CR123a - why expensive at the store?

[ps56k]

I've had a couple of cameras that used the CR123 battery, and never really thought about the local store cost as we only replaced them every so many years. I think the going rate for a Duracell or Energizer CR123a is $6-$8

Now I have the RC-N3 and sometimes use it in the CR123 mode.

SO - how come the "local store" CR123s are that expensive compared to some of the online offerings ?

http://www.batteryjunction.com/crba.html

--

 

[Mr Happy]

Because most people only buy them occasionally, turnover is low, and consumers can withstand the cost. With the low sales volume, if they didn't have a high retail margin then shops wouldn't find it profitable to sell them and they would disappear from the shelves.

 

[cave dave]

Lowe's is carrying high quality Surefire brand 2pks at around $5 for two I think.

 

[snakebite]

they are not produced or sold in the quantity that aa cells are.
if they were then the price would be compareable.
just buy in bulk online.

 

[Monocrom]

Lowe's is carrying high quality Surefire brand 2pks at around $5 for two I think.

Better.... compared to what B&M shops charge for CR123 cells. But still not nearly as good as what you'll find at some online shops, if you buy in bulk. (Especially if you're willing to buy non-Surefire, but still Made in America brands. That last part generally ensures a very good level of Q.C.).

The lowest price I've found for a case of 12 Surefire cells was $28 at Cabela's. At some B&M shops, it's anywhere from $32 - $36.

$30 for 12 Surefire cells, at a B&M shop, not bad.... If you can live without the box.

 

[ltiu]

If you are lucky, you stumble upon CR123 sales at local B&M.

My experiences:

1) Best Buy B&M had a battery sale a few month ago, Duracell 2pk (2017 expiry) for $2.99, comes down to $1.50 per cell.

2) Fry's B&M sold all their Duracell CR223 stock (2014 expiry) for $1.00 each a few month ago. I took these apart, I get two CR123 for every CR223. Comes down to $0.50 per cell.

3) About a year ago, my local Lowe's mis-marked the price tag for the 2pk Energizer CR123. They put the 1pk price on the 2pk (on the shelf and in their computer system). I quickly grabbed a few before they realized the mistake. This was about the same time they switched the price tag on their SureFire 6P LED and G2 LED. They put the G2 LED price on ther 6P LED! I got that great deal too

 

[Monocrom]

If you are lucky, you stumble upon CR123 sales at local B&M.

My experiences:

1) Best Buy B&M had a battery sale a few month ago, Duracell 2pk (2017 expiry) for $2.99, comes down to $1.50 per cell.

2) Fry's B&M sold all their Duracell CR223 stock (2014 expiry) for $1.00 each a few month ago. I took these apart, I get two CR123 for every CR223. Comes down to $0.50 per cell.

3) About a year ago, my local Lowe's mis-marked the price tag for the 2pk Energizer CR123. They put the 1pk price on the 2pk (on the shelf and in their computer system). I quickly grabbed a few before they realized the mistake.

Nice!

Those are some good deals. Especially for Duracell brand.