Alice is the next Amazon

[swansong]

Laundry detergent, toilet paper and toothpaste are not items consumers typically buy online, as the grocery stores, Wal-Marts and big box outlets of the world can attest. A new e-commerce site aims to change all that, however, by providing free shipping, streamlined reordering and a platform that allows consumers and manufacturers to connect.

Just launched into beta this week, Alice offers more than 6,000 unique products from hundreds of different manufacturers. Its prices are 20 percent to 30 percent lower than those at other online stores, it says, and shipping is always free. US consumers begin by creating a free account and then selecting a list of all their favorite products, ordering only the items they need right then. Each shipment is bundled together in a single "Alice" box and delivered directly to the consumer’s door. Meanwhile, Alice organizes all the products on the member's list, finds coupons and deals for them, and reminds them to reorder when they are likely to be running low.

Although Wisconsin-based Alice works much like any other online retailer from the consumer's perspective, behind the scenes it is more like a marketplace, allowing manufacturers to sell directly to US consumers. Alice makes no retail margin, and instead allows each manufacturer to control product assortment and pricing in its own direct sale to the end consumer. Because no retail middleman is involved, significant cost savings can be passed on to shoppers, the company says. In addition, Alice's model allows brands to form a direct relationship with consumers, enabling personalized coupons, sampling and loyalty programs.

Alice is actively signing up manufacturers during its beta phase, with plans for a full consumer launch in the fall. Those in consumer packaged goods: better get on board now! For all others: One to help bring to consumers in the rest of the shop-weary world?

Alice.com

[mama22qts]

Way too expensive. Won't be shopping there -- that's for sure!

[Lurkergirl]

I cannot figure out how much things are or what all they do carry .

[mycouponhunter]

I think it would be good for those who are too busy to shop or those who don't like to shop, but I love scouring for the cheapest buy and that they do not have.

[rachellepeters]

I just signed up there only because Swagbucks offers a $5 e card for 20 swag bucks. For .14 I got 3 boxes of Kleenex, a box of flexible straws and a 2 boxes of ziploc bags. Order said it shipped the next day...shipping is always free, so if you're hesitant to order because of their prices, don't be. Use your swag $ and get more free stuff!!! I think you can only do the swag thing once...you have to order 6 items to get the order shipped free, but I've been seeing posts on other sites that dove 3 pks were .18 etc. So if you did thru the items you can find 6 things for under $5 total! If I would have bought these at the store all free with q's I would have paid more sales tax that .14!

[jennsvs]

I have seen posts were people have gotten really cheap things, but whenever I go and look for the item, I can never find it. I know a few people who have used it, but I can never seem to find the cheap stuff.

[Domestic Gal]

On cyber monday they had the GC 30% off.
I bought a $100 in GC for $70.
They sell stamps so I will save 30% on them.
No where can you save 30% on postage.

[disabledvetswife]

I just signed up there only because Swagbucks offers a $5 e card for 20 swag bucks. For .14 I got 3 boxes of Kleenex, a box of flexible straws and a 2 boxes of ziploc bags. Order said it shipped the next day...shipping is always free, so if you're hesitant to order because of their prices, don't be. Use your swag $ and get more free stuff!!! I think you can only do the swag thing once...you have to order 6 items to get the order shipped free, but I've been seeing posts on other sites that dove 3 pks were .18 etc. So if you did thru the items you can find 6 things for under $5 total! If I would have bought these at the store all free with q's I would have paid more sales tax that .14!

I tried to copy this...but it doesn't work for me:
2 Ziploc @ 1.78
1 flex straw @ .67
3 Kleenex @ 1.83
sub 9.72
- 1.25 coupons
= 8.47
- $5 swag ecard
= 3.47 oop

Can you elaborate your deal please?

Thanks.

[rachellepeters]

Ok, just looked up my order..I was a little off. I didn't get 2 ziploc, maybe that's the deal.

3 Kleenex at .98 each for 2.94
1 ziploc storage bag after q $1.19
1 lipton tea after q $0.59
glad flexible straws after q .42

Try changing your order a bit if the same q's aren't available and my scenario doesn't currently work..this may get you down to about $5...
do the tea instead of 1 of your kleenex and instead of one of the ziploc, try a softsoap that is .81 after q or a paper towel that is .84 GOOD LUCK
This may scenario be right at $5 so it will be free, LMK
1 Kleenex
1 Ziploc
1 tea
1 flexible straw
1 softsoap
1 papertowel

[queenofthehivemomof5]

Moved post to the online deals forum since this is not a national chain store.