Following are the results of three surveys comparing the prices of a number of store products and the same or similar products sold by Amway.
The first was done by myself. I conducted the survey over a period of several months in the early part of 1994, and have added several items from time to time since then. The second survey was done in 1993 by Bradley Orner, who was an Amway distributor for 3.5 years. The third was done in June of 1996 by Robert Deering, an Amway distributor in Alaska. There are some differences in how we each did our comparisons.
It's significant that while all three surveys were done independently, each without knowledge of the other and employing slightly different methodologies, the results are very consistent. The average cost differential between the Amway products purchased at "wholesale" (distributor pricing) and the same or similar products purchased at local stores, was 140%, 149%, and 156%, respectively. In other words, if you buy these items from Amway you'll end up paying about half again as much as you would at your local store. (The Deering survey was done in Alaska, where distributors pay the "off shore" prices, which are 15% higher than in the lower states. If you subtract the additional "off shore" charge, the results fall right in line with those of the other two surveys.)
[For more information also visit Charles Midgett's "The Other Side of the Plan" and see his own price comparison and also his "Buying From Your Own Store" article.]
Every December Amway publishes in the Amagram the results of their own Personal Shoppers Catalog price comparison. From the 12/95 Amagram:
The results of the 1995-96 price survey are complete, and they show once again that Amway's Personal Shoppers Service Catalog offers low, competitive prices—in addition to PV/BV.
To prove our point, we searched the 1995 editions of five popular catalogs—Spiegel, J.C. Penny, Land's End, Finger Hut, and Williams-Sonoma—for items that are the same as or similar to merchandise featured in the 1995-1996 edition of the Personal Shoppers Catalog. We surveyed a wide range of items, including electronics, women's clothing, men's clothing, and various household products.
Of the 143 items compared, our suggested retail price was less than or equal to the competition 71% of the time. At distributor cost, the results were even more favorable. We beat or equaled the competition's price 92% of the time."
The wording used for the 1994-95 and 1993-94 survey's is almost identical, with the exception that in 1993-94 the Lillian Vernon catalog was also listed as one of the competition. The results of these two previous surveys were:
As objective data, Amway's price comparison is so seriously flawed as to be almost meaningless. There are several major problems:
Amway itself conducts the survey, which means that Amway gets to choose a) who to define as "the competition," and b) which 143 products out of thousands it gets to use for comparison purposes. Amway distributors often claim that in order for a price comparison to be fair, the items in Amway's catalog should only be compared with items in other mail order catalogs. This is nonsense, of course; just because Amway offers only mail order delivery, this doesn't restrict me as a consumer from choosing to buy the same product from a local store if it's available. If Amway sells a particular cordless phone, and my local Kmart sells the same phone, it's perfectly fair and reasonable to compare Amway's price to Kmart's, even though for obvious reasons Amway would rather you didn't.
Notice that in their comparison, Amway Corp. chooses to define "the competition" as only higher-end mail order catalogs that are most likely to have the highest prices. Since they compared electronics and household products, among others, they could just as well have included retail outlets that sell this type of merchandise. Kmart, Walmart, Target, Costco…there's certainly no lack of choices. Amway is obviously stacking the deck in their own favor by excluding these perfectly viable consumer options.
Amway refuses to publish the specifics of their price comparisons (yes, I called and asked), so it's impossible for an objective observer to confirm the results, or see if Amway chose to compare items that most people are likely to buy, or if any of the Amway products were on sale or close-out. For all we know, Amway could even just make these numbers up every year.
Amway distributors will no doubt point out, and rightly so, that the price comparisons presented here may also not be as objective as they could be. I readily admit that this is likely so, though I made an honest effort to be objective. The obvious difference is that I'm not afraid to publish my data for all to see; anyone who wishes to can judge my bias for themselves and verify the accuracy of my data. Verify Amway's data? Tough luck, Jack.
Amway chooses to present the results of it's survey in the least meaningful way. Amway says that its prices were equal to or better than the competition X percent of the time. "Equal" is self-explanatory, but what exactly does "better" mean? A difference of $1 on a $500 item? It's anyone's guess. In the price comparisons presented here, the results are given as the exact percentage of price differential; in other words, this particular product is X percent more or less expensive from Amway. Each comparison also gives the average price differential for all products surveyed. Thus we can tell that if were to buy products A, B, and C, we'd pay this much more or less, something we certainly can't do with Amway's survey. (Of course, the comparisons presented here also give the actual pricing information as well.) Amway Corp. also publishes a simple product comparison chart (SA-6546) meant to be handed out to show that the concentrated Amway products are cheaper than the supposedly equivalent name-brand products. It states "Based on manufacturer's recommended label/use instructions…It takes this much of the store brand…to do what just one AMWAY product does." For example, Amway claims it takes two boxes of Tide to equal one box of SA8.
As with Amway's other product comparison "data," this is also meaningless. In this case the implied, but unproven, assumption we're being asked to accept is that the products being compared are equal in effectiveness. The reality is that we again have no way of knowing this, except in those cases where the products being compared also happen to have been tested and rated for effectiveness by Consumer Reports or some other independent testing lab.
Without having to prove equal effectiveness, it's an easy matter to manipulate price and usage amounts to give the false appearance of superior value. Here's a simple example: A box of detergent Y has a suggested usage amount of 1 cup per wash load and a cost of $.25 per cup. I buy the same detergent from the manufacturer, sell it for the same price, but change the suggested usage amount to 1/2 cup. Presto—my detergent is now twice the "value" of the competing brand! Of course, it's also only half as effective at the recommended usage amount, so you have to use twice as much to get the same results. Amway's chart is cleverly worded to sound like Amway is claiming equal effectiveness without actually making such a claim directly.
It's interesting that with all its much-touted billions, Amway has never, to my knowledge, hired an independent testing facility to provide objective proof of the alleged superiority of their products. They can certainly afford it. Or, considering how poorly most of the Amway products tested by Consumer Reports fared, maybe they can't.
I used Amway's distributor prices as the basis of comparison, so the distributor discount is already figured in. Since Amway charges shipping on everything, that was added in. I chose mostly items that a typical family would purchase on a regular basis, like breakfast cereal, aluminum foil, underwear, disposable diapers, etc. I also included a few items that would be purchased more occasionally, but that most families were still likely to buy at some point, like a cordless phone and a vacuum cleaner.
In most cases the items compared are either exactly the same, or as directly comparable as I could manage. I made no attempt to find the lowest prices on anything on this list--I simply took the catalog with me when I did my usual shopping, and looked for items that were the same or similar to items in the catalog. I could just as easily have gone to a "warehouse" store like Costco, where they also sell in bulk quantities, and the price difference would have been even greater.
In some cases I compared one Amway product to several store products. For example, I compared Amway's large disposable diapers to three other brands of large disposable diapers. I felt this was fair for two reasons:
I purposely avoided comparing Amway-manufactured cleaning products because of the famous "dilution" factor. I did this because in order for a comparison between concentrated products to be valid, it must be demonstrated that the concentration factors are equivalent; not having a testing lab, I have no way of determining this. For the same reason, to infer or state that Amway products are automatically superior because they are concentrated is specious. The Consumer Reports ratings of Amway Dish Drops, Crystal Bright and Zoom show that those Amway products are still poor values regardless of their concentration factor, which CR took into account. Also, not having any experience with Amway products myself, I did not feel that I had a basis for comparing Amway manufactured products to store products in terms of effectiveness.
A few observations:
The first, or top, item in each pair of items is the Amway catalog product, the second, or bottom, is the store product. Reading across from left to right, the headings are:
Dist. Final # Cost Perc.
Retail Cost Ship Cost U Unit per U Diff.
Aerobic Step 39.99 34.00 2.80 36.80 1 each 36.800 184.00%
Aerobic Step 20.00 1 each 20.000
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dist. Final # Cost Perc.
Retail Cost Ship Cost U Unit per U Diff.
Aluminum wrap, 12.49 10.62 0.87 11.49 225 sq. f 0.051 221.73%
generic
Aluminum wrap, 4.69 200 sq. f 0.023
generic
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dist. Final # Cost Perc.
Retail Cost Ship Cost U Unit per U Diff.
Aluminum wrap, 12.49 10.62 0.87 11.49 225 sq. f 0.051 212.50%
generic
Aluminum wrap, 1.79 75 sq. f 0.024
generic
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dist. Final # Cost Perc.
Retail Cost Ship Cost U Unit per U Diff.
Aluminum wrap, 12.49 10.62 0.87 11.49 225 sq. f 0.051 188.88%
generic
Aluminum wrap, 5.49 200 sq. f 0.027
Reynolds
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dist. Final # Cost Perc.
Retail Cost Ship Cost U Unit per U Diff.
Aluminum wrap, 12.49 10.62 0.87 11.49 225 sq. f 0.051 164.51%
generic
Aluminum wrap, 2.29 75 sq. f 0.031
Reynolds
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dist. Final # Cost Perc.
Retail Cost Ship Cost U Unit per U Diff.
Amoco LDO 19.99 17.00 7.00 24.00 12 quart 2.000 155.03%
Motor Oil
10W-30
Penzoil 10W-30 1.29 1 quart 1.290
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dist. Final # Cost Perc.
Retail Cost Ship Cost U Unit per U Diff.
Amoco LDO 19.99 17.00 7.00 24.00 12 quart 2.000 143.88%
Motor Oil
10W-40
Quaker State 1.39 1 quart 1.390
10W-40
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dist. Final # Cost Perc.
Retail Cost Ship Cost U Unit per U Diff.
Amoco LDO 20.99 17.85 7.00 24.85 12 quart 2.071 122.54%
Motor Oil
20W-50
Castrol 20W-50 1.69 1 quart 1.690
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dist. Final # Cost Perc.
Retail Cost Ship Cost U Unit per U Diff.
Audio tape 14.99 12.75 3.00 15.75 1 each 15.750 175.58%
holder, 3
drawer
Audio tape 8.97 1 each 8.970
holder, 3
drawer
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dist. Final # Cost Perc.
Retail Cost Ship Cost U Unit per U Diff.
Audio tapes, 15.99 11.05 1.12 12.17 20 each 0.609 49.31%
Laser 60
minute
Audio tapes, 2.47 2 each 1.235
Memorex 60
minutes
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dist. Final # Cost Perc.
Retail Cost Ship Cost U Unit per U Diff.
Audio tapes, 15.99 11.05 1.12 12.17 20 each 0.609 122.53%
Laser 60
minute
Audio tapes, 1.49 3 each 0.497
Prism 60
minute
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dist. Final # Cost Perc.
Retail Cost Ship Cost U Unit per U Diff.
Audio tapes, 15.99 11.05 1.12 12.17 20 each 0.609 61.82%
Laser 60
minute
Audio tapes, 1.97 2 each 0.985
TDK 60 minute
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dist. Final # Cost Perc.
Retail Cost Ship Cost U Unit per U Diff.
Audio tapes, 15.99 13.60 1.12 14.72 20 each 0.736 55.13%
Laser 90
minute
Audio tapes, 2.67 2 each 1.335
Memorex 90
minute
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dist. Final # Cost Perc.
Retail Cost Ship Cost U Unit per U Diff.
Audio tapes, 15.99 13.60 1.12 14.72 20 each 0.736 111.01%
Laser 90
minute
Audio tapes, 1.99 3 each 0.663
Prism 90
minute
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dist. Final # Cost Perc.
Retail Cost Ship Cost U Unit per U Diff.
Audio tapes, 15.99 13.60 1.12 14.72 20 each 0.736 54.72%
Laser 90
minute
Audio tapes, 2.69 2 each 1.345
TDK 90 minute
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dist. Final # Cost Perc.
Retail Cost Ship Cost U Unit per U Diff.
Briefs, Jockey 14.50 12.33 1.02 13.35 3 each 4.450 92.07%
classic
Briefs, Jockey 14.50 3 each 4.833
classic
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dist. Final # Cost Perc.
Retail Cost Ship Cost U Unit per U Diff.
Cheerios, 17.49 14.87 3.50 18.37 90 oz 0.204 129.93%
generic
Cheerios, 2.35 15 oz 0.157
General Mills
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dist. Final # Cost Perc.
Retail Cost Ship Cost U Unit per U Diff.
Cheerios, 17.49 14.87 3.50 18.37 90 oz 0.204 192.45%
generic
Cheerios, 1.59 15 oz 0.106
Generic
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dist. Final # Cost Perc.
Retail Cost Ship Cost U Unit per U Diff.
Cheez-its, 16.99 14.45 3.50 17.95 96 oz 0.187 150.80%
generic
Cheeze-its 1.98 16 oz 0.124
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dist. Final # Cost Perc.
Retail Cost Ship Cost U Unit per U Diff.
Computer, 2498.99 1700.00 25.00 1725.00 1 each 1725.000 133.20%
Magnavox
486sx20
Gateway 2000 1295.00 1 each 1295.000
486sx25
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dist. Final # Cost Perc.
Retail Cost Ship Cost U Unit per U Diff.
Cordless 99.99 85.00 6.00 91.00 1 each 91.000 152.25%
phone, 25
channel, Bell
Cordless 59.77 1 each 59.770
phone, 25
channel, Bell
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dist. Final # Cost Perc.
Retail Cost Ship Cost U Unit per U Diff.
Cordless 129.99 110.50 6.00 116.50 1 each 116.500 117.67%
phone, Bell
South
Cordless 99.00 1 each 99.000
phone, Bell
South
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dist. Final # Cost Perc.
Retail Cost Ship Cost U Unit per U Diff.
Corn Flakes, 14.49 12.32 3.50 15.82 108 oz 0.146 231.74%
generic
Corn Flakes, 1.14 18 oz 0.063
generic
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dist. Final # Cost Perc.
Retail Cost Ship Cost U Unit per U Diff.
Corn Flakes, 14.49 12.32 3.50 15.82 108 oz 0.146 155.31%
generic
Corn Flakes, 2.25 24 oz 0.094
Kellogs
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dist. Final # Cost Perc.
Retail Cost Ship Cost U Unit per U Diff.
Cotton swabs, 10.68 8.50 0.75 9.25 1200 each 0.008 72.72%
generic
Cotton swabs, 2.15 200 each 0.011
J & J
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dist. Final # Cost Perc.
Retail Cost Ship Cost U Unit per U Diff.
Dental floss, 11.99 10.20 0.90 11.10 800 yard 0.014 73.68%
generic
Dental floss, 3.84 200 yard 0.019
J & J
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dist. Final # Cost Perc.
Retail Cost Ship Cost U Unit per U Diff.
Diskettes, 39.99 33.32 2.50 35.82 20 each 1.791 223.87%
3.5" HD, BASF
Diskettes, 8.00 10 each 0.800
3.5" HD, Fuji
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dist. Final # Cost Perc.
Retail Cost Ship Cost U Unit per U Diff.
Disp. diapers, 47.99 43.20 3.25 46.45 120 each 0.387 154.80%
large
Disp. diapers, 5.99 24 each 0.250
large, generic
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dist. Final # Cost Perc.
Retail Cost Ship Cost U Unit per U Diff.
Disp. diapers, 47.99 43.20 3.25 46.45 120 each 0.387 139.20%
large
Huggies Baby 14.99 54 each 0.278
Steps, large
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dist. Final # Cost Perc.
Retail Cost Ship Cost U Unit per U Diff.
Disp. diapers, 47.99 43.20 3.25 46.45 120 each 0.387 110.57%
large
Pampers 8.39 24 each 0.350
Phases, large
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dist. Final # Cost Perc.
Retail Cost Ship Cost U Unit per U Diff.
Disp. diapers, 47.99 43.20 3.25 46.45 120 each 0.387 143.33%
large
Ultras In 6.48 24 each 0.270
Stages, large
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dist. Final # Cost Perc.
Retail Cost Ship Cost U Unit per U Diff.
Disp. diapers, 47.99 43.20 3.25 46.45 160 each 0.290 174.69%
medium
Disp. diapers, 5.99 36 each 0.166
generic,
medium
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dist. Final # Cost Perc.
Retail Cost Ship Cost U Unit per U Diff.
Disp. diapers, 47.99 43.20 3.25 46.45 160 each 0.290 139.42%
medium
Huggies Baby 14.99 72 each 0.208
Steps, medium
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dist. Final # Cost Perc.
Retail Cost Ship Cost U Unit per U Diff.
Disp. diapers, 47.99 43.20 3.25 46.45 160 each 0.290 124.46%
medium
Pampers 8.39 36 each 0.233
Phases, medium
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dist. Final # Cost Perc.
Retail Cost Ship Cost U Unit per U Diff.
Disp. diapers, 47.99 43.20 3.25 46.45 160 each 0.290 161.11%
medium
Ultras In 6.48 36 each 0.180
Stages, medium
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dist. Final # Cost Perc.
Retail Cost Ship Cost U Unit per U Diff.
Disp. diapers, 47.99 43.20 3.25 46.45 216 each 0.215 127.97%
small
Huggies Baby 8.39 50 each 0.168
Steps, small
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dist. Final # Cost Perc.
Retail Cost Ship Cost U Unit per U Diff.
Disp. diapers, 47.99 43.20 3.25 46.45 216 each 0.215 127.97%
small
Pampers 8.39 50 each 0.168
Phases, small
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dist. Final # Cost Perc.
Retail Cost Ship Cost U Unit per U Diff.
Disp. diapers, 47.99 43.20 3.25 46.45 216 each 0.215 165.38%
small
Ultras 6.48 50 each 0.130
In-Stages,
small
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dist. Final # Cost Perc.
Retail Cost Ship Cost U Unit per U Diff.
Elec. 59.99 51.00 3.00 54.00 1 each 54.000 108.06%
thesaurus,
Selectronic
Franklin 49.97 1 each 49.970
Wordmaster
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dist. Final # Cost Perc.
Retail Cost Ship Cost U Unit per U Diff.
Elec. 59.99 51.00 3.00 54.00 1 each 54.000 154.41%
thesaurus,
Selectronic
Rogets 34.97 1 each 34.970
Synonyms
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dist. Final # Cost Perc.
Retail Cost Ship Cost U Unit per U Diff.
Frito-Lay 24.99 21.25 1.75 23.00 90 0z 0.256 88.58%
Variety Pack
Frito-Lay 2.89 10 0z 0.289
Variety Pack
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dist. Final # Cost Perc.
Retail Cost Ship Cost U Unit per U Diff.
Frosted 19.99 17.00 3.50 20.50 120 oz 0.171 159.81%
Flakes,
generic
Frosted 2.14 20 oz 0.107
Flakes,
generic
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dist. Final # Cost Perc.
Retail Cost Ship Cost U Unit per U Diff.
Frosted 19.99 17.00 3.50 20.50 120 oz 0.171 101.18%
Flakes,
generic
Frosted 3.37 20 oz 0.169
Flakes,
Kellogs
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dist. Final # Cost Perc.
Retail Cost Ship Cost U Unit per U Diff.
Fruit Loops, 21.99 18.70 3.50 22.20 90 oz 0.247 170.34%
generic
Fruit Loops, 2.18 15 oz 0.145
generic
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dist. Final # Cost Perc.
Retail Cost Ship Cost U Unit per U Diff.
Fruit Loops, 25.49 18.70 3.50 22.20 90 oz 0.247 106.00%
generic
Fruit Loops, 3.49 15 oz 0.233
Kellogs
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dist. Final # Cost Perc.
Retail Cost Ship Cost U Unit per U Diff.
Fruit roll, 13.99 11.90 1.05 12.95 18 oz 0.719 142.37%
Sunkist
Fruit roll, 2.02 4 oz 0.505
Betty Crocker
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dist. Final # Cost Perc.
Retail Cost Ship Cost U Unit per U Diff.
Gummi Bears 17.49 14.87 1.31 16.18 45 oz 0.360 197.80%
Gummi Trolls 0.91 5 oz 0.182
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dist. Final # Cost Perc.
Retail Cost Ship Cost U Unit per U Diff.
Hayes Accura 299.99 255.00 10.00 265.00 1 each 265.000 141.40%
28.8 modem,
internal
Hayes Accura 187.40 1 each 187.400
28.8 modem,
internal
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dist. Final # Cost Perc.
Retail Cost Ship Cost U Unit per U Diff.
Herbal teas, 19.99 17.00 1.40 18.40 168 tea b 0.110 86.61%
Bigelow
Herbal teas, 2.53 20 tea b 0.127
Bigelow
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dist. Final # Cost Perc.
Retail Cost Ship Cost U Unit per U Diff.
Honey Nut 19.49 16.57 3.50 20.07 84 oz 0.239 113.27%
Cheerios,
generic
Honey Nut 4.21 20 oz 0.211
Cheerios, Gen.
Mills
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dist. Final # Cost Perc.
Retail Cost Ship Cost U Unit per U Diff.
Honey Nut 19.49 16.57 3.50 20.07 84 oz 0.239 171.94%
Cheerios,
generic
Honey Nut 1.94 14 oz 0.139
Cheerios,
generic
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dist. Final # Cost Perc.
Retail Cost Ship Cost U Unit per U Diff.
Hot Choc. Mix, 49.99 42.52 2.98 45.50 200 packe 0.228 87.69%
generic
Hot Choc. Mix, 2.08 8 packe 0.260
Swiss Miss
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dist. Final # Cost Perc.
Retail Cost Ship Cost U Unit per U Diff.
Hot Chocolate 49.99 42.52 2.98 45.50 200 packe 0.228 108.05%
Mix, generic,
sugarless
Hot Chocolate 1.69 8 packe 0.211
Mix, generic,
sugarless
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dist. Final # Cost Perc.
Retail Cost Ship Cost U Unit per U Diff.
Mac. & Cheese, 18.99 16.14 4.00 20.14 132 oz. 0.153 108.51%
generic
Mac. & Cheese, 0.99 7 oz. 0.141
Kraft
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dist. Final # Cost Perc.
Retail Cost Ship Cost U Unit per U Diff.
Mac. & Cheese, 18.99 16.14 4.00 20.14 132 oz. 0.153 242.85%
generic
Mac. & Cheese, 0.38 6 oz. 0.063
Mission
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dist. Final # Cost Perc.
Retail Cost Ship Cost U Unit per U Diff.
Macaroni & 18.99 16.14 4.00 20.14 132 oz. 0.153 325.53%
Cheese,
generic
Macaroni & 0.33 7 oz. 0.047
Cheese,
generic
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dist. Final # Cost Perc.
Retail Cost Ship Cost U Unit per U Diff.
Meadowbrook 46.99 42.30 3.29 45.59 3308 sq. f 0.014 116.66%
Facial Tisue
Kleenex Facial 19.99 1608 sq. f 0.012
Tissue
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dist. Final # Cost Perc.
Retail Cost Ship Cost U Unit per U Diff.
Microwave 11.99 10.20 3.00 13.20 63 oz 0.210 182.60%
popcorn
Microwave 1.26 11 oz 0.115
popcorn,
generic
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dist. Final # Cost Perc.
Retail Cost Ship Cost U Unit per U Diff.
Microwave 11.99 10.20 3.00 13.20 63 oz 0.210 111.70%
popcorn
Microwave 2.07 11 oz 0.188
popcorn, Pop
Secret
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dist. Final # Cost Perc.
Retail Cost Ship Cost U Unit per U Diff.
Microwave 11.99 10.20 3.00 13.20 63 oz 0.210 122.80%
popcorn
Microwave 1.88 11 oz 0.171
popcorn,
Redenbachers
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dist. Final # Cost Perc.
Retail Cost Ship Cost U Unit per U Diff.
Pancake syrup, 34.99 29.75 6.00 35.75 288 oz 0.124 103.33%
generic
Mrs. 2.88 24 oz 0.120
Butterworth
syrup
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dist. Final # Cost Perc.
Retail Cost Ship Cost U Unit per U Diff.
Pancake syrup, 34.99 29.75 6.00 35.75 288 oz 0.124 174.64%
generic
Pancake syrup, 1.71 24 oz 0.071
generic
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dist. Final # Cost Perc.
Retail Cost Ship Cost U Unit per U Diff.
Pancake syrup, 34.99 29.75 6.00 35.75 288 oz 0.124 136.26%
generic
Pancake syrup, 2.19 24 oz 0.091
Log Cabin
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dist. Final # Cost Perc.
Retail Cost Ship Cost U Unit per U Diff.
Peanut 29.99 25.50 2.25 27.75 120 pack 0.231 82.50%
butter/cheese
crackers,
Peanut 0.28 1 pack 0.280
butter/cheese
crackers,
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dist. Final # Cost Perc.
Retail Cost Ship Cost U Unit per U Diff.
Plactrac Plus 59.99 51.00 4.49 55.49 1 each 55.490 252.34%
Plactrac Plus 21.99 1 each 21.990
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dist. Final # Cost Perc.
Retail Cost Ship Cost U Unit per U Diff.
Plactrac 12.99 10.83 0.97 11.80 1 each 11.800 168.81%
replacement
head
Plactrac 6.99 1 each 6.990
replacement
head
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dist. Final # Cost Perc.
Retail Cost Ship Cost U Unit per U Diff.
Razor cart. 8.99 7.65 0.67 8.32 20 each 0.416 140.54%
w/comfort
strip
Schick Ultrex 2.96 10 each 0.296
cartridge w/co
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dist. Final # Cost Perc.
Retail Cost Ship Cost U Unit per U Diff.
Razor 8.99 7.65 0.67 8.32 20 each 0.416 195.30%
cartridge
w/comfort
Razor 3.19 15 each 0.213
cartridge
w/comfort
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dist. Final # Cost Perc.
Retail Cost Ship Cost U Unit per U Diff.
Rechargable 13.99 11.90 1.05 12.95 2 each 6.475 107.91%
batteries, 9
volt, generic
Rechargable 6.00 1 each 6.000
batteries, 9
volt, GE
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dist. Final # Cost Perc.
Retail Cost Ship Cost U Unit per U Diff.
Rechargable 19.99 17.00 1.50 18.50 8 each 2.313 92.52%
batteries, AA,
generic
Rechargable 2.50 1 each 2.500
batteries, AA,
GE
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dist. Final # Cost Perc.
Retail Cost Ship Cost U Unit per U Diff.
Rechargable 12.99 11.05 0.97 12.02 4 each 3.005 120.20%
batteries,
AAA, generic
Rechargable 2.50 1 each 2.500
batteries,
AAA, generic
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dist. Final # Cost Perc.
Retail Cost Ship Cost U Unit per U Diff.
Rechargable 12.99 11.05 0.97 12.02 4 each 3.005 100.16%
batteries, C,
generic
Rechargable 3.00 1 each 3.000
batteries, C,
GE
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dist. Final # Cost Perc.
Retail Cost Ship Cost U Unit per U Diff.
Rechargable 12.99 11.05 0.97 12.02 4 each 3.005 100.16%
batteries, D,
generic
Rechargable 3.00 1 each 3.000
batteries, D,
generic
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dist. Final # Cost Perc.
Retail Cost Ship Cost U Unit per U Diff.
Ritz crackers, 13.49 11.47 3.50 14.97 60 oz 0.250 280.89%
generic
Ritz crackers, 1.07 12 oz 0.089
generic
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dist. Final # Cost Perc.
Retail Cost Ship Cost U Unit per U Diff.
Ritz crackers, 16.99 11.47 3.50 14.97 60 oz 0.250 167.78%
generic
Ritz crackers, 2.38 16 oz 0.149
Nabisco
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dist. Final # Cost Perc.
Retail Cost Ship Cost U Unit per U Diff.
Scientific 17.99 15.30 1.26 16.56 1 each 16.560 166.09%
calculator,
Sharp
Casio Student 9.97 1 each 9.970
Scientific
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dist. Final # Cost Perc.
Retail Cost Ship Cost U Unit per U Diff.
Scientific 17.99 15.30 1.26 16.56 1 each 16.560 110.62%
calculator,
Sharp
Sharp Twin 14.97 1 each 14.970
Function
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dist. Final # Cost Perc.
Retail Cost Ship Cost U Unit per U Diff.
Scrub sponges, 12.99 10.80 0.91 11.71 12 each 0.976 150.15%
generic
Scrub sponges, 0.65 1 each 0.650
Scotch Brite
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dist. Final # Cost Perc.
Retail Cost Ship Cost U Unit per U Diff.
Semi Sweet 23.99 20.40 4.50 24.90 144 oz 0.173 180.20%
morsals,
generic
Semi Sweet 1.15 12 oz 0.096
morsals,
generic
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dist. Final # Cost Perc.
Retail Cost Ship Cost U Unit per U Diff.
Semi Sweet 23.99 20.40 4.50 24.90 144 oz 0.173 109.49%
morsals,
generic
Semi Sweet 1.89 12 oz 0.158
morsals,
Nestles
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dist. Final # Cost Perc.
Retail Cost Ship Cost U Unit per U Diff.
Sponge mop, 19.99 17.00 3.00 20.00 1 each 20.000 130.20%
Quickie
Sponge mop & 15.36 1 each 15.360
refill,
Quickie
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dist. Final # Cost Perc.
Retail Cost Ship Cost U Unit per U Diff.
T-shirt, 18.00 15.30 1.26 16.56 3 each 5.520 92.00%
Jockey crew
neck
T-shirt, 18.00 3 each 6.000
Jockey crew
neck
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dist. Final # Cost Perc.
Retail Cost Ship Cost U Unit per U Diff.
Toaster 21.49 19.34 1.50 20.84 132 oz. 0.158 126.40%
Pastries,
generic
Pop Tarts, 5.39 43 oz. 0.125
Kellogs
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dist. Final # Cost Perc.
Retail Cost Ship Cost U Unit per U Diff.
Toilet paper, 39.99 36.00 4.25 40.25 4056 sq. f 0.010 200.00%
recycled,
generic
Toilet paper, 4.99 924 sq. f 0.005
Albertsons
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dist. Final # Cost Perc.
Retail Cost Ship Cost U Unit per U Diff.
Toilet paper, 39.99 36.00 4.25 40.25 4056 sq. f 0.010 71.42%
recycled,
generic
Toilet paper, 3.87 281 sq. f 0.014
Charmin
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dist. Final # Cost Perc.
Retail Cost Ship Cost U Unit per U Diff.
Toilet paper, 39.99 36.00 4.25 40.25 4056 sq. f 0.010 142.85%
recycled,
generic
Toilet paper, 5.99 882 sq. f 0.007
gen., recycled
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dist. Final # Cost Perc.
Retail Cost Ship Cost U Unit per U Diff.
Toilet paper, 39.99 36.00 4.25 40.25 4056 sq. f 0.010 200.00%
recycled,
generic
Toilet paper, 0.83 154 sq. f 0.005
Janet Lee
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dist. Final # Cost Perc.
Retail Cost Ship Cost U Unit per U Diff.
Toothbrushes 7.99 6.80 0.60 7.40 6 each 1.233 77.06%
Assorted 1.60 1 each 1.600
toothbrushes
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dist. Final # Cost Perc.
Retail Cost Ship Cost U Unit per U Diff.
Vacuum 199.99 170.00 7.00 177.00 1 each 177.000 118.00%
cleaner,
Regina
Vaccuum 149.99 1 each 149.990
cleaner,
Regina
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dist. Final # Cost Perc.
Retail Cost Ship Cost U Unit per U Diff.
Wheat thins, 16.99 14.45 3.50 17.95 96 oz 0.187 111.97%
generic
Wheat Thins 2.67 16 oz 0.167
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average perc. of difference at suggested retail: 162.70%
Average perc. of difference at distributor cost: 140.85%
(Survey conducted in spring of 1993)
One issue that I have not had a strong opinion on to date is the price of Amway products. They did seem expensive to me. Still, after years of buying and using them, the arguments that their concentration and/or quality made their usage costs comparable seemed compelling. Also, Amway prints price comparisons from time to time. A few times I did find a really good price on an item we purchased from Amway. Most product reviews by Consumer's Reports have not been very favorable of Amway products, but only a few have been reviewed.
Anyway, I just finished doing a price comparison for myself--something I have wanted to do for quite some time. I soon learned that fair and true price comparisons are difficult and time consuming to do. I have decided to post the results, since others might find it of interest. First, some background: In doing this, I was not out to demonstrate that Amway products are either low or high priced--I just wanted to know the truth. I have tried to be unbiased, but there is some degree of subjectivity in what I have done, and any influence my bias might have would tend to be against Amway products, I think.
I selected the list of products before looking up any prices. I did not eliminate any products after looking at the results. Two or three products were removed because I could not easily find a close equivalent. I picked a wide range of common items.
I took care to make sure the competing product was truly equivalent. Two-ply unprinted tissues were compared to two-ply unprinted tissues, powder detergent to powder detergent, etc. I also took the price of the smallest Amway size available and tried to find a similar sized package for the competing product. In some cases the largest competing product package was still much smaller than the Amway package; I did the comparison anyway. I generally picked brand-name products, but some generic products are included.
A unit of comparison was selected and a unit cost obtained for all products. I tried to make sure the unit of measure accurately measured the product quantity--weight, volume, or area. Sponges for instance, were compared based on cubic inches.
I did my shopping for the competing products at a local food & drug store-- their prices seem to be a little below average but they are not a discount "warehouse" store. Prices on a few items were from K- mart.
I took the store's regular price for the item, even if it was on sale. Most of the Amway products I selected are available from the RDCs, which means that their is a shipping cost of four percent of retail on orders over $100 and $4 on orders under $100 (our direct distributor always charged us shipping charges based on that--others distributors may have been charged less, or more). Before computing the cost difference, 4% of retail was added to the wholesale and retail prices for the Amway products. A few items were only available from the catalog warehouse--shipping costs for these items is 7% or higher. I figured the shipping costs as a percent of retail, subtracted four percent, multiplied the result by the retail price, then added this amount to the retail and wholesale price. Thus, when the 4% is added to each product, the price of the Amway product reflects the costs including shipping. I added 2% to the cost of the competing products for transportation costs (though distributors often must drive to pick up their products, retail customers usually don't and ours were delivered to us). This 2% figure is pretty arbitrary, but is about equal to about 8 miles round trip at 27 cents per mile to purchase $100 of products. Often, I only picked one brand of product to compare with. If I noticed a wide range of prices between various brands (e.g., perfume or pharmaceuticals) or was unsure of equivalency, I compared with a few different products.
I have included a usage adjustment. I wish I could have done better here-- it is largely subjective and strongly impacts the results. The usage factor listed indicates the unit quantity of the competing product required to get the equivalent amount of use/benefit from one unit of the Amway product. This takes into account concentration for cleaning products, nutritional value for food supplements and weight control products, etc. I have listed a code to give some indication of how I came up with these values:
BTW, the usage factor is quite accurate for single vitamins but only an approximation for multivitamins and weight control products--one might have had much more vitamin C than the other, but much less Iron- -comparison was difficult.
I compared both the wholesale and retail Amway price to the competing product prices. The generic description of each product is followed by two percentages. These percentages give the cost of the Amway product as a percent of the cost of the competing product (i.e., a number over 100 means the Amway product costs more, 200 indicates it costs twice as much, 50 indicates it costs half as much). If the generic name is listed twice, I did more than one comparison.
I dumped it into a text file from my spreadsheet, and it might be a little difficult to read. Since it was about 160 columns wide, I split it into left and right halves. Maybe you can download it, print it, and tape the two halfs together. I was not sure what Genie and our telecommunication programs would do with 160 character text lines.
Thanks for sending me your price comparison information. If you add to it over time, I would be interested in seeing an update. I don't see how people can repeatedly insist (and they believe themselves, too!) that Amway prices are low after seeing price comparisons like yours. The usual comeback, of course, is that some specific items might be higher but overall the prices are lower, or that the quality makes up for the price. But between the two of us we have compared probably over 200 items--definitely enough for statistical significance--and as you mentioned aluminum foil is pretty much aluminum foil. I guess in the end people will convince themselves that what they want to be true is true. That, of course, is what Amway is really about.
Left Side:
Generic Amway Competing
Name Name Name %d(W) %d(R) item#
----------------------------------------------------------------------
liq laundry det SA-8w/sftn Tide 94.8% 121.1% 1
liq laundry det SA-8w/sftn Smith's 174.3% 222.6% 2
pwdr laundry det SA-8 Plus Tide (concen) 147.2% 184.8% 3
chlorine bleach All Fabric Clorox all-fab 46.4% 58.6% 4
dishwasher det CrystlBrghtCascade 349.9% 445.4% 5
dish soap DishDrops Dawn 218.3% 276.7% 6
shoe spray ShoeSpray Kiwi 65.2% 93.7% 7
multi-vitamin DoubleX SchiffMega-high 334.2% 482.8% 8
multi-vitamin DoubleX Centrum 134.5% 194.2% 9
Beta Carotene Beta Car Energen 141.8% 195.5% 10
Vit E Par..-E Energen 320.9% 474.2% 11
Bio-C Bio-C Energen/acerola 337.7% 497.1% 12
general cleaner LOC Mr Clean 84.3% 119.1% 13
window cleaner SeeSpray Windex 57.7% 81.8% 14
disinfectant Pursue Lysol spray 111.4% 158.6% 15
liq cleanser ScrubBrightSoftScrub 118.6% 158.7% 16
bug spray Bug Spray Raid 76.2% 108.2% 17
toothpaste Glister Colgate 158.1% 196.6% 18
dental floss Dntl Floss John.&John. 53.2% 59.3% 19
nail polish Artistry Loreal 104.7% 146.0% 20
nail polish Artistry MaxFactor 78.4% 109.3% 21
nail polish Artistry Covergirl 166.8% 232.7% 22
lipstick w/sun Artistry Loreal 88.3% 125.1% 23
lipstick w/sun Artistry Clarion 94.4% 133.7% 24
lipstick w/sun Artistry Maxfactor 97.6% 138.4% 25
lipstick w/sun Artistry Covergirl 146.9% 208.1% 26
facial make-up Artistry Loreal 109.7% 158.2% 27
facial make-up Artistry Clarion 125.6% 181.1% 28
air freshener ScentscapesGlade/nature 731.1% 1043.9% 29
floor wax MopMate Brite 111.8% 160.0% 30
weight drink mix Positrim WeightWatchers 110.3% 141.8% 31
weight drink mix Positrim UltraSlim-fast 173.8% 223.5% 32
juice box Active-8 TreeTop 88.6% 105.8% 33
24 exp film dev Amway Smiths 172.2% 191.0% 34
liquid soap Nature ShwrDial 98.4% 124.5% 35
liquid soap Nature ShwrClean&Smooth 237.9% 300.8% 36
bath soap Family bar Dial 149.5% 172.3% 37
bath soap Family bar Zest 146.5% 168.8% 38
moist shampoo Satinique Vidal Sasson 185.6% 256.9% 39
moist shampoo Satinique Suave 603.2% 834.8% 40
body lotion Nature shwrSoftSense 103.0% 129.4% 41
oven cleaner Amway Easy-Off 174.8% 252.2% 42
alumin foil Amway 12" Reynolds 115.5% 128.4% 43
ital salad drsingMMM Kraftfatfree 152.0% 168.3% 44
cr peanut butter Critic's ChSkippy 115.8% 134.6% 45
cr peanut butter Critic's ChAdams/all natrl 97.8% 113.7% 46
nonstick spray Vegaline Pam 133.2% 154.0% 47
twin razor bladescomfort AtraII+ 97.6% 109.2% 48
Women Fragrance C ClassiqueVanderbilt 27.7% 39.5% 49
Women Fragrance C ClassiqueChantilly 141.2% 201.4% 50
Women Fragrance C ClassiqueIncognito 53.5% 76.2% 51
chicken dinner Chateau Tyson Frozen 193.3% 211.5% 52
cranberry juice Inst Fr Ocean Spray 90.1% 104.1% 53
cookies Goodcookie Mothers 228.9% 265.2% 54
13 gal trash bag Tie/Tot recHefty tie 89.1% 99.0% 55
30 gal trash bag Tie/Tot recHefty tie 107.6% 123.0% 56
30 gal trash bag Tie/Tot recGlad key-lock 84.0% 96.0% 57
30 gal trash bag Tie/Tot recRenew 173.6% 198.5% 58
facial tissue MeadowbrookKlenex 92.4% 100.2% 59
bathroom tissue MeadowbrookCharmin 58.9% 64.2% 60
bathroom tissue MeadowbrookSmith's 159.2% 173.7% 61
paper towel MeadowbrookBounty 121.3% 132.3% 62
disp diapers (boyssmall)Huggies(boysm) 126.5% 138.9% 63
#10envelopes (general) Mead 119.1% 134.9% 64
jeans Wrangler Wrangler 110.8% 127.5% 65
dress shirt (m) Arrow Ketch 213.5% 248.1% 66
men's briefs Jockey Fruit/Loom 145.7% 169.3% 67
men's briefs Jockey Hanes 266.6% 309.6% 68
men's briefs Jockey BVD 219.7% 255.2% 69
sponges green scrubOne-Wipe 186.8% 222.5% 70
sponges green scrubSmith's 156.4% 185.7% 71
sponges green scrubScotchbrite 86.6% 102.8% 72
3.5" 1.4M disks BASF Fuji 120.3% 142.5% 73
light bulbs pwrpincher GE energy 35.4% 41.7% 74
corn flakes Critic's Kellog's 143.5% 157.0% 75
instant oatmeal none Quaker 124.6% 144.7% 76
100ISO 35mm film Scotch Fuji 80.2% 89.3% 77
100ISO 35mm film Scotch Kodak 73.4% 81.7% 78
AA batteries Amgard Energizer 142.0% 162.1% 79
alergy medicine Dir Form Actifed 15.6% 19.1% 80
alergy medicine Dir Form Benadryl 17.8% 21.8% 81
cough drops dir Form Halls 61.9% 78.6% 82
asprin Dir form Bayer 38.5% 46.5% 83
asprin Dir form Smith's 163.8% 198.0% 84
ibuprofen Dir Form Advil 74.0% 90.7% 85
ibuprofen Dir Form Smiths 261.9% 321.2% 86
chewable multivitProf Alpha Smith's 166.7% 243.0% 87
weight food bar Positrim Fibar 212.1% 270.9% 88
weight food bar Positrim CarnationB-fast 285.5% 364.7% 89
weight food bar Positrim UltraSlim-fast 79.1% 101.1% 90
eyecolor Artistry Loreal 234.1% 334.6% 91
eyecolor Artistry Clarion 238.5% 340.9% 92
eyecolor Artistry Max-Factor 238.5% 340.9% 93
SPF8sunscreen SunPacer Coppertone 111.2% 159.1% 94
furniture polish Buff-Up Pledge 175.6% 251.0% 95
AVERAGE 149.3% 188.6%
VARIANCE 109.6% 219.3%
=====================================================================
Right Side:
Amway Amway Competing Usage
item# Units whlsle unit pr unit pr Adj
--------------------------------------------------------
1 liter $7.20 $9.30 $2.61 3 L
2 liter $7.20 $9.30 $1.42 3 L
3 lbs $1.60 $2.03 $1.12 1 L
4 lbs $2.41 $3.08 $1.14 4.7 L
5 lbs $2.58 $3.32 $0.76 1 T
6 liter $6.01 $7.70 $2.27 1.25 T
7 ounce $0.54 $0.79 $0.86 1 D
8 tabset*10 $3.40 $5.00 $1.60 0.66 L
9 tabset*10 $3.40 $5.00 $1.05 2.5 L
10 tablet*10 $1.00 $1.40 $0.73 1 L
11 tablet*10 $3.18 $4.79 $1.03 1 L
12 tablet*10 $0.78 $1.17 $0.48 0.5 L
13 liter $4.70 $6.75 $2.89 2 L
14 liter $5.34 $7.70 $2.40 4 L
15 ounce $0.29 $0.42 $0.27 1 D
16 ounce*10 $1.32 $1.79 $1.15 1 D
17 ounce $0.36 $0.52 $0.49 1 D
18 ounce $0.43 $0.54 $0.28 1 I
19 yard*100 $1.34 $1.50 $2.58 1 I
20 ounce*0.5 $3.88 $5.50 $3.84 1 D
21 ounce*0.5 $3.88 $5.50 $5.13 1 D
22 ounce*0.5 $3.88 $5.50 $2.41 1 D
23 ounce*.13 $5.17 $7.45 $6.07 1 I
24 ounce*.13 $5.17 $7.45 $5.68 1 I
25 ounce*.13 $5.17 $7.45 $5.49 1 I
26 ounce*.13 $5.17 $7.45 $3.65 1 I
27 fl ounce $7.19 $10.55 $6.80 1 I
28 fl ounce $7.19 $10.55 $5.94 1 I
29 ounce $1.48 $2.15 $0.21 1 L
30 ltr $6.08 $8.85 $4.70 1.2 E
31 8 floz $0.93 $1.21 $0.87 1 L
32 8 floz $0.93 $1.21 $0.69 0.8 L
33 8.45floz $0.69 $0.83 $0.40 2 L
34 roll $7.18 $8.00 $4.27 1 I
35 fl ounce $0.28 $0.35 $0.29 1 E
36 fl ounce $0.28 $0.35 $0.12 1 D
37 ounce*10 $2.07 $2.40 $1.42 1 E
38 ounce*10 $2.07 $2.40 $1.45 1 E
39 fl ounce $0.47 $0.66 $0.26 1 E
40 fl ounce $0.47 $0.66 $0.08 1 E
41 fl ounce $0.26 $0.33 $0.26 1 I
42 ounce $0.32 $0.47 $0.19 1 D
43 sqft*100 $2.91 $3.25 $2.58 1 I
44 ounce*8 $1.87 $2.08 $1.26 1 I
45 ounce*10 $1.41 $1.65 $1.25 1 I
46 ounce*10 $1.41 $1.65 $1.48 1 I
47 ounce $0.61 $0.71 $0.47 1 I
48 each $0.40 $0.45 $0.42 1 I
49 fl ounce $6.52 $9.46 $24.43 1 I
50 fl ounce $6.52 $9.46 $4.79 1 I
51 fl ounce $6.52 $9.46 $12.65 1 I
52 ounce $0.51 $0.56 $0.27 1 I
53 quart $1.23 $1.43 $1.40 1 I
54 ounce*10 $3.86 $4.50 $1.73 1 I
55 each*10 $0.60 $0.67 $0.69 1 I
56 each*10 $1.27 $1.46 $1.21 1 I
57 each*10 $1.27 $1.46 $1.55 1 I
58 each*10 $1.27 $1.46 $0.75 1 I
59 sqft*100 $1.03 $1.12 $1.14 1 I
60 sqft*100 $0.84 $0.92 $1.46 1 I
61 sqft*100 $0.84 $0.92 $0.54 1 I
62 sqft*100 $1.79 $1.96 $1.51 1 I
63 each*10 $2.15 $2.37 $1.74 1 I
64 each*100 $2.30 $2.62 $1.98 1 I
65 each $23.75 $27.49 $21.99 1 I
66 each $22.88 $26.77 $11.00 1 I
67 each $4.26 $4.98 $3.00 1 I
68 each $4.26 $4.98 $1.64 1 I
69 each $4.26 $4.98 $1.99 1 I
70 cu in*10 $0.60 $0.72 $0.33 1 I
71 cu in*10 $1.02 $1.22 $0.67 1 I
72 cu in*10 $1.02 $1.22 $1.21 1 I
73 each $1.71 $2.04 $1.46 1 I
74 each $0.75 $0.89 $0.87 2.5 L
75 ounce*10 $1.22 $1.34 $0.87 1 I
76 ounce*10 $2.72 $3.18 $2.24 1 L
77 expsr*10 $1.01 $1.13 $1.29 1 I
78 expsr*10 $1.01 $1.13 $1.41 1 I
79 each $0.54 $0.62 $0.39 1 D
80 each*100 $3.15 $3.90 $20.79 1 L
81 each*100 $3.15 $3.90 $18.25 1 L
82 each*100 $2.78 $3.57 $4.63 1 D
83 each*100 $1.37 $1.67 $3.66 1 L
84 each*100 $1.37 $1.67 $0.86 1 L
85 each*100 $5.09 $6.30 $7.08 1 L
86 each*100 $5.09 $6.30 $2.00 1 L
87 each*10 $1.38 $2.05 $0.43 2 L
88 ounce $0.72 $0.93 $0.35 1 D
89 ounce $0.72 $0.93 $0.26 1 D
90 ounce $0.72 $0.93 $0.67 1.4 L
91 ounce*.06 $3.61 $5.25 $1.60 1 D
92 ounce*.06 $3.61 $5.25 $1.57 1 D
93 ounce*.06 $3.61 $5.25 $1.57 1 D
94 ounce $1.34 $1.95 $1.25 1 D
95 ounce $0.44 $0.64 $0.26 1 D
Price comparison was performed at Fred Meyers in Juneau on 12 June 96. I selected products based from the Amway Products and Services Catalogue and the Personal Shopper from the RDC. I avoided products with "concentration" factors which are difficult to verify. I selected standard everyday products. I did not know prices prior to selecting those products.
When comparing Fred Meyer products I tried to select two different products unless I had an exact match. For the RDC generic brands I compared them to the top name brand product and the local generic Fred Meyer brand product. A couple items were dropped because a comparable Fred Meyer product was not found.
From the 1 March Wholesale Price List I selected the product BV, Retail and Wholesale. I selected from the case price/singular column when possible to compare the smallest quantities. Often that was not possible. I included 4% shipping (except for some special ship rates). I then calculated the bonus discount if the distributor is maintaining 100PV and again with 7500PV (Direct Distributor).
I divided each cost by the unit, and compared unit price to unit price on each item. I then calculated the percent difference between the Fred Meyer product and the Amway product. A rating of 100% would mean the prices are equal. A rating of 150% means that the Amway product is 50% higher than the Fred Meyer product.
*********** Personal Shopper items ***********
Product Ret. Whlsl Whlsl Whlsl Ship. Num. Ret. Whlsl @100PV @DDPV
BV Price Price @100PV @DDPV @4% Units Unit CPU CPU CPU CPU
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
E-9387 Synth Motor Oil 5W30 27 84 69.48 68.67 62.73 2.78 12 qt 7.23 6.02 5.95 5.46
Castrol Syntech 24.54 6 4.09
177% 147% 146% 133%
E-9387 Synth Motor Oil 5W31 27 84 69.48 68.67 62.73 2.78 12 qt 7.23 6.02 5.95 5.46
Valvoline Durablend 14.94 6 2.49
290% 242% 239% 219%
E-9114 MCGel Bug & Tar Rmvr 6.4 7.1 5.26 5.07 3.66 0.21 11.5 oz 0.64 0.48 0.46 0.34
Turtle Wax Bug and Tar Rmvr 2.99 12 0.25
255% 191% 184% 135%
E-606 Deter Sports Stick 3.7 4.9 3.87 3.76 2.95 0.15 2.1 oz 2.38 1.9 1.85 1.46
Antiprs Speed Stick 2.49 3.3 0.77
311% 248% 241% 191%
E-606 Deter Sports Stick 3.7 4.9 3.87 3.76 2.95 0.15 2.1 oz 2.41 1.92 1.86 1.48
Right Guard Sport Stick 1.69 2 0.85
285% 227% 221% 175%
E-732 Satinique Mousse 6 6.9 5.15 4.97 3.65 0.21 5.2 oz 1.37 1.03 1 0.74
Thicker Fuller Hair Mousse 4.99 6 0.83
164% 124% 120% 89%
E-732 Satinique Mousse 6 6.9 5.15 4.97 3.65 0.21 5.2 oz 1.37 1.03 1 0.74
Salon Selectives 2.29 7 0.33
418% 315% 304% 227%
E-1208 Satinique Shamp 6.4 7.3 5.62 5.43 4.02 0.22 8.4 oz 0.9 0.7 0.67 0.51
Head & Shoulders 3.99 15 0.27
337% 262% 253% 190%
E-1208 Satinique Shamp 6.4 7.3 5.62 5.43 4.02 0.22 8.4 oz 0.9 0.7 0.67 0.51
Selsun Blue 7.59 11 0.69
130% 101% 98% 73%
E-9530 Glister Toothpaste 3.35 4.15 3.64 3.54 2.8 0.15 6.8 oz 0.64 0.56 0.55 0.44
Crest Tartar Control 2.19 6.4 0.34
186% 164% 160% 128%
Flouride, anti plaque
E-9530 Glister Toothpaste 3.35 4.15 3.64 3.54 2.8 0.15 6.8 oz 0.63 0.56 0.54 0.43
FMV Brand 1.19 6.4 0.19
340% 299% 291% 233%
Flouride, anti plaque
E-9551 Shave Creme 3.75 4.8 3.87 3.76 2.93 0.15 8 oz 0.62 0.5 0.49 0.39
Edge Gel 1.99 7 0.28
218% 177% 172% 136%
E-9551 Shave Creme 3.75 4.8 3.87 3.76 2.93 0.15 8 oz 0.62 0.5 0.49 0.39
Gillette w/ Aloe 2.69 18 0.15
414% 337% 327% 258%
E-8087 Sunscreen SPF 15 8.9 9.95 7.17 6.9 4.95 0.29 4 oz 2.56 1.86 1.8 1.31
Coppertone Protect & Tan 15 6.99 4 1.75
146% 107% 103% 75%
E-8087 Sunscreen SPF 16 8.9 9.95 7.17 6.9 4.95 0.29 4 oz 2.56 1.86 1.8 1.31
Personal Choice 15 2.97 4 0.74
345% 251% 242% 176%
A-5570 Aspirin 325 mg 14.4 26.6 21.44 21.01 17.84 0.86 1200 tab 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02
Bayer 325 mg 7.49 200 0.04
61% 50% 49% 42%
A-5570 Aspirin 325 mg 14.4 26.6 21.44 21.01 17.84 0.86 1200 tab 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02
Fred Meyer 8.79 1000 0.01
260% 211% 207% 177%
E-9670 Nutripet Dog Food 48.2 61.4 54.86 53.41 42.81 2.19 40 lb 1.59 1.43 1.39 1.13
NutroMax Lamb&Rice 37 40 0.93
(Not Fred Meyer) 172% 154% 150% 122%
E-9670 Nutripet Dog Food 48.2 61.4 54.86 53.41 42.81 2.19 40 lb 1.59 1.43 1.39 1.13
Purina One Dog Formula 17.49 20 0.87
182% 163% 159% 129%
E-799 Pre-Wash Spray 7.05 8.1 6.02 5.81 4.26 0.24 13 oz 0.64 0.48 0.47 0.35
SprayNWash Aerosol 2.99 20 0.15
429% 322% 311% 231%
E-799 Pre-Wash Spray 7.05 8.1 6.02 5.81 4.26 0.24 13 oz 0.64 0.48 0.47 0.35
Shout 3.29 16 0.21
312% 234% 226% 168%
E-796 Blue Power Bowl Cln 6.7 7.5 5.52 5.32 3.85 0.22 6 oz 1.29 0.96 0.92 0.68
Vanish Drop-ins 1.37 3.8 0.36
357% 265% 256% 188%
E-796 Blue Power Bowl Cln 6.7 7.5 5.52 5.32 3.85 0.22 6 oz 1.29 0.96 0.92 0.68
Ty D Bowl 1.67 1.7 0.98
1 31% 97% 94% 69%
E-8929 Buff Up Dust Spray 6.6 7.6 5.68 5.48 4.03 0.23 12 oz 0.65 0.49 0.48 0.35
Endust 3.89 10 0.39
168% 127% 122% 91%
E-9945 Hard Surface Protectant 8.3 9.2 7.08 6.83 5.01 0.28 7 oz 1.35 1.05 1.02 0.76
Rain Shield Spray 5.39 6 0.9
151% 117% 113% 84%
E-8950 d-15 Insect Repellant 7.7 8.7 6.38 6.15 4.46 0.26 9 oz 1 0.74 0.71 0.52
Deep Woods Off 4.99 6 0.83
120% 89% 86% 63%
E-8727 Oven Cleaner 6.65 7.65 5.72 5.52 4.06 0.23 16 oz 0.49 0.37 0.36 0.27
Dow Oven Cleaner 2.58 19.2 0.13
366% 277% 267% 199%
E-8727 Oven Cleaner 6.65 7.65 5.72 5.52 4.06 0.23 16 oz 0.49 0.37 0.36 0.27
Easy Off 3.53 16 0.22
223% 169% 163% 121%
E-8148 Spray Carpet Cleaner 7.4 8.6 6.4 6.18 4.55 0.26 21 oz 0.42 0.32 0.31 0.23
Woolite One Step 4.59 22 0.21
2 02% 152% 147% 110%
E-8148 Spray Carpet Cleaner 7.4 8.6 6.4 6.18 4.55 0.26 21 oz 0.42 0.32 0.31 0.23
Resolve 4.49 22 0.2
207% 155% 150% 112%
Personal Shopper Avgs...........................................................................245% 192% 187% 145%
*********** RDC Items ***********
X-7404-A5 SweetNLow 4.99 15.38 13.88 13.73 12.63 0.56 800 pkt 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02
SweetNLow 3.95 250 0.02
126% 114% 113% 104%
X-3386-A5 Bigelow Var Tea 6.65 20.35 18.35 18.15 16.69 0.73 168 bag 0.13 0.11 0.11 0.1
Bigelow Var Herb tea 2.69 18 0.15
84% 76% 75% 69%
X-6541-A5 Raisin Bran 7.33 23.39 21.19 20.97 19.36 0.85 120 oz 0.2 0.18 0.18 0.17
Kelloggs Raisin Bran 3.79 20 0.19
107% 97% 96% 89%
X-6541-A5 Raisin Bran 7.33 23.39 21.19 20.97 19.36 0.85 120 oz 0.2 0.18 0.18 0.17
FMW Raisin Bran 4.49 35 0.13
157% 143% 142% 131%
X-6507-A5 Toasted Oats 6.65 21.18 19.18 18.98 17.52 0.77 90 oz 0.24 0.22 0.22 0.2
Cheerios 3.17 15 0.21
115% 105% 104% 96%
X-6507-A5 Toasted Oats 6.65 21.18 19.18 18.98 17.52 0.77 90 oz 0.24 0.22 0.22 0.2
Malto Meal Toasty O's 2.17 15 0.14
169% 153% 152% 140%
X-2027-A5 Kelloggs Var pk 12.99 40.21 36.31 35.92 33.06 1.45 72 bx 0.58 0.52 0.52 0.48
Kellogg Sing Var Pak 3.87 10 0.39
Small cereal boxes 150% 136% 134% 124%
X-4423-A5 Map Syrup (2%real) 15.15 39.32 35.82 35.37 32.03 1.43 288 oz 0.14 0.13 0.13 0.12
Log Cabin 4.99 36 0.14
102% 93% 92% 84%
X-4423-A5 Map Syrup (2%real) 15.15 39.32 35.82 35.37 32.03 1.43 288 oz 0.14 0.13 0.13 0.12
Fred Meyer Syrup 2.79 36 0.08
183% 167% 165% 150%
Z-4784-A5 Kaukauna Ched Melt 11.99 37.57 33.97 33.61 30.97 1.36 144 oz 0.27 0.25 0.24 0.22
Cheez Whiz 3.28 12 0.27
Squeeze bottle of process cheese 99% 90% 89% 82%
X-5362-A5 Microwave Popcorn 5.16 16.53 14.98 14.83 13.69 0.6 24 ea 0.71 0.65 0.64 0.6
Pop Secret (3.5 oz bags - typ) 2 3 0.67
Reg Butter flavor claims 10 cups 107% 97% 96% 89%
X-5362-A5 Microwave Popcorn 5.16 16.53 14.98 14.83 13.69 0.6 24 ea 0.71 0.65 0.64 0.6
Fred Meyer 1.5 3 0.5
Reg Butter flavor claims 10 cups 143% 130% 129% 119%
X-5258-A5 Creamy Peanut Btr 7.99 25.75 23.35 23.11 21.35 0.93 168 oz 0.16 0.14 0.14 0.13
Jif Creamy 5.19 40 0.13
122% 111% 110% 102%
X-5258-A5 Creamy Peanut Btr 7.99 25.75 23.35 23.11 21.35 0.93 168 oz 0.16 0.14 0.14 0.13
Fred Meyer Creamy 4.73 40 0.12
134% 122% 121% 112%
X-5246-A5 Ketchup 3.16 10.68 9.73 9.64 8.94 0.39 112 oz 0.1 0.09 0.09 0.08
Heinz 1.29 28 0.05
215% 196% 194% 181%
X-5246-A5 Ketchup 3.16 10.68 9.73 9.64 8.94 0.39 112 oz 0.1 0.09 0.09 0.08
Fred Meyer 0.88 28 0.03
314% 287% 285% 265%
Z-5182-A5 Choco Flav Syrup 6.99 22.54 20.44 20.23 18.69 0.82 144 oz 0.16 0.15 0.15 0.14
Hershey Syrup 1.89 24 0.08
Ice cream topping 206% 187% 186% 172%
Z-5182-A5 Choco Flav Syrup 6.99 22.54 20.44 20.23 18.69 0.82 144 oz 0.16 0.15 0.15 0.14
Fred Meyer 1.5 24 0.06
Ice cream topping 260% 236% 234% 217%
X-7723-H5 Veg Oil Spray 4.49 9.19 8.3 8.17 7.18 0.33 12 oz 0.79 0.72 0.71 0.63
Pam 3.37 8 0.42
Non-stick spray 188% 171% 168% 149%
X-7723-H5 Veg Oil Spray 4.49 9.19 8.3 8.17 7.18 0.33 12 oz 0.79 0.72 0.71 0.63
Fred Meyer 2.19 6 0.37
Non-stick spray 217% 197% 194% 171%
WZ-6294-A5 Freezer Bag 1 Gal 6.65 20.94 18.94 18.74 17.28 0.76 200 ea 0.11 0.1 0.1 0.09
Ziplock Freezer 1 Gal 3.79 30 0.13
86% 78% 77% 71%
WZ-6294-A5 Freezer Bag 1 Gal 6.65 20.94 18.94 18.74 17.28 0.76 200 ea 0.11 0.1 0.1 0.09
Gladlock Freezer 2.59 15 0.17
63% 57% 56% 52%
Z-6310-A5 Aluminum Foil 4.66 14.56 13.16 13.02 12 0.53 400 sf 0.04 0.03 0.03 0.03
Reynolds Wrap 5.88 200 0.03
128% 116% 115% 106%
Z-6310-A5 Aluminum Foil 4.66 14.56 13.16 13.02 12 0.53 400 sf 0.04 0.03 0.03 0.03
FMW Aluminum Wrap 2.19 75 0.03
129% 117% 116% 107%
Z-6295-A5 Plastic Food Wrap 5.66 17.57 15.87 15.7 14.46 0.63 1200 sf 0.02 0.01 0.01 0.01
Glad Clingwrap 2.57 200 0.01
118% 107% 106% 98%
Z-6295-A5 Plastic Food Wrap 5.66 17.57 15.87 15.7 14.46 0.63 1200 sf 0.02 0.01 0.01 0.01
Fred Meyer 1.99 200 0.01
152% 138% 137% 126%
X-4330-A5 Paper Towels 13.33 43.04 39.05 38.65 35.72 4.25 2059.8 sf 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02
Bounty 1.75 80.6 0.02 0 0 0
2-ply, comes in case, $4.25 S&H 106% 97% 96% 89%
X-4330-A5 Paper Towels 13.33 43.04 39.05 38.65 35.72 4.25 2059.8 sf 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02
Fred Meyer 2.29 170.5 0.01
2-ply, comes in case, $4.25 S&H 171% 157% 155% 144%
X-4335-A5 Bathroom Tissue 13.33 44.24 40.25 39.85 36.92 4.25 4002 sf 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01
Charmin Ultra 3.39 187 0.02
2-ply, qltd, case, $4.25 S&H 67% 61% 61% 57%
X-4335-A5 Bathroom Tissue 13.33 44.24 40.25 39.85 36.92 4.25 4002 sf 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01
Personal Choice Quilted 7.73 924 0.01
2-ply, qltd, case, $4.25 S&H 145% 133% 132% 123%
X-6617-A5 Aqua sol Dental Floss 3.99 12.21 11.01 10.89 10.01 0.44 800 yd 0.02 0.01 0.01 0.01
Oral B mint/wax 1.49 55 0.03
mint, waxed 58% 53% 52% 48%
X-6617-A5 Aqua sol Dental Floss 3.99 12.21 11.01 10.89 10.01 0.44 800 yd 0.02 0.01 0.01 0.01
Fred Meyer 1.19 100 0.01
mint, waxed 133% 120% 119% 110%
X-6613-A5 Bandages 4.99 15.26 13.76 13.61 12.51 0.55 280 ea 0.06 0.05 0.05 0.05
BandAids 60 assorted 2.49 60 0.04
70 count box, assorted 136% 123% 122% 112%
X-6680-A5 Cotton Swabs 5.84 13.28 11.98 11.8 10.52 0.48 1600 ea 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01
Q-Tips 2.39 300 0.01
108% 98% 96% 86%
X-6680-A5 Cotton Swabs 5.84 13.28 11.98 11.8 10.52 0.48 1600 ea 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01
Fred Meyer 2.39 500 0
180% 163% 161% 144%
X-7439-A5 Fuji Film 100 ISO 7.33 22.39 20.19 19.97 18.36 0.81 168 exp 0.14 0.12 0.12 0.11
Fuji 100 Super HGII 6.99 84 0.08
166% 150% 149% 137%
Z-4704-A5 AA alk. batteries 9.99 30.53 27.53 27.23 25.03 1.1 48 ea 0.66 0.6 0.59 0.54
Duracell AA 5.99 8 0.75
88% 80% 79% 73%
Z-6658-A5 Videocassette Tapes 6.65 20.57 18.57 18.37 16.91 0.74 7 ea 3.04 2.76 2.73 2.52
JVC 120 EGH 7.09 3 2.36
129% 117% 116% 107%
RDC Avgs........................................................................................141% 128% 127% 117%
Overal Avgs.....................................................................................187% 156% 153% 129%