Reporter's Query of the Week: Call Out Sales Gimmicks

[Julie Rains]

Okay here's a sign example: the 60 point font says "1/2 off" next to some hiking shoes at Kmart but in 6 point font, it says "Buy One, Get One Free" (or BOGO 50% -- it's been a year or two). So I suppose theoretically if you needed and bought 2 pairs of shoes then you could say one pair is half off; but if you just want to get the one pair of shoes, then there would be no discount. Yes, I think that's misleading -- and can be argued that the sign-maker wasn't very precise.

This particular signage was a deviation from normal business practices and may have been a store-made sign rather than one distributed by corporate; haven't seen such as display around since I politely declined to buy it with no discount. I'm thinking I wasn't the only one didn't see the itty-bitty print.

[jiwonstr]

For most products, they come in various sizes. Smaller to family king size. The real catch here is to look at the price per pounds.

Usually, bigger the size, the cheaper it is for $/lbs. However, some cases, they may not have this kind of scale. I've seen places where two smaller products (let's say 8oz) gets you cheaper price than one big (16oz) size.

You will need to look at the price/lbs carefully, not just the actual price you pay. I'd much rather buy two smaller items if they were labeled as cheaper per lbs.

Just something people may miss but play a critical role when it comes to checkout

[Writer's Coin]

I would say the following:

- Advertising a price only to find out that there's a coupon attached to the offer
- The hard sell on their store credit card. They look at you like you're an idiot if you say no thank you, "But you'll get 20% off your first purchase. YOU DON'T WANT IT???"

Umm, no, I'd like to protect my credit score thank you.

[Will]

Originally Posted by Cidre Jones

Stop screaming about it.

Ouch. I'm sorry to hear that you get so much abuse! No matter what the dispute is, people should never abuse a staff who is honestly just trying to do their jobs.

A lot of times the frustrations are the result of bad corporate policy, and it is no use (and plain mean) to yell at the poor folks working the floors.

Originally Posted by Cidre Jones

And FD, I am so sorry for hijacking your post.

Ha, who knows, maybe you've given her an idea for a new column in the future.

[tenten]

Originally Posted by Julie Rains

Okay here's a sign example: the 60 point font says "1/2 off" next to some hiking shoes at Kmart but in 6 point font, it says "Buy One, Get One Free" (or BOGO 50% -- it's been a year or two). So I suppose theoretically if you needed and bought 2 pairs of shoes then you could say one pair is half off; but if you just want to get the one pair of shoes, then there would be no discount. Yes, I think that's misleading -- and can be argued that the sign-maker wasn't very precise.

I have a twist on that scenario.

At my local supermarket, I've often seen signs that say $9 for three boxes of pepsi/coke soft drinks. Like a fool, I always buy three boxes to get the $9 deal.

But later on, a kind cashiers lady told me that each box was $3, which basically means I wasn't getting a better deal by buying in bulk.
That's sneaky (but technically not lying on their part).

[moneymatters]

My pet peeve is stores that always have "sale" pricing and never have regular pricing. For example, there is one store in our area that continously has a sign out front that trumpets their "big sale" that they're having. The thing is, it isn't really a sale because it never ends, and there is never regular pricing. The sale price IS their regular price.

Another example of this is stores like Kohl's who almost always seem to have a sale going on - and like to pressure you to buy something before the sale ends. What they don't tell you is that in two weeks they'll be having another, or better, sale.

[More With Less]

Here are just a few that come to mind:

-% off msrp when no-one ever pays the full price
-too many sales-you never know when the best time to buy an item is
-when you find out the discount is only available to store credit card holders
-the never-ending "going out of business sale"
-expiration dates on coupons so tiny or too hard to find
-offer is only available at "select" locations
-when you finally get to the register and the cashier is not aware of the promotion
-when the manager has to examine the coupon back and front like you are trying to pass a counterfeit bill
-store runs out of sale item
- a picture of an item on sale brings you in to the store, but when you get there the real sale item looks nothing like the picture (ad)

My passion is finding "pain free" ways to save money and share them, I hope you visit, www.morewithlesstoday.com

[tenten]

Originally Posted by Writer's Coin

- Advertising a price only to find out that there's a coupon attached to the offer

This happened to me a couple of times. Sometimes the checkout person will have the coupon on hand. If you ask nicely they'll be happy to scan it for you.

[trustno1]

next time you see one of those 10 for $10 (type) in-store displays...and only want to purchase one or two (not 10), the price at the register is going to be $1 ea/, no matter what the quantity. (you never have to buy 10).
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Just because there is a product display with a big "Only $5 ea" or something similar posted on it in big red print...does not mean it is a "deal". It just means it is on the end of the aisle...hehehe.
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If you are confused as to "what product" is matched to "what price", you just match the barcode (sku) number on the shelf sticker with the number on the product pkg.
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Don't fool yourself into thinking the scanner at checkout will apply the discount or "sale" price. Many times it does not. And do not think that when you get back to your car, notice the missing discount, then think about what a lengthly torture it will be going back in the store to the "returns" line, waiting to make your case, etc, etc,..(while the rest of your groceries "melt"), causes you to just "blow off receiving your missed discount"...is a "coincidence". hehehe
*****
Just make life easier and lower down to a "squatting position" the entire time you are shopping. The bottom shelf is where the lowest priced products are displayed...lol Reaching out for products at "eye" level will almost guarantee you are buying the most expensive item.
******

70% OFF!!! ah, eh....OFF of What? Compared to WHAT? Normal Price? Regular Price? what the heck does normal and regular mean, anyway?? lol
***
According to the survey"? what survey? a survey of the new highway location? A survey of 3 product employees? A "clinical test"...you mean 2 people wearing white shop coats? hehehe

Hey, statistics show that 7 out of every 4 people have a problem with math!! no, really, it is true....I did a survey, or a clinical test, or something,,, lol

[Frugal Duchess]

Thanks to everyone for writing.
I appreciate the tips and suggestions.

I will post a link to the article when it appears!