"Isn't it illegal to NOT price match?"

[Cats]

We price match at our store, but people rarely ask since the competition stores aren't too far away anyway.

But a few years ago, I always had one bitch come in like 5 min before my shift ended before my "weekend" wanting to price match stuff for one of our competetors. She never bought anything of OURS that was on sale, no, just other store's. I'd always get out late cause of her too.

The kicker? There was a said competetor store FIFTY FEET ACROSS THE STREET and they opened right around the same time she came into our store (we're a 24 hour location).

It's people like her that are the reason I hate price matching. For companies that compete but don't have locations very close to each other, okay, I can see that as tolerable. Or where salespeople make a lot of commision on said sale (giving incensitve to bend a little to get that little extra in the pocket). But drug stores in my town which have locations literally within a 30 second walk from each other? No way.

[Jester]

Price matching. Yet another reason I am thrilled I work in a bar and not in retail.

THEM: "How much is this beer?"
ME: "Five dollars, please."
THEM: "Five dollars? But Rapscallion's Tavern sells it for only FOUR!"
ME: "And you are more than free to drink there as well. And if you don't remember where it is, it's a left at the light, then eight blocks down. Enjoy the walk!"

(Anyone from Key West would be laughing here, as I put Raps' place right smack dab in the heart of the "gay bar" area. Sorry, dude. I just couldn't resist.)

[friggle]

I like how you had the patience to explain to the SC about Best Buy being able to offer discounts due to markups on other merchandise they sell. It's nice to try to educate the public, but I think there are times that no matter what you say, people just don't get it or want to get it. I guess that's why they say, "Ignorance is bliss."

But yeah, I agree that price matching should be up to the individual store. Same goes with accepting competitors' coupons. If a store wants to do any of that, they'd make it a point to put up signs and posters saying so.

[SailorMan]

Just wow! If it were a law that every store had to price match, then eventually every similar item in every store in the country would be the same price, with that price being the one set by whatever chain originally priced it that low. Does anyone besides me see what chaos this would bring to the Free Market system?

[Jester]

Yes. I believe that would make it communism, actually.

[candyshopgirl]

If they ever do pass such a law, then they better it make it legal for firemen to exercise naked in public, preferably in front of my windows.

Wow you Don't want naked sexy fireman to exercise naked in front of you....??????

how about big sexy muscle(ly)policemen....

[Danno]

Yes. I believe that would make it communism, actually.

It might end up in a monopoly. I can imagine a big box organization deciding to sell an item for 1¢ until all the smaller competitors that specialize in that item go out of business. Raise prices, then shortly thereafter switch to the next item you'd like to eliminate competitors in.

Not that unimaginable when Wal-Marts have already deliberately sold items below cost to bankrupt nearby stores.

[crazylegs]

If they ever do pass such a law, then they better it make it legal for firemen to exercise naked in public, preferably in front of my windows.

Wow you Don't want naked sexy fireman to exercise naked in front of you....??????

how about big sexy muscle(ly)policemen....

Girls,

I know firemen and police. The majority of them are considerably older than you may imagine, and the only six pack they have access to is in their fridge!

[Becks]

Additionally, the only place where price matching may be mandated by law is Rand McNally, where people wear hats on their feet and hamburgers eat people.

You stole my Simpsons quote!!!

[AriRashkae]

Price matching. Yet another reason I am thrilled I work in a bar and not in retail.

THEM: "How much is this beer?"
ME: "Five dollars, please."
THEM: "Five dollars? But Rapscallion's Tavern sells it for only FOUR!"
ME: "And you are more than free to drink there as well. And if you don't remember where it is, it's a left at the light, then eight blocks down. Enjoy the walk!"

(Anyone from Key West would be laughing here, as I put Raps' place right smack dab in the heart of the "gay bar" area. Sorry, dude. I just couldn't resist.)

You know, I've been taking notes from your posts for when my husband and I actually open our bar. (Translation: when I can get him to sit down long enough to have concrete ideas for a business plan. )

[South Texan]

SC: Didn't they pass some consumer law awhile back that required all stores to price match?

That law would be right next to the one I have heard so much about (but never can find written down anywhere) that REQUIRES a store to give refunds on anything it sells just because the customer changed her mind after the sale.

[CrazedClerkthe2nd]

I like how you had the patience to explain to the SC about Best Buy being able to offer discounts due to markups on other merchandise they sell. It's nice to try to educate the public, but I think there are times that no matter what you say, people just don't get it or want to get it. I guess that's why they say, "Ignorance is bliss."

Well I was trying to get the customer to understand WHY we don't price match even though we are a decent sized company. Most customers don't realize the economics involved in price matching.

[Danno]

Most customers don't realize the economics involved in price matching anything.

Well, it feels that way sometimes.

[brucetiki]

I've only priced matched twice. Once when I bought my Wii, and a rival offered a package. The two factors in my doing a price match was a) the rival was a mile away and b) the rival wasn't taking orders, the store I did the price match at was.

Second time was buying my PDR. The store that had the cheaper sale price had the display model only. So I went across the mall to a rival retailer who not only price matched, they knocked a further $10 off the price (and they heaps of stock available).

[Boozy]

SC: This is absolutely ridiculous! You're going to make me drive over to Best Buy over $10??

"No sir. You're apparently going to make yourself drive over to Best Buy over $10. I couldn't care less what you do."

$10 is actually a reasonable amount of money to save, so I don't know what he's flapping his gums about. Depending on how far away the Best Buy is, it would probably be worth it to drive over.

I'm also willing to bet that $10 is at or over the proft margin for a game in a specialized store. If he'd had his way, this "customer" would have cost the store money.