I can't believe these places on the internet that sell things at or below cost that normal shops can get them at. People find this price and go to their local store and say HAY WHY CAN'T YOU DO IT FOR THIS PRICE?! Well they have a store to support and they don't work for free. DO YOU WORK FOR FREE? Well why do you expect everybody else to?
[/end rant]

Sorry guys I just get so worked up sometimes when people do this. I just do not get it! I understand that you want to get the best deal you can and I understand that but sometimes you need to look at the bigger picture. Such as service/return policy/shipping charges/customer loyalty(if there is such a thing any more).

Personally I would rather pay more get it(what ever it is) with good customer service, the company is solid and not going anywhere, will benefit somebody I know, less hassle, piece of mind that if there is a problem it can get fixed with minimal problems.

I think when people find out how much stuff really costs they loose their heads and want it at that price! Ever ask how much it "costs" truely to get Microsoft CD, or a TV, or even a computer? You would be shocked to find that out but stuff like you never see at dealers cost.

Yea yea bitch bitch bitch guess that is why I don't like retail all that much.

 

Perhaps because they're cheapskates?

 

As the saying goes, "A Fool and his money soon part".

/Begin Consumer Rant
WHY do we want things cheap? Because we work hard for our money. Working sucks, nobody makes enough money.

WHY should I give you, or anyone MORE than I have to? For service and support? Sure, if its going to be something that NEEDS service and support. But you know what? I DO NOT WANT anything that requires service and support. If it doesn't work right and for a loooong time, then keep it cuz I don't want it.

I'm mostly referring to electronics here.. as far as 'warranty', etc... BLAH! Credit cards provide exxxxtensive protection againt the seller. If this is a problem, perhaps you shouldn't sell something that breaks? And if it does, >I< am protected, and thus so is my investment.

Customer loyalty? Hmm... So-- I loyally pay you more than I should, especially now when times are tough and jobs are hard to find? Good service, quality, and reliable products bring customer loyalty, not high-prices.

If selling items at competitive rates isn't providing the income a vendor needs to stay in business, perhaps they should sell different products because some how others are staying in business.

As far a warranty... again, Credit cards, and the manifacturer will provide all thats needed for 1year (sometimes 2yrs depending on the credit card). They DO AND WILL credit your account if the merchant screws you over. And, I should pay you MORE when I'm paying 12-18% on a creditcard for that purchase to begin with? I think not.

For >ME< its all about quality. If the quality of the product is IDENTICAL, yes, I will be it wherever its cheapest. However, some products are either superior, or unique (eg. Muz for example). He not only provides great customer serivice, but a unique, quality product, and he backs those products by replacing them if they fail, and recalls defective ones at his cost.

Furthermore, people have copied Muz (the leather center console to be specific), and sell it cheaper. Guess what-- that guy is selling center consoles... Loyalty to Muz? Well-- yes and no. He still sells quality products, and people buy them... BUT people now also buy the other center console. If is higher quality, I don't know... and depending on the application (eg. My S2K get the BEST quality), I would pay for that quality... If Muz sold Auto-Zone Center-Consoles $20 more than AutoZone...guess what, Autozone would have my business. I think there's a balance to be found there.

/End Consumer Rant

-- Aaron

 

there is no pricing power anymore....... we live in a deflationary economy.

 

When you have only a virtual storefront you can sell products at less cost due to not having the overheads and associated costs of a physical premises and staff.

Personally I prefer not to purchase items that have been through 2-3 sets of hands and marked up by each of those people along the way making it more expensive than it is in the 'real' world. That to me seems ludicrous.

Having said that I agree with Pinky that it's unreasonable to expect things at cost from a consumer's point of view but certainly not unreasonable to expect to buy products cheaper off the net.

 

well put amartin! I research almost every large purchase I make on the net first. I then take that information to a store that I would prefer to do business with & ask them if they will meet the price. I would prefer to support the local economy, but not going to do it at my own expense. If they come close to the price I can get over the net, then I'll bite.....otherwise, I'm going for the best price I can get for my money.

 

that's why i haven't been paid by my own company in the past year.

that's why we try to differentiate ourselves with service.

that's why we don't normally carry domestic brand parts because they get whored out big time. Just look at AEM's prices (list vs. real world).

that's why i stay up till 2am answering PMs and emails.

that's why i get royally pissed at kids running a virtual store out of their college dorm who don't give a rats ass about the industry or customer service.

that's why we are developing our own products.

 

lots of legitimate businesses sell things close to, at, or below cost.

supermarkets for instance work on razor thin margins. economies of scale, supply chain optimization, minimizing operating costs, etc. can and do survive on just a couple percent points of profit. it's a viable model for everything from clothes to computers (witness Costco). we ought to expect these kinds of prices if we are willing to compromise service, ambience, and other frills.

many companies sell below cost as part of their business strategy. yes, this includes established retailers. Toys R Us used to sell diapers at a loss, but they'd put them in the back of the store and make you drag your kid through aisles and aisles of high-profit goods. It worked very well for them. Some supermarkets sell milk at a loss for the same reason.

video game console makers sell their consoles at cost because once they have you chained to their system, they'll make it back on the games that go with it. With their BELOW-COST XBox, Microsoft figures to break even after you buy 4.5 games. Gillette sells you their Mach 3 handle at a loss so you're stuck buying their blades at a ridiculous markup.

amazon.com started selling books at a loss to try to earn loyal customers who would come back willing to pay more for other products. although it's not looking so hot right now, it can and does work for many companies. of course not every product can be a store's loss leader. but the fact remains that selling below cost can be an effective long-term strategy.

it's your duty as a consumer to buy what you want at the lowest price available to you - regardless of whether it's above or below cost. if you don't want your "local economy" to suffer, then tell your mom & pop store to justify their higher prices by offering services above and beyond the lowballer. if they can't do that, they don't deserve to be in business. that's how capitalism works.

this is starting to remind me of the thread about people who blindly "buy american" cars, and now i'm getting all worked up.

 

Can you spell capitalism?

I'm a consumer who works very hard for what very little I receive. I love it when someone who makes several times more than I do gets on their high horse and complains about a person who is trying to save a buck or two.

Is it my fault I have an S2000 appetite on a Civic salary?

Just sign me off as the guy looking for the lowest cost option.

http://www.s2000online.com/forums/showthre...highlight=lease

 

One line to summarize the entire viewpoint ... Ethics of business? There is none in today's business world.