The Science Markup

If you buy scientific supplies then you know it can be costly. The list price from major vendors is completely ridiculous. For example, Millipore Sigma (Sigma-Aldrich) is offering 6-inch long nose pliers for $63.40.

Currently, Amazon is offering a similar (maybe better the handle looks nice) pictured below for $8.40 that’s over a 7.5x difference.

Next is pricing on the same product comparing VWR and Amazon.

VWR price is $571.72 verse $82.39 which is nearly a 7x difference.

These examples lean more toward everyday items, which we hope are more relatable rather than specialized lab supplies so most readers can understand the extent of the markup.

I can hear it already, “Everyone knows that you shouldn’t buy everyday items from scientific suppliers… Scientific suppliers are useful in supply specialized items that are needed for research.” Good point.

Let’s look at a specialized product knowing that perhaps not everyone may understand its use.

Polypropylene Biohazard Autoclave Bags, same size, and thickness with Fisher Scientific offering a 200 count and Amazon 100 count.

Fisher Scientific list price $749.00 and Amazon $218 (doubled the price so the count is the same), which is 3.4x difference.

What’s the takeaway? Don’t pay list price from major scientific distributors. Get quotes and ask other researchers what they are paying. Use our free price search tool in Lab Spend to look learn about market prices. Don’t accept a price from large scientific distributors as a decent only because it is 20% less than list price.