I think the MLM model can certainly account for some difference in price but economies of scale are hardly ever mentioned as a likely reason.
XOM, BP, Shell, Chevron, etc all own oil fields, drilling equipment, refineries and the tankers that transport the oil. The smaller blenders own none of these things and buy their materials from the big guys at marked up prices.
Is Amsoil better and/or higher quality than other OTC oils? Probably not. You can get a lot of miles out of many oils.
Not long ago you could buy the same widget at a mom and pop store on Main Street for a bit more money than you could at Walmart, Target, Home Depot, Lowe's, etc
Now you can't.
There can be a high cost to low prices.
XOM, BP, Shell, Chevron, etc all own oil fields, drilling equipment, refineries and the tankers that transport the oil. The smaller blenders own none of these things and buy their materials from the big guys at marked up prices.
Is Amsoil better and/or higher quality than other OTC oils? Probably not. You can get a lot of miles out of many oils.
Not long ago you could buy the same widget at a mom and pop store on Main Street for a bit more money than you could at Walmart, Target, Home Depot, Lowe's, etc
Now you can't.
There can be a high cost to low prices.