Officeworks Model Numbers and Price Matching Frustrations

awaiko on 30/06/2022 - 11:52

I’ve just had a frustrating phone call with the OW help line and wanted to vent a little bit.

I’m looking to buy an Apple Watch Series 7 45mm. If you look at every retailer in Australia, that’s model number MKN53X/A. Except OW who have dropped the /A (leaving MKN53X only). As a result, as their listing matches no other retailer, and the customer rep I spoke to cheerfully said they’re unable to price match anyone else.

Thank you for listening to my vent. If anyone has some good advice, please let me know.

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Comments

  • JoeBogan on 30/06/2022 - 11:53

    Try a different rep again ?

    • awaiko on 30/06/2022 - 11:54
      +1

      Like, give it an hour, call back, and hope to get someone else? I can try that.

      • JoeBogan on 30/06/2022 - 11:55
        +5

        Yeah or better yet walk instore and try maybe?

    • HeWhoKnows on 01/07/2022 - 17:16
      -1

      Stop venting and listen to what OW said.
      End of story

  • Nugs on 30/06/2022 - 11:54
    +2

    "some good advice"
    buy from the shop you are trying to match.
    I understand that perhaps OW is closer, or you may have vouchers
    .

    • awaiko on 30/06/2022 - 11:56
      +2

      I am trying to be cheap here ;) OW do a 5% price beat which will work out to $29 or so. Not huge in the grand scheme of things, but worth a bit of fuss.

      • Jimothy Wongingtons on 30/06/2022 - 12:05
        +8

        The time used, and frustration gained wasn't worth just copping the $29?

        As member said above, try and go in-store if you are really keen.

        • awaiko on 30/06/2022 - 12:08
          +1

          Like I said, I wanted a bit of a vent. I’ll 100% cop the cost if I have to, I know that my time and energy levels aren’t worth the hassle. I’m going past an OW store tomorrow, and I’ll ask in-store, if they say no, fine, I’ll go elsewhere.

  • GG57 on 30/06/2022 - 12:01
    +1

    OW do the same with printers (or the printers that I was trying to compare). Slightly different model nos.

    • Jimothy Wongingtons on 30/06/2022 - 12:07
      +3

      Gets a bit tricky when it comes to hardware - hn/jb/gg etc purposely have some 'exclusive' lines which look almost identical - but have a very slight difference so you cant PM them - which I guess is fair play. In this case apple watch = apple watch, surely they would come from the 1 authorized agent/straight from apple?

    • djsweet on 30/06/2022 - 12:08
      +2

      Except with the printers the manufacturers actually print a slightly different model number on the box. In this case it is just miss-labelling on their website. Apple doesn’t have a special Apple Watch model just for Officeworks.

      • Daabido on 30/06/2022 - 12:11
        +3

        Yes, "mislabelling". Tell them you will go to ACA with the fact they are selling grey import versions ;-)

        Let Apple know too. They will get Tim Apple on it straight away.

        • AustriaBargain on 30/06/2022 - 13:32
          +2

          Going to ACA is such an overused threat in Australia that I doubt anyone takes it seriously anymore.

    • AustriaBargain on 30/06/2022 - 13:31

      Sometimes Officeworks get exclusive configurations of printers that really do have some very slight features different to the standard ones, I've also seen a model of printer that is standard in America but sold in Australia only under a unique model number through Officeworks.

    • reactor-au on 01/07/2022 - 10:17
      +1

      Some stores get brands to package "exclusive" models for them so as to avoid price matching and will to promote exclusivity. Often it maybe just a colour difference or different accessories.
      I've seen this first with mattress shops 15 years ago, same mattress just different label. Now it's anything from printers and vacuums to different/exclusive sized cereal boxes.

  • djsweet on 30/06/2022 - 12:10
    +13

    Go to the store and get the salesperson to locate the model number on the box. It will have the A on the end. Then they will have to pricematch as per their policy. But yeah, to save $29, I don’t think it’s worth it.

  • boomramada on 30/06/2022 - 12:16

    Office works price match is a hit and miss, sometimes phone is better sometimes in store is better.
    It's frustrating most of the time.

  • BewareOfThe Dog on 30/06/2022 - 12:26
    +3

    Does whomever you are pricematching have the barcode on the site?
    Check out specifications at HN and it has BC: 194252593929 which is the same as what is on the [OW Site](https://www.officeworks.com.au/shop/officeworks/p/apple-watc…. HN uses the Suppliers part number 5329186 which indicates it was supplied by Ingram Micro in Australia.

    JB also have the same BC

    If the unit was a different Model number, it would have a different Barcode.

    The /A missing is most likely a Typo, or deliberate to avoid price-matching. Kogan have the cheapest price, but I couldn't see the BC on there.

    Best of Luck

  • dust on 30/06/2022 - 12:26
    +3

    This is by design so that you can't price beat. Bunnings does a similar thing with their model numbers.

  • Daabido on 30/06/2022 - 12:37
    +1

    I've sent an email to Officeworks to have it fixed. I will let you know when/if I receive a reply.

    • Daabido on 30/06/2022 - 13:47
      +1

      I got a reply.

      "We have just received your message.We’re experiencing an extremely high number of queries and an extended timeframe in our reply. We apologise for the delay, rest assured we are working to get back to you as soon as we can."

      • solidussnake on 30/06/2022 - 17:31

        Yeah it's EOFY won't get a reply for a while lol

  • prodrome on 30/06/2022 - 13:25
    +2

    This is a scam that was covered by The Checkout when it was on air on the ABC. Why not just buy from the better store and not give business to Officeworks?

  • AustriaBargain on 30/06/2022 - 13:28
    +2

    You'd think with something like an Apple Watch, which has a very clear and universal global configurations, would be dead easy to price match. Like a total no brainer no matter what the model number says.

  • ronnknee on 30/06/2022 - 13:55
    +1

    I'd probably get them to get someone to physically check what the part number says on the box. Could be entered incorrectly on the website.

  • Presence on 30/06/2022 - 14:37
    +1

    Yep i've had the same before with a Motorola phone. Its an absolute scam, and some staff have a really damn cranky attitude about price matching.

    It's nice for everyone to say to buy it from the cheaper store, but with their claimed 'price matching' OW normally IS the cheaper store, and have lots of location with long opening hours.

  • GordonD on 30/06/2022 - 14:39
    +2

    This is why Officeworks gets suppliers to provide them with products with a model number unique to them. So that on one hand they can advertise that they'll price match to get customers in, then to not have to do it.

    • jv on 30/06/2022 - 14:44
      +1

      This is why Officeworks gets suppliers to provide them with products with a model number unique to them.

      That is only for a very small number of items…

    • BewareOfThe Dog on 30/06/2022 - 15:04

      I think you will find a lot of companies use their own codes. Some companies such as HN and DM use their Suppliers Code, as it makes it easier for Re-ordering purposes, especially at store level.

  • jv on 30/06/2022 - 14:45
    +2

    If anyone has some good advice, please let me know.

    Try instore.

    Also, look at the physical box instore and verify what product code Apple has printed on it…

  • AgentXKnight on 30/06/2022 - 17:59
    +6

    I am a former Officeworks employee and they do not have different part/model numbers for Apple stuff and you should just explain that the A at the end of Model number generally means Australian version. So get better at explaining that there is no difference it just their website not having the extra details and other than gray imports which are different model numbers which is due to Apple and not Officeworks having different products for different countries.

    Also if you go in store sometimes the Officeholders internal model/part number details on their systems is correct. Where the Officeworks website details are not always accurate as it is generally copied and pasted from details from the person in charge of getting the stock the Officeworks buyer/assistant buyer and they do not always double check the information sheets provided by suppliers or they give the wrong details to the website team. I have noticed on occasion that Officeworks sometimes copies and paste the wrong model number and if you are in store you can easily check the box for the correct part number.

  • artxty on 30/06/2022 - 19:26
    +2

    The last time I price matched with OF was when TGG was lower by $1 for their Macbook Pro M1 512gb, so I got the 5% price beat discount.
    I just called them and tell them over the phone that I want a price beat for a MBP 512gb and TGG was cheaper and after they check it they just ask me for my post code and nearest OW was 30mins drive and they said no problem they can ship it for free or i can pick it up, and the lady already got me at the word “free” so free shipping.

    I always call on the last hour before their closing time and i make sure im very polite over the phone as being arrogant and sounding like a karen wont take you anywhere.

    I use pricehipster and staticice for checking prices.

    • awaiko on 30/06/2022 - 21:49

      Thanks for the advice on trying at the end of the day, I’ll try that next time. I had all the information at hand and was as polite as possible. This thread has been interesting, and I’ll use some of the tips and tricks next time.

  • Easyteas85 on 01/07/2022 - 11:33

    That sounds like a bullshit strategy by OW…
    Hmm, check specs, of identical I would be asking why and complaining.

  • The Hawk on 01/07/2022 - 15:07
    +1

    I've had pretty good luck in price matching, even things that were hundreds of dollars less. Got my Mavic Mini 2 for under $750 when they (and most) were listing the kit for $999 (back before the new one was released).

    Most of the reason I use Officeworks is returns. They ask very few questions and generally accept things without hassle (should you ever need to). Being local is just a bonus to get you that instant satisfaction with 5% to boot.

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