“I’m a Toydarian, mind tricks don’t work on me. Only money. No money, no parts, no deal!” – Watto, Star Wars I: The Phantom Menace
Maybe I’m not quite as bad as Watto, but I do love a good deal – especially now that I’m being forced to rein in the budget something fierce. Since I don’t know if everyone else knows about it, I’m going to put in this link to Amazon.com’s bulk-buying Subscribe & Save program. I l.o.v.e this program. Every time I order something from it, I get free shipping and an automatic 15% discount. Woo-hoo!
What reminded me was that I just ordered some more HE detergent for my front-loading washer today. I get paper products (my much beloved Seventh Generation toilet paper, paper towels, and bath tissues, for example), Dad Windu’s favorite face wash (very hit or miss at the grocery store), “lady items” and other such bulky non-perishables this way. I’m a huge fan of buying local and supporting local merchants, but I’m also a big fan of being able to get my weekly groceries on my bicycle (hard to do when you’ve got lots of bulky items) or – if the load is really light – walking there and back. Plus the local grocery doesn’t even stock Seventh Generation stuff (yes, I’ve requested them) – and that bugs the crap out of me! So the the UPS truck pulls up and delivers 6-7 months of TP in a big o’ cardboard box.
To get the great deal, it makes me pick a recurring period (1, 2, 3 or 6 month time frames). That seemed a bit risky until I realized that I can cancel the repeat order immediately after buying something if I want to. They also send you a reminder email about a week before sending out the next shipment, too, so you can skip the upcoming order if you wish. Generally I order everything on the 6 month plan and move the order date back or forward as needed.
I hope this helps some of you out too.
I get my Rembrandt toothpaste through Amazon subscription (also hit or miss in the local stores), but I hadn’t thought of looking for some of the other items you mention. With Amazon Prime a lot of them are free shipping. Thanks for posting this, I’m definitely going to look at their prices on some other things.
Ohhhh we need to check this out. Thanks!
Waah Waaaaaah. That looks great, *sob*. Meanwhile downunder, we are waiting for Costco to arrive. Doors open sometime in November – so tell me, is it going to be worth the wait?
OMK – I haven’t found it to be worth the hype because I don’t buy a lot of pre-packaged foods. That said… I have been known to glom onto a friend’s account though if she’s making a Costco run and I happen to be low on something specific (such as ketchup or tortilla chips). It’s really easy to go crazy though, which is a mark against it to me.
Well now, this was a totally new revelation. I love learning new things every day!!! Isn’t homeschooling great??!! lol
Cool! I’m going to check that out. I’ve bought Kiss My Face soap from Amazon as well as other toiletry type items. My thinking is anything that I can buy that ISN’T from WalMart makes me happy. Thanks for posting!
OMK – WalMart is my nemesis.
I shop Amazon all the time (ten minutes ago actually), how did I not know this! Thank you so much for sharing! Amazon is one of those sites that has so many layers you really need a tour guide.
Some day when I can afford it I want you to be in charge of organizing my life.
OMK – Does that mean you’ll move me out to the Wet Coast as well?
I need all the help I can get. Thanks for the info!