I delight in not giving Harvey Norman my business

I just laugh when I look at this example I went through today.

Want to buy a 2 to 3 grand laptop and looking for the best price.

Said laptop on sale at good guys, 15% off.

Go to Harvey Norman online chat to price beat, they are nearer.

Online says can’t match it, model is different due to it having a HDMI port which theirs doesn’t have.

I double check, exact same model number , good guys probably had a typo in the description. Go back to HN, guy insists can’t match but only a measly $200 off ( total discount at GG is 500).

Guess what! I reserve it at GG and buy it there !

I so miss giving HN my money….NOT!

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Harvey Norman
Harvey Norman

Comments

  • +189

    Cool story bro.

    Now go back to their online chat & brag about the big discount you got from TGG. Dont forget to update us here.

  • +12

    congrats mate.

  • +43

    Yeah I don't think I'd want to give you my business either. I'm with Harvey on this one.

  • +99

    Why don't you just buy it from the original store making an effort to give you the price you are happy with.

    • +8

      Exactly. Honour the source.

      • +2

        If we did that Amazon’s business would half lol

      • Yea I agree…. as I type this from Officeworks to get my extra 5%

    • +3

      The GG store may not have been close by.

    • Easier said than done. Look at what we all do when Aldi runs a power tools special buy…

  • +9

    Did you try and price beat or match?

    I've never understood the purpose of price matching at another nearby store? Especially if you're in a metro area & stores a plentiful. Just get it at the cheapest.

    Price beat is a different story.

    • +6

      Some stores have a better reputation and/or better protections and returns policy. That has real value.

      • +2

        This. I'll take JB over HN any day

    • I agree on this one. Once we went shopping for a whole bunch of white goods and small items and noted this guy stating that he's been to 4 other stores + online quoting prices and asking the dude what is your price, best price etc on items A - Z.

  • +79

    That moment someone thinks they got a bargain buying a laptop from Good Guys…!

    Laughs in OzBargain

    • +5

      Maybe the Bad Guys have turn over a new leaf for the NY and are a little competitive :)

      Anyway OP put your model details here and see if you deserve a metal by beating the price some OzB er can find ?

      • +18

        "deserve a metal"? He'll probably copper beating.

    • well it's a bargain compared to harvey norman

  • +2

    k

  • +4

    Would love to know the model…

  • +6

    Harvey Norman will miss you so much. Oh, what a pity!

  • Strangely enough, even as a little kid I remember going to browse in HN when on holiday (we didn't have one where we lived), but never to this day ever having bought something there. Still annoyed we can't really buy timber online yet, I just want to add it to a cart and check out.

    • +32

      I know plenty of sites where you can get wood online.

      • +1

        😂

      • do tell. links plz.

    • -2

      There's been some decent ones but few and far between. Currently remembering cheap X360 ($128), and Norton cashback deals that meant free money

      I mainly remember getting a salesman in trouble coz he was focusing on Facebook on the work computer rather than serving me 😂

      Maybe it was this X360 deal

    • I remember most of the time people with kids went to HN so they would be preoccupied on the Wii/360/ps3. Free child minding while adults talked business with Gerry ;)

  • +6

    My Harvey Norman story. Bought Stereo system from them (yes, it was a long time ago). It broke just before warranty ran out. Called them and they told me to bring it in, which I did. Lug the bloody thing there, carry it in,ask for the guy I spoke it, who inspected it,acknowledged it was fault. And then told me (snidely) they could not accept it without the USER MANUAL. His jaw dropped when I told him it was at home, and I Will bring it right down( I lived close by). He still made me lug the bloody thing back to my car. I guess they think most people chuck manuals away ( I don't) . Lesson Ozbargainers…. Keep the manual.

    • +14

      These days you just download online and send him the PDF.

      BTW unheard of manual needed for warranty claim.

    • +18

      Keep the manual.

      or call his bluff, ask for their manager and make them show you why the manual would be required for a warranty repair/replacement

      there is 0 requirement for a manual from the manufacturer to perform a warranty claim

      • +31

        I had this recently with HN over a Yamaha AV receiver. It was about 10 months old, they wouldn’t accept it for a return because it needed to be in its original box with original packing and paperwork.

        I just laughed, broke out the phone and looked up the ACL On the ACCC website with regards to return and warranty issues where I do not have to return it in the original packaged condition.

        He said that only a manager could approve a warranty return and started talking some other garbage about me paying for shipping and a deposit for repairs.

        I laughed some more. Broke the phone out again and looked up ACL and said that I am entitled to a refund for a major fault (it wouldn’t power up or turn on). Manager came out and said that no refund here, and only head office could do it.

        Laughed some more and after about an hour of trying to teach these guys about how ACL works, they refunded me for the unit. I left, went home, got on an eBay sale and had a new one delivered in 2 days with a 20% off code and about 1/2 the price of HN.

        (fropanity) you Gerry, yah dirty, grubby old (fropanity) (fropanity) smoker. And I’m still happy to buy shit overseas, even with your 10% tax on it yah whinging (fropanity), because it’s still cheaper than buying it from any of your stores, yah grubby little (fropanity).

        Why are all these other companies going into administration, but this dirtbag seems to be untouchable? Is it all the boomers who don’t know any better keeping his shit afloat?

        • +1

          Not this boomer!!!

        • Why are all these other companies going into administration, but this dirtbag seems to be untouchable? Is it all the boomers who don’t know any better keeping his shit afloat?

          Furniture. The kind of item that most people want to physically look at/try, and conveniently has an exorbitant mark-up (somewhat (not really) warranted by the real estate required for said showroom).

        • He has his hands in leasing, farm land, cattle etc can't see him going anywhere soon 😞

        • Why are all these other companies going into administration, but this dirtbag seems to be untouchable? Is it all the boomers who don’t know any better keeping his shit afloat?

          Just because you had a negative experience doesn't mean thousands of others don't have positive experiences.

          Over the years I have bought a few big ticket items from them and always had a good experience and got the best price I could find.

          So if the majority of people are having experiences like mine, then he will stay in business no problem.

    • Actually….I even keep the boxes/packaging of electronic items I buy.

    • I'd really make a scene there if they required a manual. No reasonable person would ask you for the manual for warranty work.

  • +8

    Never will buy there till the GST on overseas purchases less than $1000 is reversed

    • -4

      happened about a year ago!

      • No it didn't.

        • Ok depends on the source. So many ways to circumvent Gerry. Compared aircons and Gerrys could make small meat out of JBGG jokers.

  • +7

    I only ever shop there when there's a deal on that screws Gerry Harvey over. Eg, the amex $100 off a purchase over $400 deal - got them to price match JB Hifi's $469 for the ps4-pro - with the $100 amex cash back, that made it $369 when HN wanted $549.

    Thanks, Gerry!

    • I did a similar thing with the switch.

      Amazon had it for 399.

      Got HN to agree to price match and add $1. then got the $100 back from Amex.

    • I do that too. Asus 11000 AX router for 450 equivalent after cash back.

  • +1

    Hardly Normal Chat is hopeless. Instore just as bad. Tried getting them to price match an item and they said it was lower than their buy price. WTF. They offered a discount, but no where near what the other store could offer even with postage. Mind you also the sale was WA Retravision and I am in Melbourne. I said to Chat. That's ill just get it at the other store.

    The end is coming Mr Gerry. Sorry to say.

  • +5

    Good on ya,HN responsible for 10% GST on OS products. #MetoHN

  • +14

    HN doesnt give a shit about you people here. They certainly dont want people like me buying an $850 laptop for $450… I will gladly do that.

    What keeps HN afloat is all the normal mums and dads buying furniture whitegoods consumer electronics consoles at FULL Price and with extended warranty…

    I had a mate who worked there. Heaps of people from say… Penrith.. who buy a 55" brand name TV, console and half a dozen full priced games on extended warranty maybe even flexirent it… this is their clientele.

    Same with JB.

    These places are built on people who dont come to ozbargain.

    • +3

      I have some friends parents who are like that. Their TV gave up on them and without a second thought, they just instinctively went to Hardly Normal. They paid about $5,500 for their new TV

      I showed them that if they had have done even a slight bit of homework, they could have gotten it for $3,200, and with a lot of homework, it would have been under $3k.

      • +4

        Its because some people think that when their TV goes bang or they need a new BYOD laptop for Jimmy then they need to get one NOW.

        I think its fairly obvious that if you have a fridge go bang then you need to get one pronto but that doesnt mean you buy a $3k Samsung two door with water dispenser and internet access and yet for some people, they gotta have it because their old one doesnt cut it any more.

        Its also how many people work with cars. Even in my own family when a car goes over 3yrs business lease and they need a new one then they go to a dealer and get a new one TODAY because you know, gotta have new wheels.

        Not like chumps here like you and me who soldier on with an old monitor (for example) and then stumble across a cheap Samsung 27" On special for $250 and then snap it up.

      • What TV? How can you save $2.3k just on the TV, surely there was other stuff in the transaction? Looking at a few different random models, all the main players have basically the same prices while the 'online only' retailers that most people have never heard of are typically only a few hundred cheaper.

        • This was a few years ago and it what I found out at the time was that it was a superseded model. For memory, it was a Samsung (can’t recall what model) and they bought it because they had Samsung phones, think Galaxy S3 era.

          Anyway, the TV had been superseded with a newer, better model and Hardly Normal still had the original RRP sticker on the TV. They walked in and just blindly just paid the sticker price without doing their homework. If they did their homework, places like Bing Less/Good Guys etc, all had these models on “run out” as old stock. From memory, the newer model was cheaper than the old model buy quite a considerable margin as well as the RRP price was some 12 to 18months old on the model that they bought.

          Their excuse for just blindly paying was; “we just needed a new tv and we don’t have time to shop around or compare prices and HN had what we needed at the time.”

      • My old TV died. I spent about a week watching tv through my PC monitor while I found a bargain. 33% off. It ain't hard you just gotta relax, not rush into it. Plus, ozbargain has taught me so much stuff about this stuff. This website has saved me hundreds and hundreds of dollars. Sometimes I mention it to friends, they kinda shrug their shoulders. Their loss.

      • And they probably could have repaired the old TV for $200

        • Oh, come one. That just makes too much sense…

          • +1

            @pegaxs: Indeed. I know a few of this type as well.

            20c fuse blew in the oven? Better remodel the kitchen!

    • Hey, don't throw JB under the Gerry bus.
      Good deals and no Gerry!

    • +1

      So why did Gerry push for GST on all overseas purchases? Why does he keep whinging about people buying from overseas if there are so many people who have no clue shopping at his stores?

      • -1

        Do you folks think it's fair or unfair to have to pay taxes?

        • That is a very broad question that is not relevant to the discussion at hand.

  • -6

    Coming back to the topic..I NEVER buy full price from JB, GG or HN. Problem with this laptop is that HP doesn’t even sell it on its own website (its a spectre with OLED screen) where GG HN and JB have ready stocks. And even then, I compare prices with USA prices to ensure we’re not being ripped off by the manufacturers! Same thing for cars, I make sure that when I buy one, that our on the road price is in the same ballpark as that of overseas.

  • +1

    What really astounds me is people are surprised HN won’t price beat their deals. It’s a fairly well known phenomenon.

  • +1

    Price match is also at the discretion of each store manager, margins on some PC’s can be very slim. Better chance of getting extended warranty extras than a price match. As mentioned previously financing is where the money is made.

    • +1

      Which is exactly the reason why if I do any financing, I get it with an existing card I already have, at the reduced sale price. This is useful for Apple stuff where it’s hard to find discounts. Also no point in me getting extended warranty, I turn over computing stuff way too much.

      • HN also have to be selected to sell certain Apple products (flagship stores often near major shopping centres or in the city). Often there is no discount unless it’s a city store or old stock.

        Fair point about the warranty, I’ve found I’ve needed it in the past (uni student) when laptops died just after warranty period - straight swap for a new one.

  • +1

    Well done. Actually I find Harvey Norman useful sometimes. They don't have a store near me, but any as of theirs JB Hi-Fi is happy to price match as long as it is in stock at one of the closest stores and I can walk to JB Hi-Fi and back and check out any 7-eleven, hungry jacks, Coles or IGA markdowns. Pretty good setup and don't have to go near any officious HN bleep.

  • +6

    Harvey Norman is a bad person. Also the stores are always more expensive than competitors. I don't know why anyone shops there. They don't care about prince?

    • Yobbo Gerry would not know but his "greedy" Katie loves siphoning dough for her bitchy clothes…

    • +9

      care about prince?

      RIP 1958-2016.

  • +9

    I find Harvey Norman very useful.

    I go there, get their best price, and then go elsewhere to buy knowing what the worst rip off price is.

    I'll never forget the way Gerry Harvey cried his eyes out and then used his influence to get the 10% added to all purchases from overseas.

    • Yeah, as if thousands of people were whitegoods from overseas instead of from his stores; what a buffoon…

    • Now you're having a cry over having to pay taxes.

  • +1

    Many years ago, I worked at a HN store…for three weeks.
    Best part of that job was Tim Fariss strolled in one morning. Had a chat and got his autograph.

    • At least someone knows who he is :)

      Did a google to find out .

  • +9

    Many years ago companies like HP would have Harvey Norman only model numbers. So exact identical laptops sold in different stores, but the Harvey Norman one was only sold in their stores with different model number compared to what the competitors sold. This way price matching was never possible. On top of Gerry Harvey's GST whinge, I can't even be bothered to go into a store anymore.

    • -2

      In my case it was different , I asked HP and they said they didn’t even have that spec on sale on their website. Rubbish distribution model, and I would buy a Dell if I could, but the spectre is the only 13 inch ultrabook on the market with that sweet Samsung OLED screen.

  • +13

    What I felt was most galling is that Gerry went on a rant about how consumers were importing all their stuff from china off ebay.

    Its ok when he does it though!

  • +11

    I go to Harvey Norman for their $150 HDMI cables.

    • I go hh/ow to price match umart which is down the road from hh. Up until they won't match umart because "price is below cost price". This was couple of years ago.

    • that price is like pee"nuts"

    • Random story. We got a shipload of screens for work and were throwing out the unused packaging. I find a pile of brand new HDMI cables in the bin… in the friggen bin… my colleague realised we were using DP and just and chucked the HDMI's out. I was shocked. My boss agreed with him - we don't need them, chuck em.

      HDMI cables are now disposable apparently. Think about that next time you're considering a $15 HDMI cable in the store.

      (I grabbed them from the bin and put them in the storeroom anyway)

  • -1

    I laugh at people so triggered they gotta make a post online

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