What Would You Do if a Store Reduces Price 2 Days Later?

So I purchased an item for over $1000.
2 days later the store has advertised an online discount of $50 on items over $1000.
The item I have is completely boxed and in original packaging.
So I can effectivaly return the item and then place a new order with the discount and collect it.
Now I am too embarrased to do it at the same store, so if i do do it, i would place the new order at another location.
Which means I drive and burn at least $10 in petrol.
Instead of all this hassle, I would be happy if I explain this to the store manager and they simply give me a $50 discount coupon for say a $300 purchase.
But I feel I may get more pushback from the store and it may just be more convenient to return and place a new order.
What would you do in this case?

If you'd let it be. Interested to know where do you draw the line, what amount is worth it? If the new discount promo was $100, would you for a $90 profit?

Poll Options

  • 26
    Return the item, and then place an order online.
  • 12
    Call/discuss with the store to give you a giftcard.
  • 102
    Let it be, its just $40-50 on a $1000 purchase.

Comments

  • +6

    Which means I drive and burn at least $10 in petrol.

    and your actual time for a round trip, and time returning the 1st item… which surely is at least worth at least $30 or more?

    ps, if the store is JB, they have a Two Week Price Guarantee policy (at least they did still earlier this year).

    • +2

      :( how do i put a price on it? I have struggled to put a label on my time.
      In my head, if I can watch a 2hr movie on Netflix on a Saturday, I can instead do this and earn myself $30.

      • +5

        id rather just watch the 2 hour netflix movie but thats up to you.

        • Thanks. The reason I posted is, I myself feel my bargain hunting is becoming too penny wise poung foolish. But struggling to self regulate.

          • @archieduh: I'm surprised so many people are voting "let it go", but I did too. I thought I was getting old and just don't care anymore, but maybe it just isn't worth it.

            • @SlickMick: I think it's weighing up the cost and time it takes to get that $30 back, personally I don't think it's worth the effort for such a small one off amount.

      • +1

        :( how do i put a price on it? I have struggled to put a label on my time.

        The fact we are here shows that none of us really know how to do this.

        • 100%. I stayed off OzB for 2 months but couldn't help myself when Click Frenzy launched.

      • +1

        it's true. if it's time you'd spend doing shit all, then you might as well go return it.

        even though your logic is sound re "just give me a discount and save us all the hassles'" , they ain't gonna do it

        • Thanks.. i did call and they refused. So sleeping over it.

          • +1

            @archieduh: Oh, that changes everything. Now I would order a new one and return the old while I pick up the new.

    • Thanks. So this store does have 14 day policy but the item price has not changed. Its just that there is a new Promo offer.
      You think if I call them up, they will try to work something out?

      • +1

        you can try.
        they might offer to just do a refund and recharge?
        back when i was in retail thats what i would have done - just not worth the drama if customer arcs up and its good customer service ensuring possible future business.

    • +2

      and your actual time for a round trip, and time returning the 1st item… which surely is at least worth at least $30 or more?

      Sir this is ozbargain. People here will spend hours of their life to save $5 on something and ride that high for a month

  • Check if the store has a policy, otherwise drop it

    • They do have a return policy for sure, I called them and they said will get a credit note (which I hope to discuss with them to provide an online giftcard option as I ordered online).

  • +9

    Ring them up, tell them the price has dropped and ask for a credit/refund on the difference. If they say no, let it drop. If they say yes, cool.

    • Thanks. Its just that technically price hasnt dropped, they just have a new promo code. My gut feel says, no one will give credit for that :/

      • +4

        Only one way to find out and it'll take 2 minutes.

        • +1

          You got me. Don't know why it's just hard to pick up the phone and talk.

          • -1

            @archieduh: You'd make a good leader in right wing politics.

          • +1

            @archieduh: I work with people on the phones all day and it's a common occurrence that they'll have enough bad calls in a day that they don't want to pick it up again and they have to force themselves to do so.

            I reckon that happens to me as well, even though most calls are fine there's a level of apprehension about talking to a stranger because there's so many dicks in the world and a chance I'll genuinely feel worse off for having had a conversation.

            Anyway, completely baseless psychology aside, I feel you.

  • What Would You Do if a Store Reduces Price 2 Days Later?

    I would go and find an online bargain forum and ask other users for their advice.

    • Yeah, did that already. And……

  • Wheres the 'get on with life' option in the poll?

    • +1

      Thats the 3rd option.

      • If it's an option, you should have taken it. Now the comments here will eat into your brain.And resurface now & then.

  • +3

    It doesn't hurt to call and ask.

    • It seems it does for the next generation.. they'd rather post a poll and waste even more time

    • Reply: "Sorry new transations only".

  • +1

    The thread and the subsequent knot in your guts over FOMO exemplifies how shallow humanity has become.

    • +2

      Thanks. It's not FOMO. The F is reality.
      More like Hurt of missing out

  • +1

    I have tried asking once, they said no but less effort than a refund and repurchase on a small amount. Depends on how much your time and effort is worth to you.

  • +2

    Unless it's a store that does easy returns or refunds the price difference then just move on.

    I had to buy a new fridge on monday as mine died in the middle of the night and click frenzy happened the next day, it sucks but nothing you can do.

    • Thanks for sharing. Just asking - if it was your phone that you surely do not have an urgent need and can wait a week, still unpacked in the shopping back, and you know you can drive over the next few days to return & then repurchase. Would you do it?
      I know something large and urgent can not wait.

  • +1

    I would be an adult and call the store…

    • I guess I have to take the plunge.

    • +1

      An assistant should be tasked with this kind of adulting

    • Reply: "Sorry new transations only". :(

      • +1

        They definitely want you to waste your time and theirs. Do it. :)

  • And if the price had gone up?

    • Then I would have been happy and not have posted anything.

      • But then the store manager would have posted here and asked us if they should ping you more$$.

        • Or not.. if they want me to be happy and shop more and put more profit in their pockets in the long run

  • +1

    I never return items already received/shipped if not defective. Nothing to do with the dollar value (or drawing the line).

    • You're a great customer.

      So if you ordered a new phone for say $1400 and then next day its $1000, you would still not do it? $400 just to refuse delivery or take to the store?
      There has to be some dollar value, otherwise I guess I am just not built for it (or don't earn enough).

      • +1

        No i don't do it because i would be happy with the price if i decide to pay for it

      • +1

        If it's a big chain store then who are you hurting by returning it and buying again? $50 less profit for Gerry Harvey and his shareholders, who cares.

  • crickets

  • +1

    I bought a camera for around $600 and a few days later the price dropped. I emailed JB Hifi and they refunded me the difference. Pays to ask. I asked hoping for a good outcome, but had they said too bad, I would have just forgotten about it.

    • My title isn't correct, the description has the detail.
      They created a sitewide promo.
      So it isn't that the price decreased but just that there is a promo.
      I called and they said that is for new transactions only.

  • +1

    It depends on the store.
    Some store do have a price protection policy like JB or Officeworks.
    Some store like HN is just 💩.
    Some depends on the manager, like TGG, try to ask politely and it should be fine.

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