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Prior Lake, Minnesota
January 7, 2009 • (952) 447-6669
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Why is Petco so expensive?
Submitted by Lori Carlson on May 30, 2008 - 11:35am.
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Why does Petco charge such high prices for their products?
Specifically, I'd like to know why a 30-pound box of Arm and Hammer Super Scoop cat litter costs $18.99 at Petco, while Petsmart charges $11.99 for the same box and Target charges $11.49 for a 35-pound box. Petco charges a whopping $7 more!!
Cat litter isn't the only thing that costs more at Petco. When we first got our dog, we regularly bought some 100-percent chicken treats for her. They were about $6 or $7 more at Petco than anywhere else.
What gives? I'd expect slightly higher prices - slightly - at smaller shops like Urbanimal or more independent chains like Chuck and Don's. But Petco? They're huge. And they happen to be the only major pet supply retailer near my home, so it would be nice if I could afford to buy basic supplies from them.
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For now, I'll keep buying my cat litter at Target.
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I've found that some pretty...
Back to page topI've found that some pretty good deals could be had on pet supplies at Menards (of all places) as well.
I've found Menards generally has good prices on both bones and treats.
Fleet Farm has some of the...
Back to page topFleet Farm has some of the best prices on Science Diet dog food. It all seems to come down to the chain stores that can buy items in massive quantities.
I just think it's robbery...
Back to page topI just think it's robbery for Petco to charge so much more. I mean, why do they need to get $7 a box more for cat litter than anywhere else? It's just wrong!
Robbery requires force. For...
Back to page topRobbery requires force.
For instance if the city decided that Petco was the only store we could go to, I would have an issue.
If Petco wants to charge $7 and someone wants to pay because they don't want to go to fleet farm - who are we to interfere.
Petco offers lots of discounts for "club" members, so it is sort of like Pizza.
They have high prices but hardly anyone really pays that amount.
If the price is too high, don't buy it there.
The original post complained that they wanted to buy it there because it was close and that is what they depend on - people will pay for location.
Well, that's true, I...
Back to page topWell, that's true, I suppose. I guess I could waste a bunch of gas and drive to SuperTarget or PetSmart to save $7, which would turn into $5 or less after the cost of gas.
My point, though, was legitimately questioning WHY such a discrepancy in price. Why does Petco NEED to charge so much more?
Because they fell like it...
Back to page topBecause they fell like it and, considering they are still in business, they can. I don't think they're obligated to bring their prices down.
Well, I'm glad there are...
Back to page topWell, I'm glad there are still some places that "feel like" charging what's actually a relatively fair and decent price.
Businesses are going to...
Back to page topBusinesses are going to generally charge as much as the public will pay.
That said, I bought an aquarium for my daughter, and, as a PetCo PALS card carrier (the card is free) I got her a full aquarium package for HALF of what I could anywhere else, including WalMart and other discount stores.
So I have no beef with PetCo, though I'd never buy an actual live fish there...but that is another matter.
Lori - Don't you think the...
Back to page topLori - Don't you think the market/consumer determine what is a fair and decent price? That would be my point about that they "feel" like it. I don't understand why they don't price competitively, but if people are buying at their prices, they might as well.
I guess I'd have to find out...
Back to page topI guess I'd have to find out how much cat litter they sell to answer that question. They might have more reasonable prices on other items, but all I know is I'm willing to go elsewhere to buy that particular item because I'm not paying $7 more for it there, no matter how convenient it is.
Petco stinks....
Back to page topPetco stinks.