Comments on: Price Matching Policy and Time Limit http://thefinancebuff.com/2008/09/price-matching-policy-and-time-limit.html like a friend telling you about money ... Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:44:17 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8 hourly 1 By: Jim http://thefinancebuff.com/2008/09/price-matching-policy-and-time-limit.html/comment-page-1#comment-924 Jim Wed, 17 Sep 2008 17:28:25 +0000 http://thefinancebuff.com/2008/09/price-matching-policy-and-time-limit.html#comment-924 Just remember that to the retailer a frequent customer (high volume) is not the same as a good customer (high profit, low interaction). It doesn't hurt to ask. If you aren't worth the trouble, they'll say no and hope you go away forever. If they value your business, they'll say yes. The worst that can happen is that they say no and you go back to asking for matches in a timely manner. Just remember that to the retailer a frequent customer (high volume) is not the same as a good customer (high profit, low interaction).

It doesn't hurt to ask. If you aren't worth the trouble, they'll say no and hope you go away forever. If they value your business, they'll say yes. The worst that can happen is that they say no and you go back to asking for matches in a timely manner.

]]> By: Dawn http://thefinancebuff.com/2008/09/price-matching-policy-and-time-limit.html/comment-page-1#comment-923 Dawn Wed, 17 Sep 2008 17:24:58 +0000 http://thefinancebuff.com/2008/09/price-matching-policy-and-time-limit.html#comment-923 Part of what you paid for when you bought the item for the higher price was the convenience of getting it when you needed it. If I were the business I would say too bad -- the policy is clearly posted, and because of your previous record, you're clearly aware of it. Part of what you paid for when you bought the item for the higher price was the convenience of getting it when you needed it.

If I were the business I would say too bad — the policy is clearly posted, and because of your previous record, you're clearly aware of it.

]]> By: john (Nifty News & Decent Deals) http://thefinancebuff.com/2008/09/price-matching-policy-and-time-limit.html/comment-page-1#comment-922 john (Nifty News & Decent Deals) Wed, 17 Sep 2008 16:55:48 +0000 http://thefinancebuff.com/2008/09/price-matching-policy-and-time-limit.html#comment-922 Also, the fact that you've ordered the same item in the past both helps and hurts you. From one side, it's clear that you buy this item frequently and that they stand to lose a steady customer. On the other hand, if you're buying from them and always price-matching then in their eyes you've been "beating the system" and they might just take the big one-time profit by not having to price match you. The frequent customer angle probably swings things ever so slightly in your favor. I'd try to play that up. Good luck. Also, the fact that you've ordered the same item in the past both helps and hurts you. From one side, it's clear that you buy this item frequently and that they stand to lose a steady customer. On the other hand, if you're buying from them and always price-matching then in their eyes you've been "beating the system" and they might just take the big one-time profit by not having to price match you.

The frequent customer angle probably swings things ever so slightly in your favor. I'd try to play that up. Good luck.

]]> By: john (Nifty News & Decent Deals) http://thefinancebuff.com/2008/09/price-matching-policy-and-time-limit.html/comment-page-1#comment-921 john (Nifty News & Decent Deals) Wed, 17 Sep 2008 16:51:21 +0000 http://thefinancebuff.com/2008/09/price-matching-policy-and-time-limit.html#comment-921 As much as I'm pro-consumer, part of me has to side with the retailer on this one. I think price-matching policies are a hallmark of a good company but the internet makes things particularly cutthroat. Even Amazon finally decided to yank their price matching policy recently. Having the ability to get a price match at all these days is nice. Even if it is just for seven days. I know you paid a lot more than you wanted to in this case and I can empethize with being out a decent chunk of cash like that. Either the trusted retailer clearly overpriced this item like a rebate and hoped to sell smaller quantities at a huge markup, or the overall shipped price at the shady 3rd party dealer evens out the overall price to be more in line with the trusted retailer. Although I'll root for you, my bet is that this retailer will decide not to do the price match. Sometimes it really is amazing how brazen some sites can be with their pricing on certain items. As much as I'm pro-consumer, part of me has to side with the retailer on this one. I think price-matching policies are a hallmark of a good company but the internet makes things particularly cutthroat. Even Amazon finally decided to yank their price matching policy recently.

Having the ability to get a price match at all these days is nice. Even if it is just for seven days. I know you paid a lot more than you wanted to in this case and I can empethize with being out a decent chunk of cash like that.

Either the trusted retailer clearly overpriced this item like a rebate and hoped to sell smaller quantities at a huge markup, or the overall shipped price at the shady 3rd party dealer evens out the overall price to be more in line with the trusted retailer. Although I'll root for you, my bet is that this retailer will decide not to do the price match.

Sometimes it really is amazing how brazen some sites can be with their pricing on certain items.

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