I'd like to hear of just one person that got an iPhone 5 for $127. I'm sure there is, but other than here, I didn't hear of anyone I knew getting it. It wasn't the talk of the season, etc. Why? Because they didn't exist.
They've changed their policy - at least on some items... see below
For the above promotions, the Designated Major Online Retailers are: Amazon.com, Apple.com, Bhphotovideo.com, Buy.com, CircuitCity.com, CompUSA.com, Crutchfield.com, Dell.com, hhgregg.com, HP.com, HomeDepot.com, Lowes.com, Newegg.com, OfficeDepot.com, OfficeMax.com, Sears.com, Staples.com, Target.com, TigerDirect.com, and Walmart.com. Appliance and electronics hardware products include audio hardware, video hardware, cameras, camcorders, desktop computers, notebook computers, e-Readers, tablets, TVs, MP3 players, small appliances, major appliances, gaming handheld devices and consoles.
I just hate Wal-Mart.
As mentioned by another poster, Fry's matches online prices. You dont even have to print out the online ad. You just mention you saw it for x price at x.com, they'll go to that site, print the ad themselves, and submit it to the cashiers. The only disadvantage vs buying the item online is that sales tax is still added.
Best Buy will only price match local B&M stores and it needs to be in stock.
And there's Brandsmart. They price match some online stores but you can also haggle on the price. For demo units, you can haggle even more (ridiculously more), and they give you a 5-yr warranty on it.
I understand what some posters are saying about BB having to pay overhead and how it's unfair to ask them to price match online stores which have much less overhead but how are Fry's and Brandsmart managing to price match online prices and still stay in business?
Read post #54 of how Walmart operates. They do create demand, by placing companies and competition out of business, then setting up shop in the area's that these businesses once existed. Rubbermaid is a prime example of how this "tactic" works in their favor. Middle class families making decent money are unemployed due to Walmart's tactics, then Walmart moves in, sets up, and hires these people at a fraction of what they used to earn with no benefits and more work hours. It's a business tactic widely known and used. Further, most people do not save as much as you may believe, and any savings they do earn, they spend in Walmart. It's a simple tactic yet complex in execution, and we all play a part if we allow Walmart, or any large corporation, to strong arm markets.
Personally, anything I've purchased at Walmart is usually sub-par in quality unless it's a well known brand good (such as an Apple product, etc). Most people go through their goods faster than having bought a more expensive counterpart that lasts longer. People think short term, not long term. Long term, I'm going to spend more on an expensive item as it usually is better quality (I state "usually", of course I will research the product and market before making said purchase), instead of buying the same product twice as it doesn't last as long.
Consumers need to think long term about their spending habits. This is crucial in both the quality and thus longevity of the goods they purchase, and how their dollars are supporting a system that will eventually hurt them in the long term.
A very common practice which is killing the brick and mortar golf industry. Everybody loves to go play with stuff, give it a demo and see what they like...then run online to save a few bucks.
Or even worse, march into the store who has to pay all that overhead and demand they match the price of somebody who doesn't.
And like BB, they complain about the lack of knowledgable salespeople, even though they have ZERO interest in paying a penny extra to cover the cost.
Consumers all want Amazon pricing with Nordstrom service.
Also wanted to add that Toys R Us has no right to complain because I can't remember anyone I know ever being successful at price matching at one of their stores.
Devil's advocate: Ultimately, it's not a stores job to educate the consumer on short or long term purchasing decisions.
lshin037 what has your experience with Brandsmart been like? Ive dealt with them for years and i go out of my way not to shop there. There warrantly service is something "special". Call one number wait an hour to get a service code then call another number wait an hour to get a person on the phone. That was the last draw for me. Best Buy has been like a saint compared to Brandsmart for me
I'd hate to see Best Buy go out of business.
With Circuit City fallen by the wayside, and others, there are hardly any brick and mortar electronics stores left.
Yes people go there to browse, then buy cheaper online. But with many states enforcing sales tax collection on online vendors that price advantage is slipping.
Thing is many times you want something NOW - not delivered 2-3 days from now and Best Buy is great for that.
No, it's the consumers, and as I stated, that responsibility lies with all of us.
However, educating yourself isn't difficult. A simple scan of the comments is enough for anyone to read and further investigate some points. I hope they do.
My care meter for Best Buy: ZERO.ZERO
I loved Best Buy, many moons ago. I bought computer desks from them, home theater stuff and many games. All of it at good prices (mid to late 90s), then BB grew because of their competitive business practice that was GOOD for consumers. They got more and more product, but the prices started to suffer.
Fast forward a decade ad a half. Tons of product at Max retail pricing.
Amazon Prime shipping and other vendors (newegg, etc) will eventually erode the brick and mortar giant just like the books stores of yesteryear. Retail pricing is for suckers.
When Best Buy dies, I hope Amazon doesn't do what BB did and raise prices.
Consumers have proven time and again that they only thing they care about is the immediate bottom line price. Period. They are not interested in the long term ramifications of any purchase decision or the impact to the industry, employees or ultimately themselves.
It's just how people are wired.
Capatalism is good in many ways. But one thing that will always hurt it is the selfishness and greed that is inherit in human beings.
Decisions made on the micro level, by consumers and the people who run industry, will ALWAYS put their immediate benefit over what's best for the big picture. A fallacy of capatalism is the market will 'correct' or 'encourage' the optimal solution. People often use the simple theory of supply and demand and market price being naturally established.
But the real world is infinitely more complex than that. An example would be Americans complaining about jobs being shipped out of the country...yet voting with their dollars to encourage that behavior.
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Of course they will. Amazon bleeds money. You better beleive once they get the market clout to do it, they are going to raise prices and get back in the black.
Meh. I have no sympathy, Best Buy didn't follow store policy. I worked at Best Buy for a number of years and the price match policy was that you had to call the local store and verify that they had the item in stock. If they were sold out, Best Buy was not obligated to match the other stores advertised price.
Sarcasm dually noted, and you are kidding yourself if you think you are really saving money. I recommend researching this topic and your finances before sarcastically addressing strangers online.
Understand, saving a few cents here and there while putting Walmart competition out of business only bites you in the arse in the end, as less competition for Walmart will lead to marketplace dominance. Once marketshare grows with less competition, so will Walmart pricing. As history has shown, companies such as Walmart will blame the higher price in oil, or [insert excuse here] for their price increases, the public will buy it and Walmart profits will increase. Soon, you'll have little choice for local stores and Walmart will dictate the market.
Enjoy those prices while you can.