Frequently Asked Questions

Table of Contents

Which price list should I use?

All Retailers

Your go-to is the All Retailers price list. It contains all products across all retailers and includes all the tools you need:

Filter by Brand
Filter by Interface
Filter by Capacity
Filter by Cooling
Filter by Compatibility
DIY Filters
Custom Sorting
Search

The other price lists are specific to particular retailers. The manufacturer price list shows Manufacturer Direct outlets.

Why is pricing now called estimated pricing?

Our prices are updated in batches, so the numbers reflect the moment they were last refreshed. Because affiliate prices can shift between updates, they may not always match exactly. Since our prices are meant as a guideline rather than exact figures, we now call them "estimated (Est.) pricing" to make that clearer. To keep things simple, we also removed the cents.

How do I close a DB filter dropdown?

Using the All Retailers pricing report as an example: to filter the data by brand, click the Brand DB Filter button located on the toolbar. Choose the desired brand or brands, then click the button a second time to close the dropdown.

Pro Tip: Filters are applied immediately.

Where is the home button located?

Just click the diySSD logo at the top-left of any page to return to the homepage. This works the same way most websites do—the logo always takes you home. No need to hunt for a separate "home" button.

Why do some retailers hide prices until you add items to cart?

It's all about MAP (Minimum Advertised Price) policies from manufacturers. These policies set the lowest price retailers can advertise, but not necessarily what they can sell at.
By hiding the price until you add it to cart, retailers can technically sell below MAP without violating their agreements with manufacturers. It also makes it harder for competitors and price-tracking bots to monitor their actual prices.

Why retailers like it:

Circumvents MAP restrictions while staying compliant
Protects brand value and prevents a race to the bottom
Adds friction that supposedly increases purchase likelihood
Makes price comparison more difficult

Our view:

We think this practice is user-hostile. Retailers should just post their best price upfront instead of making you jump through hoops. That's why our price tracking shows you the real numbers without the games.

Why do some retail links display multiple product models?

Some retailers group similar products under a single product page—think of it like a "family page" where you can choose between different capacities, colors, or configurations.

For example, clicking a link for a 1TB Samsung T7 might land you on a page where you can also select the 2TB or 4TB version. Or a WD Black SN850X link might show options for the standard version, the heatsink version, or different storage sizes.

What this means for you:

When you click a price link from diySSD, you might need to select the specific capacity or model variant you're looking for once you reach the retailer's site. The price we show corresponds to the exact model and capacity listed, but the retailer's page may default to a different option.

Pro tip: Always double-check you've selected the right capacity before adding to cart.

How are product discounts calculated?

We calculate discounts by comparing the current price to the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP)—that's the strike-through price you see on product listings.

The math is simple:

Discount % = (MSRP - Current Price) / MSRP × 100

For example, if a drive has an MSRP of $100 and is currently selling for $75, that's a 25% discount.

Important context:

MSRP is the baseline — It's what the manufacturer says the product "should" cost, not necessarily what retailers ever actually charged.

Discounts vary by retailer — The same drive might be 20% off at one store and 35% off at another.

Bigger isn't always better — A 40% discount on an overpriced drive might still be a worse deal than a 15% discount on a competitively-priced alternative.

Our take:

Discount percentages are useful for spotting sales, but don't let them be your only decision factor. A massive discount on a mediocre SSD is still a mediocre SSD. Focus on the actual price and whether the drive meets your needs.

How are retailers selected?

Short answer: We track wherever the drive is actually available for sale.

You'll typically see prices from Amazon, B&H Photo, Best Buy, and Newegg since these are the major players that consistently stock SSDs. For specific products like Raspberry Pi accessories, we include certified retailers. And sometimes we'll link directly to manufacturer stores when they offer competitive pricing.

Our approach:

No preferential treatment — We don't prioritize one retailer over another or get paid to push you toward specific stores.
Availability drives inclusion — As resources permit, if a reputable retailer stocks the drive, we track it.
You decide where to buy — We just show you the options and current prices.

Choosing a retailer:

Don’t let the price tag be your only guide. Before you hit "buy," weigh the total value: factor in shipping fees, the ease of their return policy, and the brand's track record for support. If you already pay for a membership like Amazon Prime, the savings on shipping or the reduced "hassle factor" might make it the smarter play.

And remember: there is zero shame in using us for research and your preference for the final purchase.

What we don't do:

We don't include sketchy third-party marketplace sellers, gray market importers, or retailers with terrible reputations. If a deal seems too good to be true on a site you've never heard of, it probably is.