What do you think about stores that don't post prices on products?

[tankman1989]

I just visited a previous employer who specializes in high end A/V equipment and was shocked that many of he items didn't have price tags on them and we used to have pricing on all the products. I haven't really been shopping in the last 5 years for stuff like this so I don't know if there is a trend for this kind of stuff or what.? I thought maybe the prices change so often that it was easier to not list them. I don't think they are a high volume store as they do higher end products.

Is this kind of thing normal?

 

[RichmondTech]

Since you already have a relationship with them, why don't you just ask?

While I don't have everything in my shop tagged yet, I'm getting pretty close.

 

[PCX]

To be honest with you, I have been so busy that I have not had a chance to do it myself. I personally have everything priced on the site, so I just look it real quick.

 

[DCGPX]

I just visited a previous employer who specializes in high end A/V equipment and was shocked that many of he items didn't have price tags on them and we used to have pricing on all the products. I haven't really been shopping in the last 5 years for stuff like this so I don't know if there is a trend for this kind of stuff or what.? I thought maybe the prices change so often that it was easier to not list them. I don't think they are a high volume store as they do higher end products.

Is this kind of thing normal?

More than likely a sales pitch so once you ask how much you've engaged in the start of a possible sale.

A few shops near me do this. I personally find it annoying.

 

[PC-Man]

When shopping around one would always want to see the price on the products otherwise just move to the next door neighbour.

 

[sassenach]

Q: What do you think about stores that don't post prices on products?
A: They've just lost a potential customer

 

[Carl]

When shopping around one would always want to see the price on the products otherwise just move to the next door neighbour.

EXACTLY!
If there is an item or two without price-tags I could over look it - but I am probably not going to ask about them either.

I wonder why there's no price, are they trying to figure out how much they can get from me -vs a "Displayed Price" or what? - Easier to try elsewhere.

Depending on what I'm buying - I shop - get model numbers and hit Google Shopping - Found Laptops at Office Depot $300 Over what I could get on-line for same thing. (OK - That's just me and I'd rather spend a few minutes shopping around and save some money)

 

[Xander]

The computer store closest to me has only about 50-75% of their items priced. Drives me nuts.

 

[twincountycomputers]

Q: What do you think about stores that don't post prices on products?
A: They've just lost a potential customer

well said, I can't stand places like that, I think car dealers should be required by law to post prices on all new and used vehicles, and not just the fake invoice price that they leave in new vehicle windows

 

[Slaters Kustum Machines]

Q: What do you think about stores that don't post prices on products?
A: They've just lost a potential customer

+1, additionally I think they must not want to scare customers off because the prices are too high-whether worth it or not.

 

[mason]

hard question i think,

Price all your items up in 1 way is good - customers walk in see the price and buy it or if its to much for them they walk away. (if they dont talk to you - maybe you cant sell it them?)

if its not priced up. its a good way to get talking to your customers but on the other hand customers maybe shy and dont want to talk or ask for the price and just walk out really hard to answer that one.

 

[Peaceful]

"If you have to ask, you can't afford it"

 

[abyssinian]

When I see prices are not posted, I'm done with that establishment.

 

[joydivision]

Common in the HIFI shops in the UK. I just find it extremely arrogant. If I have to ask how much that DAC is I know I cannot afford it, and just pop to Richersounds or Superfi instead.

 

[Appleby]

Not putting price tags is a guaranteed way to not get those "impulse" buyers. "Hey that's a good price for that item...I should buy it." Not going to happen if they have to ask what it costs.

 

[brock029]

I don't know whats worse, not seeing the prices or seeing that the prices are waaayyyy higher then what I could get from websites like newegg. I recently bought a new processor and dvd-drive. If I would have bought them from a local chain store (they have 3 stores in san antonio and 1 in austin) I would have spent about $100 more which is crazy...if it was maybe $20 more I would have bought them from there so I didn't have to wait for shipping.

 

[JAbbott]

I have found this has become increasingly popular at establishments. I have not seen it in the hardware field yet, but have seen it at restaurants (online menus) and bars for instance. I ordered a beer at a bar the other day that didn't have prices on their menu and asked the bartender and he replied "I don't know about 4 or something". So I'm like "well is it 4 or something more?". I think consumers have the right to know prices before the purchase so they do not feel uncomfortable asking because people may think they are cheap. Yes, I am cheap but I don't mind paying $4 for a beer if I'm getting entertainment. But if I have to pay $6 then I'm moving on because your prices are way to high for the city I am in.

All in all I think it is just a disrespectful practice towards the customers and you will lose my business if you continue to do this after I know I've asked for pricing at least once.

 

[Nerm]

We actually do this for a few reasons.

1.) Prices in our industry change so frequently it is just easier for us.
2.) We are not a browse and buy type establishment. Each customer gets personal sales/tech assistance. We are not Staples and don't want to be.
3.) If a potential thief doesn't know the price of items it makes it more difficult for them to target only the expensive items.

 

[SprinterTech-WI]

I don't know whats worse, not seeing the prices or seeing that the prices are waaayyyy higher then what I could get from websites like newegg. I recently bought a new processor and dvd-drive. If I would have bought them from a local chain store (they have 3 stores in san antonio and 1 in austin) I would have spent about $100 more which is crazy...if it was maybe $20 more I would have bought them from there so I didn't have to wait for shipping.

Obviously you don't have a shop to run..... online prices are substantially different from in-store pricing...... We try and price everything to be competitive with the big box stores around here..... but some things will be higher, keep in mind stores have to not only pay all the overhead but also deal with returns, and warranty/doa issues etc.... $20 on 2 items is not an acceptable markup.......

 

[Omnikillz]

I think that the recent hike in hard drive prices would probably speak towards this issue, when considering the cost of an item a seller uses the price at which he acquired it along with current expected retail price. For instance I have 5 1tb hard drives that I got at Cost A prior to the tsunami in the phillipines if I post Price A based on that cost then I am then forced to increase my price just to cover the new increased cost of that item, the perception of the customer is that I am being greedy and jacking up my prices when in fact I am being forced to increase price due to increased cost. Also since this type of event is impossible to predict a business owner cannot keep their prices high because then they would be unable to sell anything. So in essence not labeling prices on items seems shady it could possibly just be a business owner trying to protect his reputation.