Interesting story about Monoprice

[pjpjpjpj]

Many here use monoprice for tech gear. I always wondered how they were so much less expensive than other places. They've always just been this mystery company where "I don't question it, I just enjoy it".

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13578_3-57...-or-a-copycat/

Read beyond the lawsuit stuff, further down in the story, if you are curious about the company itself and how they keep their prices so low.

[Tomahawk51]

I always face the dilemma that the price of whatever I need is so reasonable, but the shipping, by comparison, is higher. I don't think shipping costs are indeed high, but Amazon has spoiled me with free shipping. Case in point: those 90 cent banana plugs are 4.50 to ship.

But I still buy a ton from Monoprice; I'm pretty loyal that way. One of my happiest purchases are the in-ceiling speakers. Great Value for Money.

[MattHelm]

You know you can get some Monoprice stuff on Amazon now?

[pjpjpjpj]

Originally Posted by Tomahawk51

I always face the dilemma that the price of whatever I need is so reasonable, but the shipping, by comparison, is higher. I don't think shipping costs are indeed high, but Amazon has spoiled me with free shipping. Case in point: those 90 cent banana plugs are 4.50 to ship.

But I still buy a ton from Monoprice; I'm pretty loyal that way. One of my happiest purchases are the in-ceiling speakers. Great Value for Money.

Totally agree. I had an old cellphone that had a 2.5mm headphone jack rather than standard 3.5mm, so I needed an adapter. At Radio Shack, they were $6. Monoprice was like 57 cents, but shipping was like 5 bucks. So I bought like 4 of them, and justified the $7 or $8 total since 4 at Radio Shack would have been $24.

Honestly though, I typically just try to wait until I need several things since initial shipping is high but it often doesn't increase too much as you add more items.

With how much their business is booming (per that story), they can afford to start offering free shipping, eh?

[waynedunham]

Originally Posted by pjpjpjpj

Totally agree. I had an old cellphone that had a 2.5mm headphone jack rather than standard 3.5mm, so I needed an adapter. At Radio Shack, they were $6. Monoprice was like 57 cents, but shipping was like 5 bucks. So I bought like 4 of them, and justified the $7 or $8 total since 4 at Radio Shack would have been $24.

Honestly though, I typically just try to wait until I need several things since initial shipping is high but it often doesn't increase too much as you add more items.

With how much their business is booming (per that story), they can afford to start offering free shipping, eh?

When I bought my Galaxy Nexus I wanted to re-use my old USB charger as a second charger to keep at work. So all I needed was the USB to Galaxy Nexus Micro-USB cable. So I popped into the Verizon store to pick one up. They wanted $20 for just a short cable.
I looked at the person helping me shook my head, laughed and said "No, that is a ridiculous price." and walked out of the store.

I went home, logged onto Monoprice.com and within a few days had 4 of them of varying lengths with Gold connections shipped for under $15.

Just about every cable in my Home Theater is from them. Cabled up TV, STB, SageTV Extender, Blu-Ray, Roku, Pre-Pro, Amp, Sub-Woofer, speakers, etc for less than I could have hooked the TV up using the "Superior" <gag, cough, choke> Monster Cables.

[pjpjpjpj]

Just about a month ago, based on stellar online reviews, I picked up the surround sound system they are being sued over.

[Fuzzy]

Originally Posted by pjpjpjpj

Just about a month ago, based on stellar online reviews, I picked up the surround sound system they are being sued over.

I just will-call everything from the monoprice office 15 miles from my house. Best of both worlds. There advantages living right where everything from china passes through before heading out to the rest of the country.

[wayner]

Shipping to Canada is very expensive so I make sure that I am getting a decent sized order before having it sent. But shipping within CA is cheap and fast. I was going to be in San Fran a month ago - I order some stuff on Monoprice on Monday afternoon before I left Toronto and it showed up at my hotel at 8:30am the next morning for about $5 worth of shipping. This wasn't super light either - included in the order was a mount for a small TV.

IMHO they greatest savings with Monoprice is TV mounts. Theirs are often only 10% of what you would pay in a big box store like BB.

[pjpjpjpj]

Originally Posted by wayner

IMHO they greatest savings with Monoprice is TV mounts. Theirs are often only 10% of what you would pay in a big box store like BB.

That and the HDMI cables that crush the "Monster" cables that BB pushes. They made their name on those.

[pjpjpjpj]

Originally Posted by Fuzzy

I just will-call everything from the monoprice office 15 miles from my house. Best of both worlds. There advantages living right where everything from china passes through before heading out to the rest of the country.

On one hand I'd be jealous, but then I remember how you Californians are paying 3x what the rest of the country pays for everything else.

[panteragstk]

Monoprice is fantastic. Never had any issues. I do always try an order quite a few things due to shipping costs, but with the little I purchase from them it's worth it.

[tmiranda]

Originally Posted by pjpjpjpj

On one hand I'd be jealous, but then I remember how you Californians are paying 3x what the rest of the country pays for everything else.

But the CA stuff is green and socially progressive.