Bleach gospel forcing bulk prices down?

[Spensar]

Just wondering if that more people realing that fact that bleach and pool chlorine are the same thing, but just at different strengths, has had an effect on the market. My hypothesis is that as more people buy jugs, bulk retailers can't hide behind the mystic of "pool" chlorine as much and have to compete more on price.

A few years ago when I found this forum, buying bleach was cheaper than getting a carboy and having it bulk filled. Since then the price has flipped and I can get bulk, at a $ per litre comparision, cheaper than buying jugs.

In reality, the bulk should be freakin cheaper. My supplier gets a tanker in every week, sells the carboys from one location and the customer provides the container. I would think that individually filling, labelling, boxing and distributing 5 litre jugs of product would be more expensive.

As a side note, an ugly trend the last 2 years around here (Ottawa, Ontario) is generic brands being sold at what appears to be a discount but the % is 3.5% to 4% or less, so the real price of %/litre is no discount.

Anyone else notice the market switch like this where the jugs aren't cheaper than "pool chlorine" anymore?

[aylad]

I haven't noticed the price difference because it's almost impossible to find bulk chlorine around here, but I have noticed more and more instances of lower % of chlorine, or bleach bottles without the concentration written on the label at all over the last year or so. Makes it really easy to get "grocery-stored" if you don't know what you're looking for! ;)

Janet

[CarlD]

It all comes back to supply and demand--and the inelasticity of each. If the demand is inelastic, then there is little incentive to lower prices and a huge incentive to raise them (Think adding another $2/pack for cigarettes--and you KNOW smokers will continue to buy nearly as many--inelastic demand).

So, if by lowering the price of a carboy $1, the dealer doesn't sell many more, and by raising it $1, he doesn't sell many less. you won't see the price change much.

[KurtV]

I haven't noticed the price difference because it's almost impossible to find bulk chlorine around here...
Janet,
Can you find it at all in Louisiana? A pool store down here in the southern part of the state told me that they coudn't sell liquid chlorine for pools because of some state law. That seemed dubious to me but I've never seen it at a pool store. Home Depot used to have the 12.5% stuff in 1 gallon jugs in the pool section but it was labeled for RV use and they don't even have that now.

[waterbear]

In reality, the bulk should be freakin cheaper. My supplier gets a tanker in every week, sells the carboys from one location and the customer provides the container. I would think that individually filling, labelling, boxing and distributing 5 litre jugs of product would be more expensive.



Anyone else notice the market switch like this where the jugs aren't cheaper than "pool chlorine" anymore?
Here in N. FL it's cheaper to buy the carboys than bleach. Where I work we sell 2.5 gallons for $3.99 with a one time $4 fee for the carboy. As far as individually filling and labeling each container we HAVE to do that along with track the carboys for the EPA in case we destroy any leakers. It's a slow process to fill the carboys and make sure our label and the safety labels are on them and in good shape and we have 2 tanks that hold 1200 gallons each that get filled up weekly so we sell a LOT of the stuff. Before anyone complains about the price of 'bulk" chlorine spend a day in my (rather bleached out) shoes filling them in the hot summer sun! Main reason it's cheaper is because of the lack of shipping. The tanker truck only has a few hour drive to get to us.

Just thought I'd give you a little reality check on what's really involved with 'pool store' chlorine!

[aylad]

Janet,
Can you find it at all in Louisiana? A pool store down here in the southern part of the state told me that they coudn't sell liquid chlorine for pools because of some state law. That seemed dubious to me but I've never seen it at a pool store. Home Depot used to have the 12.5% stuff in 1 gallon jugs in the pool section but it was labeled for RV use and they don't even have that now.


I haven't really looked in other parts of the state, but I know for sure you can't get it in the Shreveport-Bossier area. It doesn't surprise me a bit that there's some state law that prohibits it...I'll have to do a bit more checking on that.

Janet

[Spensar]

The differences are very interesting. In Ontario, once you buy the carboy, it's yours and there is no tracking. The store takes the cash, fills the jug and I'm on my way. There is a slip on plastic label that is put on when you buy it and all the jugs I've seen at the refill station have them on, and I would guess that if it was missing they would replace it.

WBear, has chlorine in carboys always been cheaper than bleach?

[jimmyzshack]

Janet,
Can you find it at all in Louisiana? A pool store down here in the southern part of the state told me that they coudn't sell liquid chlorine for pools because of some state law. That seemed dubious to me but I've never seen it at a pool store. Home Depot used to have the 12.5% stuff in 1 gallon jugs in the pool section but it was labeled for RV use and they don't even have that now.

Old topic but i think it was last year kmart in mandeville had liquid shock i don't remember how much it was.

[CarlD]

Here, there's a deposit on the carboys--I have two and I paid it several years ago...since several stores use the same Buckman rectangular ones the cost was long ago amortized. When I buy, I drop off the empties and there's no deposit cost.

But if you use the carboys, spend the $4 on a nozzle--like a barrel keg nozzle. It makes it both easier and safer to dispense. Plus, if you fill up old bleach jugs half with tap water and half with LC, you get 6-7% gallons that don't break down as fast as the 12-14%.

[jimmyzshack]

Ok just got back from kmart they have the "liquid bleach" this year it is 10% at 3.50/gal

[aylad]

Cool....I'll have to check locally and see what I can find.

Janet