Have you heard of B&M vs online charging different prices? - YouLookFab Forum

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Have you heard of B&M vs online charging different prices?

Peri

Veteran

I bought a top I really like at BR today. I don't usually have a ton of success there but scored today. I went to the website to try and "find" it to share and found out it is supposed to be on sale for $10 less than they charged me, no code needed.

So. I called to ask why and the male SA said the stores charge different prices than online. I've never come across this before and wondered if I've missed something. Is this common? He was pretty obnoxious about it but said I could come back and if I could prove it they would refund.

Wow. Similar experiences about a year ago at Nordstrom and Athleta resulted in immediate credit back to my card over the phone. This is definitely making me less interested in shopping at BR! It isn't worth it to drive back over $10, so I will just forget about it and enjoy the top, but wow, I just really hate rudeness!

here is the top: http://bananarepublic.gap.com/.....=185599002

Oh, and I just checked "details" and it does say online AND in stores. How would you respond to this?

General

25 replies

Latest reply was from Beth Ann

jill58

Veteran

That seems strange. Maybe you could call again and see if you can speak to someone else. Mention that the website specifically states, "online and in stores." Cute blouse! Whatever the outcome, enjoy wearing it.

Diana

Veteran

Interesting. I usually end up paying LESS in the store than online at gap/br especially on sale items. At least at the stores around here they seem to take more reductions on the actually merchandise in the stores. Assuming you can find it of course. I've also found that you can sometimes get the various discounts on things that are excluded online if you buy it in the store for some reason. (May depend on the sa who is processing your sale though...)

ALeigh

Quite common - but note the shipping prices! More often than not, the online-only "sale" price is put up during full-priced shipping times a lot of my friends have been caught out seeing something online that looks cheaper - but factor in the international shipping and taxes, it's about the same.

Not to mention, try different locations of the same store! I've found the prices differ. Central city stores can cost $3-10 more for the same item as the same brand in a strip mall.

When it comes to shipping and exchange rates, living in New Zealand really sucks, and forget returns. So I usually buy in store when possible.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I've seen the sales/discounts be different between online and in-store, yes. Often the sales are both, but sometimes they are only one or the other, or a certain set/category of items are discounted only at one or the other. Loft & AT seem to have most of their offers available both online and in store, but Gap/BR/ON definitely varies between the two, from what I've noticed.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

First of all, that top is going to be lovely on you! Can't wait to see it.

And, you got a dud sales associate. I would definitely call again, tell your story -- and wait for the discount coupon I think you ought to get. Mr. Suz has run into occasional problems with them (not this particular one) and he always calls back and gets satisfaction pronto. This was the SA's mistake and rudeness compounds it.

Classically Casual

Veteran

This has happened to me at BR too, and no adjustment was made. So for awhile I didn't shop there as it was too much trouble to keep track of the double price structure. I have a stubborn gene sometimes when it comes to pricing .

My current BR strategy is to order online to pick up in the store. So far I've gotten the better online price. If It doesn't work after trying it on, I don't buy it. I imagine before long they'll roll out yet another strategy.

BrieN

Veteran

yes at H & M recently. Huge sale online regular price in store....

Peri

Veteran

Thanks all...but I guess I should change the heading, because it really was a mistake. The posting online about the sale said in stores and online, no code needed. It is completely the store's fault that their inventory code or whatever wasn't adjusted, and the SA's fault for his own obnoxiousness. I feel silly quibbling over $10, but I really am irritated he was so rude about it.

Karie

(website)

Veteran

I've had that happen at J.Crew Factory and the Loft. I've gotten so I get out my phone and check the on-line price while I'm in the store.

MovingFashionForward

This happens all the time. Online prices themselves also differ depending on where you are (irrespective of shipping costs). I have also noticed that shopping on a Mac results in higher prices quoted vs PC, and looking at prices online from California vs just about anywhere else = higher prices (and that is before tax!). If you know what you're doing you can dramatically reduce the prices quoted. Even just using an iPhone rather than my Mac got my husband a shocking 60% reduction in the price of his shirts. And it's not just clothes, obviously. Certain airlines really hike up the prices if your IP is known to them.

Sarah

Debbie

Veteran

This happens frequently at BR. Call back and ask to speak to a supervisor it has work for me in the past. This is one of my biggest problems with BR discount are frequently online but not in the store. The store does not want to work with you on it either.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

It's such a pretty top! That experience is the kind that drives me away from a retailer for a long, long time. There are so many places to shop, and it's easy for me to avoid one that gives bad service.

Anonymous

I think this is common practice. I first noticed it at Talbots. I asked about it and the salesperson explained that the prices on the internet were higher so that they could offer a percentage discount. Supposedly that percentage discount brought the prices in line with what was in the store. Typically prices on the internet are lower than what I find in stores. Irritating. I usually do all my shopping online.

That SA was an *ss.

Jjsloane

Veteran

Yes it is common (and I've even seen it at Nordstrom). I had it happen at BR and had to order the online item and return the store one (well it was actually the online bought one because I'd worn the item). If you check their price match policies it's quite ridiculous. Especially since I didn't have to pay shipping.

I found recently this is very common with appliances - I showed a clerk at Lowes the online price of their dishwasher was $150 less and they shrugged and said they would honor it in store. Frustrating and misleading (and sad for folks who might not check).

Anonymous

This sucks Peri. I mostly buy online, so I wasn't aware of this. The top you got is lovely. Can you print off the webpage and show it the SA?

Sarah (MFF) I had no idea it also varied depending on device though!

April

Veteran

Very common. It's also very common to offer certain sizing only via the internet, thus forcing even people who would like to try something on in store to order it online instead.

This is why I junked my New Year's resolution from a couple years back to do more in-store shopping.

Elizabeth P

Veteran

I have never noticed different "full" prices from the store to online at BR, but the sale prices and promotions are very different. When I've asked about it on occasion, they've made it pretty clear the two operate as very different entities. If something is cheaper in the store they can price match, as they have access to their cheap price codes, but they can't price match to something cheaper online. My animal print coat, I ordered for $250 or something (to get the right size), then "returned" it and got it for $40, which is what it was on sale for at the store.

But rudeness is not acceptable

Gail

Veteran

This happened to me about two weeks ago at BR. Price was higher in the store. They looked on line at the store and it showed the higher price. I paid the higher price but went home and looked again on my computer and it again showed the lower price. I went back the next day with a screen shot AND I had it up on my phone ! They gave me the price adjustment and were nice about it. All ended ok but it was kind of annoying that I had to go back. Note to self, make sure I have all the info up on my phone so if it's busy I can produce it quickly.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I have never noticed this! Yikes. I will be pulling out my phone before I make store purchases in the future and checking the online price.

I had some weirdness returning something to Nordstrom the other night. It was an item I bought before leaving for Texas, so I must have bought it in late February. When I returned it, they initially credited my account for an amount way less than what I paid for it, and the SA checked and said it was because that was the item's current selling price, and it had just gone to the Rack. He had to do some work to cancel the transaction, get approval, and give me a credit for the proper amount. I'm glad I checked and noticed the discrepancy, and I'll be vigilant of that in the future. I thanked the SA profusely, and they didn't give me a hard time for the delay in returning, but I get the feeling that this kind of thing is meant to discourage delayed returns.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

This happens at AT too, and I think it's weird. I must say though that it's very occasional.

At J.Crew, they will honour the online discount in stores.

Isabel

Veteran

Yes. I have seen this quite a bit. Especially regarding sales. A does associate once explained it depends in the store's need or trend

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran

I've heard of this, via petite bloggers - they'll find an item that is on special at a Banana Republic or J. Crew, but not in a petite size. So they'll go to order it online, and find out it's full price - while the regular is part of % off limited-time special.

I'm guessing it's because B&M stores have to factor in the cost of keeping the lights on, and paying for that retail space.

I've also noticed that on Amazon and eBay, if there's a pair of very popular shoes on sale, generally my size (6-7 depending), is full or higher price, while larger and smaller sizes are usually on sale.

unfrumped

Veteran

I get dizzy at all the differences and day by day sale, "promotion" and whatnot but if the ad says something like, "40% off online and in stores" then I think they have to honor it.
One issue with BR is that they will order online with me in store and ship to me for free IF the item is full-price but not if it is a sale.

AT of course does "promotions" which they say are not "sales," and so will not do a price adjustment even if the promo occurs the day after you paid full price or paid the sale price of just a small percent off and the promo is "50% off all sale". On a few occasions I have just re-ordered the item (and perhaps other items I wanted to try with it = free shipping) and sent all the rejects back at once so I am out only one $9 return shipping charge--this may be worth the effort if I save $50-100. Other times it's too much hassle and credit card flux.

Eliza

Veteran

I have ordered online at BR and had the item go on sale or further discount (online) before or right after delivery. When I have called, they always adjust the price.

The thing is, it does start to feel like a game at some point.

Beth Ann

Veteran

Quibble away! No sense in paying more than needed! They should realize that we tend to spend in places we feel valued. Think of all the money they spend in advertising --- honoring their own policy is cheaper by far, and builds more goodwill.

I have become aware of their different sales structure online vs. brick and mortar. My SA was quite helpful, and reminded me, when I see an "online only" sale, that I can put a hold on the item online and buy it in the store for the lower price. The next time I planned a trip to the mall, I looked online first and put 3 items on hold.

It's still a crazy policy -- but at least their staff was helping me get the most out of the situation.