price promise guarantees

[tsb]

Today has been the second time in a month that I've tried to use the price promise the retail stores advertise in large letters to get you through the door. The first was in Currys and was for a dvd recorder, £30 dearer than in Argos, but they wouldn't match the price on that dvd. Today was in screwfix, when I wanted to buy a couple of drill bits. Total price approx £12, but from axminster, the price was £8. I took axminsters catalogue in for proof of price only to be told they don't match mail order prices. No mention of this in the small print, only conditions apply. I'm sick of the advertising, stores use to get you through their doors, then change the rules when you point the advert out. --ps I didn't buy the drill bits on principle

 

[matt]

You dont' say where you're located but, if you're reasonably near an Axminster branch, then you could have disputed the mail order side of things. If, however, you're reliant on mail order to get the goods then I would have thought it reasonable for Screwfix to match on the cost of goods + what it would cost for you to get them (£4.95 I seem to recall). Screwfix are already cheaper in that instance.

I don't think it is unfair for retailers to impose some rules around the price match promise, providing they are reasonable. Proximity is reasonable IMO.

You don't say why Curry's wouldn't match. Is their promise on selected products only?

 

[chippy1970]

Last year I got a Nintendo Wii for the kids :wink:

I went to PCworld but had seen the wii with mario kart game in Toys r us but it was out of stock in toysrus. Pc world to my surprise matched the price and took a further 10% off as well so I got it reduced from about £230 to £160 :shock: :shock:

They did have big posters everywhere saying about price matching but you never really believe it until you are walking out with the item.

PS John Lewis are very good for price matching, I got a Panasonic Vierra plasma last year it was £999 got it reduced to £650 by price matching

 

[CHJ]

The thing that often gets them off the hook is that the big sheds have Pt.No. variations specific to themselves, the odd little "a" or "b" suffix is all that is needed.

Was pleasantly annoyed earlier this year when shopping for an A+ efficiency rated appliance to find an independent trader quoting a lower retail price than any of the sheds and free delivery within the county.

Even more pleasantly annoyed when fessing up to the cash til to be informed there was a further 10% reduction on the listed price due to the ability of the stockist to claim the difference off an official energy conservation encouragement scheme, NON of the local big sheds mentioned this at all.

 

[matt]

PS John Lewis are very good for price matching, I got a Panasonic Vierra plasma last year it was £999 got it reduced to £650 by price matching

John Lewis actually employ people to ensure the prices match local competition and pay other employees (whose job is not to ensure prices are matched) a bonus if they spot something cheaper elsewhere.

 

[andycktm]

They price match because they know 99% of retailers are told by the manufacturer "what" the price is they are allowed to sell at.
If they are selling for £500 they know, so is everybody else.
Its called zero competition :lol:
You did right to walk away.

 

[RogerS]

They price match because they know 99% of retailers are told by the manufacturer "what" the price is they are allowed to sell at.
If they are selling for £500 they know, so is everybody else.
....

I can think of a certain manufacturer of premium priced tools that would fit nicely into that category.

Curry's price promise states the following

In the unlikely event that you find a cheaper price for the same product and offer in a local retail store (which has stock ready for delivery) we will not only match the price but beat it by 10% of the difference

The Currys price promise also applies for up to 7 days after you make your purchase

We’re confident we won’t be beaten on price and check thousands of prices daily to ensure you get the best possible deal. If you do find any of our products cheaper at one of the retailers below, including home delivery, we’ll match it and give you an extra 10% of the difference.

The product must be identical, in stock at one of the retailers below, and available for immediate home delivery.
Who does the Currys price promise apply against?

The Currys price promise applies to the lowest price offered by these retailers, whether that’s online or in-store:
Argos Comet PCWorld John Lewis
B&Q Jessops Tesco Asda

Why not contact Trading Standards if you feel strongly enough about it?

 

[andycktm]

A lot of the time its who you speak to,some salesmen/women don't want to play and take it into their own hands!
Ask for the manager!!!!
Not long ago i bought a printer from Staples and the salesman said he would match pc world £2 cheaper!
But i decided to pick it up later,on return another salesman said" i'll have to as the manager".
She(manager) got the lad to ring pc world pretending to be a customer.
When it was comfirmed she photocopied the recipt for head office :roll: , all for £2 i nearly told them to shove it :lol: