Marked up prices . . .

reeferaddict · #1 12-29-2005, 02:05 AM

OK... I actually spoke to someone at J&L about this today as I was looking into my own item - Calcium monitor. Around summertime they were $319... then $309... then finally $293... In the summer, J&L, (as stated in the newsletter), discounted ACROSS the BOARD 5% to reflect the recent strength in the Canadian dollar. This discount isn't remarked, (as it is in the store), rather just reflected on the final price we pay as a percentage of the RETAIL price. Problem is we don't see that online... it is just given to us. So 95% of $309 is $293... the boxing day sale is also based on the $309 as well... call it what you will, maybe poor communication or what have you... but it is legal... and taken in the light it was explained to me about how their POS system works, I perfectly understand it and have no problem with the ethics. They are very frustrated right now, and I pity their position as this has obviously been a big headache to them... one option is to leave the prices at the full retail rate and just have sale discounts from those prices, but we would be giving up that US dollar 5% that we now get to enjoy every day...

There was no frilly announcement for the 5% originally given, and did any of us complain?

Didn't think so...

And kudos to them for actually taking the time to call me and settle this. I can only imagine how busy they must be right now...

RonPeter · #2 12-29-2005, 02:11 AM

The thing I find funny was the items I marked the prices down before the sale were at one price, sale comes on and the retail price is higher and now I just checked their website again and all my items are back down to the price they were on Dec 25 when I made my list...that excuse doesn't make sense to me BUT sometimes I am slow to figure things out. I will still deal with them as they have excellent prices but it just doesn't smell right...to me anyways.

Willow · #3 12-29-2005, 02:57 AM

woo good thing my bulbs were sold out and i got a rain check. now i will get a better price on them.

dunl · #4 12-21-2006, 04:57 AM

Free bump for a good discussion.

Richy44 · #5 12-21-2006, 05:40 AM

Bumper again!

EmilyB · #6 12-21-2006, 06:37 AM

Quote:

Hey why is it when other LFS are talked about on Canreef the thread is pulled, but when it's J&L fire away. Just a comment not a criticism

Now isn't that the truth.

midgetwaiter · #7 12-21-2006, 07:59 AM

2 things strike me as interesting about this.

Some of us are again willing to jump all over somebody before finding out the facts. Seems to me like J&L are very willing to discuss this, it was in the bloody newsletter even. They certainly went out of their way to talk to reeferadict about it. You can debate the merits of their explanation, given my few years experience in a similar operation it seems to make some sense. At least we get some of that discussion but the usual pot stirrers (Wayne, Darcy) have to stick their noses in and turn it into a big production.

The other thing, and this is pretty disappointing, is the way people are willing to give them a pass on something like this if it saves a buck. If they were really behaving this way (I don't think that they are) would so many of us really shrug it off and buy from them anyway just to save $50 the next time? I don't know about the rest of you but if I feel somebody is treating me badly I'm not going to give them a pass just because it saves me a little money. Pretty sad that they could get away with anything just because they're cheaper.