When sniffing out the best deals on books, electronics, toys, and other goods, many of us are torn between buying from a bricks-and-mortar store or an Internet merchant. The dilemma is particularly thorny when the store is an independent mom-and-pop. After all, local businesses are the backbone of many communities, and they’re a welcome break from the impersonal, big-box national chains.
Trouble is, you can often find better bargains in cyberspace because of lower distribution costs (shipments may be made out of a central warehouse, for instance) and other efficiencies. Moreover, you can frequently avoid the immediate payment of sales tax, track down coupons and discount codes for added savings, and avoid crowds, long lines, and traffic.
The case for online shopping is even stronger because some chains follow a two-tier price structure, meaning you may pay more in person than you would for certain Internet purchases. Target, for instance, will occasionally price goods lower on its Web site. A spokeswoman told me that the company will authorize a price adjustment if you find an item sells for less online than it does at the store -- but it’s up to you to discover the price discrepancy and bring it to the attention of customer service.
As a compromise solution, we typically advise shoppers to inquire whether a bricks-and-mortar retailer has a price-matching policy.
In recent times, however, even many retailers who vow to meet or beat a competitor’s price have redefined what they mean by “competitor.”
When Walmart, for instance, brags about its “unbeatable” prices you need to pay careful attention to the fine print:
“We do not honor "Buy One / Get One Free" advertisements.
We do not honor double or triple coupons or percent off advertisements.
We do not honor Internet Pricing.
We do not honor competitor advertisements from outside of the store's or Club's local trade territory.”
Wal-Mart’s not alone. When I phoned a local Best Buy to ask if the store would match the price of a digital camera being sold at B&H Photo Video, a major New York electronics discounter with both a retail and e-tail presence, the salesman flat out said no. “They’re not considered a local competitor. They’re in another Zip Code.”
Sears, too, plays that game. “If you find a lower price on an identical branded item with the same features currently available for sale at another local competitor retail store, Sears will match that price plus, give you 10% of the difference. Just bring in the original advertisement to a sales associate at the time of, or within 30 days after, your purchase.” Again, the operative word is “local.”
But there are good guys that are less concerned about a competitor’s address and proximity. At JR.com, for example, another discount electronics merchant with both an online and retail presence, a salesman told me that as long as the other seller is an authorized dealer, the company will meet or beat that competitor’s price. Still, even JR has caveats. For example, it won’t match prices on items sold in warehouse club such as Sam’s Club, Costco, and BJ’s.
Have you encountered price-matching policies that were particularly generous or misleading? Write to us at cro dot consumer dot org.
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