Weird E-Bay deal of the day

[Shearwater]

We just received our Weber Q1000 grill today. Paid $179.99 with free shipping. It's got the titanium (off white) lid, in new condition. Seller was located in Champlain, NY but the grill was shipped by Walmart in Indianapolis. Further strangeness, the seller let us know there would be a two week delay, which there indeed was. Now we could have ordered it direct from Walmart for only $209.99. Can anyone explain the economics of this deal? Or do we just chalk it up to "supply chain" issues? By the way, we're not complaining!

[Vermilye]

Many small (and even large) businesses use the Amazon or Walmart marketplace to sell their products. They set the price. I've often found that both Amazon & Walmart have a higher price for the same item as their marketplace sellers, although you do need to check on the shipping. Sometimes free, other times expensive.

I do wonder about the physical movement of the product - does the seller in Champlain, NY actually ship the product to a specific Walmart, the nearest Walmart, of just do a paper transfer & Walmart ships it from stock.

[Ron in BC]

Originally Posted by Vermilye

I do wonder about the physical movement of the product - does the seller in Champlain, NY actually ship the product to a specific Walmart, the nearest Walmart, of just do a paper transfer & Walmart ships it from stock.

Back in the day we used to call that drop shipping. The seller isn't usually in possession of the item at any time.

Ron

[WillyB]

Makes you wonder what Walmart's margin was on that deal. I'd bet it's way more than that particular seller.

[Chasing Trials]

Originally Posted by Shearwater

We just received our Weber Q1000 grill today. Paid $179.99 with free shipping. It's got the titanium (off white) lid, in new condition. Seller was located in Champlain, NY but the grill was shipped by Walmart in Indianapolis. Further strangeness, the seller let us know there would be a two week delay, which there indeed was. Now we could have ordered it direct from Walmart for only $209.99. Can anyone explain the economics of this deal? Or do we just chalk it up to "supply chain" issues? By the way, we're not complaining!

That's why I will reseach at amazon, but then go look & see if I can find it at a "little guy". Sometimes much closer (say SC vs CA ) to me in NC. As that can add a week.