Buying Stuff

If you look back over the last few years, you might notice some of your purchasing patterns, and you might notice that you're getting ripped off. That's certainly been the case with me. Here is some stuff I buy, why I think it's good, and where to get it for a good price.

Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer SPF 15
cetaphil.ca

Rexall/Pharma Plus -- doesn't have it in my neighbourhood
Shoppers Drug Mart -- rip off -- $16.49
well.ca -- $13.35
pharmacy.ca -- $12.99

I use this stuff after every shower. Without it, my skin is unhappy. It's hands-down the best moisturizer product I've ever used.


Oral-B Ultra Floss (mint, 50m)
oralb.com

Rexall/Pharma Plus -- doesn't have it in my neighbourhood
Shoppers Drug Mart -- rip off -- $4.99 (and it's often sold out)
well.ca -- $3.99
pharmacy.ca -- $3.79

Unlike any other floss, this will both fit between tight teeth and clean them well. They have a gimmick of marking on the floss where you should cut it, but at a too large size. Despite knowing this, I find myself cutting at the blue marks anyway. So I guess it's a successful gimmick.

What I would really like is to be able to buy just spools of re-fill floss and save on the overhead of the packaging. If anyone has a contact in a floss-factory, please hook me up.

Comparison:

Buying 3 cetaphil and 3 ultrafloss from pharmacy.ca (not bad)
Sub Total: $50.34
13% HST: $6.54
Delivery: $5.49
Total: $62.37

Buying 3 cetaphil and 3 ultrafloss from well.ca (the winner)
Sub-Total: $52.02
13% HST: $6.76
Shipping: $0.00
Total: $58.78

So, I'll be shopping at well.ca from now on.

P.S. It arrived today (Oct 7th). Two thumbs up. Here's the loot.




Follow-up (Oct 29th 2010)

I price-checked a list of things that I normally buy from the Rexall Pharma Plus in my neighbourhood. I had expected well.ca to be the winner for most non-massive (because of the free shipping) items, but Pharma Plus has the better price for many items. On Nov 5th, I swung by a Shoppers Drug Mart for more price checks. They are absolutely atrocious.

Strepsils, Honey & Lemon, 24 lozenges
well.ca $3.99
Pharma Plus $4.49
Shoppers $5.49

Ricola Cough Drop, Lemon Mint, 75 g
well.ca $3.59
Pharma Plus $3.99
Shoppers $4.49

Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion, 500 ml
well.ca $17.59
Pharma Plus $17.99
Shoppers $19.99

Cepacol, Citrus, Extra Strength, 18 lozenges
well.ca $3.59
Pharma Plus $3.99
Shoppers $4.49

Neutrogena Men Razor Defense Face Scrub, 123 ml

well.ca $10.75

Shoppers $11.99

Chloraseptic Sore Throat Spray, Soothing Citrus, 177 ml

well.ca $10.25

Shoppers $11.99

Ozonol, 30g

well.ca $7.95

Shoppers $9.99
 
Head & Shoulders, Classic Clean, 2-in-1, 700 ml
well.ca $12.27
Pharma Plus $10.99
Shoppers $12.49

Gillette 3X Clear Gel Deodorant, Wild Rain, 85 g
well.ca $4.89
Pharma Plus $3.99

Colgate Total, Advance Health, Whitening, 170 ml
well.ca $5.75
Pharma Plus $5.29
Shoppers $5.99

Softsoap, Aloe Vera, Liquid Hand Soap Refill, 950 ml
well.ca $4.89
Pharma Plus $3.99
Shoppers $5.49

Jamieson, Vitamin C, Wild Blueberry, 500 mg, 120 Chewable Tablets
well.ca $9.15
Pharma Plus $7.99
Shoppers $8.99

Fleecy, Fresh Air, 80 Dryer Sheets
well.ca $8.19
Pharma Plus $6.99


So I guess the result is that you should shop at well.ca or Pharma Plus based on convenience, but avoid Shoppers Drug Mart like the plague.