Why it pays to keep track of prices and stock up

If you guys recall, throughout last year CostCo was selling the Lifestraw 4-pack. As time went by, the prices kept dropping:

Until, finally, they hit the “stick-them-in-a-corner-and-blow-them-out-we-need-the-space’ price of $4.25 ea. I bought a bunch and some of you got them as Paratus gifts.

So’, Im in CostCo yesterday and beheld this absurdity:

We’ve gone from a low of $4.25 each, to a WTF price of $12.50 ea. In Januray, of all times. Dunno the reason behind this but I can tell you that I was absolutely tickled to think I got as many of these as I did at the $4.25@ price.

Moral of the story: when the price is right…buy and  buy hard.

 

11 thoughts on “Why it pays to keep track of prices and stock up

  1. Geez, 4 for $17 was a helluva deal, for a critical need. Not that bulky to store either. Smart shopping that.

  2. Kinda reminds me of the days when 5.45 x 39 7N6 could be had for $89 per 1080 round case delivered to your door.

    • Dude, in the early 90’s I could get an SKS and a case of 7/62×39 (steel core) delivered to my door for $159.99.

  3. The big black Berkey filters have also gone through the roof, if you can find them. Glad I got mine.

  4. Good field reporting sir. This is a good study example of how wildly prices can swing, from many causations, that affect end users and consumers. A prepper / survivalist will really have to keep an ear to the ground for sales, closeout-clearances, etc that may rarely but periodically appear to their benefit. Corporate spaz outs or a.i.-tech triggered clearances of inventory. Having spreadsheets and fond memories of prices in days long gone is quaint, but rendered useless by fiat money inflation, market manipulation schemes and .gov forced costs upon business all reflected in your new shelf tag numbers. The mathematics and causes behind these price swings is always active, expect more of similar trajectories and results, it is inevitable. Why aren’t pallets of crates of various Norinco products available at Costco as well, surely demand and ample profit margins are present for this economic endeavor?

    Shop smart to stay frosty.

  5. Just me and the wife. I already had a few of these on hand. When Costco starting giving them away I grabbed 2 of those 4 packs. Enough for us and a few to share. Sometimes I’ll see a deal and think “no I don’t need anymore” But then that voice in the back of my head whispers and I put it in the cart. Kinda like the canned beef. Never have too much

  6. This is a resupply,will go on clearance again. This has been a NPC price check,thank you for playing

  7. I got 2 4-packs at my Costco for $9 each when there was less than 20 of them left in the display. I should’ve bought more but succumbed to the wife’s wtf gaze. 😀

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