUMS Catalog Lot Cost/ +4% Cost/ Lot Cost/ Cost/ Price, % GROUPED Item # Size Units Lot Shipping Unit Competitor Size Lot Unit Higher BY PRICE DEODERANT ROLL ON WE-9791 3 OZ $2.97 $3.09 1.03 WALMART 2.5 $2.62 1.05 -2% TOOTH PASTE WE-9530 6.75 OZ $3.22 $3.35 0.50 WALMART 8.2 $2.12 0.26 92% SUGARLESS GUM WE-9526 40 ST. $3.22 $3.35 0.08 WALMART 40 $1.36 0.03 146% DEODERANT STICK WE-606 2.25 OZ $3.35 $3.48 1.55 WALMART 2.3 $1.66 0.74 110% ANTI-PLAQUE ORAL RINSE E-9529 128 OZ $4.76 $4.95 0.04 WALMART 32 $1.87 0.06 -34% LOC WE-1 1 32 OZ $5.15 $5.36 5.36 64 OZ MR CLEAN (WLT) 1 $5.17 5.17 4% ZOOM WE-8264 1 32 OZ $5.15 $5.36 5.36 96 OX FANTASTIK (WLT 1 $8.16 8.16 -34% SPRAY `& WASH WE-8945 16.9 OZ $5.39 $5.61 0.33 WALMART 32 $2.33 0.07 356% FABRIC SOFTENER&BRIGHTNER WE-8001 1 1 QT * $5.41 $5.63 5.63 95OZ DOWNY U. (WLT) 1 $8.69 8.69 -35% SHAMPOO WE-9538 13.5 OZ $5.50 $5.72 0.42 PHARMOR 16 $0.99 0.06 585% $0 TO $10 WINDOW CLEANER WE-818 1 32 oz $5.78 $6.01 6.01 128 OZ Windex (WLT) 1 $8.55 8.55 -30% ITEMS SOAP WE-9796 28 OZ $5.81 $6.04 0.22 WALMART (DIAL) 30 $2.97 0.10 118% 48% SUN BLOCK 15 WE-8087 4 OZ $6.44 $6.70 1.67 WALMART 4 $2.42 0.61 177% AVERAGE DISHWASHING SOAP WE-9095 32 OZ $6.46 $6.72 0.21 WALMART 22 $1.12 0.05 312% DISH DROPS WE-9095 1 33.8 O 6.48 $6.74 6.74 44 OZ PALMOLIV 1 $3.87 3.87 74% KOOL WASH WE-8088 1 32 OZ $6.78 $7.05 7.05 64 OZ WOOLITE (WLT) 1 $7.76 7.76 -9% TOOTH BRUSH X-3354 6 PCS $6.80 $7.07 1.18 WALMART 2 $2.17 1.09 9% AFTER SUN MOISTURIZER WE-9789 8 PCS $7.23 $7.52 0.94 WALMART 8 $2.42 0.30 211% STAPLER F-8639-Y3 1 PC $7.65 $7.96 7.96 OFFICE MAX 1 $5.97 5.97 33% SANDWICH BAGS WZ-0973 1000 PCS $7.65 $7.96 0.01 WALMART 300 $1.97 0.01 21% ARROWHEAD ERASERS X-6720-Y3 144 PCS $7.65 $7.96 0.06 OFFICE MAX 15 $0.69 0.05 20% ADJ. 3 HOLE PUNCH X-5830-Y3 1 PC $8.50 $8.84 8.84 OFFICE MAX 1 $6.99 6.99 26% COTTON SWABS Z-0467-A2 300 PCS $8.50 $8.84 0.03 WALMART 500 $1.88 0.00 684% RAZOR BLADES Z-1031 40 PCS $9.35 $9.72 0.24 SAMS 32 $7.46 0.23 4% ANTIHISTIMINE Z-9706 300 TBLTS $9.46 $9.84 0.03 WALMART 100 $4.78 0.05 -31% SELF AD. NOTES X-8126-Y3 12 PADS $9.90 $10.30 0.86 OFFICE MAX 12 $6.29 0.52 64% MARKS A LOT PENS C-8919-Y3 12 PCS $10.10 $10.50 0.88 OFFICE MAX 4 $2.59 0.65 35% SHARPIE PERM MARKERS C-0232-Y3 12 PCS $10.10 $10.50 0.88 OFFICE MAX 5 $3.59 0.72 22% STAPLER VALUE PACK X-5824-Y3 1 PC $10.20 $10.61 10.61 OFFICE MAX 1 $5.99 5.99 77% KITCHEN BAGS Z-8871-A2 250 PCS $10.20 $10.61 0.04 WALMART 60 $3.36 0.06 -24% DENTAL FLOSS X-3375 800 YDS $10.20 $10.61 0.01 WALMART 200 $3.57 0.02 -26% KITCHEN BAGS Z-0192-A2 125 PCS $10.20 $10.61 0.08 WALMART 40 $3.36 0.08 1% SA8 LAUNDRY DETERGENT WE-8023 1 6LB * $10.31 $10.72 10.72 TIDE 8.8 LBS (PHARMO 1 $9.95 9.95 8% REPLACEMENT SPONGES X-2990-Y3 2 PCS $10.40 $10.82 5.41 OFFICE MAX 1 $0.29 0.29 1765% PLASTIC WRAP X-2871-A2 150 FT $10.62 $11.04 0.07 WALMART 50 $2.12 0.04 74% SCRUB SPONGES X-9659-A2 12 PCS $10.83 $11.26 0.94 WALMART 1 $1.47 1.47 -36% SMOKE ALARM F-0482-A2 1 PCS $11.05 $11.49 11.49 WALMART 1 $6.97 6.97 65% ALUM FOIL X-0136 57600 SQ IN $11.05 $11.49 0.00 WALMART **** $0.44 0.00 63%$10 TO $20 CASSETTE TAPES C60 F-3318-A2 20 PCS $11.05 $11.49 0.57 WALMART 6 $2.97 0.50 16% ITEMS EUREKA VAC. BAGS Z-3257-A2 20 PCS $11.05 $11.49 0.57 WALMART 3 $2.77 0.92 -38% 30% STORAGE BAGS-SANDWICH WZ-0974-A2 500 PCS $11.05 $11.49 0.02 WALMART 64 $1.54 0.02 -4% AVERAGE REGINA VAC. BAGS Z-3255-A2 20 PCS $11.05 $11.49 0.57 WALMART 4 $4.36 1.09 -47% SALIN SOLUTION X-3345 96 OZ $10.20 $12.20 0.13 WALMART 12 $1.44 0.12 6% TIRE POLISH/CLEANER X-2350-A2 45 OZ $11.05 $12.55 0.28 WALMART 18 $2.94 0.16 71% FABER-CASTEL WOOD PENCILS X-6719-Y3 144 PCS $12.24 $12.73 0.09 OFFICE MAX 10 $0.69 0.07 28% MICOWAVE POPCORN X-3900 18 PKGS $10.20 $13.20 0.73 WALMART 6 $1.50 0.25 193% BATTERY CHARGER (4 POS) F-1958 1 PC $12.75 $13.26 13.26 WALMART 1 $17.96 17.96 -26% SELF AD. NOTES X-8123-Y3 24 PADS $13.00 $13.52 0.56 OFFICE MAX 12 $3.61 0.30 87% CHECKS-CARBONLESS F-4183-A2 300 $12.00 $14.00 0.05 NEWSPAPER AD 300 $16.30 0.05 -14% CASSETT TAPES 90 MIN F-5597-A2 20 PCS $13.60 $14.14 0.71 WALMART 5 $2.97 0.59 19% FUEL INJECTOR CLEANER X-2287-A2 72 OZ $13.60 $14.14 0.20 WALMART 12 $2.49 0.21 -5% TRASH LINERS WX-4886-A2 40 PCS $11.90 $14.40 0.36 WALMART 30 $4.96 0.17 118% TIE N' TOTE BAGS WX-7193-A2 40 PCS $12.24 $14.74 0.37 WALMART 12 $2.97 0.25 49% PAPER ROLLS F-2084-Y3 24 ROLLS $11.90 $14.90 0.62 OFFICE MAX 3 $1.09 0.36 71% SCOTCH TAPE DISP. W/4 ROLLX-6671-Y3 1 ROLLS $14.45 $15.03 15.03 OFFICE MAX 1 $5.99 5.99 151% NYLON CASSETTTE STORAGE C-9972-A2 1 PC $12.75 $15.75 15.75 WALMART 1 $14.84 14.84 6% AUDIOCASSETTE STORAGE X-3855-A2 1 PC $12.75 $15.75 15.75 WALMART 1 $7.96 7.96 98% COMPACT DIS STORAGE F-3945-A2 1 PC $12.75 $15.75 15.75 WALMART 1 $9.87 9.87 60% CORN FLAKES X-2035 108 OZS $12.32 $15.82 0.15 HARRIS TEETER 20 $1.69 0.08 73% STORAGE BAGS-QUART WZ-0975-A2 400 BAGS $15.30 $15.91 0.04 WALMART 32 $1.67 0.05 -24% TWIN EDGE WIPERS S-7834-A2 1 SET $13.60 $16.10 16.10 WALMART 1 $14.44 14.44 11% SNAK-ENS X-2012-A2 52.5 OZS $13.17 $16.17 0.31 WALMART 22 $2.97 0.14 128% DUMBELLS X-7768-H2 1 SET $12.75 $16.25 16.25 SPORTSTOWN 1 $16.99 16.99 -4% CLAIROL HAIR DRYER Z-4380-A2 1 PC $16.15 $16.80 16.80 WALMART 1 $14.96 14.96 12% TWIN FLOR. LAMP Z-8260-Y3 1 PC $13.72 $17.22 17.22 OFFICE MAX 1 $24.99 24.99 -31% LETTER/LEGAL STORAGE BOX F-8630-Y3 6 PCS $13.72 $17.22 2.87 OFFICE MAX 1 $2.98 2.98 -4% FIRE EXSTINGUISHER F-0487-A2 1 PC $14.45 $17.45 17.45 WALMART 1 $13.97 13.97 25% MANILLA FILING FOLDERS X-5848-Y3 200 PCS $13.59 $17.59 0.09 WALMART 100 $3.68 0.04 139% SCOTCH TAPE REFILLS X-8146-Y3 8 ROLLS $16.94 $17.62 2.20 OFFICE MAX 1 $1.19 1.19 85% POST IT MEMO CUBES X-6676-Y3 4 PADS $16.97 $17.65 4.41 OFFICE MAX 1 $4.79 4.79 -8% SETH THOMAS CLOCK Z-8266-Y3 1 PC $16.99 $17.67 17.67 OFFICE MAX 1 $20.99 20.99 -16% SWING ARM LAMP X-8236-Y3 1 PC $17.00 $17.68 17.68 OFFICE MAX 1 $8.98 8.98 97% RECHARGE BATTERIES-AA F-1948 8 PCS $17.00 $17.68 2.21 WALMART 8 $9.96 1.25 78% BOYS UNDERWEAR S-7830-A2 12 PCS $17.00 $17.68 1.47 WALMART 6 $3.44 0.57 157% TRASH LINERS WX-7117-A2 80 BAGS $15.30 $17.80 0.22 WALMART 36 $4.96 0.14 61% SHARP BUSINESS CALC. Z-6170-Y3 1 PC $15.30 $17.80 17.80 OFFICE MAX 1 $9.89 9.89 80% CORK BOARD 18X24 X-5817-Y3 1 BRD $14.45 $18.45 18.45 OFFICE MAX 1 $8.35 8.35 121% TIE N' TOTE BAGS WX-7192-A2 80 BAGS $17.00 $19.50 0.24 WALMART 20 $2.97 0.15 64% SECURITY LIGHT F-0477-A2 1 PC $17.00 $20.00 20.00 WALMART 1 $14.96 14.96 34% MOP Z-3220 1 PC $17.00 $20.00 20.00 WALMART 1 $9.97 9.97 101% DRY EARASE BOARD 18X24 X-5820-Y3 1 BRD $16.15 $20.15 20.15 OFFICE MAX 1 $8.97 8.97 125% PHOTO FINISHING Z-2381 72 PHOTOS $19.55 $20.33 0.28 WALMART 36 $7.36 0.20 38% FILM (SCOTCH) Z-1733 168 EXP. $19.55 $20.33 0.12 WALMART 120 $8.00 0.07 82% TRASH COMPACTOR BAGS X-7179-A2 50 BAGS $18.70 $21.20 0.42 WALMART 5 $2.86 0.57 -26% COMPACT FLORESENT LAMP F-0093 1 PC $21.25 $22.10 22.10 WALMART 1 $13.96 13.96 58% SPONGE MOP X-2987-Y3 1 PC $20.00 $23.00 23.00 OFFICE MAX 1 $8.99 8.99 156% FAMOUS AMOS COOKIES X-4317 36 2 OZ $19.55 $23.05 0.64 SAMS 36 $8.35 0.23 176% MULTI OUTLET W/ SURG. Z-6149-Y3 1 PC $22.49 $23.39 23.39 OFFICE MAX 1 $14.99 14.99 56% AMOCO MOTOR OIL 10W 40 Z-7638-A2 12 1 QTS $17.00 $24.00 2.00 WALMART 12 $10.44 0.87 130% SOUNDDESIGN PORT F-3963-A2 1 PC $21.25 $24.25 24.25 WALMART 1 $19.96 19.96 21%$20 TO $50 AMOCO MOTOR OIL 20W 50 Z-7640-A2 12 1 QTS $17.85 $24.85 2.07 WALMART 12 $10.44 0.87 138% ITEMS CLOCK RADIO F-3747-A2 1 PC $25.50 $26.52 26.52 WALMART 1 $29.86 29.86 -11% 33% CORK BOARD 36X24 X-5818-Y3 1 BRD $22.95 $26.95 26.95 OFFICE MAX 1 $12.37 12.37 118% AVERAGE GE RECORDER F-3643-A2 1 PC $25.50 $28.00 28.00 WALMART 1 $19.96 19.96 40% DRY EARASE BOARD 36X24 X-5822-Y3 1 BRD $25.50 $29.50 29.50 OFFICE MAX 1 $13.97 13.97 111% TOILET PAPER X-4335 96 ROLLS $30.60 $31.82 0.33 WALMART 6 $1.64 0.27 21% WET-DRY HAND VAC F-5053-A2 1 PC $32.00 $33.28 33.28 WALMART 1 $29.97 29.97 11% OPEN/CLOSED SIGN F-0650-Y3 1 PC $34.00 $35.36 35.36 OFFICE MAX 1 $26.99 26.99 31% PAPER TRIMMERS X-8690-Y3 1 PC $34.00 $35.36 35.36 OFFICE MAX 1 $26.99 26.99 31% NYLON LOCKER BAG C-0558-H2 1 BAG $34.00 $35.36 35.36 SPORTSTOWN 1 $49.99 49.99 -29% CORK BOARD 30X40 X-5819-Y3 1 BRD $32.30 $36.30 36.30 OFFICE MAX 1 $22.86 22.86 59% IRONMAN WATCH X-8624-A2 1 PC $33.96 $36.96 36.96 WALMART 1 $25.97 25.97 42% HALOGEN SECURITY LIGHT F-0478-A2 1 PC $34.00 $37.00 37.00 WALMART 1 $29.47 29.47 26% ORANGE JUICE X-7152-A2 864 OZ $33.15 $38.15 0.04 SAMS 276 $10.76 0.04 13% FIRE EXSTINGISHER X-4069-A2 5 LBS $34.00 $39.00 7.80 WALMART 4.5 $29.48 6.55 19% HEAVY DUTY STAPLER X-5825-Y3 1 PC $38.25 $39.78 39.78 OFFICE MAX 1 $19.75 19.75 101% 40 SHEET PUNCH X-5828-Y3 1 PC $39.10 $40.66 40.66 OFFICE MAX 1 $48.75 48.75 -17% DRY EARASE BOARD 30X40 X-5823-Y3 1 BRD $39.95 $43.95 43.95 OFFICE MAX 1 $26.99 26.99 63% PAPER TRIMMERS F-8722-Y3 1 PC $42.50 $44.20 44.20 OFFICE MAX 1 $46.99 46.99 -6% 66" TELE EASEL X-5814-Y3 1 PC $42.50 $44.20 44.20 OFFICE MAX 1 $32.96 32.96 34% BRASS CARRIAGE LAMP W/ MD C-7382-A2 1 PC $42.50 $44.20 44.20 WALMART 1 $38.24 38.24 16% GE RECORDER F-3674-A2 1 PC $42.50 $44.50 44.50 WALMART 1 $37.84 37.84 18% SYN. MOTOR OIL E-9387 12 QTS $47.88 $49.80 4.15 WALMART 1 $3.94 3.94 5% PANASONIC TAPE RECORDER F-6138-Y3 1 PC $51.00 $53.00 53.00 OFFICE MAX 1 $59.99 59.99 -12% AVIA WALKING SHOES S-1811-H2 1 PAIR $51.00 $55.00 55.00 SPORTSTOWN 1 $49.99 49.99 10% SHARP CALCULATOR Z-5189-Y3 1 PC $51.00 $57.00 57.00 OFFICE MAX 1 $33.99 33.99 68% CEILING FAN C-7217-A2 1 PC $51.00 $58.00 58.00 WALMART 1 $69.96 69.96 -17% COPY PAPER Z-6189-Y3 10 REAMS $42.42 $58.42 5.84 OFFICE MAX 5 $14.26 2.85 105% CORDLESS AIR COMPRESSOR X-2262 1 PC $59.50 $61.88 61.88 WALMART 1 $44.93 44.93 38% ELECTRIC STAPLER X-5826-Y3 1 PC $59.50 $61.88 61.88 OFFICE MAX 1 $56.97 56.97 9% BUCKET & WRINGER X-6230-Y3 1 SET $59.50 $65.50 65.50 OFFICE MAX 1 $68.75 68.75 -5% > $50 CALLER ID DISPLAY Z-3365-A2 1 PC $68.00 $72.00 72.00 WALMART 1 $44.87 44.87 60% ITEMS TELEPHONE HEADSET S-4562-Y3 1 PC $76.50 $79.50 79.50 OFFICE MAX 1 $69.99 69.99 14% 47% BELL SOUTH ANSWER SYSTEM F-7124-A2 1 PC $76.50 $82.50 82.50 WALMART 1 $49.96 49.96 65% AVERAGE SHARP DESK TOP CALC. Z-6173-Y3 1 PC $85.00 $91.00 91.00 OFFICE MAX 1 $31.91 31.91 185% BELL SOUTH ANSWER SYSTEM F-2141-Y3 1 CP $85.00 $91.00 91.00 OFFICE MAX 1 $69.99 69.99 30% CORDLESS PHONE F-0228-A2 1 PC $85.00 $91.00 91.00 WALMART 1 $49.96 49.96 82% SHARP GRAPHIC CALC Z-6174-Y3 1 PC $99.96 $102.96 102.96 OFFICE MAX 1 $89.99 89.99 14% BLACK TONER CARTRIDGE Z-6154-Y3 1 PC $110.50 $113.50 113.50 OFFICE MAX 1 $69.99 69.99 62% REGINA VACUUM CLEANER F-0475-A2 1 PC $110.50 $118.00 118.00 WALMART 1 $89.96 89.96 31% SAFE F-0490-Y3 1 PC $110.50 $126.50 126.50 OFFICE MAX 1 $99.99 99.99 27% SUS. FILE CABINETS Z-6181-Y3 1 PC $110.50 $128.00 128.00 OFFICE MAX 1 $79.99 79.99 60% BLACK TONER DRUM Z-6228-Y3 1 PC $127.50 $130.50 130.50 OFFICE MAX 1 $79.99 79.99 63% EUREKA VACUUM CLEANER X-0748-A2 1 PC $127.50 $134.50 134.50 WALMART 1 $119.96 119.96 12% ELECTRONIC STAIR STEPPER X-7755-H2 1 PC $127.50 $141.50 141.50 SPORTSTOWN 1 $119.99 119.99 18% VIVITAR POWER ZOOM 38-70 CZ-0918-A2 1 PC $153.00 $157.00 157.00 WALMART 1 $99.78 99.78 57% CORDLESS PHONE F-2121-A2 1 PC $170.00 $176.00 176.00 WALMART 1 $99.00 99.00 78% SUS. FILE CABINETS Z-6184-Y3 1 PC $144.50 $184.50 184.50 OFFICE MAX 1 $89.99 89.99 105% MICROWAVE OVEN Z-0171-A2 1 PC $204.00 $216.00 216.00 WALMART 1 $149.00 149.00 45% SOUNDDESIGN COMPACT STEREOF-3717-A2 1 PC $297.50 $305.50 305.50 WALMART 1 $299.96 299.96 2% STEEL LATERAL FILES X-9833-Y2 1 PC $297.50 $342.50 342.50 OFFICE MAX 1 $229.00 229.00 50% STEEL LATERAL FILES X-9834-Y3 1 PC $493.00 $538.00 538.00 OFFICE MAX 1 $349.00 349.00 54% SHARP PLAIN COPIER Z-6152-Y3 1 PC $1,190 $1,215 1215 OFFICE MAX 1 $799.99 799.99 52% PROFORM 1026 TREADMILL X-7589-H2 1 PC $1,275 $1,340 1340 SPORTSTOWN 1 $799.99 799.99 68% COMPUTER W/ VGA MONITOR F-4554-A2 1 SET $2,040 $2,065 2065 WALMART 1 $1,397 1397.00 48% * Concentration Equivalents from Amway SA-6546 Comparision made with local products having identical and/or better features than Amway items. Price/Volume Sources: 1993 Amway Catalogs, Charleston, SC retailers. Consumables are, foods, cleaning supplies, office paper products, etc. Don't be fooled into thinking Amway is a more efficient distribution system. It may not have retail stores, but it has many more layers of paper work from product ordering to writing checks. Ask your upline how much they make from selling you books and tapes, that is where the money is! Does it make sense to buy from "your own business" and pay more (+32%) in order to get a 3% rebate? Compare for yourself! Even if you were a direct distributor with a 25% rebate, on average it is still cheaper to buy from local stores! Don't be fooled. The premiums you pay for the products are the profits your upline takes home. As long as your upline finds enough people who don't care what about the prices they pay, Amway will work for them!