When 1 stop shopping goes too far

I know stores like Wal-mart prides itself on being a one stop shop for all your needs. I also know that “cradle to grave” customer retention strategies gained popularity in the 90’s and are now pretty much commonplace.  However I still find it a little perverse that Wal-mart are now selling coffins.  They’re only available online however but fear not, shipping anywhere in the US only takes 1 day and one assumes they have a decent courier and your loved one won’t be left hanging around waiting for the mailman. And for those who prefer cremation, fear not and dont feel left out, Wal-mart are also selling cremation urns.

Downside – no warranty and they don’t accept returns, which I suppose isn’t too surprising really.  They also don’t have Gift Options on these products so rule them out as a perfect gift for your Mother in Law.

Costco apparently also sell coffins now and seem to carry the same range as Wal-mart. They offer expedited and standard shipping. With expedited shipping their prices seem much the same as Wal-mart’s (when you add the approx $99 shipping) but their coffin + standard shipping is significantly cheaper for what seems like an identical coffin – so if you’re loved on can wait 3 business days its a good way to save a few hundred dollars.

One last point – Wal-mart’s product photography really is a lot better than Costco’s – whilst they seem like the same coffins the Wal-mart ones do come across far nicer.