Costco deal = too good to be true?

[mrtristan]

I noticed that 80gig Maxtor hard drives are priced at $99, at my local Costco. They are 7,200RPM ATA133 drives. This is the normal price, no rebates involved.

That's why I'm skeptical. The best deals that I can find online, on similar Maxtor drives, are at least $20 higher in price.

I usually follow my own little addage, when it comes to computers and I don't buy anything unless I'm going to use it soon. Hardware almost always becomes cheaper as technology advances. However, this is just a good deal. If I ever get around to building that new computer of mine, I wouldn't mind purchasing a few of the ones at Costco.

Anyway, my only concern is quality. I know that Maxtor is a reputable brand and I like their warranty policy. (I recently had a drive replaced and upgraded, due to breakage under the warranty period) The speed and drive interface is exactly what I'm looking for.

So, is the price just part of Costco's massive buying power, passing the "savings" on to us consumers -OR- is something fishy? (Bad lot of drives, made in some alternate factory)

[jeex]

are they retail boxed or refurbs in a plastic shell?

[zzyzzx]

Costco has good deals on a lot of stuff, I doubt that thye would sell a refurb.

[mrtristan]

They're retail boxes.

[jeex]

shit. then by all means, go for it.

[homerpez]

I've heard of more than a few deals on ~80GB sized drives, for this price (depending on where you live). It's legit.

I don't have the $99 bucks to spare at the moment, otherwise...

[truffles]

How about a 100GB Western Digial HD for $159.00 CDN at Future shop? Not bad eh?

[hxc3634]

I bought IBM 80G 7200 rpm for $76 including free 2 day shipping at DELL three weeks ago.
After I ordered it they increased the price to $113. I was lucky.
Sometimes Dell do upto 20% off sale and free shipping.

[ya_jai]

At staple you get the same price $99 after $20 rebate. And if you buy online and have coupon like $20 for order over $100. You get even a better price.

PS hurry up this deal end tomorrow.