Online Prices vs. In-Store Prices

[Daniel A.]

Anyone else have a store not honor an online sale price? That frustrates me to no end.

In multiple instances at various stores, I've seen an item priced the same both online and in-store. The item goes on sale online only. The store will not honor the online sale price.

I can understand the online being priced less than the in-store item because of the shipping and handling, but I cannot understand how a company can rationalize selling the exact same item at different pricing points.

Is there something I do not understand?

[Olebiker]

I have run into this at Bass Pro Shop.  They would have a sale on their Bionic Blade rods online but not in the stores.  I'm not sure  understand the logic of it.

[Glenn]

This is often because the online business is completely separate from the offline business.  They have different buyers, different relationships with the suppliers, different inventories, different margins, and most importantly, different management teams running them.  Why is this, you might ask?

Often what sells best offline, doesn't online, and vice-versa.  A sale online could be great business online, but tank offline.  So they have different sales, and feature different discounts.

In addition, some companies use the online store as a means to get rid of remaining inventory of items they're closing out.  They sell them faster online.  This is because shoppers expect better deals online.  

Furthermore, brick-n-mortor stores carry local items that sell well in those regions, and have the authority to price them as they see fit.  You usually won't find these items on their online store.

This is why you see different sales and prices online vs. offline, and why you sometimes can't find things in the store that they sell online.

[Daniel My Brother]

I have run into this at Bass Pro Shop. They would have a sale on their Bionic Blade rods online but not in the stores. I'm not sure understand the logic of it.

Did BPS refuse to honor the online price? Everytime I've taken an item to the service desk and asked, they've honored the online sale price for me.

I do just wish they would mark the items the same in the stores and online, but I'm sure their way is more profitable.

[Daniel A.]

Thanks, Glenn. I understand why companies choose to operate their online business differently, but it still doesn't make any sense.

It's happened to me at Toys R Us, BPS, and a couple of other stores. In most cases, even the store manager has held firm to the prices. I'm to the point that I'll call the store first.

In the case of a rod, I'd like to go to the store, pick out the rod I want, and safely transport it home. Then, I won't have to deal with the hassle of exchanging a broken rod.

[atx_newbie]

I used to work in retail at Banana Republic, and we would have a lot of confused customers.  Not only were instore prices different from online prices, but different stores had different prices on different items.  For instance, the store that I worked at in Shreveport, LA didn't get a lot of winter stuff (for obvious reasons), and the winter stuff that we did get went on sale almost instantly, while the same item in Dallas or New York was full price much longer.

[ring fry]

This is often because the online business is completely separate from the offline business. They have different buyers, different relationships with the suppliers, different inventories, different margins, and most importantly, different management teams running them. Why is this, you might ask?

Often what sells best offline, doesn't online, and vice-versa. A sale online could be great business online, but tank offline. So they have different sales, and feature different discounts.

In addition, some companies use the online store as a means to get rid of remaining inventory of items they're closing out. They sell them faster online. This is because shoppers expect better deals online.

Furthermore, brick-n-mortor stores carry local items that sell well in those regions, and have the authority to price them as they see fit. You usually won't find these items on their online store.

This is why you see different sales and prices online vs. offline, and why you sometimes can't find things in the store that they sell online.

Ding, ding, ding, we have a winner.  Very good, Glen.

[tyrius.]

I have run into this at Bass Pro Shop. They would have a sale on their Bionic Blade rods online but not in the stores. I'm not sure understand the logic of it.

If you print out the listing from the web then they'll match the price.  I've down this on my Extreme rods.  Works great!!!

[Daniel A.]

UPDATE: I called BPS and told them about the Crankin' Stick's price online, and the following conversation took place:

Me: I noticed you had your Crankin' Sticks on sale online for $39.99, but in your store, they're regular price. If I were to print out the online ad and bring it in, would you give me the Crankin' Stick at the online price?

BPS: We cannot honor that price in our store.

Me: But you've honored your online prices in your store before. When did that change?

BPS: We've never been allowed to sell items in the store at the online price. Whoever has done that for you is not allowed to do so.

What a crock...I'm sorry for dragging this out, but it really irritates me.

[tyrius.]

UPDATE: I called BPS and told them about the Crankin' Stick's price online, and the following conversation took place:

Me: I noticed you had your Crankin' Sticks on sale online for $39.99, but in your store, they're regular price. If I were to print out the online ad and bring it in, would you give me the Crankin' Stick at the online price?

BPS: We cannot honor that price in our store.

Me: But you've honored your online prices in your store before. When did that change?

BPS: We've never been allowed to sell items in the store at the online price. Whoever has done that for you is not allowed to do so.

What a crock...I'm sorry for dragging this out, but it really irritates me.

Very strange.  Just called my BPS (Bolingbrook, IL) and asked them the same question.  Their response was "No Problem.  Just bring in the sheet and as long as it is the exact same item they'll match it."

I've actually did this 3 times last year.

[Root beer]

Daniel, it not a crock. I honestly cannot figure out what the big deal is? If my memory served me correct. BPS online site, sales what in the warehouse in springfield, missiouri. Perhap the sales is slumping and the warehouse has piles of the crankin' stick so therefore they want to sale it out.

Lets look at it from a buyers perspective. Lets say I notice the rod on sale for 39.99 online, but instore price is say 49.99. Just a 10.00 different correct? Now, lets say I could buy the rod online for 39.99 factor in my state tax, standard shipping, etc. It will probably come to approxitmatley 53.00 (I used my local sales tax, but I added 10.00 for oversize shipment of the rod, even though it may or may not be 10.00 for shipment, but bear with me here.)

Now, that I paid 53.00 for a rod that was on sale for 39.99, we know it could take several days for it to arrived to my house. If it takes say errr (Depend if LBH is delievering it) 10 days to arrive. But behold a problem the rod is SNAPPED. So it may take 2-3 weeks or less depending on situation for a new rod is issued. All that hassle for a rod that cost 39.99.

Meanwhile, I have a local basspro shop store where I can get it for 49.99 and pay grand total of 54.76 (using local sales tax in this calculation). I pay 1.76 more then the online total and I got the rod home immeditately wherefore it wasns't broken. Of course the gas cost I may burn 4 gallons of gas getting there and back.

I feel I'm better off going to store buying it at that price rather then 10.00 cheaper.

Or you could just re-read glenn's post. Also the online price is just to sale products to people who doesn't have a Bass pro in their area.

If you still believe it a crock, then so be it. Just a thought ya know?

P.S. Point of my post is to point out what some sales director will think about. Lot of marketing team and sales team will think like this. THey try to get the ones that want it to the most to pay higher price.

[Stasher1]

I have run into this at Bass Pro Shop. They would have a sale on their Bionic Blade rods online but not in the stores. I'm not sure understand the logic of it.

If you print out the listing from the web then they'll match the price. I've down this on my Extreme rods. Works great!!!

I've done this at the Atlanta BPS, but didn't have to print out the listing. I just walked up to the customer service desk and asked them if they'd match the online clearance price, they looked it up themselves and gave it to me for the online price. No problem at all.

[Daniel A.]

Root Beer, thanks for offering another perspective. I can understand and would expect a $10.00 difference. That cost is real. Shipping and handling are not free.

In this case, though, there's a $40.00 difference. If the company can afford to sell the rods online at $40.00 less than their retail price, one would believe they could do the same in the store. I'm not getting $40.00 more of a rod if I purchase it in the store as opposed to ordering it online.

I guess I just don't get it. That's the way it is, and I can't change it. Thanks for listening to me complain, guys.

[CFFF 1.5]

I have done this before too. All i had to do is print out the online price and bring it to the store and our BPS always honors the onlne price.

[Simp]

Walmart also won't match their online prices and it frustrates me to no end. This can often lead me to simply select in-store pick up at many places. This way I pay the online price for sure and I don't have to pay for shipping. I actually find myself ordering from TW more then BPS because they offer free shipping on orders over 50$ and I don't have to pay taxes either. So a $100 order might save me $20 in charges simply by choosing TW over BPS. BTW Glenn you need to work on them to become a sponsor I'd love to have some of that cash get kicked back to you.