If a store’s scanner reflects a different price than the posted or advertised price, you should first bring the discrepancy to the attention of the sales clerk or store management. Many businesses have policies in place to immediately correct any discrepancies and reward customers that bring pricing errors to their attention. If you cannot get satisfaction from the business’s management, please call 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352) for assistance. Show
You scan the item; the price pops up but it's a different price than the one listed on the shelf. It happens and many of us can relate. So, does the store have to honor the price you saw on the shelf? Many states have pricing errors laws that side with you, the customer or consumer, forcing the store to give you the item at the lower price or free. North Carolina is not one of those states. In general, there’s no federal law requiring companies to honor a price that’s wrong on the shelf. There are laws against false or deceptive advertising, but if a company can show the pricing error was just that, an error or mistake, then it’s not false advertising. So, what can you do? Stephen Benjamin, Director of North Carolina’s Standard’s Division said contact them! Make a complaint about the item, have the date of purchase and they will inspect the store. “We look for overcharges and undercharges and we record both of those,” said Benjamin. Inspectors pick 50 to 100 items and if the store has more than two percent overcharges, they’re given a written warning and employees must fix the incorrect prices. Another inspection is done 30 days later and this time, 300 items are picked. If they fail again, they’re fined for every incorrect item. “Could be two items, could be 400 items. We’ve had candy bars sometimes and there’s hundreds of them and it’s 15 dollars per item,” Benjamin explained. 15 dollars...per item. Benjamin said at 12 to 16 stores in the state fail at least two inspections every year, which is down from a few years ago, when 30 to 40 stores were failing every year. Benjamin said it’s up to the store to decide what to do when a customer notices a wrong price. He recommends the store give the item to the customer at the lower price, as this is just good customer service. But, unfortunately, it’s not a requirement in North Carolina. If you want to make a complaint against a store for pricing errors or is you suspect false advertising, contact The North Carolina Standard’s Division at 919-707-3225. If you’re in the Piedmont-Triad, call 919-707-3230. You can also find more information on their website. Have you ever been staring at that awesome blender at Sam’s Club, dreaming of blending your fruit smoothie with ease, and notice the odd price tag of $125.01 and wonder how the heck they came up with that price? If you are normal, probably not. But after you read this article you’ll be checking every price tag you see because if you know what to look for, you can quickly determine if the price might go even lower or if it’s as low as it’s going to go. How? Well, many stores use an internal pricing system which shows you if an item has been marked down, if it will be marked down again, or if it’s a final markdown. You just gotta be able to crack the price tag code. Thanks to former employees and code crackers like me, you too can join the ranks of price tag checkers. Here are the details from some of your most popular retailers (in alphabetical order): American Eagle OutfittersIf you love the look and styles of the clothing at American Eagle Outfitters you’ll want to know the codes to make sure you’re getting the best deal. Here is what you need to know:
Best BuyI have been trying to crack the price tag code at Best Buy for a long time and finally think I made a breakthrough thanks to a thread on Lifehacker where a commenter left some intriguing info. Here is how it breaks down:
See Also: Best Buy Return Policy: 8 Things You MUST Know (Plus a Few Hacks Too!) BJ’s Wholesale ClubImage Credit: Valmg.com For my readers who live in the eastern United States, BJ’s Wholesale Club also has an internal pricing system that can help you score the best deal possible.
[Click to Print a Wallet Sized PDF Cheat-Sheet of the Price Codes] Dick’s Sporting GoodsThe pricing system at Dick’s is fairly straight forward and can be used to easily avoid paying full price. Here’s the 411:
Gap & Old NavyFor those of you who are not aware, Gap owns Old Navy and they share the same pricing model. Here is the skinny:
Home DepotThe Home Depot, with it’s cavernous aisles and sporadically dispersed orange apron patriots, has a very simple pricing system. Make sure you drop popcorn on the ground so you can work your way back to the front of the store after you have found your final markdown air compressor. Here is all you need to know:
See Also: 7 Highly Clever Ways to Save Money at The Home Depot JCPenneyI have new information from a store manger who wanted to stay anonymous. She gave me the info on the internal pricing system at JCPenney. Here is the scoop:
Kohl’sI was lucky enough to have a Kohl’s employee email me recently to give me the scoop. While Kohl’s does not have a consistent ending price for sale or clearance items you are able to look at the electronic shelf tag to determine what kind of deal you’re getting. Here is what you need to know:
See Also: Kohl’s Return Policy: Here’s How It Works + Tips for Success Lands’ EndThe quality of the clothing at Lands’ End makes it a favorite for many families. If you know the code at Lands’ End you can always ensure you’re getting the best deal possible.
Office DepotOffice Depot keeps their pricing strategy a little closer to their vest. Although I did just get some great info from a current Office Depot store manager. Here is what we now know:
PetsmartThe next time you enter Petsmart you’ll want to pay attention to the cents as well to make sure you’re getting a good deal. Here are the keys to remember:
Pier 1 ImportsAnother retailer where I had success cracking the code was at Pier 1 Imports. Thanks to a helpful employee I was able to decipher the price code structure and what you need to know to get the best deal possible. Here is how it breaks down at Pier 1:
[Click to Print a Wallet Sized PDF Cheat-Sheet of the Price Codes] Sam’s ClubImage Credit: Fat Wallet.com Thanks to loyal reader Chris for dropping the 411 on the pricing system at Sam’s Club. Here is what you need to know:
See Also: 7 Ways to Shop at Sam’s Club Without a Membership SearsSears has a pricing system that can really save you money if you use it correctly. When making a significant purchase be sure to buy only when the price is at clearance or final markdown. This is especially true when buying electronics, patio furniture and lawn mowers. NOTE: This only works in-store and not at Sears.com.
Target (aka Tar-zhay)Target, the favorite store for those who think they’re above Walmart, is a good place to put your code cracking skills to the test. Thanks to Snopes for helping set the record straight with Target price tags. Here is what you need to know in order to get the best deal:
Target marks down items by the following increments, 15%, 30%, 50%, 70% and 90% off. Clothing and Shoes are marked down at 30%, 50% and then 70% (and then go salvage). Seasonal Items goes 30, 50, 70, and only the non-”big name” items go to 90. Everything else goes 15, 30, 50, 70 and then salvage. (Thanks Jen for the updated tip!) Typically an item will stay at the current markdown percentage for 10-14 days before getting marked down further. See Also: 7 Target Clearance Tips: Learn How to Save BIG at Tarzhay TJ MaxxThanks to an anonymous TJ Maxx employee, I got the inside scoop on their clearance price tags:
See Also: TJ Maxx Return Policy: Tips and Tricks to Make It Work For You Ask the Reader: Have you noticed any other internal pricing strategies that retailers use? If so, what are they? Let’s make this the definitive shoppers guide to cracking the price tag code. I look forward to your comments. Bonus! – Printable ‘Crack the Price Tag Code’ Cheat Sheet for your Wallet or PurseTo print cheat sheet, or save it to your computer, do one of the following:
Final Note:This article is for informational purposes only and is constantly being updated. If you know of any changes that need to be made, or have information on new stores, please let me know. Thanks! By Kyle James When you greet a customer how much of the communication that they receive comes from the words you use?You also may want to consider shaking the person's hand or moving from behind the counter to greet the customer. This is your chance to leave a lasting impression. When we communicate in person, 55 percent of the impact is made with body language, 38 percent with tone and seven percent with words.
Which of the following is the best way to tell a customer that the product they want will not be available until next month?Negative language: "I can't get you that product until next month. It is back-ordered and unavailable at this time." Positive language: "That product will be available next month. I can place the order for you right now and make sure that it is sent to you as soon as it reaches our warehouse!"
What's the best response to a customer who asks to speak to your manager quizlet?Terms in this set (16) According to Myra, what is a good response to a customer who asks to talk to a manager? Offer to assist: "I respect your request to talk to a manager. Will you give me a chance to assist you first?
What is the most effective way to determine a customers price range for an item?what is the most effective way to determine a customers price range for an item? listen closely to the customers responses to questions regarding price.
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