If I won a contest that let me go on a shopping spree at any retailer of my choice, hands down I'd choose Amazon. Where else can you get organic cereal, a couch, makeup, ebooks, and a laptop in one place--without ever having to leave your home?
As you may already know, Amazon is constantly offering a number of different deals on products across all categories. There's Gold Box (new deals every day), Ongoing Best Deals, a Friday Sale, Deals & Bargains, and Warehouse Deals. Recently, Amazon slashed the price of its Kindle 2 e-book reader, from $359 to $299.
In today's TechSaver Test, I'm challenging Amazon to a savings duel. First to battle with me is the Apple MacBook Air 13.3-inch laptop. Then it's the Sennheiser PX100 headphones, followed by the BlackBerry Storm 9530, the BlueAnt Red Z9i speakerphone, and the Hitachi 1TB internal hard drive. Which ones will draw blood and which will be leave unscathed? Find out, after the jump.
Apple MacBook Air 13.3" Laptop (1.8 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor)
(Regularly $2,799.99; Now $2,549.99)--Bad Deal!
Been saving up for a MacBook Air? This model for sale on Amazon offers 2GB of RAM, a 64GB Solid-State Drive, an Intel GMA X3100 video processor, and a 13.3-inch glossy LED-backlit screen. You get free Super Saving Shipping on your order, but sales tax will be charged if shipping the Air to Kansas, Kentucky, New York, North Dakota, or Washington. But look what we have here, folks: MacMall.com has the same MacBook Air model for a generous $1,199.99; a difference of $1,350! That's one AMAZING deal.
Sennheiser PX100
(Regularly $64.95; Now $35.98)
PCMag Audio Analyst Tim Gideon rated the PX100 headphone set 4 stars out of 5, touting its light weight (2.1 ounces) and excellent audio performance. But is $35 an excellent price as
well? You betcha!
BlackBerry Storm 9530 (Verizon Wireless)
(Regularly $499.99; Now $49.99)--Good Deal!
Sale expires on July 31, 2009
A powerful phone for Verizon, the BlackBerry Storm 9530 scored 4 stars out of 5 when PCMag Mobile Analyst Sascha Segan put it to the test. It has a big touch screen (that actually clicks), fast Internet speeds, solid GPS and media players, and a 3.2-megapixel built-in camera. Is it possible to find a price that's lower than Amazon's quoted $49.99 (with new service plan)? Absolutely not--it's already a great deal! Permission to splurge, TechSaver readers.
BlueAnt Z9i (Red)
(Regularly $119.99; Now $43.99)--Good Deal!
Sale expires on July 31, 2009
Also rated 4 out of 5 stars on PCMag.com, the Z9i is a stylish Bluetooth headset that delivers clear sound quality, easy-to-press controls, and a comfortable fit. Battery life is on the short side, though, so be sure to charge it often. With a price coming in at under $50, this deal is too hard to resist, especially since it's the cheapest price you'll find on the Web. Good deal verified!
Hitachi 1 TB 16MB 7200RPM SATA Bulk/OEM Hard Drive
(Regularly $139.99; Now $79.99)--So-So Deal!
Sale expires on July 15, 2009
I fainted when I saw this 1TB internal hard drive for just $80 on Amazon with free shipping. (Ok, so I didn't actually faint, but I could have if I didn't eat my lunch!) Then I nearly fell off my couch when I learned that this wasn't the best deal out there. Sorry Amazon, but NewEgg is selling the Hitachi 1TB Hard Drive for $74.99, with free shipping, too. But wait, not so fast. Both Amazon and NewEgg charge sales tax for orders delivered to certain states. So, if you're shipping the 1TB drive to any of the following states, here's the retailer you should go with in order to avoid sales tax and get the best price:
Kansas, Kentucky, New York, North Dakota, and Washington: buy on NewEgg.com
California, New Jersey, and Tennessee: buy on Amazon.com.
If your state isn't listed above, go with NewEgg.com's price.
Is a store running a sale that you want me to put to the TechSaver Test? Send me an e-mail at TechSaver@pcmag.com, and I'll investigate.
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July 12, 2009 7:04 AM
Update:
Amazon has dropped it's price to match NewEgg.
BUT, you're wrong about Amazon's sales tax policy. They are still surrendering to NY, which has the highest combined tax burden in the country. NewEgg does not collect NY tax!! Amazon should terminate their affiliation agreements with NY companies, dealing the tax-crazed NY Democrats a double blow - depriving them of illegal sales taxes AND hurting their local economy. I bought 4 Hitachi drives from NewEgg, and saved $22.12. Wish I could move out of this tax Hell.
July 12, 2009 7:45 AM
Whoops, sorry Jenn, I just re-read your post and realized that you got it right about using NewEgg to send to NY. I must be slightly dyslexic.
July 12, 2009 4:49 PM
Amazon's prize on the Blackberry storm is $199, not $49
July 13, 2009 2:13 PM
One thing you have to learn to watch for on Amazon is WHO the seller actually is. This can cause pricing to vary wildly.
I bought an HP2130 from Tiger Direct thru Amazon in December for $299.00 ~ but I had to keep logging in for days until Tiger Direct had it back in stock. While they were out, Amazon was providing it from another vendor for $499.00. I would say this is what happened with your Macbook Air example above.
I am also watching the same thing happen right now with a Seiko watch ~ it can vary from day to day depending on who has it in stock.
As in everything in life, be an informed consumer, and be patient if need be, as it can save you a bundle!
July 13, 2009 2:35 PM
You use puzzling rounding rules... In Sennheiser $35.99 rounds to $36., NOT $35.! I've had my mind set to round up on most pricing, so I know the real price. $97. is $100., $4.97 is $5., $19.95 (seems to be the new "magic" price point on infomercials) is $20. etc.
At nearly half price, either Amazon or the Egg are great deals on the 1TB Hitachi - no two ways about it. Of course, I'd go with the Egg in any case as the Egg normally uses a faster shipping method on their "free" shipping than Amazon does. Of course, where the item actually ships from will play a large part in ship time. The stuff I order from the Egg mostly ships from their NJ subsidiary and often gets here overnight.
.bh.
PS: Amazon's price is now $75. as well. .bh.
July 13, 2009 3:42 PM
Brian - Looks like Amazon changed the price of the BlackBerry Storm pretty quickly, because it WAS $49.99 when I looked at it! When I go back to the Ongoing Deals page, however, it says "Low Price" that's supposed to be offered through July 31. Guess that's how they get ya - by changing the price on us to keep us guessing on that low price! http://www.amazon.com/gp/goldbox/best-deals//ref=xs_gb_bd_pg_2?ie=UTF8¤tPage=3&ma=Score&resultsPerPage=10
July 13, 2009 3:50 PM
Aldo--yeah, I tend to only like to point to deals on Amazon when that product is sold by Amazon and not through other sellers. You're right in that when a seller is replaced by another, the price can change dramatically. As a consumer, that can be so frustrating! But yes, patience is key!!
July 13, 2009 3:55 PM
Bill Hill--you got me! You can tell it was Friday and I was a little out of it. This goes back to tenth grade when I lost one point on a NY Regents Course II math exam because I forgot to round up my answer!!
I live in Jersey, so I always get NewEgg products delivered the next day (I love it!) or two days. But I basically wanted to focus more on the final price rather than when you should expect to receive the product. However, you do bring up a good point.
And you're right--looks like Amazon is now matching NewEgg's price!
July 14, 2009 12:26 AM
I hate to say this but, in the state of California, you are required by law to pay a use tax, which is the same as the sales tax for the area in which you live, for any out of state purchases, with the exception of food and medicine, if the retailer does not collect the California sales tax on your purchase. Just thought it would be wise for Gearlog or PCMag to avoid advising readers to commit a crime...