I Tried Martie for Cheap, Overstocked Products — Did It Deliver?

If you're not familiar with Martie, it's an online retailer that resells overstocked items at a discount with an aim toward reducing food waste and increasing sustainability in the industry. This means you might be able to save money on anything from coffee to sunscreen to pasta sauce, especially if you are open to different brands than you usually buy. 

Given that many brands go on sale at grocery stores, I wasn't sure if everything I found would be a bargain — especially once I'd burned through my first free-shipping offer and had to cough up $6 if I ordered less than $50 of stuff (more expensive orders are free). I scanned through the site to see if a range of products seemed like good deals.

Price: $1.39 (minimum two)

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I expected a product like this — dried beans — wouldn't be significantly cheaper at Martie, given that these are largely shelf-stable and aren't expensive anyway. So I was surprised a similar bag was $2.69 at Target and $3.49 at a nearby grocery store. Sold.

Price: $1.19 (minimum 2)

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While I wasn't able to find this coffee at the suggested retail price of $3.19, the Martie price was still a deal. Sprouts currently sells this Costa Coffee for $2.50 "on sale." Martie requires buyers to get two, but it's still cheaper than purchasing one at other retailers. 

Price: $4.99

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If you're planning a long hike, a camping trip, or want to stock up provisions for the end of the world, this is a good way to save. This dried fruit mix is $7 at Patagonia.

Price: $3.99

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While regular Annie's mac and cheese can be found for less, vegan mac and cheese is another issue. The same size  — 10.8 ounces — can be found for $12 on Amazon, far above even Martie's suggested retail price of $5.99.

Related: I Tried Misfits Market and Imperfect Foods — Here's How It Went

Price: $2.29

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This price is even lower than Walmart's, which offers the same size — 4.5 ounces — for $3.44. Be prepared to eat it shortly after you get it. Martie puts the best-by date front and center, but do note that it's August 9. Honestly, this stuff never lasts long here, so no problem.

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Price: $1.99 (minimum three)

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While buying this bougie product may be a little fancy for most of us, getting it at a discount might make it easier to swallow (literally). ShopSK charges $3.09. It doesn't require you to buy a case of the stuff, but its per-bottle price is still far more than Martie.

Related: Hungryroot Helped Me Discover Some Delicious New Products. But Is the Grocery Delivery Service Worth It?

Price: $12.99 for 10

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It's a good idea to check out the size or quantity of anything you find on Martie to make sure you don't rush to a competitor for a "deal" that is anything but. This 10-pack may seem pricier than Amazon's $10 price — until you realize the latter is selling a four-pack.

Price: $1.99 (minimum two)

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Ulta has similar bath balls from Patisserie for $10 each, and — weirdly — retailer Bigamart was selling it for $33.

Related: Thrive Market’s Promise To Deliver Low-Cost Organic Groceries Is Total BS

Price: $1.99 (minimum two)

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There's no debating this nationally recognized brand was a good steal. Even Walmart had the same product for $3.12. But the best-by date is July 28, meaning it would be best to bake these quickly. 

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While it's still a good idea to price compare anything you buy on Martie (and check those expiration dates), there's no debating that there are some great deals to be found, even if you pay for shipping. And if you are gluten-free or want organic choices, it's a breeze to click on those tabs. Some brands will be familiar to everyone, others not, but you might just get a deal on a brand worth trying.

A few of the most commonly asked questions about Martie. 

Where does Martie ship?

The retailer currently ships to 34 states. Click here to find out if your state is among them.

How much does shipping cost?

For orders over $50, shipping is free; otherwise, it’s $6. Martie uses UPS Ground to ship orders.

Are there any other fees?

Martie charges a handling fee of $1.99 on every order, and a delivery surcharge of $2 to $8 is charged depending on where you live. 

What materials are used to ship?

Martie is dedicated to sustainability. It uses 100% recycled boxes as well as recyclable paper to ship its orders. 

Does Martie accept EBT/SNAP?

Not currently, but the company is working on adding EBT/SNAP as a payment option.

Where do Martie's products come from?

The retailer works with brands and distributors to offer surplus products, saving many items from ending up in landfills. To date, it has saved over 1.3 million pounds of food from going to waste and conserved 131 million gallons of water.