October 8, 2009 - Posted to In-Store Shopping.
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A bad economy hits the retail and grocery market just as hard as it does any other sector. What used to be a neutral, safe zone for thrifty shoppers has evolved into a web of tricky gimmicks. No doubt you typically buy eye-level grocery goods (the most expensive row in the store) and those end-cap deals, never on your shopping list, always weasel their way into your cart. Retail stores are becoming even more ruthless in their pursuit for a buck. So shop offensively and don't be afraid to ask questions before zipping the credit card. Be especially cautious of these offers.
1. Liquidation Sales
You've seen the obnoxious, yellow signs plastered over furniture and home goods stores. If the place is going under, there must be some good deals, right? Perhaps, but most likely not. Before gigs like Circuit City and Linens & Things bit the dust, they marked up merchandise far above competitor prices then "reduced" the price by an increasing percentage each week. The customer pays more for the liquidated product than they would on any non-sales day at another establishment. If you can't help yourself, at least take a smart phone with you to check prices online before falling for a dud.
2. Mail-in Rebate
Marketers for small electronics are geniuses. They jack up the price of a product and assume that most customers won't cash in on the rebate, which is true. Most rebates require that you cut out UPCs, send receipts, and include copies of your social security card and birth certificates to discourage you from collecting. Plus most stores don't return items without a UPC, so your chances of completing an exchange or return are nil. You'll also surrender your personal information so they can harass you mercilessly via mail-outs and eDeals. If you aren't willing to pay the full price sans rebate, walk away.
3. Container Changes
Conspiracy theory has some value, especially when it comes to grocery stores. No, you aren't losing your mind. Your favorite peanut butter brand has a new container. And it isn't larger than the one you're accustomed to buying. Look on the bottom of cans, yogurt jars, and other items packaged in containers. Most of them have a high dome on the bottom carving out significant amounts of food. Many companies have started to do this and there's not a good way to retaliate. Know that you have the right to file a complaint with the Bureau of Consumer Protection if the advertised ounce amount is incorrect.
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What most people don't realize is that retail stores charge manufacturers a "slotting fee" for shelve space at their stores. This is on top of the money that they make off of the sale...it's not the farmer making any money it's the middle people. Safeway is one of the worse. I won't shop there
Posted March 4, 2011 by karen
I work for a manufacturer. The information about incentives for retailers to feature items in their stores is correct. Did you know the manufacturer's not only pay the retailer to promote their products, they also pay for the weekly ads, and the unsaleable damaged product that goes to the reclaimation centers. Many manufacturer's guarantee their sales and the retailer gets full refund on items not moved through the register. I will tell you to take your time, buy what you need and watch your regular prices before you go and get the same item on sale. Right or wrong, we all have to make a living and that is just the way of the world.
Posted October 28, 2010 by Grace Smith
I'm not afraid of dealing with a P.O.'d cashier who has to call for a price check on an incorrectly priced item. I'll stand there and wait until they ring up my purchase and it comes out to the correct price. There's no way I'd pay extra for a mistake that the store has made. In Canada there's a "Scanner Price Accuracy Code" that states that "if the scanned price of a non-price ticketed item is higher than the shelf priceor any other displayed price, the customer is entitled to receive the item free, up to a $10 maximum." I actually tested this out at my local Real Canadian Superstore, and ended up receiving a 16pack of Yogurt for free (original price $7.99 -- but the shelf-label was wrong and actually said $5.98)
Posted August 22, 2010 by Joanna
As an employee of JC Penneys, here's a little something you may or may not know. If there is a sale going on at JCP's and you want to go a couple of days early, just tell thesales associate know you have the coupon, special offer, or whatever the case may be and that you can't make it in on those dates so is there any way they can honor them on that day. The associates are trained to accept that as a reason to honor your coupon early! Nice, huh?
Posted June 28, 2010 by Stephanie
@ Querida. You should have sat at the front of the class. Dare not you proofread your own comment, which seems to be an attemp to correct others. Nobody's perfect. Obviously, you're included. I think you meant to write/spell "scrutinizing" NOT scritinizing. Check your self before you wreck yourself. Regardless of peoples mis-spelled words, you understood the points that they were making didn't you? Find something more productive to do. Clip a coupon to save you some money, help a neighbor, find something, anything to do other than show your ignorance to the world.
Posted May 6, 2010 by Sarah
We have a locally owned grocery outfit that offers (and are good for their word), that not only if the price on the item is wrong, they will refund your money and you get to keep that item. Not only does it keep the price markers of the store on their toes, but the customer is aware of the prices at the checkout stand. Great customer service
Posted May 6, 2010 by Roseann
While I can appreciate and agree for the most part with all the comments made about retailers, what troubles me the most is the attrocious spelling and lack of writing skills contained in them. Doesn't anyone proofread what they write? Perhaps the dumbing down of our citizens by our government and lack of quality education is to blame. We, as Americans, should be paying more attention to such issues and scritinizing the actions of our government as carefully as we are retailers. Reading is the gateway to education!
Posted May 6, 2010 by Querida
Regarding tuna, another scam is a 6 oz can used to be packed full with tuna with minimal liquid, now in opened cans the tuna is swimming in liquid. I measured out 4 oz of tuna and 2 oz of liquid.. I now buy the foil sealed packets.
Posted May 6, 2010 by JuliaEP
Most retail theft is employee theft.
Posted May 6, 2010
When purchasing an item on sale or marked down, I frequently found that the ring up price was the original price. Store managers always used 'oversight' as the excuse. I started using my cell phone camera to document the advertised price of the item in their own isles. I take a picture from several feet away to show the general area (their store isle), then take 1 or 2 close up shots to prove the price point. Most check out clerks and their managers are shocked at the proof, but can't argue either. Others in line behind me ask for tips so they can do the same. It works great, I get the advertised price and I $ave.
Posted May 6, 2010 by Rick
Is there two- sided TP available Wayne? That was good laugh to start the day! Those who shop with a list, stick to it, use coupons only for items regularly used, and check their receipts for errors, and read labels, and find store brands that they like, will do better most of the time. The comments about theft by those who work retail are pretty much on the mark. One of my daughters has worked in retail for over 35 years and theft of merchandise is a huge problem. It was a problem even in the christian book store. We who are honest pay heavily for those who steal, or those who abuse products and leave them in the store which is also a form of theft as it costs the rest of us money. Thievery in grocery stores is somewhat easier to get away with as people are reluctant to get involved, and sheer size of the place makes it difficult for employees to monitor everyone. When I say we pay heavily for this stealing I mean it is well into the millions - probably billions - of dollars a year. And, as in one comment, store owners are in business to make money.
Posted May 6, 2010 by Mary Eberts
Why is it that so many businesses think it's o.k. to keep your change now-a-days. Alot more often, I'll pay for something and the cashier will not attempt to give me my change, which bothers me cause I don't care if it's two cents. That's my two cents. I was nice enough to patronize your business so give me my damn change. Or they'll say " I'm out of pennies or nickels.... " or whatever. Ok, sometimes I let it slide but it usually frustrates me and I'll wait. Can you imagine how much companies benefit from us not waiting for our change. I don't know about you but I don't work so that I can make you richer, cause pennies do add up.
Posted May 6, 2010 by Sarah
I'm sick of people picking on the rebate thing. Yes, they're annoying, but they are the only way you, as an individual consumer, can get a great deal on electronics items at a retail store. I've spent years in electronics retail. If my stores ever had a great deal without a rebate, they would get cleaned out on the first day of the sale by resellers. Seriously -- we'd have 300 of something -- a fair number for a sale item in anybody's book, but they'd be gone in hours! Dealing with resellers sometimes stank. Our store had a "right to limit quantity", but since these people based part of their livelihood reselling our merchandise, you can imagine how hard they would be on the salesperson and/or manager who tried to enforce the quantity rules. It is very difficult to explain the "right to limit quantity" to an angry foreigner with limited English skills. Enter rebates -- even a $5 rebate was enough to scare these people off. They couldn't return what they couldn't sell without UPCs, and even the biggest immigrant family runs out of people to send the "limit one" rebate checks to. If they couldn't get multiple rebates, the price was still reasonable, but they couldn't clean up on it at their stores or eBay. Sure, rebates are annoying, but here are your options: 1. We have a $70 computer power supply for $35 out the door. You don't get one because every reseller in the area cleaned us out 10 minutes after the door opened. You buy the substandard $20 power supply (the next cheapest one) because your kids need to do their homework. You'll be back in a year when it breaks. 2. We have a $70 computer power supply for $55 out the door, $35 after a $20 rebate. You get one since the resellers really can't buy more than 2 or 3, and have to wait 6-8 weeks for the $20. Even if it doesn't show up (USUALLY because people didn't follow directions -- lost rebates do happen, but I used to send in 15 a month and got them all), you still GET at $70 power supply for $55 -- a legitimate sale in its own right. Sure, manufacturers clean up on people who don't send them in (usually the manufacturers underwrite the rebate -- the store gets their money either way), but if you follow instructions you'll usually get the check, and the item you came in for! Item pricing was BS at my store too -- the prices fluctuated constantly, so we deliberately OVERPRICED everything so it would always ring up cheaper than promised. If a customer was ever charged more than the item was marked, it was a complete ACCIDENT, and people would get in trouble for it. Consumers demand that there are always sales, so prices bounce around, and states demand that everything is individually priced, so the whole store has to be re-done all the time. You honestly think that someone who makes $8/hr is trying to rip you off? The sale prices are downloaded to the computer from corporate. At large stores, anomalies are oversights or accidents, nothing more.
Posted May 6, 2010 by Jeff
I work in retail and the biggest culprit is the customers that switch signs or tell the cashier they got the item from the discontinued shelf. We find it all the time. Or that take packaging apart and remove pieces that they feel they need for themselves.
Posted May 6, 2010 by Annie
Nancy "I work in retail and although I agree with almost all the comments, I will say for every "honest" pricing mistake, there is some scam artist switching prices on the shelves to try and rip off a retaialer. It happens at least a couple times a day. Besides the economy, one reason why prices are so high is to compensate for loss through theft and scams. A little morre honesty on both sides would be best." Boy that company that you work for has you trained to the T. I guess the millions or billions of profit they make so they can pay your barely above minimum wage job is acceptable? I used to work for a large retailer bringing in over $50,000 in sales each month being in the top 3 sales slot every month for what a measely $10 an hour average when I was young. wake up and smell the coffee or better yet drink some
Posted May 6, 2010 by radioman66
The comment by Herbert J. Cushman regarding lumber sizes is true, but it has been that way for well over a hundred years. A 2x4 is indeed 1 1/2 x 3 1/2 NOMINAL size. It starts out as a green rough cut board that measures a FULL 2" x 4". it is then dried (KD) (a must for any decent lumber contruction, as wood shrinks as it dries), and surfaced 4 sides (s4s) to bring it to its nominal size. You will find there are a number of other products that are manufactured to compliment this size. A good example is rolled insulation coming in thicknesses of 3 1/2" (r-11, 2 x 4), 5 1/2" (r19, 2 x 6) and 9 1/2" (r30, 2 x 10), to match NOMINAL lumber thicknesses. It is just the way of the industry, and because it dates back so far, it is permanently ingrained into the construction community and therefore unlikely to change any time in the forseeable future..
Posted May 6, 2010 by Jay Carpenter
I work as a stock clerk in one of the large supermarkets and my complaint is with shoppers who abandon grocery carts filled with ice cream, milk, frozen foods and don't tell anybody in the store so that they can be put back before they thaw or spoil. Or shoppers decide they don't want to buy an items and just stuff it behind some other foods in the back of the shelves. Then there are the shoppers who remove drugs, makeup, expensive creams from the box they come in and walk out without paying. And you wonder why you are paying too much at the grocery store?
Posted April 26, 2010 by Ursula B Adamson
Michigan has a 'scanner law' that makes merchants pay me a penalty if the scanned price is higher than the posted price. At 10 times the difference ($5 max) plus the difference (special rules for multiple items) it's worth my time to ask. You can actually make money on low-priced mis-marked items. Write your state legislators to get the same where you live. Our stores are much more honest than what I've read here for scanner errors because they pay if they're wrong. I haven't found a scanner error for years (but I keep looking!) Android cellphones (CLIQ, Droid, HTC, etc.) can download an app called ShopSavvy. Uses the camera in the phone, scans a UPC code in the store, looks up the item, tells me the price at local stores and numerous websites in seconds. It's free. VERY enlightening. Other brands of phones may have similar tools, check your "App" or "Market" icon or dial 611 for free help. If your cellphone has web access, look up any item at Froogle.com, Google's price comparison site. Then sort by price. Check eBay, too. At your home PC, do a little research before you drive to the store -- that great price may be for an old model. Cellphone accessories are all $25 to $35 each in phone stores. Same items on eBay are $3 including S
Posted April 22, 2010 by Charlie Gosh
I always shop around online to see which retailer has the best price for what I want. Then I go to the store. Last Christmas, I wanted to buy a ring for my mom. I found a great ring at a great price. Went to my local store, and it was twice as much. When I told the woman what the online price was, she wouldn't even check to see. I told her never mind, went home, and ordered it online. Too bad the woman worked on commision! You would think unless the price says "online special" that a store would honor prices from its own website! Now, I always print out the item and take it to the store with me. Most places will honor the online prices. Some stores will even honor the online price of a rival or take additional money off of a rival's price.... It pays to spend some time online before you head to the stores!
Posted April 22, 2010 by S
My local Walmart often fails to even post a price for many items, and when there is a price listed, it is all too often for a different item. The description on the label is printed very small and with many abbreviations, so it is difficult to determine if it is for the item on the shelf. Now I read every label very carefully before anything goes in my cart and if there is no price listed, it stays on the shelf.
Posted April 22, 2010 by Geoffrey
Another spin on the jar with the high domed bottom is shrinking the amount of product in the usual container. Ice cream has shrunk from 64 oz to 47oz,in a half gallon container.The price has not. A food scale will reveal that the "net weight" of canned goods is often less than stated on the label after the liquid is drained.
Posted April 22, 2010 by Pat
It is not so much the store's fault for mispriced items as it is from customers who have switched price tags or moved an item to another location with a cheaper price. I have seen this happen in stores.
Posted April 22, 2010 by bob
Weis grocery store pharmacy in Pennsylvania charges $208 for a prescription. That SAME prescription at K-Mart is only $30. Before filling medication prescriptions CALL AROUND TO THE OTHER PHARMACIES IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD to see who's cheaper.
Posted April 22, 2010 by Sandi
I work in retail, and we won't always honor the online price in the store. There are reasons the price is lower. No employee has to directly assist the costumer for one. This allow the in store employee to focus on other things, such as making sure the price on the shelf matches the price a product rings. Thieves are everywhere! From those that actually steal products to those who claim the product was in a clearance section. Products do get moved by customers. They pick it up then decide they don't want it and lay it down wherever they are. Please, if you don't want a frozen item, either give it to the cashier or put it back in the freezer and not just on a random shelf. As far as not having a sale item, where I work there is no problem getting a rain check. There are several reasons the product is not available. Your good neighbor made 5 trips in and out to get a limit of 4, purchasing 20. Nothing we can do about that. The sale items didn't get shipped to the store. These are the two main reasons. The main reason prices go up is theft! Unless you've worked retail, you have no idea how bad it is. After all is said and done, your major retailers make approx. 3% profit. That's right, only 3%. They have to bay electric and water, health insurance for employees that is approx 3 times what the employee contributes, they have a lot of operating expenses. I'm not saying some aren't trying to rip you off. Just be ready to shop around. Make a list of the items you need and ONLY buy those items. If and item is 30 cents more at a smaller store than Walmart, it's more than likely cheaper to buy it at the smaller store then Walmart as you will probably pick up something you don't need in Walmart. You time is valuable as well. Spend an hour in Walmart and figure what your hourly wage is. Stop at a the small store and stay 10 minutes if that long and figure out how much you have saved. Happy Shopping, be relentless with coupons and rewards the stores offer! But never buy anything you won't use just because it's on sale.
Posted April 22, 2010 by dv8ing
Simple rules for grocery shopping: (1) make a list of what you need. (c) compare the list to your stash of coupons and take the coupons you'll need, but no other ones (3) buy only the things on your list (4) compare price and quantity between brands to get least price per ounce and (5) never go grocery shopping when you are hungry. You are in charge of what you buy and how much you spend, not the grocery store.
Posted April 22, 2010 by Old Verger
Kohl's department store in Fleming Island Florida posted signs stating merchandise was a certain percentage off of retail. The problem was they marked up the items with new pricing that was higher than the printed retail price. After the supposed discount off of the new price, it was only a fraction off of the real price. I confronted the manager. He stated they were told by corporate to do iit that way. I don't shop there anymore.
Posted April 22, 2010 by Danny
Retail sucks and has for quite some time. People get screwed over every day by retail.
Posted April 22, 2010 by sallyswan
This is a good article, but remember, it is not illegal for a company to make a profit, it is expected. None of you would work for nothing. If you own stock in any of the companies mentioned, you expect to get a dividend. Be aware of scams, but be resonable.
Posted April 22, 2010 by momray
What infuriates me in almost every store nowadays is the price-deception tactic. The majority of shoppers fool themselves by ignoring the pennies on the price tag. They subconsciously believe the price indicated as $9.99 is closer to $9 than $10. I recently witnessed a conversation in a store where a lady pointed out the price of a Big-Screen TV, priced at $2879.99. "Look honey, this one is only twenty-eight hundred." Here is another Star for the advertisement psychologists. What happened to logic?
Posted April 19, 2010 by Klaus Ziegler
Check out lumber a 2x4 is 11/2x 31/2, a 1x6 is 3/4x51/2. speaking about misleading!!!!!
Posted April 17, 2010 by Herbert J. Cushman
I happen to like Walmart, but don't agree with their security policies. Have reported several times of seeing shoplifters jam everything from CD's, underwear and small appliances in large purses and pockets. They do absolutely nothing. Clerks inform me that ONLY managers can apprehend thieving customers and managers are no where to be found. Once I was in the checkout line and observed the customer in front of me with four (yes 4) cases of water and soft drinks on the bottom rack of their cart. Didn't pay, just gave me this haughty look and walked out of the store. Reported it to the cashier, she shrugged and said "it happens all the time!" No wonder product prices are so high. We are paying for dishonesty and it is growing big time. Do people really feel they have an entitlement to rip stores off?
Posted April 17, 2010 by Ginny
Good old walgreens...I don't have a pharmacutical plan for my medicine so ,since I have always gone to walgreens for my medicine I asked what the cash price was on the prescriptionand they told me $98. I went to walmart pharmacy and was told one was $4 and the other was $58.Is that a rip off or what.No more Walgreens
Posted April 17, 2010 by J. FAULKNER
I do all our shopping and coupon/rebate constantly. I worked for Pepsi and various car rental companies as well as part time stints in retail. I frequently catch mistakes made by the retailer that I am able to benefit from. That said, I am currently involved with the telephone company in an attempt to rectify the damage done to my sprinklers when they dug up my lawn. Get a supervisor to call me. Not once and it has been 10 days. Then our cable company botched an equipment e3xchange in their reporting paperwork and I am being charged forty dollars as a result. I have been assured on four seperate trips that they will contact me. Right! The good news is they just broke an ad that states you get a thirty dollar credit if you are unsatisfied. Let me see four X thiry...It also amazes me that most call centers for companies are located in foreign countries. When will all of us start boycotting those companies until the jobs come home. Where are the politicians on this. Corporate greed and marginal products. Ahhhh.. I better stop wishing for the old days. BTW anyone need A good operations/sales person. I desperately need employment and am willing to do what it takes!
Posted March 28, 2010 by RikyJ
If you shop at Safeway. The advertising of thousands of lower prices, and it meants they have raised the prices of other things. Chck
Posted March 28, 2010 by Sue
Kohls is a rip off unless you get a minimum of thirth percent off the "so called: sale price. Their needed markup is after that amount, any amount you pay over that amount is gravy to their bottom line. Do not be fooled by their constant 40, 50, 60 percent off tom foolerly.
Posted March 28, 2010 by Rooster Cogburn
3/28/10, Listen, Anytime you go shopping for anything, especially food, go to a decent, affluent neighborhood. As a teenager working in supermarkets, I can attest from experience not only do you pay more in the slums, you get inferior products. This is why many food chains don't survive but so long in [black] districts.
Posted March 28, 2010 by Preston Weiters
Greed sucks.
Posted March 27, 2010 by Tabz
I totally agree with unclephilharmonica and don't see why anyone is upset with him. I do the same kinda thing, only instead of just eating some of the grapes and nuts, I open a jar of mayo
Posted March 27, 2010 by anthillharmonica
I recently shopped at a local food mart, noticed Coke on sale for what looked like a 24 can box for $6.49. Lo and behold, not 24 cans! There were 20 cans in the box. The food store told me that the only retailer that will now carry 24 can boxes is WalMart (I hate WalMart!) But if Coke has done a deal with WalMart, you can betcha others will follow, and those 24 cans will now be 20 cans and will cost just the same. I like the old days when a 1/2 gallon of ice cream was a half gallon, not half of that! And most stores, including WalMart, are marketing food and other items with their brand, selling it cheaper, but the quality is not as good.
Posted March 25, 2010 by SL Soske
I purchased a bag of gummy worms for my sons friend at Big Five Sports while buying a tennis racket, shoes and other items for my son. I knew the bill was going to be high- so when I was charged $67.00 for the gummy worms it didn't register until I was well down the road. As I went through the items in my head it was a lot! I checked the receipt and found the error . About a month later I took the receipt in and they reimbursed me and couldn't believe it. Unsuspecting consumers (almost like myself) pay constantly for these kinds of mistakes.
Posted March 25, 2010 by Candi
I worked for a Fortune 500 company that provides soft drinks not only to grocers and major retailers but to large sporting venues and restaurants as well. If you only knew what large grocery chains like Kroger's (Fry's), Shoprite, Marsh, Meijer's, etc... are getting paid in monthly and quarterly incentives to carry these products and sell them, you would be absolutely outraged. It was my job to process the incentive checks for a very large market are in the Southwest. We had over 80 Fry's grocery stores in our market area alone (they're owned by Kroger). It was nothing at all for them to earn over $250,000 dollars in incentive sales for selling our product around the 4th of July or any other major holiday. That was only paying them anywhere from $.25 to $.50 incentive per case they sold. You can imagine just how much they sold during a one week period to earn that much money. Believe me, ALL retailers are in it for the money. It's about the bottom line and nothing more. They only care about how cheap can we make it, how cheap can we move it, and how fast and how much quantitiy can we sell. End of story. The customers that they were worried about making happy were the large market areas that made them the most money. That is the sad truth. The mom and pop businesses were far less important and always got second rate advertising materials and second rate attention if not less. That's the world of the food and beverage industry - bottom dollar. I no longer work there and I thank God for that everyday.
Posted March 25, 2010 by Deb
! ! ! ! ! UNCLEPHILHARMONICA ! ! ! ! ! ! ! YOUR COMMENT IS MORALLY WRONG ! ! ! YOU ARE CONDONING PEOPLE STEALING
Posted March 25, 2010 by moe
unclephilharmonica, thats just plain stealing.
Posted March 25, 2010 by k
I have long since figured out these shameless scams, I started noticing these examples listed above this is why I don't fall for it. these dishonest merchants will continue to rob the public, blind till we say enough!! people need to file complaints, I'm a filing complaints fool, I file with the FTC, ripoff.com, BBB (although sometimes I think they are in cahoots with certain business) the attorneys generals office, we allow these types of behaviors. we have to buy only what we really need and stop making these parasites rich, because American's are consumers of crap, they are treated like crap. stop making these parasitic pig rich!!!
Posted March 25, 2010 by Michelle Lewis
Caveat emptor, baby, caveat emptor.
Posted March 25, 2010 by Gary
The biggest rip off company for rebates is GE. I've bought 3 of their products that have had rebates. Each time I submitted all of the required paperwork, I was denied. I had to resend the paperwork to finally receive my rebate. Ironically, it was all of the same paperwork I originally submitted. If it wasn't a sizable rebate, I wouldn't have bithered. Now I just don't bother to purchase any GE products.
Posted March 25, 2010 by tom
Fight back America! Use both sides of the toilet paper.
Posted March 25, 2010 by Wayne Allen
Some of my local stores actually ring an item or 2 twice and if I don't check then they get fee $$ from me!
Posted March 25, 2010
I saw a Weber gas grill outside of Home Depot with a sign that said $299. That model usually sells for $399. So I went into the store and attempted to buy the grill but it rung up as $399. So I told them about the sign outside. Apparently the wrong sku number was on the sign and attached to the wrong grill. Long story short, after standing around for about 20 minutes with salespeople and managers they sold the grill to me for $299. I wasn't about to pay $399 or leave in frustration for their mistake. But that's what they were hoping for.
Posted March 25, 2010 by Rick
Yep i went to Circuit city when they were "liquidating" but quickly realized they were marking up prices then giving a percentage off, which was still higher than the local competitors regular price. Wal-Mart always has a lower price online but if you go to the store to buy it they are more expensive than what they advertise it online on their website. They WILL NOT match their price online! I have asked repeatedly.
Posted March 25, 2010 by K
Jewels is great with their "buy one get one free sales". A product sells for $2 before the sale. During the sale it is being sold for $4. But buy one at $4, you get the other free. A great sale? LOL! A great way to reduce inventory.
Posted March 25, 2010 by Frank W
and how about Wal-mart?! those basturds dont accept printed coupons anymore. the manager claims walmart cannot collect from the manufacturers. i only get my coupons from couponmom.com or other places online. i dont buy the ajc just for coupons anymore. so now i have to buy from kroger or publix, which are grocers that markup the prices too much as it is. im going totally organic and just buy from whole foods. this is getting out of hand!
Posted March 25, 2010 by the_shoparazzi
If toilet tissue gets any more narrow, it will require two rolls of paper to fill up the paper holder. The consumer is really getting ripped off in the size category of almost everything we buy. Watch out for "New and Improved," because almost every time this means less product for more money.
Posted March 25, 2010 by Judy Smith
Fight back. Eat grapes before they get weighed, or get a few items from the bulk foods, like mixed nuts, and eat before you get to the checkout.
Posted March 25, 2010 by unclephilharmonica
Buyer beware - Walmart does not match it's online prices in the store!
Posted March 25, 2010 by Jen
It isn't just tuna - did you check the size on cranberry sauce and ice cream? Dreyer's - used to be a half gallon - now about a quart and 1/2. Cranberry about 1/4 smaller. Best to buy fresh and make your own. Everyone is out to cheat you.
Posted March 25, 2010 by DJ
Hi Jason, yes I work at kohls and I know first hand if something is 100 and you want it for 10 just say so and they'll give it to you. It called a yes we can policy. It 's so the managers can sit in the back and don't have to help the cashier. Don't get me wrong kohls is a great store and I love 99.9% of the customers who come there to shop, but there's people who copie the coupons and use them over and over, which is not cool. As far as yes you can, you can bring something back that youv'ed had 20 years and they refund your money. You can bring back your underwear and they'll refund your money. I've seen it so I am not making this up. I had one customer she came to the counter and bought a pair of tennis shoes and they were FILTHY!!! I told her about it cause I guess she didn't check it when she got them, but she wanted them anyway YUCK!! I gave her a discount for them, but she didn't seem to mind. But, I have become wise. I'll call the department manager and will get the right price for me. I sold the vacuum we have there for over 300.00 for only 100.00, but just remember were not like other store we'll take back anything so if a shoe looks funky or smells yep the guy with the real bad athletes foot came and brought it back.
Posted March 25, 2010 by michelle
i always check on line first for a price and i print it out and take it to the store and they give it to me at that price. never had a problem.and at the shoprite i go to always gives me a rain check. and i love shopping at kohl's they have the best sales and they do take your word for it as far as the price if it is marked wrong. Eileen
Posted March 25, 2010 by Eileen
supermarkets are constantly failing to correctly input the weekly sale prices. Therefore you must check your receipt before you leave the store. Most chains, e.g. Foodtown in NJ will give you the item free and refund your money if the shelf says one price and it rings up at a higher price. This occurs at least two or three times a month for me. I jokingly gloat with the manager when I get something for free but her comment is "Don't laugh, we get you more than you get us" And she' probably right!
Posted March 25, 2010 by Blaise
i have noticed that sizes were shrinking. an example was that tuna used to be 6.5 ounces. i now pay a higher price(10 cents more in the last few months) for only 5 ounces. i try and get myself to stores like ALDI and Food Basics. However even with these stores name brand items are still outrageously priced and the sizes are still smaller than they used to be for all items they sell. its shocking how consumers are getting ripped off in this horrible economy--even in worse economies we did not see the kind of rip offs we are now. when prices went up, i was still able to purchase my 6.5 ounces of tuna for a bit higher price verses the 5 ounces for a higher price. i find i am re-teaching my adult children how to shop due to these changes.
Posted March 25, 2010 by deneen
I work in retail and although I agree with almost all the comments, I will say for every "honest" pricing mistake, there is some scam artist switching prices on the shelves to try and rip off a retaialer. It happens at least a couple times a day. Besides the economy, one reason why prices are so high is to compensate for loss through theft and scams. A little morre honesty on both sides would be best.
Posted March 25, 2010 by nancy
It's every man, woman and child for themselves these days (buyer beware) do some research. Write down the prices on the shelves were you picked up the item and call them out if they over charge you!!! Fight back for what is right in this world that's what makes this country great or did at one time. Trust no one but yourself and never get burned. Walk away and shop some where else you have a choice.
Posted March 25, 2010 by r dudzik
Note the weight and size of products: 5oz tuna (little more than a year ago was 6oz); paper products smaller overall size (package still brag of number of sheets, however, width of item shorter); fabric of clothing thinner (many tees need two in order to not be see through--advertised as "layered look")..... Zillions of examples! --Many more than peanut butter and jelly containers.
Posted March 25, 2010 by Leona Russik
I found that the internet price at Best Buy for an external hard drive was $109. When I got to the store, the posted price was $129. I took the item to customer service, the clerk scanned the item, looked it up online and said "We can match that price" Well, of course you should, it's your ad. Any other consumer who hadn't checked the price online first would have paid $20 too much. Now, I will always check online first.
Posted March 25, 2010 by Isabeau D'anjou
I am a victim of the Linens and Things liquidation rip off. Do I have any legal recourse?
Posted March 25, 2010 by Mark
This is why I shop at Kohls. If the sign is wrong, no problem. The cashiers have always just taken my word on it. Most places you go, the cashier has to stop what he/she is doing to call a specific department to double check. Personally, I don't get bent out of shape if a sign is wrong...human error is to blame, and when there are thousands of signs in a store (and I am sure they have to get changed weekly), errors are going to occur.
Posted March 25, 2010 by Jason
Just to clarify on the liquidation sales. When a large chain like Circuit City goes out of business, their store merchandise is bought out by a liquidation company who prices their inventory and sets the sale prices from there. I was able to purchase a GPS for cheaper at one of the stores who still remained open and run by Circuit City than at one of the stores that were liquidating.
Posted March 25, 2010 by Robin
My local grocery store has started a promotion where if I buy 8 items I get $4.00 off my total bill. The problem is only 1 or 2 of the items are goods I want. The rest are over priced or over processed. I find I refuse to buy anything that is on "sale".
Posted March 25, 2010 by Paul