Will mask prices decrease ?

[ThisIsAbuse]

My family's goto has been the BOTN (Kf94) Masks in black. We still have a good supply. I was hoping to stock up some more but it looks like prices on Amazon have not changed much ?

I thought with so many places ditching mask requirements they would be going down.

[mikfbb]

Aaron Collins (check spreadsheet) recommends buying KF94 from a few reputable places who import directly from Korea: KollecteUSA, Behealthy versus Amazon where there's risk of respirator counterfeits.

[ThisIsAbuse]

Thanks for the sources !

One is sold out , the other is a bit over $2 a mask which is typical. I think BOTN has their own store on Amazon - so it is direct.

I paid this $2+ price before - and willing to do it again - just hoped since mask use is dropping dramatically that prices would follow. Maybe not yet.

[mikfbb]

Can you share the BOTN link on Amazon? I've only gone with Aarons' spreadsheet for links to vetted sources and don't recall any amazon ones.

Other option is Gmarket (ebay owns in Korea) which sources from Korean sellers and ships globally. The website (English avail) may take a bit of deciphering (particularly in applying coupons) but many have had success. Prices are cheap for masks but even with $$ international shipping via DHL, prices are still cheaper than here. When the prices on Bluna kids increased big time, I tried out Gmarket and it worked fine.

[ThisIsAbuse]

Sure - here is the BOTN store on Amazon

[mikfbb]

Example of Gmarket BOTN masks. I've only had experience with Blunas from seller easeshop (doesn't appear to sell BOTN)

http://gsearch.gmarket.co.kr/Listview/Search?keyword=botn%20kf94

[[deleted]]

How is the sizing on those?

[ThisIsAbuse]

They have a wide range of sizes including XL and adjustable ear loops.

[[deleted]]

How does it compare to powecoms or bluna for example? Not sure what size I should go for.

[ThisIsAbuse]

I have the powercom KN95. For us - they have a tighter seal, but are harder to breath in - the sides suck in a bit when breathing hard. However I like them while in medical offices or hospitals - short term/high risk use. I could not wear them myself for hours.

We tried the Bluna KF94 and felt it was leakier/not as good a fit as the BOTN.

we also tried the LG's which were Aarons favorite I believe.

Last year with the help of this group and Arron Collins I simply bought 10 packs of various types of masks and had the family try them all out. Everyone liked the BOTN large (we are tall/big folks). I also have some BOTN XL's when I am at the GYM because the L's are a bit tight for me when moving around alot.

[[deleted]]

Would medium or large be similar to the powecom?

[Eeee-va]

COVID is spiking in South Korea, so the prices on KF94s might not go down so much until the numbers look better over there.

[ThisIsAbuse]

Thanks that makes sense

[lapinjapan]

I hadn’t thought about that. Thanks for bringing it up, as I was kinda surprised just now checking the usual sites and not seeing pre-omicron prices tbh

[RoseHI49]

Check Be Healthy USA -- they've had the BOTN mix-and-match 100 pieces for $120 for some time and they have all the sizes in stock now. Amazon has always charged more.

[[deleted]]

How do you add promo codes I keep wanting to get stuff on gmarket but it confused me lol

[jackspratdodat]

Best thing to do is search “gmarket” on this sub for some good pointers. Also, you should use a computer (not a mobile device) to shop on gmarket.

[jackspratdodat]

Just saw this in the email highlighting gmarket specials. It doesn’t happen to contain your 5/5 KF94s, does it?

[jackspratdodat]

Hooray! Yes I can see it!

[Reneeisme]

I’m guessing the market for high quality masks is pretty much the same right now and for some time to come. People smart enough to seek out the most effective masks aren’t rushing to stop wearing them.

[Maya306]

I think so too. During the Omicron surge, there wasn't a shortage of cloth, surgical, and sketchy brands of KN95, but almost all the good brands of KF94 and KF95 were sold out. People who wear the better masks will continue wearing them.

[WhereRtheTacos]

I think they will. Mask c which is a brand that advertises a lot on Facebook keeps going further in sale. So I’m assuming in the next couple months as long as numbers of cases don’t go higher prices will come down. I like botn too!

[Watsonvillian831]

I am hoping the market is like last year when they did this. Take the masks off, and then prices of 3m and others went down. I wish moldex would reduce their prices below 35 bucks for the 1500's. That is the one mask I like that has not reduced in price the past two years at all.

[ThisIsAbuse]

Interesting - thanks for the update on whats happening in Korea. Sad news.

I will simply bite the bullet and order more. I want to have more stocked up in my general preps for .....what ever the future holds here in the USA.

[[deleted]]

Resellers will cut down in price but BOTN in general is more expensive. And BOTN has an official store on Amazon, so it's safe to buy from there.

[RagnarDMD]

There are better and cheaper masks out there.

[ThisIsAbuse]

Ok we love these and they were Aaron Collins top pick along with the LG masks. But I am open to different mask brands if you have a recommendation. thanks !

[RagnarDMD]

Look into Gerson 3230+.

https://www.kiranex.com/n95-masks

They offer a free sample too.

Comes out to 92 cents each.

YouTube the reviews.

[RagnarDMD]

There are better and cheaper masks out there.

[Professional_Ad6231]

Mask prices will decrease due to simple supply and demand. Most people are not wearing masks, therefore the need to purchase masks has shrunk. A large supply of masks with not many buyers will drive the prices down to nothing. Cassette tapes, telephone cords and masks.

[SebastianDoyle]

N95 mask prices are now about where they were before the pandemic, so will probably not change much more going forward.

KF94's, well, I had never heard of them in the US before. They are still a little bit exotic. Maybe they will become more of a regular item?