Saaltwater pool weird deal at Wal-mart

[Brad_Blazer]

Bought an 18'x48" quick set steel frame pool from Sams and I'm in the slow process of filling it from my well. In the meantime I did a little research online and the saltwater chlorine generators seem like the heat.

Walmart Online showed the Intex saltwater sanitizing system for $169.99 and in stock at the store in Conover, NC. about 10 milles past where I work. I drove out there after work and there it was - for $199! I went over to customer service and asked about the price and got the answer "We don't honor internet prices." So much for "Always the low price."

I shook the dirt from my shoes on the way out and came home where I started checking the online policy, verifying that stores do not honor walmart.com prices nor does walmart.com list any in-store prices even though they list stocking status. I think I smell a future class action.

Sears had the same unit same price but the listed shipping times were long.

Back on WalMart.com I noticed a $50 gift card icon with one of the several apparently identical product listings. Clicking on that link, I was able to select a bundle including the saltwater sanitizing system, a sand filter pump, and the $50 gift card all for the same price of $169.99, shipped to my home for $1.94 shipping! I ordered and the confirmation email lists all 3 items with the 169.99 price split between them.

Thank goodness for the crappy store pricing in Conover?!?

 

[dex3361]

If you pay for it online you get the web price on most things and can pick it up at the store.

 

[chopped]

Yes and they also have a PUT purchase .(PICK UP TODAY) Thats where you order it online and they have it in stock for you to pick up. I was getting a TV once and say it on the shelf for 45 dollars more. So I went to the computer ordered it and went back and got it.. lol toatl employees involved to move it out the front door was 5. lol

 

[jinman]

I shook the dirt from my shoes on the way out and came home where I started checking the online policy, verifying that stores do not honor walmart.com prices nor does walmart.com list any in-store prices even though they list stocking status. I think I smell a future class action.

I don't get it. What would be the basis for a class action? What is the basis for any action? You saved money by buying from walmart.com. You got a deal; you did good! It happens all the time.:thumbsup:

 

[TroySD]

Here we go again....class action?!?! Lets go ahead and get a whole pile of lawyers involved. Then you can really complain when the prices go up just to pay for them.

Seriously people....learn to deal with things personally...quit getting lawyers involved in every little squabble. Looks like doing your research online in the end paid for the time it took to find it. Take your winnings and count your blessings.

 

[MMagis]

I don't get it. What would be the basis for a class action? What is the basis for any action? You saved money by buying from walmart.com. You got a deal; you did good! It happens all the time.:thumbsup:

I agree, it doesn't even make sense.

 

[Brad_Blazer]

I didn't mean to say that I would bring a class action, just that may be setting themselves up. As I was leaving the store that was how I felt: Bait and Switch. They list a price online and say it's in-stock at the local store. I didn't notice the "Prices may vary" disclaimer.

As far as intent and customer service, it's not like they can't easily publish the in-store price. They choose not to in hopes that you will go to the store and pay the higher price. What is the logic of turning away a customer and telling them to go buy it online? It has to be cheaper for them to sell by the truckload from an existing store than to fedex individual packages.

I agree I got a fantastic deal but I had to play "Simon says" and waste a 20 mile trip to get it. You can read product reviews and see where people return a product to the store and purchase the same thing online for less FROM THE SAME COMPANY. What does all of that churn do for costs? Wouldn't it be cheaper for them to just honor their own online price? I would gladly bypass the occasional freaky good deal for fair and simple pricing.

 

[jinman]

Well, I'm not certain that the bait 'n switch smell test can be applied here either. I agree that it's a bit of a surprise for you and so also inconvenience, but you won't find it at all in the Amazon brick 'n mortar store.

Here's the scenario that I see happening in your situation. Say I'm another customer in the store and I hear your discussion about an item online being cheaper than in the store. I don't own a computer and think that "login" is something you do to a wood burning stove.:laughing: Anyhow, I witness that you got a $30 discount on an item by saying, "It's cheaper online." Don't you know that everything I buy in that store from now on I'm gonna complain that it is cheaper online so I can effectively get a discount. Pretty soon, Walmart would just have to make all online and instore prices the same. They couldn't offer a discount on some item online because it came from a central warehouse and it was cheaper for them to ship to you under contract than to ship to their stores and pay somebody to stock the item, keep the lights on, and clean the floors. Effectively, that would render online good deals a thing of the past.

I'm happy when I get a deal online that is cheaper than in the stores. It makes me feel like I'm of 'superior' intelligence because I'm computer savvy and know how to shop thousands of stores with the press of a mouse button. (prior statement is heavily tongue-in-cheek)

I'm sorry you had some inconvenience, but I hope your saltwater system works perfectly and you enjoy telling this story a long time into the future. I'm glad you didn't pay the instore price and held out for the online purchase.:thumbsup:

 

[clemsonfor]

Bought an 18'x48" quick set steel frame pool from Sams and I'm in the slow process of filling it from my well. In the meantime I did a little research online and the saltwater chlorine generators seem like the heat.

Walmart Online showed the Intex saltwater sanitizing system for $169.99 and in stock at the store in Conover, NC. about 10 milles past where I work. I drove out there after work and there it was - for $199! I went over to customer service and asked about the price and got the answer "We don't honor internet prices." So much for "Always the low price."

I shook the dirt from my shoes on the way out and came home where I started checking the online policy, verifying that stores do not honor walmart.com prices nor does walmart.com list any in-store prices even though they list stocking status. I think I smell a future class action.

Sears had the same unit same price but the listed shipping times were long.

Back on WalMart.com I noticed a $50 gift card icon with one of the several apparently identical product listings. Clicking on that link, I was able to select a bundle including the saltwater sanitizing system, a sand filter pump, and the $50 gift card all for the same price of $169.99, shipped to my home for $1.94 shipping! I ordered and the confirmation email lists all 3 items with the 169.99 price split between them.

Thank goodness for the crappy store pricing in Conover?!?

I jsut saw the first reply but will say again. Buy it online and have it shipped to the store, or pick up at store. You will get it for the online price but get it the next day if in stock.

 

[smstonypoint]

Excuse my language (economics), but the differences in prices between in-store and online purchase prices can be explained by differences in costs and/or price discrimination (third degree) on the part of WM.

Assuming no arbitrage between customers and no cost differences, WM can increase its profits by charging a lower price to customers with a relatively more-elastic demand (i.e., customers who are relatively more sensitive to price). The folks who take the time to check out online prices are likely to be more price sensitive in making their purchasing decisions.

Steve