The diaper supply is beginning to run low, so I pumped out another order to DrugEmporium.com (for 192 diapers).  Is ordering from DE still considered scientific inquiry or is it lust for a $21 off coupon code on orders of $55 or more?  (It is merely a coincidence that my order was in the amount of $55.96, isn't it?  Please say yes.)  Shipping is no longer free, so I don't feel totally cheap.  With shipping and discount, the final price was $38.91.

I did check out Costco.  Their diaper price per box of 144 count was terrific, $31.99.  The shipping price was mortifying, $8.58.  I played with the Costco system just a bit -- c'mon that's definitely scientific -- and noticed that the charge for two boxes was precisely two times the one box charge.  That's ridiculous.  I have never experienced, nor observed online, a shipping charge that follows a perfectly linear function (i.e., ordering x number of something results in a shipping charge that is x times the shipping charge for one item).  I also noticed a tax charge of $0.86.  Where did that come from?  It certainly was not based on the Massachusetts sales tax rate of 5%.  Costco my friend, we need to talk.

I've begun the hunt for rechargeable AA batteries for my digital camera.  I must be going in the right direction as my independent search initial beliefs are consistent with Steve's (digicams) recommendations.  I'll probably make this purchase tomorrow (famous last words) as my camera should arrive within a day or two.