Uda Quai wrote:It's actually standard practice for every store I know of that price matches that they won't match % off sales. What they're trying to avoid is this type of situation: Say stores can buy an item for 75¢. Store A's standard price for the item is $2.00. They have a 50% off sale, sell the item for $1.00, and make 25¢ per item. Store B's standard price for the item is $1.00. If they were to match Store A's 50% off sale they would be selling the item at 50¢ and losing 25¢ on every sale. Not smart business. And no, they still won't give you the sale even if their prices are the same on an item. It's much cleaner for them to simply not honor any % off sales than to make exceptions depending on each other's price or even to sell it to you at the price you would have paid at the other store.
You're right, a business would definitely lose money in that scenario. Which begs me to ask the question: If it was already half off someone else, why wouldn't you have bought it there already? I would kindly point out to the customer that I've already been matching the competitors price, and they would be silly to think I would take another 50% of my already "half off" price. I honestly do not think that is a real-world example, but I'll humor you.
In your scenario, I would have bought everything at store B's standard $1.00 price and laughed at all the people who paid store A's price of $2.00. After acquiring all of Store B's inventory @ $1.00 each, I would then go to store A and say, you know, store B is selling these for half of what you are. If you match their price I will buy them here. If you're talking to a manager (who's bonuses are no doubt tied to sales, and they have any interest in turning their product) they will agree. NOTE: This tactic will only work if there are TONS of inventory on the shelves. If store A is routinely selling them @ $2.00, then the manager will see no need to sell them at half off when they are regularly getting "their"full price.
I've never been denied a percentage price match from a competitors sale. Just two days ago Walmart had no problem matching Target's 10% off Star Wars Lego. I have only been denied by Walmart and them not wanting to match their own online pricing. Sure, I have A LOT of professional negotiation experience, which definitely helps, of course a little charisma does not hurt either.
Do something.
