See Price at Checkout

[MasseyWV]

Lately, I've been shopping for a new television, but have encountered the dreaded "See price at checkout" far more often than I could have ever imagined. As if there weren't enough pricing games to have to contend with, now they come up with this crap. Some retailers even have the gall to want your name, address and credit card number before they'll show you a price. Well, I don't think so!

For me, the bottom line is this... If they can't be bothered to show me a price without making me jump through a thousand hoops, I can't be bothered to buy from them, period.

 

[rekees4300]

Amazon.com is the best place online to shop. They do it right, no hassles. Other sites could benefit by following their checkout design.

 

[schoolsout]

Some legit sites have to abide by MAP (Minimal advertised pricing) set by manufacturer and can't show a price until then. I know Garmin was one of them at one point. Others are obviously not very good marketers as what you describe kills me and I leave the page to find somewhere else.

 

[bcp]

If they can't be bothered to show me a price without making me jump through a thousand hoops, I can't be bothered to buy from them, period.

About 30 years ago I had an RV dealer refuse to reveal a price unless I signed an agreement to buy it if credit was approved. NO!

Bruce

 

[MasseyWV]

Some legit sites have to abide by MAP (Minimal advertised pricing) set by manufacturer and can't show a price until then. I know Garmin was one of them at one point. Others are obviously not very good marketers as what you describe kills me and I leave the page to find somewhere else.

Minimum advertised pricing translates as price fixing and I refuse to play their game by helping them to keep prices higher.

 

[schoolsout]

Minimum advertised pricing translates as price fixing and I refuse to play their game and help them to keep prices higher.

possibly, but if you do go all the way through, the price is usually lower than other retail outlets. I feel ya, though.

My gripe comes when I find a product for a seemingly good price, get all the way to checkout, happy as a clam and then the shipping is 3x+ the normal amount. Like rekees said, Amazon is pretty good. They'll list the price with shipping in order so you can see somewhat easily who has the best price/shipping on an item (if they have the item).

 

[MasseyWV]

possibly, but if you do go all the way through, the price is usually lower than other retail outlets. I feel ya, though.

My gripe comes when I find a product for a seemingly good price, get all the way to checkout, happy as a clam and then the shipping is 3x+ the normal amount. Like rekees said, Amazon is pretty good. They'll list the price with shipping in order so you can see somewhat easily who has the best price/shipping on an item (if they have the item).

I know what you mean and have went through the "process" a number of times only to find out that the super secret price was a joke, especially when shipping was factored into the equation.

 

[sixdogs]

Yeah, in due time these retailers will get clued in but for now I just click away and go somewhere else.
Beats me why they haven't figured out how offensive and non-compliant an act that is.

 

[Bird]

I'll ask an employee about the price if it isn't posted. And if that employee doesn't promptly give me a number, or go get someone who will, I'm out of there.

This reminds me of a stupid new car salesman I met in 1968. The Plymouth Roadrunner was new and I saw one on a dealer's lot, went inside, offered the keys to my car (2 year old Ford) to a salesman, and asked how much to trade for that Roadrunner. He asked, "How much would you give?" I said, "Nope, that ain't the way it works. You tell me how much you want and I'll tell you whether I can afford it or not." He said, "Well, if you don't know how much you'd give for it, there's no need in me getting your trade-in appraised." I said, "OK" and left.

I drove across town to another Plymouth dealer, went in and talked to a salesman. He said they didn't have a Roadrunner in stock, and doubted that there was one in Dallas. I told him I knew where there was one equipped just as I wanted, even the right color.:laughing: He said they were so scarce that he doubted the dealer who had it would do a dealer transfer, but he called and they would. So he and I agreed on a price and I went with him to get the Roadrunner from the other dealer. He asked me to not go in at the time and let them know that I was buying it, so I went along with him.

 

[jimmyj]

The number one way in sales to lose business is to not show your price. I'm amazed how often it happens.

It's also interesting how many of us have a bad car buying story. I once had an accident and my truck was written off. I needed a new truck immediately so I went to three dealerships as follows:

Dealer 1.
Me "I need a base model pickup as mine was just smashed up this morning on XYZ road"
Salesman. Oh, this morning?
Me. Yeah, a white Ford Escort ran a stop sign and I t boned it. Young lady was shook up but ok but I need a new truck
Salesman. Young lady, white Escort, what was her name?
Me. Her name was XXXXXXXXX
Salesman. That's my fiancee! And he gets up and runs out of the dealership. Nobody else came to help me so I left after a few minutes. Poor guy.

Dealer 2. (this is the dealer I was peeved at, dealer 1 was just a good story)
Me. I need a new base model pickup. How much is one?
Salesman. Let's fill out a contract, what is your name and address
Me. Name is Jim, but before we do that, what is the cost of a base model truck. I want only an 8 foot box, auto and air, nothing else.
Salesman. Very few people buy base trucks, perhaps a quad cab would be better for you. And what about 4wd
Me. No, I want a base model pickup. The work truck fleet special that I know you sell regularly. How much is one.
Salesman. Well it costs the dealership money if I log onto the dealer network so I am not prepared to do that until we fill out a contract. I don't know that you really want a base model.
Me. Goodbye, I won't ever come back in this dealership again! (Man was I pissed).

Dealer 3.
Me. I want a base model truck, 8ft box, 2wd, auto, air and nothing else.
Salesman. OK, let me see what's out there. Ah, there are 2, the price is XYZ.
Me. I'll take the gray one.

Amazing isn't it!!