Many consumers find asking questions of their favorite online retailers a daunting task. They feel intimidated, wondering if the website they are on is really a legitimate company or if the website is just trying to sell them something. It can be very disappointing when this occurs because so many consumers want to buy their favorite items at a great price. However, it’s not entirely uncommon for consumers to be asked to pay more for certain items online than they would in a brick and mortar retail store. Here’s a look at some ways how to ask a retailer to match price online.
First, be clear about your budget. If you know what type of merchandise you’re looking for then you can usually ask a retailer for a general idea of what they’ll offer for the product you are interested in. For example, if you’re interested in a particular designer handbag, then ask the online retailer about their current selection. Or if you are interested in watches, then talk with the person behind the website to see if they have any good deals available currently. By being clear upfront with the retailer, it can help them provide the best customer service and ultimately save you money.
Second, be specific about the price you’re willing to pay. Don’t just say that you’re willing to pay $50 more than retail. Make sure you mention the exact price that you want and be prepared to walk away from the website if they can’t match the price you’ve asked for. Many people do this and then find out that they really weren’t getting the top-quality product for that price.
Third, be specific about the product that you want. If you’re shopping for a digital camera, then make sure that the online price you are asked is the same price as the cost of the camera at the retailer. Also, be sure that the online price you are asked is the same price as the price listed on the box. Ask specifically for both the retail and online price. Don’t assume that an online retailer will just give you the online price, especially if you’ve already looked at the box. Sometimes companies will change the price on the box in order to make more money off of you.
Fourth, be sure that you read the fine print. Look over the fine print carefully so that you know exactly what you’re paying for. Sometimes online retailers will charge shipping fees, which will actually make the online price match a lot higher than it would if the retailer didn’t charge for shipping.
Fifth, find out the return policy. Does the online retailer to offer a guarantee or a refund if the product isn’t what you were originally thinking of buying? If they don’t offer a guarantee, you might consider buying elsewhere. On the other hand, if they do offer a guarantee, you may want to use that guarantee to make your purchase.
Sixth, don’t be afraid to ask how much the shipping will cost. There’s nothing worse than buying a digital camera only to realize that the price online doesn’t match the price at the store. Also, be aware that there are some places that will charge extra shipping, even after you’ve paid for the item. This is a sad fact, but it’s something that you’ll need to accept as a part of using the internet. Fortunately, most places that sell digital cameras online will let you know how much the shipping will cost, whether it’s free or not.
Seventh, take the time to ask good questions. Asking how much something costs is only half the battle. You also need to ask how the company will go about matching the price with their competitors, how they go about collecting your purchase, and how they respond to your inquiries. If you only have a few basic questions about how to ask a retailer to match the price, then you’re already ahead of the game!
Retailers We Watch:
- Barnes & Noble Price Match
- CVS Price Match
- REI Price Match
- Bass Pro Shops Price Match
- Cabela’s Price Match
- Autozone Price Match
- Kohls Price Match
- Nordstrom’s Price Match
- Sephora Price Match
- Guitar Center Price Match