--- title: The Dum Dum discount dilemma - The Hustle description: How lollipop arbitrage works. image: https://hs-sbup.thehustle.co/hubfs/The%20Hustle%20News/Assets/Images/419842070-HS-News-Brief_2022-08-04T005047.948Z.webp --- # The Dum Dum discount dilemma ![Rob Litterst](https://thehustle.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Rob-Litterst-pic.png?width=48&height=48&name=Rob-Litterst-pic.png) [Rob Litterst](https://hs-sbup.thehustle.co/author/rob-litterst) [Rob Litterst Twitter profile ](https://twitter.com/robbylit) Published: August 04, 2022 Updated: October 11, 2023 Dum Dums, the unofficial lollipop of pediatricians everywhere, are in a bit of a pickle. ![The Dum Dum discount dilemma](https://hs-sbup.thehustle.co/hs-fs/hubfs/The%20Hustle%20News/Assets/Images/419842070-HS-News-Brief_2022-08-04T005047.948Z.webp?width=595&height=400&name=419842070-HS-News-Brief_2022-08-04T005047.948Z.webp) Spangler Candy Co., the 115-year-old family business that owns the brand, recently noticed Amazon listings for its lollipops at a [lower price](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-08-02/lollipops-hustle-on-amazon-costs-family-candy-business-millions?sref=3Ac2yX40) than theirs, per *Bloomberg*. #### **Spangler’s investigation…** … revealed an Amazon arbitrage scheme that’s growing in popularity. - Sellers list a 400-pack of Dum Dums on Amazon for $25, $1 less than Spangler’s price. - When a customer makes an order, the seller orders a 500-pack from Sam’s Club for $15. - Sellers then drop-ship the pops to the customer directly from Sam’s Club, profiting ~$6 after fees. The predicament exposes the lax regulation of Amazon’s marketplace, and with Google searches for “Amazon dropshipping” up 50% YoY, it’s not just lollipops. **Even with Sam’s Club’s discount,** if you’re looking for the best deal on Dum Dums, it’s hard to beat the doctor’s office. Topics: [Food](https://hs-sbup.thehustle.co/tag/food) ## Follow us on social media prev next - ![Holy smokes, there may actually be a limit to Texans’ love of barbecue](https://hs-sbup.thehustle.co/hubfs/The%20Hustle%20News/Assets/Images/1244337807-httpsthdaily.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.comfinal_size-Texas-BBQ_20230928210924.webp) ### Holy smokes, there may actually be a limit to Texans’ love of barbecue - ![Think your industry is weird? Get a load of the beaded ice cream business](https://hs-sbup.thehustle.co/hubfs/The%20Hustle%20News/Assets/Images/908447747-httpsthdaily.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.comfinal_size-dippindots_20231002233115.webp) ### Think your industry is weird? 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