Price Smart Versus Lings - Liquor Price Comparison

[act1966]

We've always been intrigued by the disparity in prices around the island - particularly with liquor (drink a lot of margaritas, look for the biggest savings on tequila) so we decided to comparison shop prices for various liquors.

Hands down winner was Price Smart with Lings coming in a distant second. We'd foolishly thought the Price Smart prices were in USD in the past (nope - florins) and, still, the prices were better relative to Canada. Here are some of the things we found out - conversions were done at 1.75 to get USD:

Patron Silver (750 ml)

Price Smart is AWG 54.95 ($31.40 USD)
Lings is AWG 99.99 ($57.13 USD)
**Interesting note - Duty Free at QB price is $43.00 USD

Cointreau (1 Litre)

Price Smart is AWG 51.95 ($29.69 USD)
Lings is AWG 74.99 ($42.85 USD) - this is Lings regular price - they had it on sale yesterday for AWG 64.99

Grey Goose (1 Litre)

Price Smart is AWG 67.95 ($38.83 USD)
Lings is AWG 89.99 ($51.42 USD)

Moet and Chandon Brut (750 ml)

Price Smart is AWG 84.95 ($48.54 USD)
Lings is AWG 109.99 ($62.85 USD)

Balashi 24 pack of 8 oz bottles

Price Smart is AWG 46.95 ($26.83 USD)
Lings is AWG 50.50 ($28.86 USD)

Amstel Bright - sorry to cpjones... couldn't find a comparable package at Lings - 24 pack, 275 ml:

Price Smart is AWG 71.75 ($41.00 USD)

Presidente Beer 24 pack of 8 oz bottles

Price Smart is AWG 51.95 ($29.69 USD)
Lings is AWG 63.00 ($36.00 USD)

You have to factor in the cost of a Price Smart membership which is AWG 55.00 ($31.43 USD) but, if you're having a large crowd, drink a lot or are on island a number of times a year, the membership price is definitely negated by the lower prices.

[Andrea J.]

well done!
thank you for the research

[Jacki]

A bottle of patron & a few cases of Balashi and you've got the Price Smart membership - everything else is savings. Thanks!

[WaltVB]

What a nice job comparing prices!! I believe this is the first post I have ever cut, pasted and put straight into my Aruba folder. Is there a residency requirement for membership to Price Smart?

[Andrea J.]

making this a sticky so it is always towards the top!!!

[cindyo]

Thanks for all your efforts and info
thats an incredible savings!
Appreciate you sharing all of it with us

[AndyM]

Any idea how Price Smart compares to the duty free prices at the airport?

[act1966]

Any idea how Price Smart compares to the duty free prices at the airport?

just for the Patron... Price Smart is cheaper!

[schexc]

Great Thread! We've considered Price Smart membership on the past. With these comparisons and our ability to spend more frequent and longer times on the island I think we'll jump on in a couple of weeks. Thank you again!

[act1966]

What a nice job comparing prices!! I believe this is the first post I have ever cut, pasted and put straight into my Aruba folder. Is there a residency requirement for membership to Price Smart?

The website doesn't say anything about having to be a resident but I imagine you might need a local address for mailers...?

https://shop.pricesmart.com/ar/en/membership