# When buying the whole thing is cheaper than the part.

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-buying-the-whole-thing-is-cheaper-than-the-part/452426>\
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\
**Created:** [June 10, 2008, 11:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-buying-the-whole-thing-is-cheaper-than-the-part/452426 "2008-06-10T11:21:19Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![lobotomyboy63](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobotomyboy63/32/2900_2.png) [@lobotomyboy63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobotomyboy63)\
**Post date:** [June 15, 2008, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-buying-the-whole-thing-is-cheaper-than-the-part/452426/21 "2008-06-15T06:24:29Z")

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[QUOTE=Full Metal Lotus]  
Surprised that no one has mentioned this yet

Automobiles…

Apparently if you bought all the parts in your typical car, at over the counter prices, (new), they would cost 5 times or more than the new price of the car…

Regards  
FMl  
[/QUOTE]

I remember a bit on 60 minutes or some similar program where they parted out a Cadillac, as if it were stolen. Sure enough, the value of the parts was a little higher than the vehicle itself. But I don’t think that covered the labor.

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**Author:** ![Amblydoper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/fbc32d/32.png) [@Amblydoper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amblydoper)\
**Post date:** [June 15, 2008, 10:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-buying-the-whole-thing-is-cheaper-than-the-part/452426/22 "2008-06-15T10:46:12Z")

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[QUOTE=eldowan]  
Kodak has a micro usb connector.

There is the mini usb connector, like the one here (the one on the left): [http://www.meditronik.com.pl/doc/mini/usb-kabel-mini=foto=canon.jpg](http://www.meditronik.com.pl/doc/mini/usb-kabel-mini=foto=canon.jpg)

Kodaks looks similar, but is smaller. Only Kodak sells it and it can be quite expensive…  
[/QUOTE]

You are talking about a “Mini-B 8 pin flat” USB cable. Many camera makers use this cable to combine the USB and A/V interface into a single connector. You can find a replacement for about $5 via Google.

Micro USB cables are also cheap. You just need to know where to look. Don’t spend $30 a on a cable.

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**Author:** ![bouv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bc8723/32.png) [@bouv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bouv)\
**Post date:** [June 15, 2008, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-buying-the-whole-thing-is-cheaper-than-the-part/452426/23 "2008-06-15T19:03:56Z")

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In a similar vein, airline tickets are usually cheaper if you buy them round-trip instead of one-way.

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**Author:** ![Rascal\_s\_Mom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a698b9/32.png) [@Rascal\_s\_Mom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rascal_s_Mom)\
**Post date:** [June 15, 2008, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-buying-the-whole-thing-is-cheaper-than-the-part/452426/24 "2008-06-15T19:27:45Z")

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[QUOTE=lobotomyboy63]  
I made a Wally run. My phone…not there. Funny, I “just” saw it a couple weeks ago (I _think_). I guess they discontinue these things before you can execute this strategy.

Plan B, I’m thinking maybe I should move up to a higher level of phone. They’ll transfer the minutes and all that; it’s just a PITA to have to re-enter all those numbers.  
[/QUOTE]

U.S. Cellular has a hookup where they can transfer the entire contents of your phone. I would imagine other providers could as well.

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