Officeworks Not Honouring 5% Price Beat of DWI

LLaziofogna on 24/02/2018 - 16:49
Last edited 24/02/2018 - 18:58 by 1 other user

I went today at Officeworks Croydon SA and asked them to price beat by 5% an item I am interested in.
My price comes from regular aussie online retailer and the item is not in clearance.
After a first positive look the girl made a couple of calls, and then refused to change the price, sustaining that that website sells grey imports and so here, and so there.
Nowhere on that website it’s stated they sell grey imports, and I can’t find anything in OW t&c saying about grey imports.
To me this is not only bu**sh^* but also false advertising, since the majority of their campaign is based on the price beat. Easy to beat when is $5, when you talk about $50 they find every excuse to disappoint you.

It was DWI and to me they don’t match because price is so good. If they don’t want to price match DWI must be outlined clearly in their t&c. Saying it’s grey imports with no evidence, it’s not good practice. They just waste people time.

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  • JimmyF on 24/02/2018 - 16:55
    +13

    Nowhere on that website it’s stated they sell grey imports, and I can’t find anything in OW t&c saying about grey imports.

    What website are you price matching?

    The OW T&C say it must be the SAME MODEL, They won't price match local Australian stock to a grey import.

    To me this is not only bu**sh^* but also false advertising, since the majority of their campaign is based on the price beat.

    It clearly says

    "Our Price Beat Guarantee (PBG) means that if you find a lower priced identical stocked item that's in stock with a competitor (even if it's on sale), we will not only match it, we'll beat it by 5%."

    I've never had any issues with a price match before. Some items have resulted in a 50% discount to there price too!

      • capslock on 24/02/2018 - 17:25
        +12

        A grey import is not IDENTICAL to what Officeworks sell. It will have a foreign electrical plug for example.

      • lolz112 on 24/02/2018 - 17:25
        +5

        He's saying if it's a grey import it is not an identical stocked item. It's fair enough too, grey imports are cheaper because they don't have the same strict laws that the ACL covers for Australian stock.

        • No ONE on 24/02/2018 - 21:32
          +4

          @Laziofogna:

          how can you tell it’s a grey import if it’s not stated anywhere

          if it does not provide Australian manufacturer warranty, then it is grey import. Simple as that mate.

      • JimmyF on 24/02/2018 - 17:30
        +6

        A grey import isn't identical stocked item, for example it won't come with a Australian charger/warranty.

        The model number is normally slightly different too.

        • Laziofogna on 24/02/2018 - 17:35
          -4

          Yep it’s a grey import, but Officeworks t&c doesn’t mention not matching grey imports, they say not clearance and aussie retailer

        • JimmyF on 24/02/2018 - 18:01
          +4

          @Laziofogna: They don't need to, its covered off under the "identical stocked item" which a grey import isn't.

        • Piranha2004 on 24/02/2018 - 22:34

          @Laziofogna: ga grey import is not the same/identical to Australian supported phone. Therefore it is not covered by this guarantee. Not a hard concept to grasp.

        • Associatedronnknee @ Officeworks on 24/02/2018 - 22:34

          I used to work at Officeworks. This is exactly the reason.

      • Associatedronnknee @ Officeworks on 24/02/2018 - 22:50
        +1

        Here.

        Our guarantee applies to all identical products and services with identical warranties

  • gimli on 24/02/2018 - 16:57
    +12

    Please provide details of product you were trying to price match so that Ozbargain can judge…

      • gimli on 24/02/2018 - 17:32
        +24

        Haha sorry I didn't mean it in that way.
        But if you are going to make an accusation about Officework false advertising then you should provide some support to your claim. Otherwise it just looks like you are having a childish whinge because things did not go your way.

        • gimli on 24/02/2018 - 17:42
          +1

          @Laziofogna:
          i'm sure they have the full t/c at there store. (Can't find it on the website)
          If you are that keen to see it just have a look next time you visit.

        • Associatedronnknee @ Officeworks on 24/02/2018 - 22:50
          +2

          @Laziofogna:

          Here.

          Our guarantee applies to all identical products and services with identical warranties

  • Randxyz123 on 24/02/2018 - 16:58
    +6

    This topic comes up every month…

    Most stores that do price matching require the item to be in stock at a physical brick and mortar store in Australia.

    There are stores like DWI for example. They have a ABN and are listed as an Australian company but JB /Officeworks/HN probably won't price match

    Post a link to the office works item and a link to the item on the website and it'll be easier to judge if you can price match it.

    • JimmyF on 24/02/2018 - 17:01
      +3

      Read the terms, OW will price match a online store, but delivery needs to be factored into the total price.

      So a $90 item + $15 delivery, is $105 for the price match.

      https://www.officeworks.com.au/information/policies/price-be…

      • Laziofogna on 24/02/2018 - 17:17
        -5

        I read everything. Delivery is free, item in stock. But 60 bucks cheaper so…

        • Yummy on 24/02/2018 - 18:31
          +18

          Ok OP, then just get it from DWI, ffs. You are just wasting bunch of peoples time: OW staff, us here in OZB, ACCC & your time.

        • phaol7ta on 25/02/2018 - 08:30

          mate, move on. its only 60 bucks and yes DWI does not have physical sore here, so cant price match. OW is good with their policy. I managed to save more than $150 for a modem from OW when they price beat MSY’s specials.

      • whooah1979 on 24/02/2018 - 17:25
        +9

        Saying it’s grey imports with no evidence,

        https://www.dwidigitalcameras.com.au/terms-and-condition

        Warranties
        Unless stated otherwise, all goods sold by Digital World International on the website carry a 12 Month In House Warranty by Digital World International Hong Kong.

        D). Our details
        DWI and dwidigitalcameras.com.au are the trading names for Digital World International incorporated in Hong Kong. Registered Address: Room 1003, 10/F, Wu Sang House, 655 Nathan Road, Mongkok, Kowloon

        • whooah1979 on 24/02/2018 - 17:33
          +1

          @Laziofogna:

          we can better help you if you tell us what the item is. are you willing to do that?

        • gimli on 24/02/2018 - 17:34
          +16

          @Laziofogna:

          I think it is time for you to accept that you were wrong.

        • Yummy on 24/02/2018 - 18:25

          @Laziofogna:

          OP, let's put this simply: can YOU get the item NOW from DWI? As in TODAY so YOU can pick it up from DWI's store/warehouse?

        • Laziofogna on 24/02/2018 - 19:30
          -2

          @Yummy:
          That is not the point, the point is the item is considered grey so inferior even id they come from the same factory.

        • dizzle on 24/02/2018 - 19:32
          +3

          @Laziofogna: That's like saying "well I saw it at this price in the US so they should match it". It's overseas product without manufacturer's warranty. Why should they match it? You're buying it from an overseas store that has an australian website.

          Sorry, but judging by all the replies you've already had, you're not going to get the answer you want here

        • Yummy on 24/02/2018 - 20:36

          @Laziofogna:

          YOU are the one who missing the whole point here.

          STOCK is the magic word. Once you figure it out, come back here.

        • folktaliesin on 24/02/2018 - 21:47
          +1

          @Laziofogna: Dude. Give up. As everybody has stated, an identically stocked item includes the warranty that comes with it. The warranty is part of the product. And because it's a grey important, it doesn't have the same warranty as something that comes with Australian stock.

          As per the Officeworks website: "Our guarantee applies to all identical products and services with identical warranties"

      • JimmyF on 24/02/2018 - 17:32
        +3

        Fair call to be knocked back on price matching DWI, they are not identical stocked items and mostly grey imports shipped from HK.

        DWI page clearly lists they sell grey imports so it fails the identical stocked item requirement by OW.

      • Associatedronnknee @ Officeworks on 24/02/2018 - 22:47
        +4

        Outline pretty clearly here.

        Our guarantee applies to all identical products and services with identical warranties

    • StarvingOat on 25/02/2018 - 04:02

      Was wondering, does OW or HN price match Kogan? On any product

  • whooah1979 on 24/02/2018 - 16:58

    price comes from regular aussie online retailer

    Ow won't price match with msy.

    • JimmyF on 24/02/2018 - 17:00
      +2

      I've had them price match MSY before…..

      It has to be showing as instock though.

      • whooah1979 on 24/02/2018 - 17:03

        They do? That doesn't happen often.

        • JimmyF on 24/02/2018 - 17:07
          +1

          My local one has a few times (VIC). They check to confirm the item is in stock first. Which is fair enough, as its part of the T&Cs.

          Unless something has changed recently. I don't know how they can exclude MSY, as per their T&C page, its a real store, is ABN/GST reg, sells aussie stock etc.

          So I would be jumping up and down if they don't.

        • Laziofogna on 24/02/2018 - 17:16
          -3

          @JimmyF:
          Jumping up and down I don’t think would help

      • JimmyF on 24/02/2018 - 18:02
        +7

        Mate… Which part of "find a lower priced identical stocked item" are you not following?

        A grey import ISN'T identical!

    • No ONE on 24/02/2018 - 21:35
      +1

      Officework will match MYS, Kogan and others as long as their warranty is Australian Manufacturer warranty.

  • PissLUR on 24/02/2018 - 17:21
    +17

    DWI is a grey importer.

    Case closed.

      • djkelly69 on 24/02/2018 - 17:57
        +11

        It doesn't need to specify that they don't match on grey imports.

        It says they don't match if it is not an identical, stocked item. A grey import product is not identical to the Australian product.

        Case closed (again).

      • JimmyF on 24/02/2018 - 18:02
        +6

        Mate… Which part of "find a lower priced identical stocked item" are you not following?

        A grey import ISN'T identical!

      • Associatedronnknee @ Officeworks on 24/02/2018 - 22:46
        +2

        Here.

        Our guarantee applies to all identical products and services with identical warranties

  • akyeeeahdude on 24/02/2018 - 17:27
    +3

    It's best just to call the Officeworks Customer Service number 1300 633 423.

    Recently, one of the Managers at Officeworks Milton refused to price match/beat a pair of Plantronics Headphones for me from www.mightyape.com.au on the basis that they were grey imports, not covered by warranty etc.

    It clearly wasn't and there was even info on the Mightyape website to support that it was local stock. I left the store and called Officeworks Customer Service and within 5 minutes, they agreed to beat it, I paid via credit card over the phone and collected instore at Milton.

    On the way out I politely (not being sarcastic) told the same Manager who denied the price beat that I had got the desired result and he said "Thanks for the feedback…"

  • [Deactivated] on 24/02/2018 - 17:30
    +3

    ohh sad, buy from grey importer

    • Laziofogna on 24/02/2018 - 17:33
      -2

      I have found out it is grey import, I can’t find anything on Officeworks website saying something about that though

      • [Deactivated] on 24/02/2018 - 17:35

        OW wont price beat them, nor will it price beat online only stores, must be B&M stores only

        • Laziofogna on 24/02/2018 - 17:38
          -2

          Nope, it’s clearly stated online are valide

        • gimli on 24/02/2018 - 17:40
          +3

          OW do match local online stores if equivalent product but will add delivery cost to the price.

        • [Deactivated] on 24/02/2018 - 17:40
          +3

          @Gimli:
          i forgot to add the delivery fee will be included.

        • gimli on 24/02/2018 - 17:41
          +2

          @tuzii:
          haha. i think you've been here long enough to know that. :P

        • [Deactivated] on 24/02/2018 - 17:42
          +1

          @Gimli:
          LOL thanks bae

        • Yummy on 24/02/2018 - 18:34
          +1

          @Laziofogna:

          Within Australia, as long as it has ABN.

          OP, you must be new here.

      • gimli on 24/02/2018 - 17:39

        For further information please visit your local Officeworks store and they will be able to assist you with your query.

        • Laziofogna on 24/02/2018 - 17:42
          -3

          LOL you are funny

        • gimli on 24/02/2018 - 17:43
          +1

          @Laziofogna:
          haha its what they say on the website when I was looking for T/C

      • Associatedronnknee @ Officeworks on 24/02/2018 - 22:49

        Here.

        Our guarantee applies to all identical products and services with identical warranties

      • terrys on 25/02/2018 - 09:42

        It's been pointed out to you here quite a few times with sufficient context [as in the full sentence] to make using the magical properties of the <CTRL F> function a relatively trivial exercise.
        I'd help you more, but I've got a barney on with my landlord regarding a comparable rental charge for a house like mine I found in Mumbai…

  • Laziofogna on 24/02/2018 - 17:45
    -4

    https://imgur.com/a/hrMg2

    Grey imports is the way out they have when they don’t want to match

    • JimmyF on 24/02/2018 - 18:05
      +13

      Mate… Which part of "find a lower priced identical stocked item" are you not following?

      DWI are selling a grey import. A grey import ISN'T identical!

      Just admit your wrong and move on. You're flogging a dead horse. OW has done nothing wrong and are following their very clear and simple T&Cs.

      • Laziofogna on 24/02/2018 - 19:26
        -3

        It’s like Bunnings saying 10% on identical items, when at 99% they sell things with all different sizes or weight that the ones sold in other stores, that way the item is never “identical”. It would be sufficient to write grey imports are excluded for Officeworks price beating and I would avoid a whinge and you would avoid to try to ridiculise a fellow member if Ozbragain that tried to have a bargain

        • JimmyF on 24/02/2018 - 20:11
          +2

          It would be sufficient to write grey imports are excluded for Officeworks price beating and I would avoid a whinge

          They did….. Which part of "find a lower priced identical stocked item" are you not following?

          Your grey import is not identical, it'll have a different model number, a different charge, and different warranty terms.

          I understand English might not be your native lang, but please. Look up what identical means. It has all the answers to you 'whinge' as you put it.

    • Associatedronnknee @ Officeworks on 24/02/2018 - 22:49
      +1

      Scroll a bit up.

      Our guarantee applies to all identical products and services with identical warranties

    • jackary on 25/02/2018 - 00:00
      +1

      You still own an iPod?

  • zonra on 24/02/2018 - 18:13
    +9

    OP, why are you insisting that it’s an identical item when it clearly is not?
    One is local stock with full Australian warranty.
    One is import stock that comes with zero/zip/zilch/nada Australian warranty but DWI in-house warranty (which is in Hong Kong btw and you’d need to send the item overseas to utilise this warranty)
    Even if you don’t find the term “grey imports excluded” in OW’s Ts & Cs it really doesn’t matter, as it’s not an identical item to start with.
    But hey, throw in some “ACCC”s and “lawsuit”s into your inevitable facebook post and keep us updated.

    • Laziofogna on 24/02/2018 - 19:28
      -4

      No intention to do that, you shouldn’t assume others will do what you would do.

  • try2bhelpful on 24/02/2018 - 18:52
    +3

    Often overseas stock will have a different code number that is specific to the region, without knowing the products it is diificcult to know. If the codes arent identical they won't give you the discount. For some devices, e.g. some printers , they have their own code for an identical Australian model and they wouldn't honor it.

    • jackary on 25/02/2018 - 00:02

      Yes! Officeworks are actually the worst for doing this with printers

    • spare13 on 25/02/2018 - 00:12

      The reason for this with printers is generally because Officeworks will not have cashback offers, but other stores will.

      So printer xxy @ officeworks is $119
      Printer xxz @ JB is $149 + $30 cashback.

      Same specs between the 2

      • try2bhelpful on 25/02/2018 - 00:17

        interesting explanation.

  • cnmarine on 24/02/2018 - 20:08
    +3

    Lol, why don't you get office works to match amazon us…………

  • JimmyF on 24/02/2018 - 20:14
    +4

    It was DWI and to me they don’t match because price is so good. If they don’t want to price match DWI must be outlined clearly in their t&c. Saying it’s grey imports with no evidence, it’s not good practice. They just waste people time.

    It clearly says

    "Our Price Beat Guarantee (PBG) means that if you find a lower priced identical stocked item that's in stock with a competitor (even if it's on sale), we will not only match it, we'll beat it by 5%."

    DWI item is not identical, so no match!

    The only person wasting time is you who continue to not understand that a grey import is not identical item to what OW is selling and OW doesn't need to list 'grey imports' are not priced matched in its T&Cs, as this is clearly covered in the above statement.

    • Laziofogna on 24/02/2018 - 20:52
      -7

      You don’t need to be here and waste your precious time, try to be nicer, it’s free

      • No ONE on 24/02/2018 - 21:40
        +5

        Says the man who is whinging about officeworks pricematch policy. You clearly lack intellectual. Poor ow team members who have to go through customers like you.

  • Laziofogna on 24/02/2018 - 20:38
    -6

    I don’t understand why some have to be so aggressive. You can tell what you want to tell without being a dick. Obviously some think that being on this forum for years authorise them to be unpleasant. You’re not cool, you just look nasty

    • mbck on 24/02/2018 - 21:01
      +6

      The thing is, everyone has explained it and you keep going back to "show me the Tc on ow". But grey import is not the same as ow stock. So you can't price match.

      Then you reply back with "show me the Tc on ow"

      Then someone else says the same hint.

      Then you reply with everyone is a dick coz they don't back me up.

      • Laziofogna on 24/02/2018 - 21:08
        -5

        No someone is a dick if he’s aggressive for no reason. Let’s say I’m thick and I understand nothing, leave the post without jumping on me. Said that, grey import has a different warranty, fair enough, but the item is the same. Sometime they are difficult, these stores advertising price matching, even with the colour of items. If you find the difficult employee will tell you that the one on the catalogue is red, and blue can’t match.

        • bs0 on 24/02/2018 - 21:15
          +5

          The thing is, everyone has explained it and you keep going back to "show me the Tc on ow". But grey import is not the same as ow stock. So you can't price match.

          Then you reply back with "show me the Tc on ow"

          Then someone else says the same hint.

          Then you reply with everyone is a dick coz they don't back me up.

          /s

        • Yummy on 24/02/2018 - 21:23
          +2

          Dude, item IS NOT located in Australia. Therefore they are NOT Officeworks competitor, hence OW refuses to price match, does not matter if item is the same. It's very easy to understand… or no?

          No one tries to be a dick/aggresive here, actual fact we all are trying to help you understand, the logic behind price matching.

        • mbck on 24/02/2018 - 22:28

          @Yummy: chill everyone, as per my comment we are going in circles lol. It's the weekend, go offline and enjoy yourselves.

  • techhead on 24/02/2018 - 20:39
    +1

    Never had an issue with Officeworks, you might have got a surly rep or one who was just difficult.
    Had major issues twice getting JB to match a price. One time: They made me wait 10 mins, checked website for price, then got product off shelf, checked website again, googled in case there was another product code stating "we only pricematch identical products", called a store (Had to have been checking availabilty to find that ONE store that was out of stock which was in Dandenong rather than local "They have no stock sorry, we can't match" I could see every other VICstore was showing plenty on my phone. Rep reluctantly called second store, no answer and refused to offer a pricematch!. JB was unwilling to match…. officeworks. Ended up doing a C&C at officeworks for 6 2TB drives.

  • mbck on 24/02/2018 - 20:59

    Oo to your local senator's office and complain about this. Please

    • Laziofogna on 24/02/2018 - 21:13
      -2

      No bikies suggestion?

  • WishIHadAfridge on 24/02/2018 - 21:16
    +2

    As others have mentioned. I don't think you understand "identical stocked item". Grey imports are not identical. They don't have to specifically state "grey import"

  • Yummy on 24/02/2018 - 21:34

    Hope this help.

    http://whirlpool.net.au/wiki/dwi_cameras

  • FoxJump on 24/02/2018 - 21:44
    +1

    I used to love dwi… Until they stuffed me around.

    I recommend you stay away.
    If the item is perfect then all is well. If anything is wrong with it - gameover.
    Their shipping insurance is worthless.

    I ordered a 1kg lens, arrived with squished corner of the box and a broken lens cap. Would not refund.

  • folktaliesin on 24/02/2018 - 21:53
    +4

    For clarity to other readers (I posted this response in a reply above), the Officeworks website literally provides the explicit answer to this question: "Our guarantee applies to all identical products and services with identical warranties"

    So you can argue until you're blue in the face whether or not the physical item is the same, but this ignores that a product is a bundle that includes any warranties associated with it.

    • Laziofogna on 24/02/2018 - 23:27
      -4

      I was wrong then, it could have been shown to me without all the sarcasm and all. Thanks for helping me

  • jason101 on 24/02/2018 - 22:01

    Notwithstanding the argument about grey imports and whether DWI had an identical product - I used to live very close to that Officeworks store, they will try any trick in the book to avoid a price match. The practice I found they used on me most often (as basically anytime I went there I price matched) was to make me wait for 10-20 minutes while various staff stared at a screen, went out the back, looked for a manager - basically made me feel awkward in front of other customers. Then it was the old trick of trying to "add" $20 onto the competitors price for freight, even when I could demonstrate the competitor would deliver free or for less than $20 - I found the practice of price match avoidance extremely unethical given there are slogans plastered all over the walls regarding their price match policy. I can remember once I was so infuriated I wrote to head office and received a spam bot reply about their policy and how the store was correct in their actions but someone somewhere would discuss my issue with local management. I think it is a cultural issue at that store driven by store management. Given the economic demo of the area the store is located in and the fact SA in general is economically depressed the store is probably under-performing and price matching just makes their situation worse which we all acknowledge isn't at all the customers fault.

    • Laziofogna on 24/02/2018 - 23:24
      -7

      Thank you. As you can see they also have minions defending them. Regardless if I had the right or not to have a price beat, the attitude if some on this forum it’s very poor.

      • try2bhelpful on 25/02/2018 - 00:26

        Seriously, you think the attutude of some people on this forum is poor? You are accusing people of being Officeworks minions when they were just trying to explain how the T&Cs worked. I suggest you reconsider your comments as you are, basically, libeling a number of Ozbargainers here.

  • berry580 on 24/02/2018 - 22:30
    +3

    Is Laziofogna trying to get famous from this post?

    • bitambitious on 24/02/2018 - 23:52

      he is already famous now. Took so many post from people to get through his head. "It could have been shown to me without all the sarcasm and all" - I didn't see the sarcasm in people trying to help him understand grey import and identical warranties lol.

    • tomsco on 25/02/2018 - 09:01

      Wants to be the next “will not park at Maccas” lady.

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