Buyer Beware: Big Al's Calgary - Page 2

kien · #1 11-17-2010, 01:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by globaldesigns

Lastly, yes I already stated I didn't realize the price was that much higher. So there is no need for further ignorant comments. I am the first to omit my mistake.

This thread was to detail my experience, The Good The Bad and The Ugly. Take it how you want to.

If I save someone from spending too much on a product at Big Al's then I did my job, that is all I am trying to do. Don't read anything else into it!

well, the thread title says, Beware of Big Al's in Calgary!! We all know Big Al's doesn't have the best reputation, but I'm not sure if this is a good example in that regard. I don't see that they did anything wrong to warrant this, but that's just my opinion and if you are going to post something on public forum then you are going to get opinions, the good the bad and the ugly

BlueTang<3 · #2 11-17-2010, 02:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zoaElite

Ryan @ Big Al's has been great to me every time I walk in there.

+1 you guys are lucky you don't have to deal with big als edmonton. The edmonton branch makes the calgary one look outstanding. Some of my nicest fish and coral in my tank came from the calgary location. The last few times i have made the trip down it has been the store that i picked the most up at and Ryan was awesome to deal with.

globaldesigns · #3 11-17-2010, 02:14 AM

Hey, how do you change the thread title, I changed it on advanced options on my first post, but the thread title doesn't reflect it. Just wanted to change it to something people wouldn't take and bastardize it.

Any ideas, why it didn't change?

+1, I can say Ryan and Kent are great guys at the Calgary Store, it is just too bad they work for a company that in my opinion doesn't care about long term customer business.

Here is my plug for Kevin @ Red Coral, who in my opinion does care and offers truely fair pricing. Sorry Kevin, this was a impulse buy, and I should of supported you as I always try to. Live and learn. Lesson here folks is to support the ones that support you back!

jorjef · #4 11-17-2010, 02:37 AM

Holy Moly, that was quite the stoning you got there. I respect that you are anhonest guy but for the amount on time it was in the water would have been best to rinse her off, wipe here, wipe there and return saying it wouldn't suit your needs, only fibbing by omission.

There are lots of examples of drastic price differences in Regina....500ML of Prime conditioner $29.95 vs. $19.95....Plain ole pail of IO salt $79.00 vs. $39.00....

globaldesigns · #5 11-17-2010, 01:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e46er

so you admit you didnt do any research on a product and you are upset that you overpaid after you went to a store you claimed was "expensive" to begin with.... im so lost as to why the store owes you anything?
theres a sucker born everyday i guess it was you that day.
you should have researched what you were buying, laziness is expensive you learned your lesson and dont go back there.

Wow, what an attack on me!!!

I guess that you haven't ever worked retail, or owned a business that provides good or services. I can say I have and still do.

Anyways, they do advertise price matching, even after purchase, but try to get them to honor it. They don't!!!! Especially for anything online.

Also, how can any business, sell a product for $100 more than what everyone else does, even the manufacturer... That is just bad business, and thus the reason I am telling you. If you don't care to listen to my comments, then please go to Big Al's and get ripped off. I REALLY DON'T CARE WHAT YOU THINK, AND FIND YOUR COMMENTS IGNORANT!!! So P I S S OFF!!

kien · #6 11-17-2010, 01:41 AM

I have often found myself in a pinch and have needed something at say.. 8:55pm at night

Big Al's has always come through for me in that regard

Or, sometimes I'm out running errands and if I happen to find myself in that neck of the woods and I realize I need something, Big Al's usually comes through once again.

If I don't want to buy something from there for whatever reason (price, etc), that's totally up to me and not anyone else, including the store. If I come home with something and then find it for cheaper somewhere else, well that's my bad for not shopping around or being impatient.

</two-cents>

e46er · #7 11-17-2010, 03:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by globaldesigns

Wow, what an attack on me!!!

I guess that you haven't ever worked retail, or owned a business that provides good or services. I can say I have and still do.

Anyways, they do advertise price matching, even after purchase, but try to get them to honor it. They don't!!!! Especially for anything online.

Also, how can any business, sell a product for $100 more than what everyone else does, even the manufacturer... That is just bad business, and thus the reason I am telling you. If you don't care to listen to my comments, then please go to Big Al's and get ripped off. I REALLY DON'T CARE WHAT YOU THINK, AND FIND YOUR COMMENTS IGNORANT!!! So P I S S OFF!!

your right it does sound harsh and i didnt mean it like that

i do work in services im a gas fitter and constantly go to peoples houses
but because a company chooses to put a higher sticker price on something and you paid it does not really justify a bashing of the company online.
now if they offer price match but dont garentee it then i wouldnt have set foot in the place to start with
thats just me
atleast the manager told you what to do to get your money back most people wouldnt

TheMikey · #8 11-17-2010, 04:15 AM

If Big Al's advertises in the store that they do match prices after the fact of purchase, I believe they are obligated to honour that promise. It sounds to me like it's a bilateral contract: you agree to pay their advertised price on the assumption it is at (or below) a competetor's price. Their guarantee to you, then, is that if you find a lower price they are obligated to match it.

However, it becomes a problem with the internet. If you can, find a store that advertises the price you say your product is worth: a brick and mortar store in Calgary. Nextly, look on Big Al's website to see if there's a disclaimer that says they do not have to respect their online prices in their retail outlets.

Like you said, the problem is that online stores don't have to worry about paying employees, shipping, lease on property, etc. so they can do it cheaper than a brick and mortar store. With this in mind, I would never honour a price brought in from the internet if I were working in retail (and I did, for nine years). It's like printing off a price from eBay and trying to get Futureshop to match it.

globaldesigns · #9 11-17-2010, 04:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMikey

If Big Al's advertises in the store that they do match prices after the fact of purchase, I believe they are obligated to honour that promise. It sounds to me like it's a bilateral contract: you agree to pay their advertised price on the assumption it is at (or below) a competetor's price. Their guarantee to you, then, is that if you find a lower price they are obligated to match it.

However, it becomes a problem with the internet. If you can, find a store that advertises the price you say your product is worth: a brick and mortar store in Calgary. Nextly, look on Big Al's website to see if there's a disclaimer that says they do not have to respect their online prices in their retail outlets.

Like you said, the problem is that online stores don't have to worry about paying employees, shipping, lease on property, etc. so they can do it cheaper than a brick and mortar store. With this in mind, I would never honour a price brought in from the internet if I were working in retail (and I did, for nine years). It's like printing off a price from eBay and trying to get Futureshop to match it.

Great points, but then what about places like some of our sponsors, they sell these skimmers for almost $100 less and they also have storefronts, employees, and overhead. It is all relative, and when comparing strictly online shops to the other, you can take into account such overheads, shipping and hopefully still do business. And then hopefully both sides are happy.

Retailers offer things like price protection in order to reassure the customer they are getting the best product for the best price. Thus taking the onus off us the customer, and if we impulse buy, we should be protected. But if the retailer isn't willing to come to the plate after the fact and honor their promises, then shame on them.

Aquattro · #10 11-17-2010, 04:49 AM

My understanding in talking to this shop is that they do NOT price match against online stores. And let's be honest, they do something right, or they wouldn't be in business. They've been around a long time. My local LFS charges 3x what online places do, yet they are still going, year after year. If people pay the price, they will continue to charge it. That's how lots of businesses work, especially retail. And people obviously pay the prices, as per this thread. Sure, you may not be happy about it, but I don't see where they've done anything wrong. Ultimately, you as the consumer need to speak with your dollars. Don't shop there. Once the demand is lowered, the pricing will follow.