A Big Deal On A Little Card
I've been looking to get a new Secure Digital memory card, but as it wasn't an emergency, I've been waiting to see one on sale. I was also debating if the SD card should be a standard SD card, or one of the newer, smaller SD cards. As the smaller cards can be used reportedly with an adapter just like a full size card when needed, the only penalty is added cost.
Last week Staple's had the card on sale for $19.95 with no rebates. It was a Micro SD card, and it seemed like a good deal. Just to make sure I was getting a good deal, I took a surf on over to the NewEgg site. There were plenty of one gig Micro SD cards in the $10 range from name brand manufacturers. I was getting ready to choose the brand when I realized that the shipping costs were $4.99. While I could still get it for five bucks less than Staples, knowing that the weight of one of these cards is almost nothing, it seemed they were taking advantage of the shipping charges to pad the profits. I decided to wait, and if I didn't find a better deal in a few weeks, I would order one. I really think that if I order something else, and they can ship both items in one box, I shouldn't have to pay the $4.99 charge.
Totally out of the blue, Microcenter emails me a coupon for a one gig Micro SD card for a mere $9.99. Now we're talking, and as I can pick it up, no shipping (I'll refrain from calculating in the $3 plus per gallon gas...ouch!) the only catch is that it is one of these "bulk packaging" deal which translates to just the item with no packaging. I wander around the store, probably as they intended, and I find the display of flash memory cards. While they have every brand out and displayed, they don't have any of these generic cards out for sale. It turns out they keep them behind the service desk. I headed on over, the associate goes in the back, and returns with the card, and the adapter, all in a clear case that is the size of a compact flash card case. As I went for my wallet to pay, imagine my surprise that my generic memory in bulk packaging was actually Kingston brand! If we buy it directly from Kingston, the price is $15 before shipping. Even if I buy it directly off of the Microcenter site, it is also $14.99. I'm also glad that the card is from Kingston as this way it has a lifetime warranty, and I have had a few cards go bad over the last few years.
Reproduced below is exactly what I purchased:
I think the take home message is to not assume that the online retailers have the better deal, as their are some good deals locally. If you have a Microcenter near you, be sure to sign up for their email coupons here.
--Jonas
Last week Staple's had the card on sale for $19.95 with no rebates. It was a Micro SD card, and it seemed like a good deal. Just to make sure I was getting a good deal, I took a surf on over to the NewEgg site. There were plenty of one gig Micro SD cards in the $10 range from name brand manufacturers. I was getting ready to choose the brand when I realized that the shipping costs were $4.99. While I could still get it for five bucks less than Staples, knowing that the weight of one of these cards is almost nothing, it seemed they were taking advantage of the shipping charges to pad the profits. I decided to wait, and if I didn't find a better deal in a few weeks, I would order one. I really think that if I order something else, and they can ship both items in one box, I shouldn't have to pay the $4.99 charge.
Totally out of the blue, Microcenter emails me a coupon for a one gig Micro SD card for a mere $9.99. Now we're talking, and as I can pick it up, no shipping (I'll refrain from calculating in the $3 plus per gallon gas...ouch!) the only catch is that it is one of these "bulk packaging" deal which translates to just the item with no packaging. I wander around the store, probably as they intended, and I find the display of flash memory cards. While they have every brand out and displayed, they don't have any of these generic cards out for sale. It turns out they keep them behind the service desk. I headed on over, the associate goes in the back, and returns with the card, and the adapter, all in a clear case that is the size of a compact flash card case. As I went for my wallet to pay, imagine my surprise that my generic memory in bulk packaging was actually Kingston brand! If we buy it directly from Kingston, the price is $15 before shipping. Even if I buy it directly off of the Microcenter site, it is also $14.99. I'm also glad that the card is from Kingston as this way it has a lifetime warranty, and I have had a few cards go bad over the last few years.
Reproduced below is exactly what I purchased:
I think the take home message is to not assume that the online retailers have the better deal, as their are some good deals locally. If you have a Microcenter near you, be sure to sign up for their email coupons here.
--Jonas
Labels: flash memory, micro SD, Microcenter
posted by digitaldoc at 9:22 PM
1 Comments:
Usually the only way your local store can have a better deal is if they have SUPER sales, rebates, or clearances. I keep looking for cheap prices on SATA drives, and so far even with rebates newegg is the same price :(.
You just have to do research to make sure you are getting the best deal you can!!
Mike
Or ask for it for a b-day or Christmas present :p
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