Prices so low......

darkwingdave · 12-31-2007, 01:31 AM

Does anyone know what's behind the line, "Prices so low, we can't mention them.."

Is this a marketing ploy or is the seller drastically lowballing an item and doesn't want the distributor to know or what?

MrsMicah · 12-31-2007, 04:38 AM

A lot of places try to draw you in without quoting actual prices, I think this phrase is part of that. DirectBuy, for instance, won't give you prices to comparison shop with. According to people who've tried to get them, the salespeople just say things like they're worried the manufacturer will get in trouble with the other retailers if they hear things are going for so little.

Strange stuff, kind of nonsensical.

If a store wants to sell at a loss, then that's all part of our economy. The only reason not to quote prices is because they're not as good as they sound.

(Or because they're worried about guaranteeing a price on tv.)

Will · 12-31-2007, 05:00 AM

I agree with 99% of what MrsMicah said. I would add that sometimes manufacturers ask the retailers to agree to not advertise the price below a certain point.

About.com:

Quote:

Definition: A suppliers pricing policy that does not permit its resellers to advertise prices below some specified amount. It can include the resellers' retail price as well.

Also Known As: MAP Pricing

More detailed legal perspective:

Quote:

MAP programs are often incorporated into the supplier’s cooperative advertising policy. The policy typically provides for the channel member’s expenses to be reimbursed, its ads cannot contain an advertised price (if any) lower than that specified by the supplier.

Some of the early court decisions on MAP or other price advertising restrictions viewed them as just another form of minimum resale price control, automatically unlawful under antitrust law. Other decisions upheld programs that would not reimburse for ads including resale prices below the MAP level, but did allow channel members to advertise any price as long as they paid for that advertising themselves.

I hope that helped.

jasoos007 · 12-31-2007, 05:56 AM

I hate that tag ...add in the basket to see the price ...I think its more of a trap ..as many people with limited online buying experience might not know how to get rid of the damn thing once added ...and may be end up paying for that item even if they don't actually want it ..one suggestion they should make it very explicit on how to remove the item (VERY BOLD AND BIG) if anybody doesn't like the price ...

12-31-2007, 01:31 AM	#1
darkwingdave Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 1 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Reputation: (10)	Prices so low...... Does anyone know what's behind the line, "Prices so low, we can't mention them.." Is this a marketing ploy or is the seller drastically lowballing an item and doesn't want the distributor to know or what?

12-31-2007, 04:38 AM	#2
MrsMicah Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Reputation: (10)	A lot of places try to draw you in without quoting actual prices, I think this phrase is part of that. DirectBuy, for instance, won't give you prices to comparison shop with. According to people who've tried to get them, the salespeople just say things like they're worried the manufacturer will get in trouble with the other retailers if they hear things are going for so little. Strange stuff, kind of nonsensical. If a store wants to sell at a loss, then that's all part of our economy. The only reason not to quote prices is because they're not as good as they sound. (Or because they're worried about guaranteeing a price on tv.) __________________ Mrs. Micah: Finance for a Freelance Life BlogCrafted - Blog setup, consulting, design, and blog on blogging

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12-31-2007, 05:56 AM	#4
jasoos007 Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 8 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Reputation: (10)	I hate that tag ...add in the basket to see the price ...I think its more of a trap ..as many people with limited online buying experience might not know how to get rid of the damn thing once added ...and may be end up paying for that item even if they don't actually want it ..one suggestion they should make it very explicit on how to remove the item (VERY BOLD AND BIG) if anybody doesn't like the price ...