SNEAKY - Dick Smith Electronics cunning way to charge higher price on same product

[Deactivated] on 29/04/2014 - 15:42
Last edited 29/04/2014 - 18:14

I was after a surge protector, and as I was happy with the DSE branded one for the past 15 years, thought I would buy the same.

When I got there I saw two identical boxes, with the exception of the model number ON THE BOX THIS IS AN IMPORTANT OBSERVATION :

One at $19.98 model M 7800, the other at $24.98 in identical box and picture, except model number was M 78001. Fair enough, I thought, upgraded model = higher price, EXCEPT:

I got suspicious, and when I looked inside the box (they are not sealed) the model ON BOTH PRODUCTS was M7800-1 (yes with hyphen this time), and The specs on the side of the box were identical. (I took photos)

WHAT'S GOING ON? IDENTICAL PRODUCT, TWO DIFFERENT PRICES.

I asked the staff but they didn't know why. If anyone knows, please tell me.

I'm sure there is something in the Consumer Law to protect people against this.

Maybe I'll make video and post it on ABC's excellent The Checkout / F.U. Tube site:

http://www.youtube.com/user/checkoutabctv

METHINKS SAME OLD WOOLWORTHS TACTICS TO DIVERSIFY THE (IDENTICAL) PRODUCT RANGE AND THUS MAKE MORE MONEY

I learned this from The Checkout where companies package the same product in different boxes, e.g. colour, then charge more for the pink one, for example.

General Discussion

Related Stores

Dick Smith / Kogan
Dick Smith / Kogan
Marketplace

Comments

  • neil on 29/04/2014 - 16:09
    +1

    On their website, the 78001 is listed for $19.98. Don't see 7800 on the Australian site however it is on the New Zealand Dick Smith site.

    Seems the box has different dimension:

    M7800:

    Packaged Weight 242g
    Packaged Dimensions 7.5cm x 14cm x 16cm

    M78001:

    Packaged Weight 240g
    Packaged Dimensions 7.6cm x 11.4cm x 13.4cm

    It's possible they just started make a newer version of the product and the older has been retired from the system, however hasn't been sold out at all stores.

    • plmko on 29/04/2014 - 17:49

      Yep it's exactly that, one is 'newer' stock possibly from another Chinese factory made to DSE specification. I encountered the same thing with a bluetooth audio receiver the older one was more expensive than the newer one but they identical.

    • [Deactivated] on 29/04/2014 - 18:08

      possibly, but the boxes are IDENTICAL except for the model no., oh and I forgot, the cheaper one says "lifetime warranty" whereas the dearer one does not.

      And more importantly, SAME UNIT IS INSIDE BOTH BOXES WITH SAME MODEL NUMBER M7800-1

      I have photos but don't know if I can post them

      and the prices i quoted are correct 78001 is $24.98, must raise it with staff next time if website says 19.98

      Needless to say, I bought the cheaper one, and kept the box as proof of "lifetime warranty"

  • ExtraSalt on 29/04/2014 - 16:15

    you'd be right if DSE was still owned by Woolworths Group lol. they started closing DSE stores down until another company bought them out 2012/2013. You'll notice that new shops reopened last year and their whole marketing campaign has changed. Dick himself has nothing to do with the brand now. I think DSE also bought out the David Jones electronics department mid last year or early this year.

    • [Deactivated] on 29/04/2014 - 18:14

      I know Dick sold it 20 years ago, I meant Dick Smith Electronics. Changed the title to reflect that

    • [Deactivated] on 30/04/2014 - 13:10

      Andrew i saw your point about the link bw dse and dj yesterday. Been looking through dj site and a lot of their electronics have in the title description, "Dick Smith…. " batteries, modem for example

  • sm007h on 29/04/2014 - 17:51
    +1

    Just conjecture - I suspect the safety certificates have expired so they took the opportunity to change some of the internals and get a new certificate. Using the same housing saves money. Different safety certificate, so different product code, and perhaps purchased at a different exchange rate from old product, so different pricing.

    PS: New parts may not even be superior to the old parts.

  • tetsuma on 29/04/2014 - 18:42
    -2

    All this conjecture and nonsense over five dollars. Sort your priorities out in life, bud.

    • [Deactivated] on 30/04/2014 - 12:47

      It's not about $5 it's about the principle. Today its $5 next it will be a $1000 tv swindle

  • scottb721 on 29/04/2014 - 19:24
    +2

    I had what maybe a similar experience. Was buying some Logitech UE200 earphones from DSE - two identical products, two different packets. One was $30 and the other was $15. Perhaps marking down old stock, in this case superseded packaging.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join