### Amway: The Untold Story

Price Comparisons

Following are the results of three surveys comparing the prices of a number of store products and the same or similar products sold by Amway.

The first was done by myself. I conducted the survey over a period of several months in the early part of 1994, and have added several items from time to time since then. The second survey was done in 1993 by Bradley Orner, who was an Amway distributor for 3.5 years. The third was done in June of 1996 by Robert Deering, an Amway distributor in Alaska. There are some differences in how we each did our comparisons.

1. For reasons explained below, I chose not to include any of the Amway-produced cleaning products. Neither did Robert for the same reason. Brad did include a number of such items in his survey.
2. Neither Brad nor I factored in Performance Bonuses in our surveys. Robert, on the other hand, calculates price differentials for distributors at 0 PV, 100 PV, and Direct Distributor PV (25%). It's also a simple matter for anyone to factor in Performance Bonuses themselves.

It's significant that while all three surveys were done independently, each without knowledge of the other and employing slightly different methodologies, the results are very consistent. The average cost differential between the Amway products purchased at "wholesale" (distributor pricing) and the same or similar products purchased at local stores, was 140%, 149%, and 156%, respectively. In other words, if you buy these items from Amway you'll end up paying about half again as much as you would at your local store. (The Deering survey was done in Alaska, where distributors pay the "off shore" prices, which are 15% higher than in the lower states. If you subtract the additional "off shore" charge, the results fall right in line with those of the other two surveys.)

[For more information also visit Charles Midgett's "The Other Side of the Plan" and see his own price comparison and also his "Buying From Your Own Store" article.]

### Does Amway do it's own price comparisons?

Every December Amway publishes in the Amagram the results of their own Personal Shoppers Catalog price comparison. From the 12/95 Amagram:

> "The results of the 1995-96 price survey are complete, and they show once again that Amway's Personal Shoppers Service Catalog offers low, competitive prices—in addition to PV/BV.

> To prove our point, we searched the 1995 editions of five popular catalogs—Spiegel, J.C. Penny, Land's End, Finger Hut, and Williams-Sonoma—for items that are the same as or similar to merchandise featured in the 1995-1996 edition of the Personal Shoppers Catalog. We surveyed a wide range of items, including electronics, women's clothing, men's clothing, and various household products.

> Of the 143 items compared, our suggested retail price was less than or equal to the competition 71% of the time. At distributor cost, the results were even more favorable. We beat or equaled the competition's price 92% of the time."

The wording used for the 1994-95 and 1993-94 survey's is almost identical, with the exception that in 1993-94 the Lillian Vernon catalog was also listed as one of the competition. The results of these two previous surveys were:

- 1993-94...Amway less than or equal 55% of the time at suggested retail, 81% at distributor cost.
- 1994-95...Amway less than or equal 71% of the time at suggested retail, 81% at distributor cost.

As objective data, Amway's price comparison is so seriously flawed as to be almost meaningless. There are several major problems:

1. Amway itself conducts the survey, which means that Amway gets to choose a) who to define as "the competition," and b) which 143 products out of thousands it gets to use for comparison purposes. Amway distributors often claim that in order for a price comparison to be fair, the items in Amway's catalog should only be compared with items in other mail order catalogs. This is nonsense, of course; just because Amway offers only mail order delivery, this doesn't restrict me as a consumer from choosing to buy the same product from a local store if it's available. If Amway sells a particular cordless phone, and my local Kmart sells the same phone, it's perfectly fair and reasonable to compare Amway's price to Kmart's, even though for obvious reasons Amway would rather you didn't.

Notice that in their comparison, Amway Corp. chooses to define "the competition" as only higher-end mail order catalogs that are most likely to have the highest prices. Since they compared electronics and household products, among others, they could just as well have included retail outlets that sell this type of merchandise. Kmart, Walmart, Target, Costco...there's certainly no lack of choices. Amway is obviously stacking the deck in their own favor by excluding these perfectly viable consumer options.

2. Amway refuses to publish the specifics of their price comparisons (yes, I called and asked), so it's impossible for an objective observer to confirm the results, or see if Amway chose to compare items that most people are likely to buy, or if any of the Amway products were on sale or close-out. For all we know, Amway could even just make these numbers up every year.

Amway distributors will no doubt point out, and rightly so, that the price comparisons presented here may also not be as objective as they could be. I readily admit that this is likely so, though I made an honest effort to be objective. The obvious difference is that I'm not afraid to publish my data for all to see; anyone who wishes to can judge my bias for themselves and verify the accuracy of my data. Verify Amway's data? Tough luck, Jack.

3. Amway chooses to present the results of it's survey in the least meaningful way. Amway says that its prices were equal to or better than the competition X percent of the time. "Equal" is self-explanatory, but what exactly does "better" mean? A difference of $1 on a $500 item? It's anyone's guess. In the price comparisons presented here, the results are given as the exact percentage of price differential; in other words, this particular product is X percent more or less expensive from Amway. Each comparison also gives the average price differential for all products surveyed. Thus we can tell that if were to buy products A, B, and C, we'd pay this much more or less, something we certainly can't do with Amway's survey. (Of course, the comparisons presented here also give the actual pricing information as well.) Amway Corp. also publishes a simple product comparison chart (SA-6546) meant to be handed out to show that the concentrated Amway products are cheaper than the supposedly equivalent name-brand products. It states "Based on manufacturer's recommended label/use instructions...It takes this much of the store brand...to do what just one AMWAY product does." For example, Amway claims it takes two boxes of Tide to equal one box of SA8.

As with Amway's other product comparison "data," this is also meaningless. In this case the implied, but unproven, assumption we're being asked to accept is that the products being compared are equal in effectiveness. The reality is that we again have no way of knowing this, except in those cases where the products being compared also happen to have been tested and rated for effectiveness by Consumer Reports or some other independent testing lab.

Without having to prove equal effectiveness, it's an easy matter to manipulate price and usage amounts to give the false appearance of superior value. Here's a simple example: A box of detergent Y has a suggested usage amount of 1 cup per wash load and a cost of $.25 per cup. I buy the same detergent from the manufacturer, sell it for the same price, but change the suggested usage amount to 1/2 cup. Presto—my detergent is now twice the "value" of the competing brand! Of course, it's also only half as effective at the recommended usage amount, so you have to use twice as much to get the same results. Amway's chart is cleverly worded to sound like Amway is claiming equal effectiveness without actually making such a claim directly.

It's interesting that with all its much-touted billions, Amway has never, to my knowledge, hired an independent testing facility to provide objective proof of the alleged superiority of their products. They can certainly afford it. Or, considering how poorly most of the Amway products tested by Consumer Reports fared, maybe they can't.

### Price Comparison 1

Sidney Schwartz

I used Amway's distributor prices as the basis of comparison, so the distributor discount is already figured in. Since Amway charges shipping on everything, that was added in. I chose mostly items that a typical family would purchase on a regular basis, like breakfast cereal, aluminum foil, underwear, disposable diapers, etc. I also included a few items that would be purchased more occasionally, but that most families were still likely to buy at some point, like a cordless phone and a vacuum cleaner.

In most cases the items compared are either exactly the same, or as directly comparable as I could manage. I made no attempt to find the lowest prices on anything on this list--I simply took the catalog with me when I did my usual shopping, and looked for items that were the same or similar to items in the catalog. I could just as easily have gone to a "warehouse" store like Costco, where they also sell in bulk quantities, and the price difference would have been even greater.

In some cases I compared one Amway product to several store products. For example, I compared Amway's large disposable diapers to three other brands of large disposable diapers. I felt this was fair for two reasons:

1. In many cases Amway only offers one choice of a product, as with the diapers, while the store offers several different choices in a range of prices. The fact that Amway offers a limited selection doesn't mean that I as a consumer have to limit my choices.
2. In those instances where the store offered a choice of products, I could easily have skewed the results against Amway by using only the cheapest products for the purposes of the comparison. I felt that including the more expensive store items as well as the cheaper ones would give a more realistic result.

I purposely avoided comparing Amway-manufactured cleaning products because of the famous "dilution" factor. I did this because in order for a comparison between concentrated products to be valid, it must be demonstrated that the concentration factors are equivalent; not having a testing lab, I have no way of determining this. For the same reason, to infer or state that Amway products are automatically superior because they are concentrated is specious. The Consumer Reports ratings of Amway Dish Drops, Crystal Bright and Zoom show that those Amway products are still poor values regardless of their concentration factor, which CR took into account. Also, not having any experience with Amway products myself, I did not feel that I had a basis for comparing Amway manufactured products to store products in terms of effectiveness.

A few observations:

1. As I mentioned before, in many cases Amway offers only one choice of a particular type of product. Their product selection may be very broad, but it seems to also be very shallow in many areas. Amway sells child car seats, but they only offered three models from one company. Likewise their selection of vacuum cleaners, sewing machines, and many other products is very limited compared to what you can find at any department or appliance store. Also, major appliances are not covered by Amway's satisfaction guarantee, so unless you know someone in your area who has one you can look at, you're pretty much buying a pig in a poke. To me personally, having such limited choices is not "convenient," not when there are dozens of stores within a few minutes drive that offer many times the selection...and the chance to examine the merchandise. And I've never had a problem returning merchandise to someplace like Target or Sears, even if I just didn't like it.
2. Many of the Amway products have to be purchased in bulk. I find it especially noteworthy that many of the Amway products purchased in bulk are more expensive on a per-unit basis than store products purchased singly. For example, Amway's pancake syrup, which must be purchased in cases of 12 bottles, is more expensive per ounce than a single bottle of Log Cabin syrup purchased in a store. Even though I chose not to do the price comparison at a "warehouse" type store that also sells in bulk quantities, Amway's prices were still higher.
3. Most of the Amway food products are generic or off-brands. In many cases I could buy a single unit of a brand name product for less than I would pay for Amway's generic product purchased in bulk.
4. Some Amway products were less expensive, in this case 12 of the 75 products compared. Most were inexpensive items to begin with.
5. This comparison may not be perfect, but at least I tried.

The first, or top, item in each pair of items is the Amway catalog product, the second, or bottom, is the store product. Reading across from left to right, the headings are:

- "Retail" = Amway suggested retail
- "Dist. Cost" = Amway's distributor cost
- "Ship" = shipping cost
- "Final Cost" = Distributor Cost + Shipping
- "#U" = number of units in item being compared
- "Unit" = unit of measurement being used (ounces, square inches, etc.)
- "Cost per U" = cost per unit
- "Perc. Diff" = the Percentage Difference between the cost per unit of the Amway product and the cost per unit of the store product. A Percentage Difference of 100% would mean no difference in cost. A 50% Percentage difference would mean that the Amway product is half the cost of the store product. A Percentage Difference of 200% would mean that the Amway product is twice as expensive as the store product.

                              Dist.           Final  #            Cost   Perc.
                    Retail    Cost     Ship    Cost  U   Unit     per U  Diff.
    Aerobic Step      39.99   34.00    2.80   36.80    1 each     36.800 184.00%

    Aerobic Step      20.00                            1 each     20.000

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Dist.           Final  #            Cost   Perc.
                    Retail    Cost     Ship    Cost  U   Unit     per U  Diff.
    Aluminum wrap,    12.49   10.62    0.87   11.49  225 sq. f     0.051 221.73%
    generic

    Aluminum wrap,     4.69                          200 sq. f     0.023
    generic

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Dist.           Final  #            Cost   Perc.
                    Retail    Cost     Ship    Cost  U   Unit     per U  Diff.
    Aluminum wrap,    12.49   10.62    0.87   11.49  225 sq. f     0.051 212.50%
    generic

    Aluminum wrap,     1.79                           75 sq. f     0.024
    generic

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Dist.           Final  #            Cost   Perc.
                    Retail    Cost     Ship    Cost  U   Unit     per U  Diff.
    Aluminum wrap,    12.49   10.62    0.87   11.49  225 sq. f     0.051 188.88%
    generic

    Aluminum wrap,     5.49                          200 sq. f     0.027
    Reynolds

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Dist.           Final  #            Cost   Perc.
                    Retail    Cost     Ship    Cost  U   Unit     per U  Diff.
    Aluminum wrap,    12.49   10.62    0.87   11.49  225 sq. f     0.051 164.51%
    generic

    Aluminum wrap,     2.29                           75 sq. f     0.031
    Reynolds

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Dist.           Final  #            Cost   Perc.
                    Retail    Cost     Ship    Cost  U   Unit     per U  Diff.
    Amoco LDO         19.99   17.00    7.00   24.00   12 quart     2.000 155.03%
    Motor Oil
    10W-30
    Penzoil 10W-30     1.29                            1 quart     1.290

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Dist.           Final  #            Cost   Perc.
                    Retail    Cost     Ship    Cost  U   Unit     per U  Diff.
    Amoco LDO         19.99   17.00    7.00   24.00   12 quart     2.000 143.88%
    Motor Oil
    10W-40
    Quaker State       1.39                            1 quart     1.390
    10W-40

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Dist.           Final  #            Cost   Perc.
                    Retail    Cost     Ship    Cost  U   Unit     per U  Diff.
    Amoco LDO         20.99   17.85    7.00   24.85   12 quart     2.071 122.54%
    Motor Oil
    20W-50
    Castrol 20W-50     1.69                            1 quart     1.690

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Dist.           Final  #            Cost   Perc.
                    Retail    Cost     Ship    Cost  U   Unit     per U  Diff.
    Audio tape        14.99   12.75    3.00   15.75    1 each     15.750 175.58%
    holder, 3
    drawer
    Audio tape         8.97                            1 each      8.970
    holder, 3
    drawer
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Dist.           Final  #            Cost   Perc.
                    Retail    Cost     Ship    Cost  U   Unit     per U  Diff.
    Audio tapes,      15.99   11.05    1.12   12.17   20 each      0.609  49.31%
    Laser 60
    minute
    Audio tapes,       2.47                            2 each      1.235
    Memorex 60
    minutes
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Dist.           Final  #            Cost   Perc.
                    Retail    Cost     Ship    Cost  U   Unit     per U  Diff.
    Audio tapes,      15.99   11.05    1.12   12.17   20 each      0.609 122.53%
    Laser 60
    minute
    Audio tapes,       1.49                            3 each      0.497
    Prism 60
    minute
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Dist.           Final  #            Cost   Perc.
                    Retail    Cost     Ship    Cost  U   Unit     per U  Diff.
    Audio tapes,      15.99   11.05    1.12   12.17   20 each      0.609  61.82%
    Laser 60
    minute
    Audio tapes,       1.97                            2 each      0.985
    TDK 60 minute

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Dist.           Final  #            Cost   Perc.
                    Retail    Cost     Ship    Cost  U   Unit     per U  Diff.
    Audio tapes,      15.99   13.60    1.12   14.72   20 each      0.736  55.13%
    Laser 90
    minute
    Audio tapes,       2.67                            2 each      1.335
    Memorex 90
    minute
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Dist.           Final  #            Cost   Perc.
                    Retail    Cost     Ship    Cost  U   Unit     per U  Diff.
    Audio tapes,      15.99   13.60    1.12   14.72   20 each      0.736 111.01%
    Laser 90
    minute
    Audio tapes,       1.99                            3 each      0.663
    Prism 90
    minute
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Dist.           Final  #            Cost   Perc.
                    Retail    Cost     Ship    Cost  U   Unit     per U  Diff.
    Audio tapes,      15.99   13.60    1.12   14.72   20 each      0.736  54.72%
    Laser 90
    minute
    Audio tapes,       2.69                            2 each      1.345
    TDK 90 minute

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Dist.           Final  #            Cost   Perc.
                    Retail    Cost     Ship    Cost  U   Unit     per U  Diff.
    Briefs, Jockey    14.50   12.33    1.02   13.35    3 each      4.450  92.07%
    classic

    Briefs, Jockey    14.50                            3 each      4.833
    classic

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Dist.           Final  #            Cost   Perc.
                    Retail    Cost     Ship    Cost  U   Unit     per U  Diff.
    Cheerios,         17.49   14.87    3.50   18.37   90 oz        0.204 129.93%
    generic

    Cheerios,          2.35                           15 oz        0.157
    General Mills

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Dist.           Final  #            Cost   Perc.
                    Retail    Cost     Ship    Cost  U   Unit     per U  Diff.
    Cheerios,         17.49   14.87    3.50   18.37   90 oz        0.204 192.45%
    generic

    Cheerios,          1.59                           15 oz        0.106
    Generic

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Dist.           Final  #            Cost   Perc.
                    Retail    Cost     Ship    Cost  U   Unit     per U  Diff.
    Cheez-its,        16.99   14.45    3.50   17.95   96 oz        0.187 150.80%
    generic

    Cheeze-its         1.98                           16 oz        0.124

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Dist.           Final  #            Cost   Perc.
                    Retail    Cost     Ship    Cost  U   Unit     per U  Diff.
    Computer,       2498.99 1700.00   25.00 1725.00    1 each   1725.000 133.20%
    Magnavox
    486sx20
    Gateway 2000    1295.00                            1 each   1295.000
    486sx25

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Dist.           Final  #            Cost   Perc.
                    Retail    Cost     Ship    Cost  U   Unit     per U  Diff.
    Cordless          99.99   85.00    6.00   91.00    1 each     91.000 152.25%
    phone, 25
    channel, Bell
    Cordless          59.77                            1 each     59.770
    phone, 25
    channel, Bell
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Dist.           Final  #            Cost   Perc.
                    Retail    Cost     Ship    Cost  U   Unit     per U  Diff.
    Cordless         129.99  110.50    6.00  116.50    1 each    116.500 117.67%
    phone, Bell
    South
    Cordless          99.00                            1 each     99.000
    phone, Bell
    South
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Dist.           Final  #            Cost   Perc.
                    Retail    Cost     Ship    Cost  U   Unit     per U  Diff.
    Corn Flakes,      14.49   12.32    3.50   15.82  108 oz        0.146 231.74%
    generic

    Corn Flakes,       1.14                           18 oz        0.063
    generic

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Dist.           Final  #            Cost   Perc.
                    Retail    Cost     Ship    Cost  U   Unit     per U  Diff.
    Corn Flakes,      14.49   12.32    3.50   15.82  108 oz        0.146 155.31%
    generic

    Corn Flakes,       2.25                           24 oz        0.094
    Kellogs

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Dist.           Final  #            Cost   Perc.
                    Retail    Cost     Ship    Cost  U   Unit     per U  Diff.
    Cotton swabs,     10.68    8.50    0.75    9.25 1200 each      0.008  72.72%
    generic

    Cotton swabs,      2.15                          200 each      0.011
    J & J

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Dist.           Final  #            Cost   Perc.
                    Retail    Cost     Ship    Cost  U   Unit     per U  Diff.
    Dental floss,     11.99   10.20    0.90   11.10  800 yard      0.014  73.68%
    generic

    Dental floss,      3.84                          200 yard      0.019
    J & J

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Dist.           Final  #            Cost   Perc.
                    Retail    Cost     Ship    Cost  U   Unit     per U  Diff.
    Diskettes,        39.99   33.32    2.50   35.82   20 each      1.791 223.87%
    3.5" HD, BASF

    Diskettes,         8.00                           10 each      0.800
    3.5" HD, Fuji

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Dist.           Final  #            Cost   Perc.
                    Retail    Cost     Ship    Cost  U   Unit     per U  Diff.
    Disp. diapers,    47.99   43.20    3.25   46.45  120 each      0.387 154.80%
    large

    Disp. diapers,     5.99                           24 each      0.250
    large, generic

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Dist.           Final  #            Cost   Perc.
                    Retail    Cost     Ship    Cost  U   Unit     per U  Diff.
    Disp. diapers,    47.99   43.20    3.25   46.45  120 each      0.387 139.20%
    large

    Huggies Baby      14.99                           54 each      0.278
    Steps, large

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Dist.           Final  #            Cost   Perc.
                    Retail    Cost     Ship    Cost  U   Unit     per U  Diff.
    Disp. diapers,    47.99   43.20    3.25   46.45  120 each      0.387 110.57%
    large

    Pampers            8.39                           24 each      0.350
    Phases, large

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Dist.           Final  #            Cost   Perc.
                    Retail    Cost     Ship    Cost  U   Unit     per U  Diff.
    Disp. diapers,    47.99   43.20    3.25   46.45  120 each      0.387 143.33%
    large

    Ultras In          6.48                           24 each      0.270
    Stages, large

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Dist.           Final  #            Cost   Perc.
                    Retail    Cost     Ship    Cost  U   Unit     per U  Diff.
    Disp. diapers,    47.99   43.20    3.25   46.45  160 each      0.290 174.69%
    medium

    Disp. diapers,     5.99                           36 each      0.166
    generic,
    medium
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Dist.           Final  #            Cost   Perc.
                    Retail    Cost     Ship    Cost  U   Unit     per U  Diff.
    Disp. diapers,    47.99   43.20    3.25   46.45  160 each      0.290 139.42%
    medium

    Huggies Baby      14.99                           72 each      0.208
    Steps, medium

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Dist.           Final  #            Cost   Perc.
                    Retail    Cost     Ship    Cost  U   Unit     per U  Diff.
    Disp. diapers,    47.99   43.20    3.25   46.45  160 each      0.290 124.46%
    medium

    Pampers            8.39                           36 each      0.233
    Phases, medium

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Dist.           Final  #            Cost   Perc.
                    Retail    Cost     Ship    Cost  U   Unit     per U  Diff.
    Disp. diapers,    47.99   43.20    3.25   46.45  160 each      0.290 161.11%
    medium

    Ultras In          6.48                           36 each      0.180
    Stages, medium

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Dist.           Final  #            Cost   Perc.
                    Retail    Cost     Ship    Cost  U   Unit     per U  Diff.
    Disp. diapers,    47.99   43.20    3.25   46.45  216 each      0.215 127.97%
    small

    Huggies Baby       8.39                           50 each      0.168
    Steps, small

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Dist.           Final  #            Cost   Perc.
                    Retail    Cost     Ship    Cost  U   Unit     per U  Diff.
    Disp. diapers,    47.99   43.20    3.25   46.45  216 each      0.215 127.97%
    small

    Pampers            8.39                           50 each      0.168
    Phases, small

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Dist.           Final  #            Cost   Perc.
                    Retail    Cost     Ship    Cost  U   Unit     per U  Diff.
    Disp. diapers,    47.99   43.20    3.25   46.45  216 each      0.215 165.38%
    small

    Ultras             6.48                           50 each      0.130
    In-Stages,
    small
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Dist.           Final  #            Cost   Perc.
                    Retail    Cost     Ship    Cost  U   Unit     per U  Diff.
    Elec.             59.99   51.00    3.00   54.00    1 each     54.000 108.06%
    thesaurus,
    Selectronic
    Franklin          49.97                            1 each     49.970
    Wordmaster

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Dist.           Final  #            Cost   Perc.
                    Retail    Cost     Ship    Cost  U   Unit     per U  Diff.
    Elec.             59.99   51.00    3.00   54.00    1 each     54.000 154.41%
    thesaurus,
    Selectronic
    Rogets            34.97                            1 each     34.970
    Synonyms

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Dist.           Final  #            Cost   Perc.
                    Retail    Cost     Ship    Cost  U   Unit     per U  Diff.
    Frito-Lay         24.99   21.25    1.75   23.00   90 0z        0.256  88.58%
    Variety Pack

    Frito-Lay          2.89                           10 0z        0.289
    Variety Pack

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Dist.           Final  #            Cost   Perc.
                    Retail    Cost     Ship    Cost  U   Unit     per U  Diff.
    Frosted           19.99   17.00    3.50   20.50  120 oz        0.171 159.81%
    Flakes,
    generic
    Frosted            2.14                           20 oz        0.107
    Flakes,
    generic
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Dist.           Final  #            Cost   Perc.
                    Retail    Cost     Ship    Cost  U   Unit     per U  Diff.
    Frosted           19.99   17.00    3.50   20.50  120 oz        0.171 101.18%
    Flakes,
    generic
    Frosted            3.37                           20 oz        0.169
    Flakes,
    Kellogs
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Dist.           Final  #            Cost   Perc.
                    Retail    Cost     Ship    Cost  U   Unit     per U  Diff.
    Fruit Loops,      21.99   18.70    3.50   22.20   90 oz        0.247 170.34%
    generic

    Fruit Loops,       2.18                           15 oz        0.145
    generic

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Dist.           Final  #            Cost   Perc.
                    Retail    Cost     Ship    Cost  U   Unit     per U  Diff.
    Fruit Loops,      25.49   18.70    3.50   22.20   90 oz        0.247 106.00%
    generic

    Fruit Loops,       3.49                           15 oz        0.233
    Kellogs

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Dist.           Final  #            Cost   Perc.
                    Retail    Cost     Ship    Cost  U   Unit     per U  Diff.
    Fruit roll,       13.99   11.90    1.05   12.95   18 oz        0.719 142.37%
    Sunkist

    Fruit roll,        2.02                            4 oz        0.505
    Betty Crocker

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Dist.           Final  #            Cost   Perc.
                    Retail    Cost     Ship    Cost  U   Unit     per U  Diff.
    Gummi Bears       17.49   14.87    1.31   16.18   45 oz        0.360 197.80%

    Gummi Trolls       0.91                            5 oz        0.182

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Dist.           Final  #            Cost   Perc.
                    Retail    Cost     Ship    Cost  U   Unit     per U  Diff.
    Hayes Accura     299.99  255.00   10.00  265.00    1 each    265.000 141.40%
    28.8 modem,
    internal
    Hayes Accura     187.40                            1 each    187.400
    28.8 modem,
    internal
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Dist.           Final  #            Cost   Perc.
                    Retail    Cost     Ship    Cost  U   Unit     per U  Diff.
    Herbal teas,      19.99   17.00    1.40   18.40  168 tea b     0.110  86.61%
    Bigelow

    Herbal teas,       2.53                           20 tea b     0.127
    Bigelow

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Dist.           Final  #            Cost   Perc.
                    Retail    Cost     Ship    Cost  U   Unit     per U  Diff.
    Honey Nut         19.49   16.57    3.50   20.07   84 oz        0.239 113.27%
    Cheerios,
    generic
    Honey Nut          4.21                           20 oz        0.211
    Cheerios, Gen.
    Mills
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Dist.           Final  #            Cost   Perc.
                    Retail    Cost     Ship    Cost  U   Unit     per U  Diff.
    Honey Nut         19.49   16.57    3.50   20.07   84 oz        0.239 171.94%
    Cheerios,
    generic
    Honey Nut          1.94                           14 oz        0.139
    Cheerios,
    generic
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Dist.           Final  #            Cost   Perc.
                    Retail    Cost     Ship    Cost  U   Unit     per U  Diff.
    Hot Choc. Mix,    49.99   42.52    2.98   45.50  200 packe     0.228  87.69%
    generic

    Hot Choc. Mix,     2.08                            8 packe     0.260
    Swiss Miss

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Dist.           Final  #            Cost   Perc.
                    Retail    Cost     Ship    Cost  U   Unit     per U  Diff.
    Hot Chocolate     49.99   42.52    2.98   45.50  200 packe     0.228 108.05%
    Mix, generic,
    sugarless
    Hot Chocolate      1.69                            8 packe     0.211
    Mix, generic,
    sugarless
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Dist.           Final  #            Cost   Perc.
                    Retail    Cost     Ship    Cost  U   Unit     per U  Diff.
    Mac. & Cheese,    18.99   16.14    4.00   20.14  132 oz.       0.153 108.51%
    generic

    Mac. & Cheese,     0.99                            7 oz.       0.141
    Kraft

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Dist.           Final  #            Cost   Perc.
                    Retail    Cost     Ship    Cost  U   Unit     per U  Diff.
    Mac. & Cheese,    18.99   16.14    4.00   20.14  132 oz.       0.153 242.85%
    generic

    Mac. & Cheese,     0.38                            6 oz.       0.063
    Mission

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Dist.           Final  #            Cost   Perc.
                    Retail    Cost     Ship    Cost  U   Unit     per U  Diff.
    Macaroni &        18.99   16.14    4.00   20.14  132 oz.       0.153 325.53%
    Cheese,
    generic
    Macaroni &         0.33                            7 oz.       0.047
    Cheese,
    generic
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Dist.           Final  #            Cost   Perc.
                    Retail    Cost     Ship    Cost  U   Unit     per U  Diff.
    Meadowbrook       46.99   42.30    3.29   45.59 3308 sq. f     0.014 116.66%
    Facial Tisue

    Kleenex Facial    19.99                         1608 sq. f     0.012
    Tissue

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Dist.           Final  #            Cost   Perc.
                    Retail    Cost     Ship    Cost  U   Unit     per U  Diff.
    Microwave         11.99   10.20    3.00   13.20   63 oz        0.210 182.60%
    popcorn

    Microwave          1.26                           11 oz        0.115
    popcorn,
    generic
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Dist.           Final  #            Cost   Perc.
                    Retail    Cost     Ship    Cost  U   Unit     per U  Diff.
    Microwave         11.99   10.20    3.00   13.20   63 oz        0.210 111.70%
    popcorn

    Microwave          2.07                           11 oz        0.188
    popcorn, Pop
    Secret
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Dist.           Final  #            Cost   Perc.
                    Retail    Cost     Ship    Cost  U   Unit     per U  Diff.
    Microwave         11.99   10.20    3.00   13.20   63 oz        0.210 122.80%
    popcorn

    Microwave          1.88                           11 oz        0.171
    popcorn,
    Redenbachers
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Dist.           Final  #            Cost   Perc.
                    Retail    Cost     Ship    Cost  U   Unit     per U  Diff.
    Pancake syrup,    34.99   29.75    6.00   35.75  288 oz        0.124 103.33%
    generic

    Mrs.               2.88                           24 oz        0.120
    Butterworth
    syrup
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Dist.           Final  #            Cost   Perc.
                    Retail    Cost     Ship    Cost  U   Unit     per U  Diff.
    Pancake syrup,    34.99   29.75    6.00   35.75  288 oz        0.124 174.64%
    generic

    Pancake syrup,     1.71                           24 oz        0.071
    generic

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Dist.           Final  #            Cost   Perc.
                    Retail    Cost     Ship    Cost  U   Unit     per U  Diff.
    Pancake syrup,    34.99   29.75    6.00   35.75  288 oz        0.124 136.26%
    generic

    Pancake syrup,     2.19                           24 oz        0.091
    Log Cabin

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Dist.           Final  #            Cost   Perc.
                    Retail    Cost     Ship    Cost  U   Unit     per U  Diff.
    Peanut            29.99   25.50    2.25   27.75  120 pack      0.231  82.50%
    butter/cheese
    crackers,
    Peanut             0.28                            1 pack      0.280
    butter/cheese
    crackers,
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Dist.           Final  #            Cost   Perc.
                    Retail    Cost     Ship    Cost  U   Unit     per U  Diff.
    Plactrac Plus     59.99   51.00    4.49   55.49    1 each     55.490 252.34%

    Plactrac Plus     21.99                            1 each     21.990

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Dist.           Final  #            Cost   Perc.
                    Retail    Cost     Ship    Cost  U   Unit     per U  Diff.
    Plactrac          12.99   10.83    0.97   11.80    1 each     11.800 168.81%
    replacement
    head
    Plactrac           6.99                            1 each      6.990
    replacement
    head
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Dist.           Final  #            Cost   Perc.
                    Retail    Cost     Ship    Cost  U   Unit     per U  Diff.
    Razor cart.        8.99    7.65    0.67    8.32   20 each      0.416 140.54%
    w/comfort
    strip
    Schick Ultrex      2.96                           10 each      0.296
    cartridge w/co

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Dist.           Final  #            Cost   Perc.
                    Retail    Cost     Ship    Cost  U   Unit     per U  Diff.
    Razor              8.99    7.65    0.67    8.32   20 each      0.416 195.30%
    cartridge
    w/comfort
    Razor              3.19                           15 each      0.213
    cartridge
    w/comfort
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Dist.           Final  #            Cost   Perc.
                    Retail    Cost     Ship    Cost  U   Unit     per U  Diff.
    Rechargable       13.99   11.90    1.05   12.95    2 each      6.475 107.91%
    batteries, 9
    volt, generic
    Rechargable        6.00                            1 each      6.000
    batteries, 9
    volt, GE
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Dist.           Final  #            Cost   Perc.
                    Retail    Cost     Ship    Cost  U   Unit     per U  Diff.
    Rechargable       19.99   17.00    1.50   18.50    8 each      2.313  92.52%
    batteries, AA,
    generic
    Rechargable        2.50                            1 each      2.500
    batteries, AA,
    GE
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Dist.           Final  #            Cost   Perc.
                    Retail    Cost     Ship    Cost  U   Unit     per U  Diff.
    Rechargable       12.99   11.05    0.97   12.02    4 each      3.005 120.20%
    batteries,
    AAA, generic
    Rechargable        2.50                            1 each      2.500
    batteries,
    AAA, generic
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Dist.           Final  #            Cost   Perc.
                    Retail    Cost     Ship    Cost  U   Unit     per U  Diff.
    Rechargable       12.99   11.05    0.97   12.02    4 each      3.005 100.16%
    batteries, C,
    generic
    Rechargable        3.00                            1 each      3.000
    batteries, C,
    GE
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Dist.           Final  #            Cost   Perc.
                    Retail    Cost     Ship    Cost  U   Unit     per U  Diff.
    Rechargable       12.99   11.05    0.97   12.02    4 each      3.005 100.16%
    batteries, D,
    generic
    Rechargable        3.00                            1 each      3.000
    batteries, D,
    generic
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Dist.           Final  #            Cost   Perc.
                    Retail    Cost     Ship    Cost  U   Unit     per U  Diff.
    Ritz crackers,    13.49   11.47    3.50   14.97   60 oz        0.250 280.89%
    generic

    Ritz crackers,     1.07                           12 oz        0.089
    generic

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Dist.           Final  #            Cost   Perc.
                    Retail    Cost     Ship    Cost  U   Unit     per U  Diff.
    Ritz crackers,    16.99   11.47    3.50   14.97   60 oz        0.250 167.78%
    generic

    Ritz crackers,     2.38                           16 oz        0.149
    Nabisco

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Dist.           Final  #            Cost   Perc.
                    Retail    Cost     Ship    Cost  U   Unit     per U  Diff.
    Scientific        17.99   15.30    1.26   16.56    1 each     16.560 166.09%
    calculator,
    Sharp
    Casio Student      9.97                            1 each      9.970
    Scientific

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Dist.           Final  #            Cost   Perc.
                    Retail    Cost     Ship    Cost  U   Unit     per U  Diff.
    Scientific        17.99   15.30    1.26   16.56    1 each     16.560 110.62%
    calculator,
    Sharp
    Sharp Twin        14.97                            1 each     14.970
    Function

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Dist.           Final  #            Cost   Perc.
                    Retail    Cost     Ship    Cost  U   Unit     per U  Diff.
    Scrub sponges,    12.99   10.80    0.91   11.71   12 each      0.976 150.15%
    generic

    Scrub sponges,     0.65                            1 each      0.650
    Scotch Brite

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Dist.           Final  #            Cost   Perc.
                    Retail    Cost     Ship    Cost  U   Unit     per U  Diff.
    Semi Sweet        23.99   20.40    4.50   24.90  144 oz        0.173 180.20%
    morsals,
    generic
    Semi Sweet         1.15                           12 oz        0.096
    morsals,
    generic
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Dist.           Final  #            Cost   Perc.
                    Retail    Cost     Ship    Cost  U   Unit     per U  Diff.
    Semi Sweet        23.99   20.40    4.50   24.90  144 oz        0.173 109.49%
    morsals,
    generic
    Semi Sweet         1.89                           12 oz        0.158
    morsals,
    Nestles
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Dist.           Final  #            Cost   Perc.
                    Retail    Cost     Ship    Cost  U   Unit     per U  Diff.
    Sponge mop,       19.99   17.00    3.00   20.00    1 each     20.000 130.20%
    Quickie

    Sponge mop &      15.36                            1 each     15.360
    refill,
    Quickie
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Dist.           Final  #            Cost   Perc.
                    Retail    Cost     Ship    Cost  U   Unit     per U  Diff.
    T-shirt,          18.00   15.30    1.26   16.56    3 each      5.520  92.00%
    Jockey crew
    neck
    T-shirt,          18.00                            3 each      6.000
    Jockey crew
    neck
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Dist.           Final  #            Cost   Perc.
                    Retail    Cost     Ship    Cost  U   Unit     per U  Diff.
    Toaster           21.49   19.34    1.50   20.84  132 oz.       0.158 126.40%
    Pastries,
    generic
    Pop Tarts,         5.39                           43 oz.       0.125
    Kellogs

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Dist.           Final  #            Cost   Perc.
                    Retail    Cost     Ship    Cost  U   Unit     per U  Diff.
    Toilet paper,     39.99   36.00    4.25   40.25 4056 sq. f     0.010 200.00%
    recycled,
    generic
    Toilet paper,      4.99                          924 sq. f     0.005
    Albertsons

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Dist.           Final  #            Cost   Perc.
                    Retail    Cost     Ship    Cost  U   Unit     per U  Diff.
    Toilet paper,     39.99   36.00    4.25   40.25 4056 sq. f     0.010  71.42%
    recycled,
    generic
    Toilet paper,      3.87                          281 sq. f     0.014
    Charmin

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Dist.           Final  #            Cost   Perc.
                    Retail    Cost     Ship    Cost  U   Unit     per U  Diff.
    Toilet paper,     39.99   36.00    4.25   40.25 4056 sq. f     0.010 142.85%
    recycled,
    generic
    Toilet paper,      5.99                          882 sq. f     0.007
    gen., recycled

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Dist.           Final  #            Cost   Perc.
                    Retail    Cost     Ship    Cost  U   Unit     per U  Diff.
    Toilet paper,     39.99   36.00    4.25   40.25 4056 sq. f     0.010 200.00%
    recycled,
    generic
    Toilet paper,      0.83                          154 sq. f     0.005
    Janet Lee

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Dist.           Final  #            Cost   Perc.
                    Retail    Cost     Ship    Cost  U   Unit     per U  Diff.
    Toothbrushes       7.99    6.80    0.60    7.40    6 each      1.233  77.06%

    Assorted           1.60                            1 each      1.600
    toothbrushes

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Dist.           Final  #            Cost   Perc.
                    Retail    Cost     Ship    Cost  U   Unit     per U  Diff.
    Vacuum           199.99  170.00    7.00  177.00    1 each    177.000 118.00%
    cleaner,
    Regina
    Vaccuum          149.99                            1 each    149.990
    cleaner,
    Regina
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Dist.           Final  #            Cost   Perc.
                    Retail    Cost     Ship    Cost  U   Unit     per U  Diff.
    Wheat thins,      16.99   14.45    3.50   17.95   96 oz        0.187 111.97%
    generic

    Wheat Thins        2.67                           16 oz        0.167

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Average perc. of difference at suggested retail: 162.70%
    Average perc. of difference at distributor cost: 140.85%

### Price Comparison 2

Bradley Orner

(Survey conducted in spring of 1993)

One issue that I have not had a strong opinion on to date is the price of Amway products. They did seem expensive to me. Still, after years of buying and using them, the arguments that their concentration and/or quality made their usage costs comparable seemed compelling. Also, Amway prints price comparisons from time to time. A few times I did find a really good price on an item we purchased from Amway. Most product reviews by Consumer's Reports have not been very favorable of Amway products, but only a few have been reviewed.

Anyway, I just finished doing a price comparison for myself--something I have wanted to do for quite some time. I soon learned that fair and true price comparisons are difficult and time consuming to do. I have decided to post the results, since others might find it of interest. First, some background: In doing this, I was not out to demonstrate that Amway products are either low or high priced--I just wanted to know the truth. I have tried to be unbiased, but there is some degree of subjectivity in what I have done, and any influence my bias might have would tend to be against Amway products, I think.

I selected the list of products before looking up any prices. I did not eliminate any products after looking at the results. Two or three products were removed because I could not easily find a close equivalent. I picked a wide range of common items.

I took care to make sure the competing product was truly equivalent. Two-ply unprinted tissues were compared to two-ply unprinted tissues, powder detergent to powder detergent, etc. I also took the price of the smallest Amway size available and tried to find a similar sized package for the competing product. In some cases the largest competing product package was still much smaller than the Amway package; I did the comparison anyway. I generally picked brand-name products, but some generic products are included.

A unit of comparison was selected and a unit cost obtained for all products. I tried to make sure the unit of measure accurately measured the product quantity--weight, volume, or area. Sponges for instance, were compared based on cubic inches.

I did my shopping for the competing products at a local food & drug store-- their prices seem to be a little below average but they are not a discount "warehouse" store. Prices on a few items were from K- mart.

I took the store's regular price for the item, even if it was on sale. Most of the Amway products I selected are available from the RDCs, which means that their is a shipping cost of four percent of retail on orders over $100 and $4 on orders under $100 (our direct distributor always charged us shipping charges based on that--others distributors may have been charged less, or more). Before computing the cost difference, 4% of retail was added to the wholesale and retail prices for the Amway products. A few items were only available from the catalog warehouse--shipping costs for these items is 7% or higher. I figured the shipping costs as a percent of retail, subtracted four percent, multiplied the result by the retail price, then added this amount to the retail and wholesale price. Thus, when the 4% is added to each product, the price of the Amway product reflects the costs including shipping. I added 2% to the cost of the competing products for transportation costs (though distributors often must drive to pick up their products, retail customers usually don't and ours were delivered to us). This 2% figure is pretty arbitrary, but is about equal to about 8 miles round trip at 27 cents per mile to purchase $100 of products. Often, I only picked one brand of product to compare with. If I noticed a wide range of prices between various brands (e.g., perfume or pharmaceuticals) or was unsure of equivalency, I compared with a few different products.

I have included a usage adjustment. I wish I could have done better here-- it is largely subjective and strongly impacts the results. The usage factor listed indicates the unit quantity of the competing product required to get the equivalent amount of use/benefit from one unit of the Amway product. This takes into account concentration for cleaning products, nutritional value for food supplements and weight control products, etc. I have listed a code to give some indication of how I came up with these values:

- L--dilution, usage instructions, or nutritional content on the product label
- T--Lab testing (by CU)
- E--Personal experience (I was reluctant to use this one)
- I--Intrinsic characteristics of the type of product suggested that the usage factor was unity--differences in quality can nearly always be argued, though
- D--Default to unity in absence of any other reliable information

BTW, the usage factor is quite accurate for single vitamins but only an approximation for multivitamins and weight control products--one might have had much more vitamin C than the other, but much less Iron- -comparison was difficult.

I compared both the wholesale and retail Amway price to the competing product prices. The generic description of each product is followed by two percentages. These percentages give the cost of the Amway product as a percent of the cost of the competing product (i.e., a number over 100 means the Amway product costs more, 200 indicates it costs twice as much, 50 indicates it costs half as much). If the generic name is listed twice, I did more than one comparison.

I dumped it into a text file from my spreadsheet, and it might be a little difficult to read. Since it was about 160 columns wide, I split it into left and right halves. Maybe you can download it, print it, and tape the two halfs together. I was not sure what Genie and our telecommunication programs would do with 160 character text lines.

Thanks for sending me your price comparison information. If you add to it over time, I would be interested in seeing an update. I don't see how people can repeatedly insist (and they believe themselves, too!) that Amway prices are low after seeing price comparisons like yours. The usual comeback, of course, is that some specific items might be higher but overall the prices are lower, or that the quality makes up for the price. But between the two of us we have compared probably over 200 items--definitely enough for statistical significance--and as you mentioned aluminum foil is pretty much aluminum foil. I guess in the end people will convince themselves that what they want to be true is true. That, of course, is what Amway is really about.

    Left Side:
    Generic          Amway      Competing
    Name             Name       Name               %d(W)    %d(R)    item#
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------
    liq laundry det  SA-8w/sftn Tide               94.8%   121.1%       1
    liq laundry det  SA-8w/sftn Smith's           174.3%   222.6%       2
    pwdr laundry det SA-8 Plus  Tide (concen)     147.2%   184.8%       3
    chlorine bleach  All Fabric Clorox all-fab     46.4%    58.6%       4
    dishwasher det   CrystlBrghtCascade           349.9%   445.4%       5
    dish soap        DishDrops  Dawn              218.3%   276.7%       6
    shoe spray       ShoeSpray  Kiwi               65.2%    93.7%       7
    multi-vitamin    DoubleX    SchiffMega-high   334.2%   482.8%       8
    multi-vitamin    DoubleX    Centrum           134.5%   194.2%       9
    Beta Carotene    Beta Car   Energen           141.8%   195.5%      10
    Vit E            Par..-E    Energen           320.9%   474.2%      11
    Bio-C            Bio-C      Energen/acerola   337.7%   497.1%      12
    general cleaner  LOC        Mr Clean           84.3%   119.1%      13
    window cleaner   SeeSpray   Windex             57.7%    81.8%      14
    disinfectant     Pursue     Lysol spray       111.4%   158.6%      15
    liq cleanser     ScrubBrightSoftScrub         118.6%   158.7%      16
    bug spray        Bug Spray  Raid               76.2%   108.2%      17
    toothpaste       Glister    Colgate           158.1%   196.6%      18
    dental floss     Dntl Floss John.&John.        53.2%    59.3%      19
    nail polish      Artistry   Loreal            104.7%   146.0%      20
    nail polish      Artistry   MaxFactor          78.4%   109.3%      21
    nail polish      Artistry   Covergirl         166.8%   232.7%      22
    lipstick w/sun   Artistry   Loreal             88.3%   125.1%      23
    lipstick w/sun   Artistry   Clarion            94.4%   133.7%      24
    lipstick w/sun   Artistry   Maxfactor          97.6%   138.4%      25
    lipstick w/sun   Artistry   Covergirl         146.9%   208.1%      26
    facial make-up   Artistry   Loreal            109.7%   158.2%      27
    facial make-up   Artistry   Clarion           125.6%   181.1%      28
    air freshener    ScentscapesGlade/nature      731.1%  1043.9%      29
    floor wax        MopMate    Brite             111.8%   160.0%      30
    weight drink mix Positrim   WeightWatchers    110.3%   141.8%      31
    weight drink mix Positrim   UltraSlim-fast    173.8%   223.5%      32
    juice box        Active-8   TreeTop            88.6%   105.8%      33
    24 exp film dev  Amway      Smiths            172.2%   191.0%      34
    liquid soap      Nature ShwrDial               98.4%   124.5%      35
    liquid soap      Nature ShwrClean&Smooth      237.9%   300.8%      36
    bath soap        Family bar Dial              149.5%   172.3%      37
    bath soap        Family bar Zest              146.5%   168.8%      38
    moist shampoo    Satinique  Vidal Sasson      185.6%   256.9%      39
    moist shampoo    Satinique  Suave             603.2%   834.8%      40
    body lotion      Nature shwrSoftSense         103.0%   129.4%      41
    oven cleaner     Amway      Easy-Off          174.8%   252.2%      42
    alumin foil      Amway 12"  Reynolds          115.5%   128.4%      43
    ital salad drsingMMM        Kraftfatfree      152.0%   168.3%      44
    cr peanut butter Critic's ChSkippy            115.8%   134.6%      45
    cr peanut butter Critic's ChAdams/all natrl    97.8%   113.7%      46
    nonstick spray   Vegaline   Pam               133.2%   154.0%      47
    twin razor bladescomfort    AtraII+            97.6%   109.2%      48
    Women Fragrance  C ClassiqueVanderbilt         27.7%    39.5%      49
    Women Fragrance  C ClassiqueChantilly         141.2%   201.4%      50
    Women Fragrance  C ClassiqueIncognito          53.5%    76.2%      51
    chicken dinner   Chateau    Tyson Frozen      193.3%   211.5%      52
    cranberry juice  Inst Fr    Ocean Spray        90.1%   104.1%      53
    cookies          Goodcookie Mothers           228.9%   265.2%      54
    13 gal trash bag Tie/Tot recHefty tie          89.1%    99.0%      55
    30 gal trash bag Tie/Tot recHefty tie         107.6%   123.0%      56
    30 gal trash bag Tie/Tot recGlad key-lock      84.0%    96.0%      57
    30 gal trash bag Tie/Tot recRenew             173.6%   198.5%      58
    facial tissue    MeadowbrookKlenex             92.4%   100.2%      59
    bathroom tissue  MeadowbrookCharmin            58.9%    64.2%      60
    bathroom tissue  MeadowbrookSmith's           159.2%   173.7%      61
    paper towel      MeadowbrookBounty            121.3%   132.3%      62
    disp diapers     (boyssmall)Huggies(boysm)    126.5%   138.9%      63
    #10envelopes     (general)  Mead              119.1%   134.9%      64
    jeans            Wrangler   Wrangler          110.8%   127.5%      65
    dress shirt (m)  Arrow      Ketch             213.5%   248.1%      66
    men's briefs     Jockey     Fruit/Loom        145.7%   169.3%      67
    men's briefs     Jockey     Hanes             266.6%   309.6%      68
    men's briefs     Jockey     BVD               219.7%   255.2%      69
    sponges          green scrubOne-Wipe          186.8%   222.5%      70
    sponges          green scrubSmith's           156.4%   185.7%      71
    sponges          green scrubScotchbrite        86.6%   102.8%      72
    3.5" 1.4M disks  BASF       Fuji              120.3%   142.5%      73
    light bulbs      pwrpincher GE energy          35.4%    41.7%      74
    corn flakes      Critic's   Kellog's          143.5%   157.0%      75
    instant oatmeal  none       Quaker            124.6%   144.7%      76
    100ISO 35mm film Scotch     Fuji               80.2%    89.3%      77
    100ISO 35mm film Scotch     Kodak              73.4%    81.7%      78
    AA batteries     Amgard     Energizer         142.0%   162.1%      79
    alergy medicine  Dir Form   Actifed            15.6%    19.1%      80
    alergy medicine  Dir Form   Benadryl           17.8%    21.8%      81
    cough drops      dir Form   Halls              61.9%    78.6%      82
    asprin           Dir form   Bayer              38.5%    46.5%      83
    asprin           Dir form   Smith's           163.8%   198.0%      84
    ibuprofen        Dir Form   Advil              74.0%    90.7%      85
    ibuprofen        Dir Form   Smiths            261.9%   321.2%      86
    chewable multivitProf Alpha Smith's           166.7%   243.0%      87
    weight food bar  Positrim   Fibar             212.1%   270.9%      88
    weight food bar  Positrim   CarnationB-fast   285.5%   364.7%      89
    weight food bar  Positrim   UltraSlim-fast     79.1%   101.1%      90
    eyecolor         Artistry   Loreal            234.1%   334.6%      91
    eyecolor         Artistry   Clarion           238.5%   340.9%      92
    eyecolor         Artistry   Max-Factor        238.5%   340.9%      93
    SPF8sunscreen    SunPacer   Coppertone        111.2%   159.1%      94
    furniture polish Buff-Up    Pledge            175.6%   251.0%      95
    AVERAGE                                       149.3%   188.6%
    VARIANCE                                      109.6%   219.3%

    =====================================================================

    Right Side:
                   Amway      Amway      Competing    Usage
    item#  Units   whlsle     unit pr    unit pr       Adj
    --------------------------------------------------------
     1     liter   $7.20      $9.30      $2.61          3 L
     2     liter   $7.20      $9.30      $1.42          3 L
     3       lbs   $1.60      $2.03      $1.12          1 L
     4       lbs   $2.41      $3.08      $1.14        4.7 L
     5       lbs   $2.58      $3.32      $0.76          1 T
     6     liter   $6.01      $7.70      $2.27       1.25 T
     7     ounce   $0.54      $0.79      $0.86          1 D
     8 tabset*10   $3.40      $5.00      $1.60       0.66 L
     9 tabset*10   $3.40      $5.00      $1.05        2.5 L
    10 tablet*10   $1.00      $1.40      $0.73          1 L
    11 tablet*10   $3.18      $4.79      $1.03          1 L
    12 tablet*10   $0.78      $1.17      $0.48        0.5 L
    13     liter   $4.70      $6.75      $2.89          2 L
    14     liter   $5.34      $7.70      $2.40          4 L
    15     ounce   $0.29      $0.42      $0.27          1 D
    16  ounce*10   $1.32      $1.79      $1.15          1 D
    17     ounce   $0.36      $0.52      $0.49          1 D
    18     ounce   $0.43      $0.54      $0.28          1 I
    19  yard*100   $1.34      $1.50      $2.58          1 I
    20 ounce*0.5   $3.88      $5.50      $3.84          1 D
    21 ounce*0.5   $3.88      $5.50      $5.13          1 D
    22 ounce*0.5   $3.88      $5.50      $2.41          1 D
    23 ounce*.13   $5.17      $7.45      $6.07          1 I
    24 ounce*.13   $5.17      $7.45      $5.68          1 I
    25 ounce*.13   $5.17      $7.45      $5.49          1 I
    26 ounce*.13   $5.17      $7.45      $3.65          1 I
    27  fl ounce   $7.19     $10.55      $6.80          1 I
    28  fl ounce   $7.19     $10.55      $5.94          1 I
    29     ounce   $1.48      $2.15      $0.21          1 L
    30       ltr   $6.08      $8.85      $4.70        1.2 E
    31    8 floz   $0.93      $1.21      $0.87          1 L
    32    8 floz   $0.93      $1.21      $0.69        0.8 L
    33  8.45floz   $0.69      $0.83      $0.40          2 L
    34      roll   $7.18      $8.00      $4.27          1 I
    35  fl ounce   $0.28      $0.35      $0.29          1 E
    36  fl ounce   $0.28      $0.35      $0.12          1 D
    37  ounce*10   $2.07      $2.40      $1.42          1 E
    38  ounce*10   $2.07      $2.40      $1.45          1 E
    39  fl ounce   $0.47      $0.66      $0.26          1 E
    40  fl ounce   $0.47      $0.66      $0.08          1 E
    41  fl ounce   $0.26      $0.33      $0.26          1 I
    42     ounce   $0.32      $0.47      $0.19          1 D
    43  sqft*100   $2.91      $3.25      $2.58          1 I
    44   ounce*8   $1.87      $2.08      $1.26          1 I
    45  ounce*10   $1.41      $1.65      $1.25          1 I
    46  ounce*10   $1.41      $1.65      $1.48          1 I
    47     ounce   $0.61      $0.71      $0.47          1 I
    48      each   $0.40      $0.45      $0.42          1 I
    49  fl ounce   $6.52      $9.46     $24.43          1 I
    50  fl ounce   $6.52      $9.46      $4.79          1 I
    51  fl ounce   $6.52      $9.46     $12.65          1 I
    52     ounce   $0.51      $0.56      $0.27          1 I
    53     quart   $1.23      $1.43      $1.40          1 I
    54  ounce*10   $3.86      $4.50      $1.73          1 I
    55   each*10   $0.60      $0.67      $0.69          1 I
    56   each*10   $1.27      $1.46      $1.21          1 I
    57   each*10   $1.27      $1.46      $1.55          1 I
    58   each*10   $1.27      $1.46      $0.75          1 I
    59  sqft*100   $1.03      $1.12      $1.14          1 I
    60  sqft*100   $0.84      $0.92      $1.46          1 I
    61  sqft*100   $0.84      $0.92      $0.54          1 I
    62  sqft*100   $1.79      $1.96      $1.51          1 I
    63   each*10   $2.15      $2.37      $1.74          1 I
    64  each*100   $2.30      $2.62      $1.98          1 I
    65      each  $23.75     $27.49     $21.99          1 I
    66      each  $22.88     $26.77     $11.00          1 I
    67      each   $4.26      $4.98      $3.00          1 I
    68      each   $4.26      $4.98      $1.64          1 I
    69      each   $4.26      $4.98      $1.99          1 I
    70  cu in*10   $0.60      $0.72      $0.33          1 I
    71  cu in*10   $1.02      $1.22      $0.67          1 I
    72  cu in*10   $1.02      $1.22      $1.21          1 I
    73      each   $1.71      $2.04      $1.46          1 I
    74      each   $0.75      $0.89      $0.87        2.5 L
    75  ounce*10   $1.22      $1.34      $0.87          1 I
    76  ounce*10   $2.72      $3.18      $2.24          1 L
    77  expsr*10   $1.01      $1.13      $1.29          1 I
    78  expsr*10   $1.01      $1.13      $1.41          1 I
    79      each   $0.54      $0.62      $0.39          1 D
    80  each*100   $3.15      $3.90     $20.79          1 L
    81  each*100   $3.15      $3.90     $18.25          1 L
    82  each*100   $2.78      $3.57      $4.63          1 D
    83  each*100   $1.37      $1.67      $3.66          1 L
    84  each*100   $1.37      $1.67      $0.86          1 L
    85  each*100   $5.09      $6.30      $7.08          1 L
    86  each*100   $5.09      $6.30      $2.00          1 L
    87   each*10   $1.38      $2.05      $0.43          2 L
    88     ounce   $0.72      $0.93      $0.35          1 D
    89     ounce   $0.72      $0.93      $0.26          1 D
    90     ounce   $0.72      $0.93      $0.67        1.4 L
    91 ounce*.06   $3.61      $5.25      $1.60          1 D
    92 ounce*.06   $3.61      $5.25      $1.57          1 D
    93 ounce*.06   $3.61      $5.25      $1.57          1 D
    94     ounce   $1.34      $1.95      $1.25          1 D
    95     ounce   $0.44      $0.64      $0.26          1 D

### Price Comparison 3

Robert Deering

Price comparison was performed at Fred Meyers in Juneau on 12 June 96. I selected products based from the Amway Products and Services Catalogue and the Personal Shopper from the RDC. I avoided products with "concentration" factors which are difficult to verify. I selected standard everyday products. I did not know prices prior to selecting those products.

When comparing Fred Meyer products I tried to select two different products unless I had an exact match. For the RDC generic brands I compared them to the top name brand product and the local generic Fred Meyer brand product. A couple items were dropped because a comparable Fred Meyer product was not found.

From the 1 March Wholesale Price List I selected the product BV, Retail and Wholesale. I selected from the case price/singular column when possible to compare the smallest quantities. Often that was not possible. I included 4% shipping (except for some special ship rates). I then calculated the bonus discount if the distributor is maintaining 100PV and again with 7500PV (Direct Distributor).

I divided each cost by the unit, and compared unit price to unit price on each item. I then calculated the percent difference between the Fred Meyer product and the Amway product. A rating of 100% would mean the prices are equal. A rating of 150% means that the Amway product is 50% higher than the Fred Meyer product.

    *********** Personal Shopper items ***********

    Product                                 Ret.    Whlsl   Whlsl   Whlsl   Ship.   Num.            Ret.    Whlsl   @100PV  @DDPV
                                    BV      Price   Price   @100PV  @DDPV   @4%     Units   Unit    CPU     CPU     CPU     CPU
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    E-9387 Synth Motor Oil 5W30     27      84      69.48   68.67   62.73   2.78    12      qt      7.23    6.02    5.95    5.46
    Castrol Syntech                         24.54                                   6               4.09
                                                                                                    177%    147%    146%    133%

    E-9387 Synth Motor Oil 5W31     27      84      69.48   68.67   62.73   2.78    12      qt      7.23    6.02    5.95    5.46
    Valvoline Durablend                     14.94                                   6               2.49
                                                                                                    290%    242%    239%    219%

    E-9114 MCGel Bug & Tar Rmvr     6.4     7.1     5.26    5.07    3.66    0.21    11.5    oz      0.64    0.48    0.46    0.34
    Turtle Wax Bug and Tar Rmvr             2.99                                    12              0.25
                                                                                                    255%    191%    184%    135%

    E-606 Deter Sports Stick        3.7     4.9     3.87    3.76    2.95    0.15    2.1     oz      2.38    1.9     1.85    1.46
    Antiprs Speed Stick                     2.49                                    3.3             0.77
                                                                                                    311%    248%    241%    191%

    E-606 Deter Sports Stick        3.7     4.9     3.87    3.76    2.95    0.15    2.1     oz      2.41    1.92    1.86    1.48
    Right Guard Sport Stick                 1.69                                    2               0.85
                                                                                                    285%    227%    221%    175%

    E-732  Satinique Mousse         6       6.9     5.15    4.97    3.65    0.21    5.2     oz      1.37    1.03    1       0.74
    Thicker Fuller Hair Mousse              4.99                                    6               0.83
                                                                                                    164%    124%    120%    89%

    E-732  Satinique Mousse         6       6.9     5.15    4.97    3.65    0.21    5.2     oz      1.37    1.03    1       0.74
    Salon Selectives                        2.29                                    7               0.33
                                                                                                    418%    315%    304%    227%

    E-1208 Satinique Shamp          6.4     7.3     5.62    5.43    4.02    0.22    8.4     oz      0.9     0.7     0.67    0.51
    Head & Shoulders                        3.99                                    15              0.27
                                                                                                    337%    262%    253%    190%

    E-1208 Satinique Shamp          6.4     7.3     5.62    5.43    4.02    0.22    8.4     oz      0.9     0.7     0.67    0.51
    Selsun Blue                             7.59                                    11              0.69
                                                                                                    130%    101%    98%     73%

    E-9530 Glister Toothpaste       3.35    4.15    3.64    3.54    2.8     0.15    6.8     oz      0.64    0.56    0.55    0.44
    Crest Tartar Control                    2.19                                    6.4             0.34
                                                                                                    186%    164%    160%    128%
    Flouride, anti plaque
    E-9530 Glister Toothpaste       3.35    4.15    3.64    3.54    2.8     0.15    6.8     oz      0.63    0.56    0.54    0.43
    FMV Brand                               1.19                                    6.4             0.19
                                                                                                    340%    299%    291%    233%
    Flouride, anti plaque
    E-9551 Shave Creme              3.75    4.8     3.87    3.76    2.93    0.15    8       oz      0.62    0.5     0.49    0.39
    Edge Gel                                1.99                                    7               0.28
                                                                                                    218%    177%    172%    136%

    E-9551 Shave Creme              3.75    4.8     3.87    3.76    2.93    0.15    8       oz      0.62    0.5     0.49    0.39
    Gillette w/ Aloe                        2.69                                    18              0.15
                                                                                                    414%    337%    327%    258%

    E-8087  Sunscreen SPF 15        8.9     9.95    7.17    6.9     4.95    0.29    4       oz      2.56    1.86    1.8     1.31
    Coppertone Protect & Tan 15             6.99                                    4               1.75
                                                                                                    146%    107%    103%    75%

    E-8087  Sunscreen SPF 16        8.9     9.95    7.17    6.9     4.95    0.29    4       oz      2.56    1.86    1.8     1.31
    Personal Choice 15                      2.97                                    4               0.74
                                                                                                    345%    251%    242%    176%

    A-5570  Aspirin 325 mg          14.4    26.6    21.44   21.01   17.84   0.86    1200    tab     0.02    0.02    0.02    0.02
    Bayer 325 mg                            7.49                                    200             0.04
                                                                                                    61%     50%     49%     42%

    A-5570  Aspirin 325 mg          14.4    26.6    21.44   21.01   17.84   0.86    1200    tab     0.02    0.02    0.02    0.02
    Fred Meyer                              8.79                                    1000            0.01
                                                                                                    260%    211%    207%    177%

    E-9670  Nutripet Dog Food       48.2    61.4    54.86   53.41   42.81   2.19    40      lb      1.59    1.43    1.39    1.13
    NutroMax Lamb&Rice                      37                                      40              0.93
    (Not Fred Meyer)                                                                                172%    154%    150%    122%

    E-9670  Nutripet Dog Food       48.2    61.4    54.86   53.41   42.81   2.19    40      lb      1.59    1.43    1.39    1.13
    Purina One Dog Formula                  17.49                                   20              0.87
                                                                                                    182%    163%    159%    129%

    E-799  Pre-Wash Spray           7.05    8.1     6.02    5.81    4.26    0.24    13      oz      0.64    0.48    0.47    0.35
    SprayNWash Aerosol                      2.99                                    20              0.15
                                                                                                    429%    322%    311%    231%

    E-799  Pre-Wash Spray           7.05    8.1     6.02    5.81    4.26    0.24    13      oz      0.64    0.48    0.47    0.35
    Shout                                   3.29                                    16              0.21
                                                                                                    312%    234%    226%    168%

    E-796  Blue Power Bowl Cln      6.7     7.5     5.52    5.32    3.85    0.22    6       oz      1.29    0.96    0.92    0.68
    Vanish Drop-ins                         1.37                                    3.8             0.36
                                                                                                    357%    265%    256%    188%

    E-796  Blue Power Bowl Cln      6.7     7.5     5.52    5.32    3.85    0.22    6       oz      1.29    0.96    0.92    0.68
    Ty D Bowl                               1.67                                    1.7             0.98
                                                                                    1               31%     97%     94%     69%

    E-8929  Buff Up Dust Spray      6.6     7.6     5.68    5.48    4.03    0.23    12      oz      0.65    0.49    0.48    0.35
    Endust                                  3.89                                    10              0.39
                                                                                                    168%    127%    122%    91%

    E-9945  Hard Surface Protectant 8.3     9.2     7.08    6.83    5.01    0.28    7       oz      1.35    1.05    1.02    0.76
    Rain Shield Spray                       5.39                                    6               0.9
                                                                                                    151%    117%    113%    84%

    E-8950  d-15 Insect Repellant   7.7     8.7     6.38    6.15    4.46    0.26    9       oz      1       0.74    0.71    0.52
    Deep Woods Off                          4.99                                    6               0.83
                                                                                                    120%    89%     86%     63%

    E-8727 Oven Cleaner             6.65    7.65    5.72    5.52    4.06    0.23    16      oz      0.49    0.37    0.36    0.27
    Dow Oven Cleaner                        2.58                                    19.2            0.13
                                                                                                    366%    277%    267%    199%

    E-8727 Oven Cleaner             6.65    7.65    5.72    5.52    4.06    0.23    16      oz      0.49    0.37    0.36    0.27
    Easy Off                                3.53                                    16              0.22
                                                                                                    223%    169%    163%    121%

    E-8148  Spray Carpet Cleaner    7.4     8.6     6.4     6.18    4.55    0.26    21      oz      0.42    0.32    0.31    0.23
    Woolite One Step                        4.59                                    22              0.21
                                                                                    2               02%     152%    147%    110%

    E-8148  Spray Carpet Cleaner    7.4     8.6     6.4     6.18    4.55    0.26    21      oz      0.42    0.32    0.31    0.23
    Resolve                                 4.49                                    22              0.2
                                                                                                    207%    155%    150%    112%

    Personal Shopper Avgs...........................................................................245%    192%    187%    145%

    *********** RDC Items ***********

    X-7404-A5 SweetNLow             4.99    15.38   13.88   13.73   12.63   0.56    800     pkt     0.02    0.02    0.02    0.02
    SweetNLow                               3.95                                    250             0.02
                                                                                                    126%    114%    113%    104%

    X-3386-A5  Bigelow Var Tea      6.65    20.35   18.35   18.15   16.69   0.73    168     bag     0.13    0.11    0.11    0.1
    Bigelow Var Herb tea                    2.69                                    18              0.15
                                                                                                    84%     76%     75%     69%

    X-6541-A5  Raisin Bran          7.33    23.39   21.19   20.97   19.36   0.85    120     oz      0.2     0.18    0.18    0.17
    Kelloggs Raisin Bran                    3.79                                    20              0.19
                                                                                                    107%    97%     96%     89%

    X-6541-A5  Raisin Bran          7.33    23.39   21.19   20.97   19.36   0.85    120     oz      0.2     0.18    0.18    0.17
    FMW Raisin Bran                         4.49                                    35              0.13
                                                                                                    157%    143%    142%    131%

    X-6507-A5  Toasted Oats         6.65    21.18   19.18   18.98   17.52   0.77    90      oz      0.24    0.22    0.22    0.2
    Cheerios                                3.17                                    15              0.21
                                                                                                    115%    105%    104%    96%

    X-6507-A5  Toasted Oats         6.65    21.18   19.18   18.98   17.52   0.77    90      oz      0.24    0.22    0.22    0.2
    Malto Meal Toasty O's                   2.17                                    15              0.14
                                                                                                    169%    153%    152%    140%

    X-2027-A5  Kelloggs Var pk      12.99   40.21   36.31   35.92   33.06   1.45    72      bx      0.58    0.52    0.52    0.48
    Kellogg Sing Var Pak                    3.87                                    10              0.39
    Small cereal boxes                                                                              150%    136%    134%    124%

    X-4423-A5  Map Syrup (2%real)   15.15   39.32   35.82   35.37   32.03   1.43    288     oz      0.14    0.13    0.13    0.12
    Log Cabin                               4.99                                    36              0.14
                                                                                                    102%    93%     92%     84%

    X-4423-A5  Map Syrup (2%real)   15.15   39.32   35.82   35.37   32.03   1.43    288     oz      0.14    0.13    0.13    0.12
    Fred Meyer Syrup                        2.79                                    36              0.08
                                                                                                    183%    167%    165%    150%

    Z-4784-A5  Kaukauna Ched Melt   11.99   37.57   33.97   33.61   30.97   1.36    144     oz      0.27    0.25    0.24    0.22
    Cheez Whiz                              3.28                                    12              0.27
    Squeeze bottle of process cheese                                                                99%     90%     89%     82%

    X-5362-A5  Microwave Popcorn    5.16    16.53   14.98   14.83   13.69   0.6     24      ea      0.71    0.65    0.64    0.6
    Pop Secret (3.5 oz bags - typ)          2                                       3               0.67
    Reg Butter flavor claims 10 cups                                                                107%    97%     96%     89%

    X-5362-A5  Microwave Popcorn    5.16    16.53   14.98   14.83   13.69   0.6     24      ea      0.71    0.65    0.64    0.6
    Fred Meyer                              1.5                                     3               0.5
    Reg Butter flavor claims 10 cups                                                                143%    130%    129%    119%

    X-5258-A5  Creamy Peanut Btr    7.99    25.75   23.35   23.11   21.35   0.93    168     oz      0.16    0.14    0.14    0.13
    Jif Creamy                              5.19                                    40              0.13
                                                                                                    122%    111%    110%    102%

    X-5258-A5  Creamy Peanut Btr    7.99    25.75   23.35   23.11   21.35   0.93    168     oz      0.16    0.14    0.14    0.13
    Fred Meyer Creamy                       4.73                                    40              0.12
                                                                                                    134%    122%    121%    112%

    X-5246-A5 Ketchup               3.16    10.68   9.73    9.64    8.94    0.39    112     oz      0.1     0.09    0.09    0.08
    Heinz                                   1.29                                    28              0.05
                                                                                                    215%    196%    194%    181%

    X-5246-A5 Ketchup               3.16    10.68   9.73    9.64    8.94    0.39    112     oz      0.1     0.09    0.09    0.08
    Fred Meyer                              0.88                                    28              0.03
                                                                                                    314%    287%    285%    265%

    Z-5182-A5 Choco Flav Syrup      6.99    22.54   20.44   20.23   18.69   0.82    144     oz      0.16    0.15    0.15    0.14
    Hershey Syrup                           1.89                                    24              0.08
    Ice cream topping                                                                               206%    187%    186%    172%

    Z-5182-A5 Choco Flav Syrup      6.99    22.54   20.44   20.23   18.69   0.82    144     oz      0.16    0.15    0.15    0.14
    Fred Meyer                              1.5                                     24              0.06
    Ice cream topping                                                                               260%    236%    234%    217%

    X-7723-H5  Veg Oil Spray        4.49    9.19    8.3     8.17    7.18    0.33    12      oz      0.79    0.72    0.71    0.63
    Pam                                     3.37                                    8               0.42
    Non-stick spray                                                                                 188%    171%    168%    149%

    X-7723-H5  Veg Oil Spray        4.49    9.19    8.3     8.17    7.18    0.33    12      oz      0.79    0.72    0.71    0.63
    Fred Meyer                              2.19                                    6               0.37
    Non-stick spray                                                                                 217%    197%    194%    171%

    WZ-6294-A5  Freezer Bag 1 Gal   6.65    20.94   18.94   18.74   17.28   0.76    200     ea      0.11    0.1     0.1     0.09
    Ziplock Freezer 1 Gal                   3.79                                    30              0.13
                                                                                                    86%     78%     77%     71%

    WZ-6294-A5  Freezer Bag 1 Gal   6.65    20.94   18.94   18.74   17.28   0.76    200     ea      0.11    0.1     0.1     0.09
    Gladlock Freezer                        2.59                                    15              0.17
                                                                                                    63%     57%     56%     52%

    Z-6310-A5  Aluminum Foil        4.66    14.56   13.16   13.02   12      0.53    400     sf      0.04    0.03    0.03    0.03
    Reynolds Wrap                           5.88                                    200             0.03
                                                                                                    128%    116%    115%    106%

    Z-6310-A5  Aluminum Foil        4.66    14.56   13.16   13.02   12      0.53    400     sf      0.04    0.03    0.03    0.03
    FMW Aluminum Wrap                       2.19                                    75              0.03
                                                                                                    129%    117%    116%    107%

    Z-6295-A5  Plastic Food Wrap    5.66    17.57   15.87   15.7    14.46   0.63    1200    sf      0.02    0.01    0.01    0.01
    Glad Clingwrap                          2.57                                    200             0.01
                                                                                                    118%    107%    106%    98%

    Z-6295-A5  Plastic Food Wrap    5.66    17.57   15.87   15.7    14.46   0.63    1200    sf      0.02    0.01    0.01    0.01
    Fred Meyer                              1.99                                    200             0.01
                                                                                                    152%    138%    137%    126%

    X-4330-A5 Paper Towels          13.33   43.04   39.05   38.65   35.72   4.25    2059.8  sf      0.02    0.02    0.02    0.02
    Bounty                                  1.75                                    80.6            0.02    0       0       0
    2-ply, comes in case, $4.25 S&H                                                                 106%    97%     96%     89%

    X-4330-A5 Paper Towels          13.33   43.04   39.05   38.65   35.72   4.25    2059.8  sf      0.02    0.02    0.02    0.02
    Fred Meyer                              2.29                                    170.5           0.01
    2-ply, comes in case, $4.25 S&H                                                                 171%    157%    155%    144%

    X-4335-A5  Bathroom Tissue      13.33   44.24   40.25   39.85   36.92   4.25    4002    sf      0.01    0.01    0.01    0.01
    Charmin Ultra                           3.39                                    187             0.02
    2-ply, qltd, case, $4.25 S&H                                                                    67%     61%     61%     57%

    X-4335-A5  Bathroom Tissue      13.33   44.24   40.25   39.85   36.92   4.25    4002    sf      0.01    0.01    0.01    0.01
    Personal Choice Quilted                 7.73                                    924             0.01
    2-ply, qltd, case, $4.25 S&H                                                                    145%    133%    132%    123%

    X-6617-A5 Aqua sol Dental Floss 3.99    12.21   11.01   10.89   10.01   0.44    800     yd      0.02    0.01    0.01    0.01
    Oral B mint/wax                         1.49                                    55              0.03
    mint, waxed                                                                                     58%     53%     52%     48%

    X-6617-A5 Aqua sol Dental Floss 3.99    12.21   11.01   10.89   10.01   0.44    800     yd      0.02    0.01    0.01    0.01
    Fred Meyer                              1.19                                    100             0.01
    mint, waxed                                                                                     133%    120%    119%    110%

    X-6613-A5  Bandages             4.99    15.26   13.76   13.61   12.51   0.55    280     ea      0.06    0.05    0.05    0.05
    BandAids 60 assorted                    2.49                                    60              0.04
    70 count box, assorted                                                                          136%    123%    122%    112%

    X-6680-A5  Cotton Swabs         5.84    13.28   11.98   11.8    10.52   0.48    1600    ea      0.01    0.01    0.01    0.01
    Q-Tips                                  2.39                                    300             0.01
                                                                                                    108%    98%     96%     86%

    X-6680-A5  Cotton Swabs         5.84    13.28   11.98   11.8    10.52   0.48    1600    ea      0.01    0.01    0.01    0.01
    Fred Meyer                              2.39                                    500             0
                                                                                                    180%    163%    161%    144%

    X-7439-A5  Fuji Film 100 ISO    7.33    22.39   20.19   19.97   18.36   0.81    168     exp     0.14    0.12    0.12    0.11
    Fuji 100  Super HGII                    6.99                                    84              0.08
                                                                                                    166%    150%    149%    137%

    Z-4704-A5  AA alk. batteries    9.99    30.53   27.53   27.23   25.03   1.1     48      ea      0.66    0.6     0.59    0.54
    Duracell AA                             5.99                                    8               0.75
                                                                                                    88%     80%     79%     73%

    Z-6658-A5  Videocassette Tapes  6.65    20.57   18.57   18.37   16.91   0.74    7       ea      3.04    2.76    2.73    2.52
    JVC 120 EGH                             7.09                                    3               2.36
                                                                                                    129%    117%    116%    107%

    RDC Avgs........................................................................................141%    128%    127%    117%

    Overal Avgs.....................................................................................187%    156%    153%    129%