Bad for business?

[AndyM]

Maybe I'm the only one who does this...

I like to shop around before I make a decision. Sometimes I look at websites, sometimes I look in the newspaper. The price of something is an important factor when shopping, but if it's not listed in the advertisement (online or in print), then I figure that business isn't worth my time and I move on.

For example, I am currently looking at houses and mortgages in a different area from where I live now. Looking at house ads in the local newspaper, there are some realtors who don't put the asking price of the house in the ad. I am looking for a house in a certain range, but my philosophy now is if they can't put the price in the ad, I'll skip right past it. The same with banks... there are a few banks who don't put their current rates on their websites. I don't want to waste my work day calling around while I am supposed to be working, so I do my shopping around on the internet in the evenings. If the bank doesn't list their rates on their website, I move on to the next one.

I figure if the business wants my business, they should give me the information I'm looking for in their advertisement.

Are there others who do this?

 

[Melensdad]

I pretty much shop in a very similar way!

Price is important for many of my buying decisions.

 

[OhioTC18]

Not just price, but details as well. Today I saw 3 Sharp LCD TV's advertised at 3 widely different prices. Why can't they put in the ad that this one is 720p and this one is 1080p.
After researching the manufacturers website, I found what I wanted. I know most of it is to get you into their establishment and then make a sale, but I want to know up front what I'm looking at. As in Andy's case, I see a lot of ads on realtor's websites and newspaper ads without a price. If they won't show it, maybe I can't afford it.

 

[AndyM]

Not just price, but details as well. Today I saw 3 Sharp LCD TV's advertised at 3 widely different prices. Why can't they put in the ad that this one is 720p and this one is 1080p.
After researching the manufacturers website, I found what I wanted. I know most of it is to get you into their establishment and then make a sale, but I want to know up front what I'm looking at.

Another example is the electronics chain who shows the photo of the item, but in the spot where the price normally is, it says "come in to find out our low price". There are some places that not only do that in their print ads, but on their websites as well.

I just chalk that up as a store that is not worth my time and move on.


Do these businesses realize they are losing sales due to these practices, or are we the only ones who do this?

 

[OhioTC18]

Do these businesses realize they are losing sales due to these practices, or are we the only ones who do this?

I compare on the internet all the time. If they won't show the price, click, I go on to the next retailer.

 

[OhioTC18]

The same with banks... there are a few banks who don't put their current rates on their websites.

What rate you pay will be determined by your credit score. My credit union posts their rates from ABC to XYZ. It depends on where they want to put you.

 

[urednecku]

I also don't have time to waste. I figure if retailers won't put the price where I can see it, it must be higher than most in the area.

 

[bczoom]

I'll pile on and say that I move on if a price isn't listed.

Andy, check out www.realtor.com for house hunting. It has everything in the MLS including pricing and such that may be omitted in the newspaper.

 

[Doc]

I shop much the same. On vehicles in particular if they don't list the price, that means it I can't afford it. I've verified that a time or two and now don't even bother.

As for banks not posting their rates on the web site. I can understand that. Rates change daily or weekly. When you contract out your web site you pay for every update. It would be a daily job keeping it exactly correct and if the person entering the rate typo's it, that could cause the bank much more trouble than it's worth.

The housing market is weird right now. So many people in upside down loans. Prices are going down instead of up. Why advertise a price that might be lowered before the people see it. It's a decision for the Realtors but if I were home shopping today I would not rule out a house just because the Realtor did not list the price. True the house might be priced way high, but they might also be ready to come down, or it could be your dream house and worth every penny they are asking.

Hopefully the link Brian provided might be a huge help to anyone home shopping. Good find Brian.

Andy, are you shopping in my neck of the woods by any chance? If I can help with pictures of anything just give me a shout and a few day notice.

 

[AndyM]

Hopefully the link Brian provided might be a huge help to anyone home shopping. Good find Brian.

Yep... I spend a lot of time on Realtor.com. There are also a couple of real estate companies in that area that put the MLS listings on their websites, but with more detail than Realtor.com.

Andy, are you shopping in my neck of the woods by any chance? If I can help with pictures of anything just give me a shout and a few day notice.

Actually, no. We were looking to move down that way for years, but with the new baby and another one on the way, we decided to get closer to my wife's family in western PA. I'm actually going to be moving near Brian and John (nixon). I started working out in that area last week and am commuting right now.


We're starting to get an idea of what's out there now, but I'm hoping there will be more listings once spring comes and people start putting their houses on the market.