TriX Price Differences...

ChristopherCoy · Apr 29, 2012

Anyone know why the prices are like this??? I would think that a 5 roll box of film would be cheaper per roll than if bought individually. However, it's cheaper to buy 5 individual boxed rolls, than it is to buy a 5 pack.

Freestyle Photo:

Kodak TriX 400 in 120 size - SINGLE BOX - $3.79
http://freestylephoto.biz/8120891-Kodak-Tri-X-400-iso-120-size-TX

Kodak TriX 400 in 120 size - OPEN BOX ROLL - $5.49
http://freestylephoto.biz/11153659-Kodak-Tri-X-400-iso-120-Size-TX-Single-Roll-Unboxed

Kodak TriX 400 in 120 size - 5 ROLL BOX - $24.99 ($4.99) per roll.
http://freestylephoto.biz/1153659-Kodak-Tri-X-400-iso-120-Size-TX-5-pack?cat_id=403

B&H:

Kodak TriX 400 in 120 size - OPEN BOX ROLL - $4.19
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/29167-USA/Kodak_1965599_Professional_TX_120_Black.html

Kodak TriX 400 in 120 size - 5 ROLL BOX - $20.95 ($4.19) per roll
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/843204-USA/Kodak_1153659_Professional_Tri_X_120_Black.html

ChristopherCoy · Apr 29, 2012

Well, nevermind. The individual boxed rolls are out of stock.

Mahler_one · Apr 29, 2012

Freestyle if often more expensive for film, and other items, then is B&H. I suppose that B&H is able to order larger quantities of a given item, and thus can charge less. If one lives on the East Coast, the price differential AND the lower cost of shipping can make an appreciable difference. OTOH, Freestyle has ( in stock, and ready for delivery ) items that B&H won't have, or that B&H will have to order. Both stores are wonderful with great customer service, etc., etc.

ChristopherCoy · Apr 29, 2012

I chose to go with Freestyle, since I believe in supporting those who believe in supporting us and APUG.

However, I did a little workup and compared prices at each place.

I purchased 2 bags of XTOL, and a 5 roll box of TriX 400.

Freestyle Total is $43.37 + Shipping (FedEx Ground) $5.99 = Total of $49.36

B&H Total is $40.85 + Shipping (UPS Ground) $8.15 = Total of $49.00

So while B&H may have lower prices, their shipping is more expensive. And if it comes down to a matter of 36 total cents, I'd rather give my business to Freestyle.

I was just curious as to why an individual box of film (when in stock) is less expensive than a 5 roll pack. Seems to me that the 5 roll pack should be less per unit..... unless Freestyle is buying bulk bricks and then breaking them individually for resale.

MartinP · Apr 29, 2012

It may be that some stock, and therefore pricing, was left over from before the recent price-increases?

Sirius Glass · Apr 29, 2012

ChristopherCoy said:
I chose to go with Freestyle, since I believe in supporting those who believe in supporting us and APUG.

However, I did a little workup and compared prices at each place.

I purchased 2 bags of XTOL, and a 5 roll box of TriX 400.

Freestyle Total is $43.37 + Shipping (FedEx Ground) $5.99 = Total of $49.36

B&H Total is $40.85 + Shipping (UPS Ground) $8.15 = Total of $49.00

So while B&H may have lower prices, their shipping is more expensive. And if it comes down to a matter of 36 total cents, I'd rather give my business to Freestyle.

I was just curious as to why an individual box of film (when in stock) is less expensive than a 5 roll pack. Seems to me that the 5 roll pack should be less per unit..... unless Freestyle is buying bulk bricks and then breaking them individually for resale.

That is what my experience has been.

Mahler_one · Apr 29, 2012

Good news that the price difference for your items is negligible. However, as noted, for some items the difference is more significant. For example:

HP5, 8x10, 25 sheets:

Freestyle $110.09 plus $13.99 or $124.08

B&H $87.16 plus $5.85 or $92.91

The point: Both are wonderful places to shop, etc., etc. However, sometimes it is worth the effort to compare prices. And to repeat, often Freestyle will have items that B&H does not stock. I agree that Freestyle supports APUG, and I am grateful that they chose to do so. Perhaps Sean should approach B&H and ask for their support as well?

Stay well, and good luck.

seadrive · Apr 29, 2012

I love Freestyle (I smile every time I see that I'm buying chemicals, not chemistry), but price-based shipping costs (rather than weight-based) make zero sense.

I was placing an order at Freestyle's web site this morning, when I realized that two 5-roll boxes of film were about to cost me an extra six bucks in shipping, so I reduced my order from four boxes (order total just over $100, shipping = $13.99) to two boxes (order total now just under $75, shipping = $7.99).

When your shipping policy makes people buy less stuff, especially when that stuff weighs practically nothing and doesn't actually cost you any more to ship it, you have a problem. I can only assume that their shopping cart software doesn't track weights, or can't (for some reason) do a weight-based shipping calculation.

Sorry for getting off track here, just had to vent!

micwag2 · Apr 29, 2012

I have to agree that price based shipping is a bad idea. I have held back ordering because of such policies. I can't justify some of the shipping costs when I know that it is easy to put stuff in a flat rate box and ship for one price.

Sirius Glass · Apr 29, 2012

For some places were I do not like the price based shipping, I call them and they will usually adjust the price to keep the sale.

micwag2 · Apr 29, 2012

Sirius Glass said:
For some places were I do not like the price based shipping, I call them and they will usually adjust the price to keep the sale.

That's not a bad idea. I may do that the next time I'm contemplating an order and see what they say.

Mahler_one · Apr 29, 2012

Well said, but the companies have to hire a person or persons to put each item into the box, etc., etc. So, there are handling costs associated with each order. Each person should order from the source that provides the best service at the best price. If the firm that loses the order finds that business is falling, then they will adjust...or close their doors. If price is not the driving factor-and in some cases price is NOT the only factor-then the firms that are able to attach a premium to their price for better service, faster shipping, better selection, etc. will continue to do well. The market(s) will decide which firms will live, and which will not.

micwag2 · Apr 29, 2012

Mahler_one said:
Well said, but the companies have to hire a person or persons to put each item into the box, etc., etc. So, there are handling costs associated with each order. Each person should order from the source that provides the best service at the best price. If the firm that loses the order finds that business is falling, then they will adjust...or close their doors. If price is not the driving factor-and in some cases price is NOT the only factor-then the firms that are able to attach a premium to their price for better service, faster shipping, better selection, etc. will continue to do well. The market(s) will decide which firms will live, and which will not.

True, they do have to cover the cost of overhead to pay the persons packing the boxes, but, in my opinion that cosy should be calculated into the cost of the merchandise not the shipping.

Moopheus · Apr 29, 2012

Mahler_one said:
If price is not the driving factor-and in some cases price is NOT the only factor-then the firms that are able to attach a premium to their price for better service, faster shipping, better selection, etc. will continue to do well. The market(s) will decide which firms will live, and which will not.

Clearly, lived reality must conform to the dictates of an econ 101 textbook!

cmacd123 · Apr 30, 2012

back to the question, TX 120 now only comes in the pro-pack box, which came with a price increase. (plain TX used to only come in single boxes, and TXPro in 5 packs but their is no more tri-x-pro.)

TriX Price Differences...

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