Money Taking online prices to brick and mortar shop - Page 2

Jenson71 · 03-02-2013, 01:04 PM

I'm interested in knowing your thoughts on a consumer who is buying a big ticket item (e.g., a boat, an engagement ring, a home theater system), and first does research online to come up with a model and price, and then takes that information to a local, independent store to ask them if they would like to match that.

Is this appropriate? I'm going to be purchasing something soon, and I'd like to do this. On one hand, I know I can find a good price and product online, but on the other hand, I would like to support a local business.

I'm worried this might come off as rude, though, or appear like a cheapskate or too demanding.

Cornstock · 03-02-2013, 01:31 PM

Just tell them you prefer to keep your business local but are looking for the best price. They should at least respect your decision. After all, you both have to do whats best for the bottom line (as well as considering any guarantees or extended service).

Cornstock · 03-02-2013, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TribalElder

I tried to get barnes and noble to price match their own website at the town center location and they refused to sell me the book at the online price.

pricks.

good luck though

Exactly why their brick and mortar stores have been doing so poorly in the past couple years. What's the point of having them if they won't off some friendly service? I can get better service and a price match guarantee from a sales rep in India.

Cornstock · 03-02-2013, 01:37 PM

Places like Best Buy get around that by being able to buy online and get that price (which is often cheaper than the in-store price) but then being able to drive down to your local store where they have it all ready to pick up for you, instead of waiting for it to come in the mail.

Valiant · 03-02-2013, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by La literatura

I'm interested in knowing your thoughts on a consumer who is buying a big ticket item (e.g., a boat, an engagement ring, a home theater system), and first does research online to come up with a model and price, and then takes that information to a local, independent store to ask them if they would like to match that.

Is this appropriate? I'm going to be purchasing something soon, and I'd like to do this. On one hand, I know I can find a good price and product online, but on the other hand, I would like to support a local business.

I'm worried this might come off as rude, though, or appear like a cheapskate or too demanding.

B&m stores generally list who they will price match. Generally only online sited of local competitors. Bbuy does more now as of March 16th I think.

Do not showroom a b&m store by asking thier people for help. Its rude.
There is more overhead at a b&m. So if you go there and have them guide you then buy from them or make them pricematch a local competitor.

Not joeys discount electronics from asia.

Chief Roundup · 03-02-2013, 02:25 PM

Just go to the store and ask them how close they can get to the price online. If they get close enough for you great if not then purchase it online.

patteeu · 03-02-2013, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chief Roundup

Just go to the store and ask them how close they can get to the price online. If they get close enough for you great if not then purchase it online.

This

Namor40 · 03-02-2013, 02:51 PM

This is my 5 cents as a small business owner. I always try to keep my prices as low as possible, but there's a certain percentage of profit that I NEED to make otherwise there's no money for overhead...keeping the lights on in the business.....paying my employees.....product servicing issues, dealing with all the nonsense from the manufacturer on behalf of the customer, marketing...etc.

I've never been offended when someone asked me to match an online price for something, and if I can do it, without losing my shorts, I will. There have been times I've done it to hold on to a loyal customer, even though I was essentially losing some money in the deal. But there's a lot of cases where I simply can't do it. The online store is either buying significant amounts of volume to give them a better overall purchase price.....or they have tremendously reduced overhead on a percentage basis.

For a lot of things, I find that if you tack on the cost of shipping for those merchants that charge it, the price tends to end up in the same ballpark. Although I get customers that refuse to acknowledge that point far too often.....

The one thing that REALLY annoys me, is when someone comes into my business, looks around, goes and buys the items online......AND THEN comes back to MY business and seeks help with them because the online merchant isn't responding quickly or not quickly enough for their liking. What kind of jackass does something like that?

BlackHelicopters · 03-02-2013, 02:52 PM

Always buy local at Mafia run shoppes.

Jenson71 · 03-02-2013, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theelusiveeightrop

Always buy local at Mafia run shoppes.

Their payment plans are terrific!

**DaFace** · 03-02-2013, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redsurfer11

If you want to buy an engagement ring online. I have a bridge I can sell you.

Not sure where this is coming from, but I think that's pretty silly as a blanket statement at least. I bought my wife's online and couldn't be happier with it.

03-02-2013, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaFace

Not sure where this is coming from, but I think that's pretty silly as a blanket statement at least. I bought my wife's online and couldn't be happier with it.

Purest diamond I ever saw...

ReynardMuldrake · 03-02-2013, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phobia

Purest diamond I ever saw...

Diamonds are for suckers. The diamond industry is one of the biggest scams around.

View Poll Results: Online price/product to local shop . . .
Print out your research and proposal and give it to the local store	7	50.00%
Go to the local store and just tell them your guidelines. If they can meet it, good for you. If not, buy online.	6	42.86%
Just buy online if the local store doesn't have what you want	1	7.14%
Other option (explain)	0	0%
Voters: 14. You may not vote on this poll

03-02-2013, 01:04 PM
Jenson71 fides quaerens intellectum Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: United States Casino cash: $8330900	Taking online prices to brick and mortar shop I'm interested in knowing your thoughts on a consumer who is buying a big ticket item (e.g., a boat, an engagement ring, a home theater system), and first does research online to come up with a model and price, and then takes that information to a local, independent store to ask them if they would like to match that. Is this appropriate? I'm going to be purchasing something soon, and I'd like to do this. On one hand, I know I can find a good price and product online, but on the other hand, I would like to support a local business. I'm worried this might come off as rude, though, or appear like a cheapskate or too demanding.
Posts: 15,986

03-02-2013, 01:31 PM	#16
Cornstock Veteran Join Date: Oct 2008 Casino cash: $9986835	Just tell them you prefer to keep your business local but are looking for the best price. They should at least respect your decision. After all, you both have to do whats best for the bottom line (as well as considering any guarantees or extended service).
Posts: 1,606

03-02-2013, 01:37 PM	#18
Cornstock Veteran Join Date: Oct 2008 Casino cash: $9986835	Places like Best Buy get around that by being able to buy online and get that price (which is often cheaper than the in-store price) but then being able to drive down to your local store where they have it all ready to pick up for you, instead of waiting for it to come in the mail.
Posts: 1,606

03-02-2013, 02:25 PM	#20
Chief Roundup Admitted Planet Junky Join Date: Oct 2000 Casino cash: $2161627	Just go to the store and ask them how close they can get to the price online. If they get close enough for you great if not then purchase it online. __________________ Fanaticism is nowhere. There is no tenderness or humanity in fanaticism.
Posts: 19,189

03-02-2013, 02:51 PM	#22
Namor40 Starter Join Date: Feb 2013 Casino cash: $10004995	This is my 5 cents as a small business owner. I always try to keep my prices as low as possible, but there's a certain percentage of profit that I NEED to make otherwise there's no money for overhead...keeping the lights on in the business.....paying my employees.....product servicing issues, dealing with all the nonsense from the manufacturer on behalf of the customer, marketing...etc. I've never been offended when someone asked me to match an online price for something, and if I can do it, without losing my shorts, I will. There have been times I've done it to hold on to a loyal customer, even though I was essentially losing some money in the deal. But there's a lot of cases where I simply can't do it. The online store is either buying significant amounts of volume to give them a better overall purchase price.....or they have tremendously reduced overhead on a percentage basis. For a lot of things, I find that if you tack on the cost of shipping for those merchants that charge it, the price tends to end up in the same ballpark. Although I get customers that refuse to acknowledge that point far too often..... The one thing that REALLY annoys me, is when someone comes into my business, looks around, goes and buys the items online......AND THEN comes back to MY business and seeks help with them because the online merchant isn't responding quickly or not quickly enough for their liking. What kind of jackass does something like that?
Posts: 177

03-02-2013, 02:52 PM	#23
BlackHelicopters Spiraling down the Drain Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Dante's Ninth Circle Casino cash: $2810588	Always buy local at Mafia run shoppes. __________________ "We're both part of the same hypocrisy, Senator, but never think it applies to my family." "Fredo. You are my brother, and I love you. But never take sides against the Family again. Ever." 2019 Adopt a Chief - Travis Kelce #87
Posts: 31,645

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