Sales/marketing scam?

Question

I have had what they used to call the bait and switch happen to me at different stores and just am starting to wonder if it is a fluke or actually a sales practice just not talked about. I recently went into a chain furniture store to purchase a futon frame, just the frame, and of course the one I had called about like 4 times previously that week, that was only $39 was sold out. But they would sell me this other one for like twice the price. I have had it happen at Staples, on a digital camera and i-pad, where the advertised one, with all the features we wanted was conveniently out of stock, and they would gladly sell me this other one, for of course more $. The camera I ended up buying at Walmart, but my husband did buy the more expensive i-pad there. I have also had this happen at Lowes, seperately, on a dryer and washer. The last time, on the washer, we did express our disdain and ended up waiting for the cheaper model I wanted to come in the next week. Is this a sales ploy?

Answer 1

Yes, this is definitely a sales ploy. Their motive or aim is to make sure you come to their store. After that all is leave to the salesman to persuade you to buy a more expensive model.
So to prevent from falling into this sales ploy, you must stand firm on your ground and just walk away if the model you want is not available.

Answer 2

Just ask for a 'rain check' - if they give it to you then you can come back when they have the original sale item in stock and you can buy it for the sale price. As long as you can get a rain check, it's not technically a bait and switch, because they give you the opportunity to get the item at the price advertised, but you have to come back. The actual ploy in play here is to get the customer in the store, and hope once they are there they will be too busy, lazy or impatient to wait for the item to restock, and buy the substitute item.

Answer 3

There may be some of that going on - and you can report to the main corporate since this practice is strictly taboo by law.

You can ask for a raincheck since they are advertising it, and since they are not in stock - they should be allowing a rain check on the item so when they do get it in stock - you can bring the raincheck in and get it for the sales price.

I have done this at all of the stores you have mentioned in my area.

Answer 4

yes, Often a retailer will only have one or two of the advertised item in stock, they will be sold out of that item fast. The theory is, get people into the store, most people will buy what they were shopping for even if they have to pay "alittle" more. The ad will often say "limited quantity" or "until current stock is sold out" etc...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bait_and_switch