posted on Friday, November 24, 2006 11:59 PM by admin
False? Advertising
This is a follow-up to my earlier post about Black Friday.
If you read it, you know I was in the market for a snappy laptop and waited all night partially to obtain said device. I did not mention that I didn't get it at the establishment where I waited all night. I got my new laptop (upon which I am typing this blog) at a different establishment. And I paid more money for it too - slightly over $1,000 USD plus an extended accidental warranty plan.
I didn't buy my laptop at the original establishment because it was never there. The store circular stated there was a minimum quantity, but this was inaccurate. This was the place that, for years, I headed to first when in need of electronics and computer accessories. But now I will patronize the other establishment first. Why?
For the same reason it's wrong to break in line: it's wrong to say you have something in stock when you do not.
I'm not talking about the popular deals here - this is about something that should have been around all day even if they only had a handful. And I was the third person to arrive at the laptop department - they simply were not there.
Worse, another model - one which had a few less features, but (concidentally) sold for more - was readily available. This is simply wrong. It smacks of the worst sort of practices abolished from used car lots during the mid-1980's: bait and switch.
The other establishment - the one where I spent about $300 more than I would have at the first place - had more (gasp) items than the minimum advertised, and they had the items advertised in stock. At the very least, the first place could have lowered the price on the substitute item, since it was so clearly a substitute.
I'm not saying I won't shop at Best Buy anymore, I will. They are very competitive and have good, helpful people. I am saying that I will likely shop there less, as I will likely find most of the things I'm searching for at the Circuit City across the street.
:{> Andy
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