Big-Chain Pet Stores vs. Online Store study

[Guineapigpro]

This is a comparison of the Big-Chain pet stores, compared to the online store known as drsfostersandsmith.com. In this study, I removed sales from all sites. Keep I mind that the big chan stores charge tax, white drsfostersandsmith.com does not. Also, they charge a flat rate of $6 shipping unless you purchase one particular item that is so large, it must be flown.


Oxbow Hay Products


OXBOW TIMOTHY HAY, 40oz
PETSMART: $13+tax
PETCO: Doesn't sell
DRSFOSTERANDSMITH.COM: $9.50


OXBOW ORCHARD HAY 15oz
PETSMART: $6.50+tax
PETCO: Doesn't sell
DRSFOSTERANDSMITH.COM: $4


Oxbow Pellet Products


OXBOW ANIMAL HEALTH BENETERRA ORGANIC GUINEA PIG FOOD 3lb
PETSMART: $15+tax
PETCO: Doesn't sell
DRSFOSTERANDSMITH.COM: $10


OXBOW ESSENTIALS YOUNG GUINEA PIG FOOD 5lb
PETSMART: $13+tax
PETCO: Doesn't sell
DRSFOSTERANDSMITH.COM: $9


OXBOW ESSENTIALS ADULT GUINEA PIG FOOD 10lb
PETSMART: $25+tax
PETCO: Doesn't sell
DRSFOSTERANDSMITH.COM: $18+extra shipping


OXBOW NATURAL SCIENCE ADULT GUINEA PIG FOOD 4lb
PETSMART: $15+tax
PETCO: Doesn't sell
DRSFOSTERANDSMITH.COM: $11


Kaytee Hay Products


KAYTEE TIMOTHY HAY 48oz
PETSMART: $10+tax
PETCO: $11+tax
DRSFOSTERANDSMITH.COM: $8


KAYTEE ALFALFA MINI BALE HAY 24oz
PETSMART: $6+tax
PETCO: $6.50+tax
DRSFOSTERANDSMITH.COM: $3.50


Kaytee Bedding Products


KAYTEE CLEAN AND COZY BEDDING 16L
PETSMART: Their listing was very confusing and misleading: N/A
PETCO: $17+tax
DRSFOSTERANDSMITH.COM: $12


Carefresh Bedding Products


CAREFFRESH ULTRA 23L
PETSMART: $16+tax
PETCO: $15+tax
DRSFOSTERANDSMITH.COM: $10


CAREFRESH NATURAL 30L
PETSMART: $14+tax
PETCO: $14+tax
DRSFOSTERANDSMITH.COM: $9


CAREFRESH BASIC BLEND 60L
PETSMART: $19+tax
PETCO: Doesn't sell
DRSFOSTERANDSMITH.COM: $12


If your planning on buying large bags of food, hay, or bedding, then this may not be your best option. But for the weekly/monthly purchases, this is a GREAT resource.

 

[Rabbit_Lover]

When I had my ferrets on the kibble diet, I would order two of there smallest bags of food, (5lbs each) and payed about $1 in the kibble, but the extra shipping for the bigger bags was the killer.
If you have added shipping on DFS it is $7.99 extra, so if you can, buy two bags. Also if you spend like $40 I believe it's free shipping.

 

[Guineapigpro]

If you spend $50 or more shipping is free. (Not including the huge items that must be shipped by plane)

 

[ForeverEmber]

Too bad I'd have to pay $20 shipping and 22% in Canada . Does free shipping still apply??

On the other hand, I recently ordered some toys from Amazon.ca for my future guinea pigs. A few "add on items" several dollars less expensive than in-stores was a bargain with free shipping! Most of the add-on items are chews and willow toys

 

[sabrinaxceleste]

Local feed stores are wonderful.

They sell the large bags of Oxbow pellets for about 10 dollars or so. Plus, they have a rewards program. Buy 6, get 1 free. Or buy 10, get 1 free. Can't remember anymore. lol.

 

[ForeverEmber]

Local feed stores are wonderful.

They sell the large bags of Oxbow pellets for about 10 dollars or so. Plus, they have a rewards program. Buy 6, get 1 free. Or buy 10, get 1 free. Can't remember anymore. lol.

My friend goes to her local feed store near Waterdown . There it's buy 6, get 1 free! How awesome. Does Oxbow offer this reward everywhere?

 

[lunarminx]

KAYTEE CLEAN AND COZY BEDDING 16L at petco is $19.99 without repeat delivery. It showed repeat at $16.99 for repeat, the $19.99 was scratched out.

https://www.petco.com/product/118974/Kaytee-Clean-And-Cozy-Small-Animal-Bedding.aspx

 

[lunarminx]

I will have to say by the time you figured in Shipping, they are all about the same. I would think it would depend on need( as in now) to ordering online and there's a sale.