oil seal cost

I'm planning to replace some transmission oil seals in a few of my small tractors this year and when looking at various parts sites there is a big difference in pricing for the same seal. I was wondering are
the seals for these old tractors all made by the same company or is there some competition would could account for the different pricing. As an example this site has one of the seals I need for almost 50% less
than another site (without naming names) I sometimes buy from. I know a seal isn't that much money but I'm just curious why the price should be so much different between parts suppliers. For the record I find
this site has the best pricing much of the time over other well known parts places (not counting a dealer who is almost always the most expensive).

Could be different manufacturers and/or quantities bought and sold by the distributor.

Probably different brands. CR, SKF, Timken seals cost quite a bit more than no name imports. Usually of a higher quality standard, but not always. We live in a global economy.

Some retailers have higher inventory and distribution costs than others.

Greed...

I find that everywhere I look. Seems retailers like to make up a price, throw it out there and see if it gets any bites.

Some people don't know what a fair price is, some will pay without question, some will go ahead and buy it out of convenience so they don't have to have to wait on multiple orders, some don't care because it's for someone else, just pass along the charges.

I would suspect 99% of the seals and bearings are standard, off the shelf items. Most manufacturers build around standard parts. Occasionally you will find a special, or obsolete bearing or seal. In that case you are stuck with what the dealer offers, or finding one NOS. In that case the cost will understandably be higher, and I'll be willing to pay it.

But to just blindly assume it's a legit deal, no, I'll shop around, substitute, modify!

A valuable resource is a good seal supply house. One that has all kinds of seals, including cylinder seals. Buying cylinder seal kits from the cylinder manufacturers or the dealership is a risky and expensive move. Often wrong, always over priced! Even if there is not a seal supply locally, you can box up the old seals and mail them, have them matched up.

Bought a set of valve seals for a 94 f-350 with the 7.3 power stroke once. Price at the international dealer was 99.99,Ford dealer was 49.99-same part number and everything

The more they charge for a seal, the more money the make. Just plug in the seal number to your computer. You should find even a better price . Stan

Different grades of seals will also affect that price. Like if they have the spring reinforcing it inside is a better seal than just a lip of rubber without the spring.

There are difference in quality. I have had some some bearings that are supposedly sealed but the seal is just tin foil coated with plastic. They are not up to the job. The main difference is in stocking costs. How do you pay the mortgage on a million dollar warehouse? Many vendors never stock and never handle the goods. They let others do that and just take a cut of the sell price.

I've also seen a wide range of pricing. Search on the seal number and see what comes up. I usually go to lacateballbearings.com. They're pretty good but not very good at the search or online ordering. I always end up calling an order in. Sometimes NAPA, O'rielly, etc. will have good prices.

Look on ebay for something like starters,it can be a 300% or more difference in price for the very same thing.Pays to check around in today's times.